"Wireless Maritime Services" Marina

[llarsen]

Hi,

We are sailing on the Marina this October to the Med. We have sailed on the Regatta three times, but this is the first time on one of the newer ships.

 

We just received our cruise guide with documents. In the "Communications" section is says:

 

"Oceania Cruises offers Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) voice and data services for all GSM mobile phones and GPRS devices such as Blackberry when the ship is at sea.

 

You can make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages and us other data services onboard anytime.

 

You will be billed by your mobile phone provider and calls or messages will appear as roaming charges on you bill. Please consult your wireless service provider for detailed rates and service zones."

 

I like to send the kids an email every couple days telling them all the exciting things we did and saw in port. I used to use the $1.00 outgoing and free incoming email address Oceania assigned until they recently discontinued that service.

 

Do the above paragraphs mean that I can use my iphone's wifi to send text messages, without being charged for connecting to Oceania's tower?

 

More important, does it mean I can use my ipad to send email wireless without Oceania's internet package?

 

It would be nice to know I could email or text the kids without it costing me $$$. (I do have an international phone for emergencies if I need to call, but texting is a pain on it)

 

Thanks for any info

[ORV]

Here's the part you need to pay attention to:

 

"You will be billed by your mobile phone provider and calls or messages will appear as roaming charges on you bill. "

 

Doesn't appear to be free at all.

[llarsen]

Yes, a few years ago on Regatta we were at sea in the middle of nowhere and my cell phone rang. (always kept it with me in case of emergency with my elderly parents)

The call was from a friend who didn't know I was on vacation, it was billed at something like 2.95 roaming.

 

I assume this still stands, but in the past we could not use our ipad to email without buying Oceania's internet package.

 

This is what I am most interested in finding out. Can you now use your phone or ipad's wifi to send email without the internet package?

[LAexNY]

 

This is what I am most interested in finding out. Can you now use your phone or ipad's wifi to send email without the internet package?

 

No, you cannot for free and it will cost you more than buying the package. The internet service is better and cheaper than it used to be. Still not cheap. The best deal is to buy the unlimited plan. But if you only want a few minutes here and there, you can buy minutes a la carte.

[llarsen]

Then what do they mean: You can make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages and "use other data services" onboard anytime.

 

What are "other data services"? I'm confused, I thought that might mean email?

[terry&mike]

Other data services are email, surfing the net (Safari, etc), running your apps that require data, and so on. Yes, you can use them, but you will be billed via your cell service provider.

Go to your carrier and check their international rates and plans page, they will have a section for cruises, it will give you the amounts you will be charged for calls, texts, emails.

My cruise rate with my company is $2.99 usd per minute, .50 per text incoming or outgoing, and I don't remember the data rates, but they are high so I limit my usage.

As my phone is my business, I turn mine off, let calls go to voice mail asking folks to email me (or direct them to call another person in an emergency). I then use the ship wifi service plan to check my email's a few times a day, and I check my voice mail on my cell phone when I am onshore (rates are still high, but a bit better)

It will be much cheaper to buy the ship's plan, than to use your home provider.

[llarsen]

Okay, I understand now. I was so excited after reading that, thinking I could just use the wifi on my iPad to email. Oh well.

 

Thank you everyone for your help.

[PaulMCO]

WMS is nothing more than cellular at sea.

 

Here is the MTN web page which is a JV between MTN and ATT..

 

http://www.wmsatsea.com/index.html

[travelling pair]

If I use my Ipod touch to email not my phone do the same roaming charges apply...I get a plan from my carrier to use my phone just for emergency phone calls but would like to use the internet on my ipod during the trip.Any help explaining this would be welcome. On our last AMA river cruise there was wifi that I used all the time without incurring any extra costs.

[terry&mike]

When you are incurring roaming charges, you are accessing your email through your service provider (your plan), and yes, there will be fees associated with it based on your plans international/cruise rates.

You'll want to cut the roaming off and access your email, and other features, through wifi. To do this on Oceania, you will need to purchase their internet package.

[terry&mike]

I see on the AMA Waterways site that they offer free wifi on their sailings, which is why you incurred no charges. On Oceania there will be a fee, although some of the sailings from O have offered free internet as a booking perk.

