cell phone and direct cabin dial-in on solstice ships

[galba]

Hi,

 

I'm leaving tomorrow on the Eclipse.

 

How does cell phone access work on Solstice class ships? Last year on

the Equinox when out of range from land-based cell phone operators, the

ship seemed to switch on some internal cell service. But it didn't work

as expected: my phone rang a few time but calls would never connect, nor

could I successfully place an outgoing call.

 

Does this ship cell service require advance registration or minutes

block purchase? Has it worked for any cruisecritic readers?

 

On a related subject, is it possible to be called directly to one's

cabin phone while at sea? Or is it possible to call the ship's

switchboard and ask to be connected to a cabin phone?

 

If so where do I find the ship's number?

 

Thanks,