Texting during Sail Away

[chuckm403]

Does anyone know when international rates start to apply when sailing away from Port Canaveral? Is it the moment you board the ship or is there a chance of being able to hit a local tower? Basically I would like to know if I can text while we are still sailing down the canal before hitting open waters without incurring international rates.
TIA

 

[Aaeolien]

No idea it's vacation toss out the phone and enjoy it. Lol. If it was to guess if you are in the canal area close to shore then you should be able to text no problem. At least that's my guess

 

[brentm77]

I sent a few pictures to family just as we started to sail away in Port Canaveral. On Verizon it did not cost extra. After that, I put my phone in the safe most of the cruise and had the most carefree week in recent memory.

 

[erionm]

Does anyone know when international rates start to apply when sailing away from Port Canaveral? Is it the moment you board the ship or is there a chance of being able to hit a local tower? Basically I would like to know if I can text while we are still sailing down the canal before hitting open waters without incurring international rates.
TIA

While still docked at PC and during the sail away, you will still be connected to your carrier. Once the phone says 'Cellular at Sea', you are connected to the ships cell service.

As far as Cellular at Sea goes:

Due to regulations, the WMSatSea network only works when the ship is at sea at least 12 nautical miles from shore (2 nautical miles in the European Union). When the ship is sailing on international waters, you will be able to use our network for incoming and outgoing calls, SMS, and Data services (email and web surfing). Once in port, you can connect to local roaming networks as permitted by your home carrier.

http://www.wmsatsea.com/guest-services.html

 

[chuckm403]

While still docked at PC and during the sail away, you will still be connected to your carrier. Once the phone says 'Cellular at Sea', you are connected to the ships cell service.

Thank you

 

[jllambrecht]

Thank you! This information is very helpful.

 

[com_op_2000]

I have gotten cell service from the shore as far out as 12 miles depending upon carrier, when I have gone fishing out of PC. Check with your cell service provider's website and they should have a map showing coverage for the PC area and off-shore waters.

 

[chuckm403]

I have gotten cell service from the shore as far out as 12 miles depending upon carrier, when I have gone fishing out of PC. Check with your cell service provider's website and they should have a map showing coverage for the PC area and off-shore waters.

Great idea. Thank you!

 

[RosiePA]

Does anyone know when international rates start to apply when sailing away from Port Canaveral? Is it the moment you board the ship or is there a chance of being able to hit a local tower? Basically I would like to know if I can text while we are still sailing down the canal before hitting open waters without incurring international rates.
TIA

We have typically had cell service for an hour after sail away. DH usually does work and uses our ipad as a hot spot until he loses the data. I, on the other hand, usually take advantage of one of the spa specials while he's working!

 

[chuckm403]

I sent a few pictures to family just as we started to sail away in Port Canaveral. On Verizon it did not cost extra. After that, I put my phone in the safe most of the cruise and had the most carefree week in recent memory.

This is exactly what I was hoping to be able to do. Phone goes in the safe the minute we clear the jetty. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[MDTerp]

As prior posters mentioned, no issues while in transit to open waters. We have texted and had phone conversations (while waving frantically at our families watching on the PC webcam) with no issues (6 cruises from PC). Once we hear the last sounding of the horn and clear the jetty rocks, the phone gets placed into airplane mode (to allow for music use in gym or by pool without hitting a tower somewhere) and then goes into the safe. We are on AT&T. Sent from my iPad using DISBoards