[llarsen]

Thanks Terry&Mike,

 

If I get the Verizon Global Data which is 25.00 for 100MB, will I still need the ships internet package? I don't have a clue what 100MB is, but hopefully it will allow me to send a few emails and texts. I have an international world phone for emergency calls if needed.

[rallydave]

Thanks Terry&Mike,

 

If I get the Verizon Global Data which is 25.00 for 100MB, will I still need the ships internet package? I don't have a clue what 100MB is, but hopefully it will allow me to send a few emails and texts. I have an international world phone for emergency calls if needed.

 

You should be able to get by with 100MB for a few e-mail. Where it might get expensive is when you receive e-mails and that uses quite a bit of mb. Also the simple act of deleting e-mails needs a connection and uses mb.

 

As far as texts, they are like phone calls and there will be charges to send and receive them separate from the mb usage. Check with Verizon for pricing but, think about $0.50 per text. You have to be connected to your provider the same as for phone calls so if someone calls while you are texting, and you answer, another charge. Have to turn off data usage at this time or you willl also use mb. Probably best to go to the verizon store and ask for help telling them what you plan on doing if not familiar with workings of your phone.

 

A suggestion if you do this, find out how to reset your internet usage (mb) to zero and check it out periodically. No cost to do this and no cost if you just check and have the phone and data turned off.

 

Yes, a bit confusing so if you go to the store, take notes on how to do things or read your manual and again make notes so you are sure not to have a huge bill when you get home.

[terry&mike]

llarsen,

Rallydave covered it. Texts are part of messaging in your plan, not data.

 

Think of your plan as three different components - voice for calls, voice mail; messaging for texts; data for internet related items such as surfing the web, emails, apps that need an internet connection.

 

The data plan you are thinking of purchasing would easily cover a few emails, and then some. Where your problem could come in would be incoming emails eating up your data. For example, you open your email program, for the first time in 4 days, so you can send a quick email to a family member. In opening your email program it automatically begins to download the 72 emails that you have received in the past 4 days, this could be a lot of data. I don't know how many emails you typically receive, but something to consider.

Another source of data usage is not fully closing out an app, before you put your device to bed. Some apps, such as a map app that is tracking your location, is continually searching and setting. If you have this running in the background, it will be using data continually.

Before you buy any plan, be sure it is for the Cellular at Sea program, because you certainly don't want to buy an international plan, think you are covered, and be accessing the network through Cellular at Sea rates.

 

My usage is high, as I have to work a bit each day while traveling. The best option for me financially is to start an international plan just before I leave for both voice and data on my phone; you need to remember to cancel the plan when you return home, as most auto renew month after month. I don't do the text plan, as I just limit texts and go with the 50 cents each way charge.

Just before my international flight departs, I close out all my apps, and turn my phone off. I have a voice mail directing people to email me, or who to call in an emergency. When I get where I am going, hotel or ship, I get their wifi service, and access my emails through my iPad via wifi. I will usually cut my phone on once per day to see if anyone left a voice mail, or sent a text.

I keep my phone with me as I'm touring around during the day, and can use the apps for maps, services, restaurants, etc. I limit my use, so as not to exceed my data purchased, and am sure to fully close out all apps when done, and shut my phone off. If I have some important business items going on, I keep my phone on.

If I have a lengthy call to make, I will use a phone app via wifi on my iPad or cell phone; I use both Skype and Truphone, in case one is having issues.

 

This method usually runs me extra about $30 for data plan, $30 for phone plan (sometimes a bit more), maybe 10 texts at 50 cents each, plus whatever I spend on wifi services wherever I am staying. I generally only add plans to my phone, and generally do not add plans to my iPad, using wifi with my iPad.

Most of my trips are land based, international, 3 to 4 times a year, running 12-16 days, and I usually spend between $100-$300 extra per trip on communications, the wide variance depends on how much I have to pay for wifi access; as I often rent apartments where wifi is included, I'm more often near the $100 extra amount. I cruise less often than land trips, and usually spend more to the higher end of that spectrum when cruising.

 

But again, you'll want to check with your provider. Most have extensive information online as to what you can expect.

Edited August 22, 2013 by terry&mike
adding info

[PintoLvr]

Wow, Terry&Mike, such great information! Thank you for taking the time to really spell it out. You have helped enormously! Lani

[ORV]

llarsen,

Rallydave covered it. Texts are part of messaging in your plan, not data.

