Walkie talkies on cruise ship ?

Hi

We will be sailing on the Sapphire Princess around Scandinavia in May , we have a disabled relative travelling with us .

We thought it would be great if we could use walkie talkies to communicate , could you recommend any we can purchase in the uk please .

Also have you had good results with them .

Many thanks Michelle

General consensus is that they don't work very well due to the amount of metal/steel in the ship. And that they are an annoyance to people around you. EM

Haven’t seen walkie talkies on a cruise in years. They don’t work very well as the decks and walls are metal.

Much easier is using the free Princess@Sea if you have a smartphone or tablet. It uses the ship’s Intranet, not Internet, and you can message each other, check your folio, check dining times, your itinerary, order breakfast room service, purchase a Future Cruise Deposit, check upcoming events, etc. It’s free and easy to use, and it makes no noise.

Hi

We will be sailing on the Sapphire Princess around Scandinavia in May , we have a disabled relative travelling with us .

We thought it would be great if we could use walkie talkies to communicate , could you recommend any we can purchase in the uk please .

Also have you had good results with them .

Many thanks Michelle

I assume you are in the UK. The UK has a no-license two way radios available that operate on 8 distinct frequencies and have an output of 0.5 watts (500 MW). That said then you need to remember there are 8 and only 8 frequencies so you will be sharing those with anyone else who has a UK or EU radio. The channels work such that only one person can talk at a time on each frequency. They are not very powerful at only 500 MW. The ship is constructed of steel which makes it possible to use magnets in staterooms on the walls and doors. Steel suppresses radio signals which therein lies the problem. While the radios will work on the ship, reception can be a problem. For instance if you are on the lido deck and want to talk to someone on 5 decks below in another section of the ship (forward or aft), you might not be able to do it. They do not work all over the ship between two pax as it depends on where the two locations are located. With that knowledge here are the top 10 rated UK two way radios in 2018.

http://www.ligo.co.uk/buying-guide/top-10-best-two-way-radios/

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Thank you , you have been so helpful I think I will give it a miss :confused:

I assume you are in the UK. The UK has a no-license two way radios available that operate on 8 distinct frequencies and have an output of 0.5 watts (500 MW). That said then you need to remember there are 8 and only 8 frequencies so you will be sharing those with anyone else who has a UK or EU radio. The channels work such that only one person can talk at a time on each frequency. They are not very powerful at only 500 MW. The ship is constructed of steel which makes it possible to use magnets in staterooms on the walls and doors. Steel suppresses radio signals which therein lies the problem. While the radios will work on the ship, reception can be a problem. For instance if you are on the lido deck and want to talk to someone on 5 decks below in another section of the ship (forward or aft), you might not be able to do it. They do not work all over the ship between two pax as it depends on where the two locations are located. With that knowledge here are the top 10 rated UK two way radios in 2018.

 

http://www.ligo.co.uk/buying-guide/top-10-best-two-way-radios/

 

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Thank you ,you have been very helpful and explained it well , I think I probably won’t bother then !

There are a number of service phones about the ship which you can phone your cabin on. So if relative is in cabin they can pick up if nearby the handset. You can drop voicemail onto your cabin phone which then has a stored message red light flashing on it.

Regards John

Many years ago, before cell phones, I brought walkie-talkies on cruises. On board the ship, they were no good, but ashore, they worked pretty well. I would leave my wife when she was in stores that I had no interest in, and I could wander on my own. The walkie-talkies let her tell me when she was ready to move on.

Many years ago, before cell phones, I brought walkie-talkies on cruises. On board the ship, they were no good, but ashore, they worked pretty well. I would leave my wife when she was in stores that I had no interest in, and I could wander on my own. The walkie-talkies let her tell me when she was ready to move on.

Be aware that walkie-talkies are illegal in some foreign ports.

The Princess smartphone app has worked well for us on board several ships (and is free!!) It has a calendar of activities, allows you to set reminders, and send text messages. We found it to be very reliable.

NCL requires the purchase of an internet package ($10pp) and allows you to book reservations for shows/dinners that are all an extra charge and fill up the first day. Can't look ahead at tomorrow's activities, no reminders... and didn't stay connected. It was a total waste of time.

We LOVE the Princess@Sea, HATE the NCL version.

MANY years ago, we found walkie talkies to be worthless on a ship. When they do work, you'll pick up other people on your channel, especially if they are nearer to you than the one you are trying to reach.

Smart phones with the Princess app are much better. There is no cost to do text messages thru the app. As noted, there are "house phones" around the ship that can be used to call your room to check in or leave a message, also at no charge.

Many years ago, before cell phones, I brought walkie-talkies on cruises. On board the ship, they were no good, but ashore, they worked pretty well. I would leave my wife when she was in stores that I had no interest in, and I could wander on my own. The walkie-talkies let her tell me when she was ready to move on.

