NDRB Posted July 25, 2010 #1 Share Posted July 25, 2010 How does the Verizon cell phone service work while out at sea in Hawaii? is it true that any cell phone is going to pick up the NCL tower and that you wil be charged a $2.49/minute rate unless you are well away from the ship? Nina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_k_tx Posted July 25, 2010 #2 Share Posted July 25, 2010 We used our Verizon phones all over the islands and on the ship while in port with no problems or extra charges. There were times at sea between ports that we did not have service. Others have said the POA doesn't have a tower and I think that they are correct. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riofriotex Posted July 26, 2010 #3 Share Posted July 26, 2010 We used our Verizon phones all over the islands and on the ship while in port with no problems or extra charges. There were times at sea between ports that we did not have service. Others have said the POA doesn't have a tower and I think that they are correct. Ed Ditto - we were on the May 22 cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachchick Posted July 26, 2010 #4 Share Posted July 26, 2010 There is no cell tower on PoA. I know this to be true. Any signal you get onboard will be from a tower on one of the islands. If you have nationwide roaming, you're covered in Hawaii. You will not get a signal at all when the ship is too far from land to pick up a signal from the towers there. Be sure to turn off your phone when this happens because otherwise it is constantly searching for a signal and drains the battery fast. beachchick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbmom87 Posted July 26, 2010 #5 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Be sure to turn off your phone when this happens because otherwise it is constantly searching for a signal and drains the battery fast. beachchick Good point, or have it charging. I used my phone as an alarm, but was not awakened by it one morning because the battery went dead. :eek: Fortunately we had arranged for a wake up call also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH_ca Posted August 19, 2010 #6 Share Posted August 19, 2010 My Nokia (old school style) cell phone's alarm feature still works even when the phone is turned off. I love using it as a backup alarm in case of power interruption. Since it is off, I won't be disturbed by unwanted phone calls in the middle of the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downsized Posted August 19, 2010 #7 Share Posted August 19, 2010 POA is a port intensive cruise. You are in port every day, and at sail at night, or late in the afternoon. To minimize battery drain, we simply switch to "airplane" mode each day at sail away, and back off in the morning as we aproach port. (That keeps the phone from constantly "searching" for a signal.) Even if we forget though, newer phone's batteries will last quite awhile, even in search mode. If you get a signal, you should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted August 19, 2010 #8 Share Posted August 19, 2010 You should be able to just wait till you are in port to make and receive calls. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty dingo Posted August 19, 2010 #9 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Good point, or have it charging. I used my phone as an alarm, but was not awakened by it one morning because the battery went dead. :eek: Fortunately we had arranged for a wake up call also. Most phones have an "Airplane mode" which turns off the radio but retains all the applications like the alarm clock. Be aware that some phones only get their clock values from the cell tower so once out of range they can't tell time and are not good alarm clocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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