 

Think of your plan as three different components - voice for calls, voice mail; messaging for texts; data for internet related items such as surfing the web, emails, apps that need an internet connection.

 

The data plan you are thinking of purchasing would easily cover a few emails, and then some. Where your problem could come in would be incoming emails eating up your data. For example, you open your email program, for the first time in 4 days, so you can send a quick email to a family member. In opening your email program it automatically begins to download the 72 emails that you have received in the past 4 days, this could be a lot of data. I don't know how many emails you typically receive, but something to consider.

Another source of data usage is not fully closing out an app, before you put your device to bed. Some apps, such as a map app that is tracking your location, is continually searching and setting. If you have this running in the background, it will be using data continually.

Before you buy any plan, be sure it is for the Cellular at Sea program, because you certainly don't want to buy an international plan, think you are covered, and be accessing the network through Cellular at Sea rates.

 

My usage is high, as I have to work a bit each day while traveling. The best option for me financially is to start an international plan just before I leave for both voice and data on my phone; you need to remember to cancel the plan when you return home, as most auto renew month after month. I don't do the text plan, as I just limit texts and go with the 50 cents each way charge.

Just before my international flight departs, I close out all my apps, and turn my phone off. I have a voice mail directing people to email me, or who to call in an emergency. When I get where I am going, hotel or ship, I get their wifi service, and access my emails through my iPad via wifi. I will usually cut my phone on once per day to see if anyone left a voice mail, or sent a text.

I keep my phone with me as I'm touring around during the day, and can use the apps for maps, services, restaurants, etc. I limit my use, so as not to exceed my data purchased, and am sure to fully close out all apps when done, and shut my phone off. If I have some important business items going on, I keep my phone on.

If I have a lengthy call to make, I will use a phone app via wifi on my iPad or cell phone; I use both Skype and Truphone, in case one is having issues.

 

This method usually runs me extra about $30 for data plan, $30 for phone plan (sometimes a bit more), maybe 10 texts at 50 cents each, plus whatever I spend on wifi services wherever I am staying. I generally only add plans to my phone, and generally do not add plans to my iPad, using wifi with my iPad.

Most of my trips are land based, international, 3 to 4 times a year, running 12-16 days, and I usually spend between $100-$300 extra per trip on communications, the wide variance depends on how much I have to pay for wifi access; as I often rent apartments where wifi is included, I'm more often near the $100 extra amount. I cruise less often than land trips, and usually spend more to the higher end of that spectrum when cruising.

 

But again, you'll want to check with your provider. Most have extensive information online as to what you can expect.

 

So just to be clear, do you also take out an internet plan while onboard Oceania to have the Wifi? I'm only interested in the on board component and not while on land. Is there a program or a way around the roaming charge each time you connect, whether it's data or calls or text?

 

Thanks

[terry&mike]

Yes, I would purchase the internet package from O, so that I could access wifi on my iPad. For my usage, I would choose the unlimited package so that I did not have to worry about minutes, but you may only need to purchase a few minutes.

If you are connecting through wifi, their will not be a roaming charge.

If you are connecting through your service provider (your own cell phone company), to make a call, check your voice mail, etc, then there may be a roaming charge each time you connect. If you add an international plan for the period you are out of the country, you may experience roaming charges each time you connect, or once a day when you connect, or just one roaming charge the very first time you connect in the new country, depending on your plan.

[PaulMCO]

llarsen,

But again, you'll want to check with your provider. Most have extensive information online as to what you can expect.

 

 

Good specific advice -- "check with your provider." Verizon has a data plan specific for cruise ship use and works with Cellular at Sea.

 

However for ATT their International Roaming data plan does not include Cellular at Sea and these are billed at the astronomical rate of $20.48 per 1MB. So just be careful.

[Fam_Cruise]

However for ATT their International Roaming data plan does not include Cellular at Sea and these are billed at the astronomical rate of $20.48 per 1MB. So just be careful.

This is true for Oceania, but not all cruise ships. AT&T does have Cruise Ship Packages for RCL family of cruise lines. In all fairness to you, offerings by any wireless carrier is a moving target as they change frequently. I wouldn't be surprised to see this rolled out on more cruise lines in the near future. RCL packages weren't there a few months ago.