The use of US/Canadian two way hand held radios are illegal in most countries outside the US/Canada. In Europe they will interfere with emergency services since they use the same frequencies. You can be arrested and put in jail if they so choose.

MANY years ago' date=' we found walkie talkies to be worthless on a ship. When they do work, you'll pick up other people on your channel, especially if they are nearer to you than the one you are trying to reach.

 

Smart phones with the Princess app are much better. There is no cost to do text messages thru the app. As noted, there are "house phones" around the ship that can be used to call your room to check in or leave a message, also at no charge.

When the day arrives that they include an audible alert then they'll actually be of some use. Until then it's just not worth the trouble either.

When the day arrives that they include an audible alert then they'll actually be of some use. Until then it's just not worth the trouble either.

A visual notification would work for me and wouldn't annoy those nearby.

I'd be curious to know from the techies in Cruise Critic Land if having a visual and vibrate notification option while not providing an option for an audible notification is viable? To me, that sounds like the best of both worlds. However, I'm skeptical that this is a viable solution.

It is a viable option IF Princess wants it done. Apparently they do not want it for their customers.

Thank you , you have been so helpful I think I will give it a miss.

Good, I'm sure your fellow cruisers will be pleased.

2 years ago on the Star, I found the princess@sea to be almost worthless due to the fact that the signal isn't broadcast throughout the ship. Plus there's the "have to check your phone all the time to see if you got a message."

We used to do it, thinking about trying it again when we are on the Regal Princess in several months.

They work great in the DR and the Princess Theater. (y)(y)(y)(y)

I'd be curious to know from the techies in Cruise Critic Land if having a visual and vibrate notification option while not providing an option for an audible notification is viable? To me, that sounds like the best of both worlds. However, I'm skeptical that this is a viable solution.

The option of audible or visual or vibrate when a message arrives on your smart phone is chosen by you the owner of the smart phone. Princess@sea would not have that option. The only option I believe is for Princess@sea to send a signal to your smart phone that would include both the message and a prompt to trigger the alert you have chosen.

Can you imagine an audible alert on everyone's smart phone when a message arrives? :eek::eek::eek:

The option of audible or visual or vibrate when a message arrives on your smart phone is chosen by you the owner of the smart phone. Princess@sea would not have that option. The only option I believe is for Princess@sea to send a signal to your smart phone that would include both the message and a prompt to trigger the alert you have chosen.

 

Can you imagine an audible alert on everyone's smart phone when a message arrives? :eek::eek::eek:

Everyone would always be checking to see if it was their phone! I agree, I don't think the sender has any control over if an alert is audible or not.

Hi

We will be sailing on the Sapphire Princess around Scandinavia in May , we have a disabled relative travelling with us .

We thought it would be great if we could use walkie talkies to communicate , could you recommend any we can purchase in the uk please .

Also have you had good results with them .

Many thanks Michelle

I'd check Princess' list of "prohibited items". Full-up ham radios got added to it mid-

2017 :') ...about the time that Sea Princess had to darken ship each night to tip-toe

through pirate waters off the Horn of Africa.

Can't find that list right now, but likely walkie-talkies got banned too.

I'd check Princess' list of "prohibited items". Full-up ham radios got added to it mid-

2017 :') ...about the time that Sea Princess had to darken ship each night to tip-toe

through pirate waters off the Horn of Africa.

 

Can't find that list right now, but likely walkie-talkies got banned too.

You are, of course, correct in that it is likely best to check with Princess. Below is the info from their web site. It looks pretty complete. While I wouldn't recommend use of walkie talkies onboard and I also doubt their efficacy given the structural blocks to the signal I definitely don't see any prohibition against them.

From Princess:

Prohibited Items

Guests are advised not to bring any prohibited items to the ship. Prohibited items will not be allowed or stored onboard the vessel with no exceptions. Guests are fully responsible for either storing these items ashore or disposing of them prior to embarkation.

The following items must not be allowed on board without valid lawful reason:

• All firearms including non-firing weapons. An exception to this rule are law enforcement agents acting in an official capacity and certified armed security guards acting in an official capacity (with full permission of the ship’s Master).
  
• All forms of ammunition, explosive materials and propellants, projectiles of all kinds, cartridges.
  
• All imitation or replica weapons including de-commissioned weapons, those not capable of being fired and realistic imitation/toy weapons.
  
• Air/Pellet guns or any other variety of projectile firing weapon.
  
• All explosives and explosive device components including but not limited to military, civilian and safety devices, detonators, detonation cords, blasting caps, smoke cartridges, grenades, mines, imitation explosives/devices.
  
• Fireworks, Flares and Pyrotechnics
  
• Knives with a blade over 6.35 cm (2 ½ inches) or ½ inch at widest point. This includes bladed weapons, sharp pointed weapons, daggers, sabers, swords, axes, ice axes, hatchets, straight razors (shaving safety razors are allowed), razor blades not in a cartridge, box cutters, ice picks, meat cleavers and utility knives.
  
