Using a cell on board - what's my options?

[Ralph&Pam]

The connections and workings of cell phones on a cruise ship can be confusing. Here is some basic information so that everyone can make good decisions on their cruise. If this information is already known to everyone, sorry for taking up space –

1. Cell service wile in a foreign port. While docked in a foreign port, you have a couple of options 1) you can use the local cell services for calls. You need to do your homework on the ports and their services before you leave home then contact your service provider (Sprint, ATT, Verizon, etc.) to see what plan they offer for your trip and specific locations and if they offer service. If you don’t have a plan in place with your service provider before you leave, you will still probably be able to make/receive calls but it would be in “International Roaming” which is expensive. 2) It is also possible to log into a wifi network off the ship (at a restaurant, hotel, coffee shop, etc.) and use a wifi calling app to make/receive calls. These apps include Skype, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Advantages of wifi calling is that it is free but the calls may not have the same quality as Cell calls and video calling apps such as Skype and Hangouts may be slow, intermittent or not work at all.

2. Cell service at sea (away from land and in international waters). While at sea, you can use one of three services available on the ship; 1) “ship to shore” communications where you use the telephone handset in your stateroom to make a call. This service is expensive. 2) DCL uses a service called “Cellular at Sea” which allows you to use your cell phone to make/receive calls while on board just like at home. Here is what is listed on the DCL website - Prices vary depending upon your cellular provider and usually include international roaming charges. These charges will be billed to you directly by your wireless carrier. Note that DCL does not charge for Cellular at Sea, your service back home does and the costs will be charged after you get back from you cruise. Contact your service provider to tell them which ship you are cruising on and where you are going. Tell them you may be using the Cellular at Sea service while the ship is away from port. The Cellular at Sea service does not require an internet connection to work so you don't have to sign up for internet to use it. Also note that Cellular at Sea shuts down as the ship approaches land. 3) buy an internet package and use a wifi calling app to make/receive calls. These apps include Skype, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc. Please note – without signing up for internet service, the wifi calling will not work. This “wifi” service is not free as it is on land because DCL charges you for data while you use the internet.

3. Internet on the ship at sea. Satellite based internet service is offered by DCL in several different packages or you can “pay by the minute”. DCL charges for data, not time. That means sending/receiving emails without attachments uses the lowest amount of data. Surfing the web, Facebook, Instagram, Pandora, Netflix and other internet based services uses much more data and your charges for internet usage will reflect that. There is a wifi system on all DCL ships. This wifi system allows your laptop/tablet/phone to connect to the ships system however, wifi is not internet service without signing up for an internet plan. Wifi calling (as described in #2 above) will use the internet connect to make/receive calls which uses data. Lastly, you do not need to have internet service to use the “DCL Navigator” app. This app does not text or call off the ship but does provide a wealth of services on the ship

I hope this helps those who are wondering how things work like I did when I first started cruising.

Thanks, RRB. A nice concise summary. We usually go with option 3. Usually, we manage with one 1GB package for a 7 night. We've used two for transatlantics.

 

[Jason Martin]

I have made FaceTime calls while at sea. Uses about 15 MB for a 5 minute call which isn't horrible.

Just got back from the Med cruise. Verizon travel pass is $10 per day except for the few hours in Monaco.

Make sure you turn off automatic data downloads before you board so you don't waste data. The connect at sea desk is pretty good and if you screw up they are likely to restore your unintended use back. I got a 300 MB package which was fine for Checking email and texting. Every time you load facebook it uses about 10-15 MB updating so be careful.

Also since it was a closed loop EU cruise VAT applied so the packages were $23/$48/$110 instead of $19/$39/$89

 

[RRB]

Thanks, RRB. A nice concise summary. We usually go with option 3. Usually, we manage with one 1GB package for a 7 night. We've used two for transatlantics.

Which app do you use and how well does it worK

 

[RRB]

I have made FaceTime calls while at sea. Uses about 15 MB for a 5 minute call which isn't horrible.

Just got back from the Med cruise. Verizon travel pass is $10 per day except for the few hours in Monaco.

Make sure you turn off automatic data downloads before you board so you don't waste data. The connect at sea desk is pretty good and if you screw up they are likely to restore your unintended use back. I got a 300 MB package which was fine for Checking email and texting. Every time you load facebook it uses about 10-15 MB updating so be careful.

Also since it was a closed loop EU cruise VAT applied so the packages were $23/$48/$110 instead of $19/$39/$89

How well does Face Time work? I have ready that it is intermittent. Good point about turning off data downloads and also app updates.

 

[Jason Martin]

It wasn't great, and only did outgoing calls. Facebook messenger works best for text messaging.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Which app do you use and how well does it worK

Facetime for outbound calling, but we try to reserve this for port days where we can get a free wifi connection. Works okay. Almost all our data usage onboard is for iMessage, email, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

[RRB]

I have the Samsung S8+ and will be trying their updated wifi calling feature, "Calling PLUS". It's a voice only setting that uses the wifi and internet connection to make calls.