 

To the OP:

 

You have two choices for internet access including email:

 

1) Oceania's Wifi rates and packages which can only be used on the ship from your PC, tablet or smart phone when you are logged onto their WiFi, if you purchase so many minutes, then you have to make sure to log off as the time spent logged in but idle on their Wifi counts against your minute allotment, OR

 

2) Your wireless carrier's data plan (in your case Verizon) which can be used on the ship when in or near the port as long as you have reception from a land based mobile tower. This is based on usage in MB. Usage can range from 3 MB/day for predominantly checking email (if you don't get a lot of email with large attachments), up to 20 MB/day if you are uploading pics to Facebook, using Pocket Guide apps for self tours, Google maps, and email. (That's my personal experience with iPhone 4S - data usage would be a bot higher with iPhone 5 and less with iPhone 3 due to pic resolution)

For text messages, you will be billed by your wireless carrier for incoming and outgoing text messages (in your case Verizon). The rates may be different when on land than when using Cellular at Sea. As others have said numerous times: CHECK WITH YOUR WIRELESS PROVIDER for their rates on board and in the countries you will be visiting.

 

For example purposes, in MY case I am with AT&T and purchase 300MB of data for $60, which is more than enough for a 2 week cruise. If I happen to go over the 300MB, they automatically give me another 120MB for an additional $30. I almost always am able to get GPRS data service from land based mobile towers for 30 minutes before and after a port, and during the entire period I am in port. I use my iPhone for real time GPS based Pocket Guide tours, upload lots of pictures to facebook, and check email throughout the day. The nice thing about AT&T service, and Verizon and other providers may well do this too, is that it warns you when you are not in area covered by the Global Data Add-on package. I rely mainly on email when I'm away, but also purchase a small international text pkg (50). I do not purchase any of Oceania's Wifi plan unless I get a work email that necessitates the need, which hasn't happened yet.

[llarsen]

Wow, so much information!

 

Well after reading all this, I'm afraid I will forget to turn something off and end up with a huge bill using my iphone.

 

Boy do I miss when you could send an email for 1.00 using Oceania's email at sea address (and receive for free!)

 

I have my world phone for the kids to reach us in case of emergency, and created a "vacation" email address to use in case I decide to buy Oceania's internet package or have time to stop at a internet cafe in port. I can always call them from the world phone for something like 2.49 minute (I talk fast, lol)

 

My international phone is supposed to be able to text, but no one I've ever texted from it has recieved the text, nor have I received theirs to that phone :-(

 

Thank you everyone for all the information!

[oceangirlkate]

Has anyone used "Facetime" through the ship's WiFi? I spoke to a friend who recently travelled to Europe. This is how she connected with family through her Ipad.

[terry&mike]

llarsen, I think your current plan of action is a good one for the amount of usage you expect to have.

As to the text feature on your international phone, you may have to call the service provider and have this feature added for it to work. Even though the phone has text capability, you usually have to establish this service to have it actually send and receive texts.

 

Can't speak to Facetime, as I've never tried to use it through a ships wifi service, but it sounds like a great idea. I would think it would work, but if they are blocking similar services, such as Skype, it may be blocked; I'm sure someone will have your answer. Keep in mind, you'll need to be calling another Apple device to use it.

[Fam_Cruise]

As to the text feature on your international phone, you may have to call the service provider and have this feature added for it to work. Even though the phone has text capability, you usually have to establish this service to have it actually send and receive texts.

Also you have to store phone numbers in international format + <contry code> <phone #>; for example a US number in Wash DC area code would be +12025555555. If numbers are not stored in international format in your phone then texting or calling won't work. In most cases you will just need to add +1 to your existing phone numbers. If you use Outlook on you PC and sync your phone, then doing this in Outlook and syncing your phone is much quicker and easier.

[FSU85]

There is a free iphone app called "Viber" that provides free international texts and calls. Wifi is required but should be relatively inexpensive and easy to find in port. I think the people you plan to text/call need to have the app as well. I have not used it, but I have heard many good things about it and I plan to try it out on our upcoming Med cruise.

[llarsen]

Wow thank you! So much good information!

 

I will call Mobal and ask them about the text feature. It could be that it is not activated, or because I failed to put the + in front of the number stored in my phone.

 

I will also look into that app, my daughter also has an iphone, so if it works that would be wonderful too.

 

Thanks again!