• Concealed bladed weapons such as belt buckles knives, cane and umbrella knives/swords, pen knives and credit card knives.
  
• Recreational Diver’s Knives unless accompanied by other diving/snorkeling equipment and a valid diving ID card/license (must be held in the custody of the Security Officer). Dive knives may be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise.
  
• Diver’s spears and spear guns/slings.
  
• Ceremonial knives/swords as well as entertainment props are at times permitted with prior notification from the Fleet Security Department (must be held on-board in the same manner as dive knives).
  
• Flick knives, gravity knives, switchblades or lock knives. Small locking pocket knives with blade lengths less than 6.35 cm (2 ½ inches) and widths ½ inch or less are allowed.
  
• Scissors with blades longer than 4 inches.
  
• Telescopic or regular truncheons/batons/clubs/coshes/nightsticks/billy clubs/blow pipes/ASPs and or any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon.
  
• Archery equipment including crossbows and bolts.
  
• Catapults
  
• Martial Arts Equipment including flails, throwing stars, nunchakus/nunchucks, kubatons, bostaff, etc.
  
• Knuckle Dusters, brass knuckles, or any other item constructed for use as a weapon in hand-to-hand combat.
  
• Stun Guns, Tasers or any other electroshock device.
  
• Handcuffs
  
• Items containing Incapacitating Substances such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, pepper/mace cartridges, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable.
  
• Flammable Liquids and hazardous chemicals/substances including gasoline/petrol, cooking fuel, acid, spill able batteries (except those in wheelchairs), phosphorous, oil, lighter fluid (common lighters are permitted), methylated spirits, paint thinners, acid, turpentine, spray paint, chlorine, bleach, spray paint and any other dangerous chemicals that could burn, maim, incapacitate or disable.
  
• Compressed gas bottles/cylinders including propane tanks and aerosol cans (except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities). Dive Tanks are not permitted, empty or full. Medical gas bottles are allowed in connection with a certified medical condition but cannot be packed in baggage. Oxygen cylinders must be delivered to the Purser’s Office and stored in a designated safe area. Oxygen cylinders are not x-rayed.
  
• Drones also referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicle (RPA), and any other remote controlled aerial devices/toys.
  
• Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as a weapon.
  
• Hookah and Water Hookah Pipes, candles and incense, strike-anywhere matches, clothing irons, heating pads, hot plates, kettles, coffee makers, toasters and other electronic cooking appliances.
  
• Alcohol in violation of the company alcohol policy.
  
• All illegal drugs, including medications without proper prescriptions. This includes legal intoxicant synthetic or “designer” drugs also known as “Legal Highs” such as Lysergamides, Opioids, Methoxetamine, Synthetic Cannabis, Betel Nuts or Kava (Cava).
  
• Medical Marijuana
  
• Poisons
  
• Noxious Items
  
• Baseball bats, hockey sticks, cricket bats, lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, and skateboards.
  
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Ham radios, transformers, lasers, laser pointers, electric extension cords with surge protectors*.
  
• Bicycles
  
• Tools of trade/hobby including any type of hand or power tool. This includes hammers, drills, drill bits, crow bars, saws, power saws, chef/cooking knives/utensils, tools greater than 7 inches in length such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers (unless prior authorization is provided by Corporate Headquarters and strict controls are maintained on-board).
  
• Surfboards – (Boogie boards no longer than 42 inches in length are allowed).
  
• Coolers - only coolers approximately 12 x 12 x 12 in size (holds 6-12 cans of non-alcoholic beverages) are allowed. Guests carrying larger sizes will be directed to return them to their vehicle. If the guest is without a vehicle, the cooler will be destroyed in the same manner as other prohibited items. Exception: if the cooler is larger and contains baby food/formula, kosher food/special diet food or medication - these must be hand-carried. Coolers cannot be accepted as checked baggage. Whenever there is doubt an embarkation
  
• Scooters (only permitted if used for mobility), boats/canoes/kayaks, Segways, Heely Shoes, Hoverboards/self-balancing scooters.
  
• The above list is not exhaustive. The Ship Security Officer and Staff Captain are authorized to make a professional judgement as to the legality of any item, declared, detected or discovered.
  
• *Electrical devices such as small fans, power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords without surge protectors are allowed onboard when used with proper caution. However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark.
  
• 
  
  • The above list is not exhaustive. The Ship Security Officer and Staff Captain are authorized to make a professional judgement as to the legality of any item, declared, detected or discovered.
    
  • *Electrical devices such as small fans, power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords without surge protectors are allowed onboard when used with proper caution. However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark.
    

   

  [*]As our guest, please follow the above precautions while traveling on any of our ships, and if possible, please refrain from taking these devices with you on board.