is it worth it to bring walkie-talkies?

[josask]

Since packing space is a premium, I don't want to bring something we won't be using - or won't work well on board.

Our kids are 7, 9 & 13 so we'll definitely want to be able to keep in touch with them, but I've heard that there is the option of leaving voice messages. We will always be together at ports so it's only on board that I thought we'd use them.

[cb at sea]

First, will the kids want to lug it around all the time?

Some models work better than others---some folks have trouble getting reception through several decks...

Make a tentative plan for the day....for instance, my kids knew to look either at the pool (for me) or the casino (for hubby)....last stop was the cabin to see if we left a note. You'll find that you will be in only a couple of areas...(most of the ship is cabin space, so aside from your hallway, there's no need to go there!)

It's not hard to keep track of each other on a ship...and you can call from room to room and leave messages!

[crzgrl66]

IMHO it is just not worth bringing. We used them with tweens on CCL. It was difficult to hear them and they couldn't hear the call button anytime they were in the disco, teen club, etc. It was just too noisy. They didn't like having to lug it around and either did DH & I. I would agree with prior post if you have a plan they will be able to find you and post it notes or white board on the room door works out as a great back up. On our last cruise we didn't take them. Our 6 & 8 year olds were always with us or in the kids camp and our 14 year old would just look around for us and would always end up finding us pretty quickly.

 

At port, we used cell phones and texted each other. He was on a teen excursion. We have unlimited texting and it was covered on our plan even though we were in the Bahamas. That was much easier then worrying about the parameters for walkie-talkies.

[Ula]

Honest for our cruises, people have them, try them and they get no response. Many units just do not work on ships or they are turned off and ignored.

Notes with times to meet and what area on a ship work far better. That is what we do with each other and when with family. You will have a schedule with the kids club for the younger kids. So just set up meet times in advance.

[sillysailor 1955]

Our first cruise with another couple we all decided to get Walkie Talkies... take my advice save your $$$ - and buy yourself a drink... we ended up never using them. LOL

[leighuf]

Lots of static, sometimes not on when I wanted to get a hold of someone. Or too loud with the music or crowds on board to hear. Annoying. I'm not bringing mine on any future cruise.

[A&Jfamily]

Sticky notes and room messages on the phone work much better.

[MamaParrotHead]

We got some fairly inexpensive models 2 cruises ago and have used them each time we've cruised, without a problem (with finding free channels nor with not having the range enough to use them onboard). We find it very conveninent at times when you're supposed to meet up but are enjoying what you're doing and would really rather not, or have a change in plans and don't want to go all the way back to your cabin and return to where you are just to write a note. Plus at times when someone is making a run down to the cabin and you'd like to get a hold of them to tell them to grab something for you and bring it back. It's makes it really easy for us to get in touch and we wouldn't cruise without them. JMHO.

[nvhcpc]

We got some fairly inexpensive models 2 cruises ago and have used them each time we've cruised, without a problem (with finding free channels nor with not having the range enough to use them onboard). We find it very conveninent at times when you're supposed to meet up but are enjoying what you're doing and would really rather not, or have a change in plans and don't want to go all the way back to your cabin and return to where you are just to write a note. Plus at times when someone is making a run down to the cabin and you'd like to get a hold of them to tell them to grab something for you and bring it back. It's makes it really easy for us to get in touch and we wouldn't cruise without them. JMHO.

 

What brand were you walkie talkies MamaParrotHead?

[MamaParrotHead]

they're Midland brand.

[dreaminofsun]

On our last cruise we travelled with a large group of family and we took walkies and found they worked well. I think it's a good idea if you are with a large group.

[nvhcpc]

On our last cruise we travelled with a large group of family and we took walkies and found they worked well. I think it's a good idea if you are with a large group.

What brand of walkie talkies did you take?

[nvhcpc]

they're Midland brand.

Sorry for so many questions but do you know what model they were?

 

Thanks so much!