Keeping in contact

[paulbjr]

On a ship as big as the Mariner, how to couples stay in touch when they are doing separate things?

 

I ask because although I have an Android phone and can use the Wi-Fi with my phone, Connie's phone is NOT a smart phone.

 

1. Can we get a cheap SIM card for her phone in Rome that will work in multiple countries on our cruise? Would the cost on-board still be $5.99 / minute (gack!)

 

2. Would cheap walkie-talkie type radios be legal in Europe? Would they work on the ship?

 

Paul

[nana541]

Welcome to the Regent board! And I have real good news for you....Mariner is not a big ship at all. There are only a handful (very few) places to go. Coffee conection and Computer room are right together, pool area, observaton lounge.

My husband and I never had trouble as the ship is relatively small and we had our couple favorite places to read or visit with others....

Never entered my mind to use my phone to find hubby as the cost to use it at sea is $$$$$. Can't imagine with all the metal etc that either phones or walkie talkies would work to well anyway.

 

Maybe someone else has better imput, but really compared to the lines like HAL, Princess, etc...Mariner for that matter any Regent ship is very small and not too many public places to wander in.

 

Sorry I could not give you a better answer! :)

[Travelcat2]

It would be difficult to misplace each other on the ship:) Generally, when we are doing something different, we just say that we'll meet in a specific lounge or back in the suite. We don't even turn our phones on while onboard.

[OrpingtonT]

I agree. You will have difficulty losing each other.

[rarin2go]

We have seen at least two couples using walkie-talkie type radios to keep in touch - once when one person was on one side of the pool and the other was on the other side :D But seems totally unnecessary to us given compact nature of the ship.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Mariner is a small ship. We never have a problem, although sometimes we leave each other notes! Once we establish our favourite haunts, we can usually just walk there, until we find each other. Very easy.

[RachelG]

I only have had trouble finding George once on the ship. And it was because he was in the men's sauna. After I had looked all over for him, I pretty much came to the conclusion that was where he was (and I was right, so I guess he wasn't really lost).

[nana541]

Hummm notes! How clever :) kinda old fashion in this day of electronics!!

[paulbjr]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback.

 

Let me expand this a bit.

 

On one day, at least, we are going on separate excursions.

 

Can someone comment on the SIM card issue?

[jstroose1]

Check with your carrier - Verizon can lend you a phone to use in Europe - you could text 50 cents to send 5 cents to receive - also - note - not all "Smart Phones" are ok for use in Europe. My husband has a Motorola Android Razer and he has been told it wont work in Europe with Verizon.

[nana541]

Texting on land IS the most cost effective option.... Call your carrier! But do you really need to be able to reach each other?? Really.....

Just meet back in your cabin when your tour is over :) and leave a note if you leave.....tour guides all have cell phones in the event of a true emergency!

 

Relax, enjoy and stop worrying!!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I agree, you should be able to get a text roaming package from your carrier. Don't need a smartphone for that, just a decent set of keys. If your wife doesn't have that, you can get, I'm sure, a voice roaming package. That is, if you're phones are GSM or better.

[nana541]

PS a differant Sim Card for land calls will not stop the huge price of calls with your cell phone at sea....no way to avoid that! Sorry....

Truely all the metal, steel, ect on board make reception really bad any way...just do what the rest of us do...we argree to meet at a certain time for lunch at La Veranda or as my husband mostly tells me he is "off to read a book" which means he is heading to the Observation Lounge by way of the casino :)

[Travelcat2]

A tiny bit off topic but I think it's really sweet that you want to keep in contact with each while on separate excursions:D

[nana541]

A tiny bit off topic but I think it's really sweet that you want to keep in contact with each while on separate excursions:D

 

TC you are a romantic!

[freddie]

jstroose1 - As Wendy stated, the key is to have a phone that uses the mobile standard, GSM. Verizon uses CDMA, which is not compatible with most European phone systems. Therefore, even if your phones are "unlocked", allowing you to switch SIM cards, that won't be an option with your Verizon CDMA phones. There are a few other options, however. First, you can simply buy a couple of throw-away cell phones in Rome. Second, you can either borrow or rent GSM phones from Verizon. Finally, there are lots of companies, such as Global and Telestial, that sell GSM phones with SIM cards that can be used in many countries. You can see the various plans on their websites.

 

Good luck. Cheers, Fred

[Travelcat2]

TC you are a romantic!

 

You figured me out!

[jstroose1]

Just to clarify - many Verizon phones won't work in Europe but many do. I have a Motorola Droid Global and it is fine in Europe. My last Blackberry also worked in Europe.

[Cruisin'Jenny2]

Paul,

 

Here is an option, and what I always do... although I've never had two phones.

 

Make sure you both have unlocked, tri-band GSM phones (imperative). Go online to "ekit" and order two international SIM cards at $39 each. They will have a UK number (*44) and will have "free" incoming calls. They come pre-loaded with US$10 credit - which at about 29c/minute or 70c/text will last you for weeks in Europe - if that's where you're going. Then your phones will also be ready to make restaurant reservations, call taxis or for whatever other purpose you might need while onshore or docked, or anchored (as long as there is "local" cell service available). I have never even tried to use this service while at sea - and yes, it would still be $5/min - if it even works!

 

This way you will be able to call each other and text each other and generally stay in touch at will.

 

Just be aware that this service is a "call-back" service. This is where you dial a number, then your phone calls you back immediately and connects your number. It takes some getting used to, but it works great! Unless you pay extra (I think it was $59), the SIM will not be set up for data, only voice calls and texts.

 

Hope this helps...

 

Jen