SASSYMI2 Posted January 30, 2014 #1 Share Posted January 30, 2014 What is the best way to use your cell phone on a Caribbean cruise without breaking the bank? Only turn it on on the islands. Ask others to text you instead of calling? Make calls only on the Islands? ETC,ETC. Doesn't Princess charge a large useage fee if you make or receive calls while onboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 30, 2014 #2 Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) What is the best way to use your cell phone on a Caribbean cruise without breaking the bank? Only turn it on on the islands. Ask others to text you instead of calling? Make calls only on the Islands? ETC,ETC.Doesn't Princess charge a large useage fee if you make or receive calls while onboard? When cruising I turn my cell data off on my iphone. I only turn it on in a port where I can connect to my carrier AT&T (St Thomas/San Juan/Ft Lauderdale etc) When the ship is at sea they provide a connection through the ships cell service. This is where you can rack up charges, for me text are .50 each and calls are $2.49 per minute. Good for emergencies. I still send and receive texts when the cell data is off. Incoming text are free for me. When you are in foreign ports you will most likely be roaming so the charges can be steep there too. Edited January 30, 2014 by Colo Cruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted January 30, 2014 #3 Share Posted January 30, 2014 We turn our phone off when we board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FritzG Posted January 30, 2014 #4 Share Posted January 30, 2014 It's not necessary to turn the phone off, but you want to turn off data, or it will cost big bucks. We use our phone for photos, a clock, the timer etc., but I only enabled data when I was actually making calls home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SdKT Posted January 30, 2014 #5 Share Posted January 30, 2014 When cruising I turn my cell data off on my iphone.This is where you can rack up charges, for me text are .50 each and calls are $2.49 per minute. I still send and receive texts when the cell data is off. Incoming text are free for me. hi im sorry can i ask a qs. if when cell data is off, you said you can still send and receive, but its 50c each? - i guess for send only, since receive was free, on your carrier.. ? i've never tried the cell data off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog on water Posted January 30, 2014 #6 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Contact your carrier...and get info in writing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 30, 2014 #7 Share Posted January 30, 2014 hi im sorry can i ask a qs.if when cell data is off, you said you can still send and receive, but its 50c each? - i guess for send only, since receive was free, on your carrier.. ? i've never tried the cell data off. Yes I can still send/recieve text with the data off. Only .50 when you send through the ships cell service. Free to recieve regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare oskidunker Posted January 30, 2014 #8 Share Posted January 30, 2014 To shut off data? Have I Phone 5c. only a few weeks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sellstar Posted January 30, 2014 #9 Share Posted January 30, 2014 All smartphones regularly ping the wireless network for information, so turning data off is a must. Ships turn their on board cell systems off when in local waters (12 mi) of ports. Turn back on in Intl waters. You can normally turn "roaming data" off in settings so you are not surprised on your next bill. Text messages are delivered through voice networks normally, hence the reason you can still receive/send when data is turned off. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vexorg Posted January 30, 2014 #10 Share Posted January 30, 2014 If you have a CDMA phone (Sprint of Verizon) it will generally only work when in US territories that have coverage from US carriers, although it does look like some islands do have CDMA service these days. Phones on GSM carriers (AT&T or T-Mobile) should be able to at least roam in the various islands, but expect significant roaming fees. If you have an unlocked GSM phone I suppse you could do something like use prepaid service from one of the local GSM carriers that services the islands (Digicel seems to have the widest coverage in the Caribbean) but I don't know how much that costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssbeagle Posted January 30, 2014 #11 Share Posted January 30, 2014 When I go on a cruise my cell phone gets turned off and put in the safe just before the ship sails and doesn't come out again until the night before disembarkation so I can charge it up for when we are back in port. I always leave an emergency number (Princess has them) for someone to reach me if necessary. After all I am on vacation and want to be away from phones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SASSYMI2 Posted January 30, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I have a tmobile android smart phone. Does anyone know how i turn the data off? it's not necessary to turn the phone off, but you want to turn off data, or it will cost big bucks.We use our phone for photos, a clock, the timer etc., but i only enabled data when i was actually making calls home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaii Anniversary Posted January 30, 2014 #13 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I have an Iphone and an Ipad that I planned on taking with me on a cruise from LA to Hawaii. I have a wireless data plan with AT&T so I do not need the ship's wireless. So I am confused, would I still encur some fee from Princess if I used my internet on the ship since I pay for my own data plan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wehwalt Posted January 30, 2014 #14 Share Posted January 30, 2014 T-mobile has an international plan that is free if you have certain of their plans. I've used it successfully on a European cruise, on my Caribbean cruise on the Ruby, and I'm using it on my balcony on the Pacific Princess as we depart Lima. Look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted January 30, 2014 #15 Share Posted January 30, 2014 , would I still encur some fee from Princess if I used my internet on the ship since I pay for my own data plan? Yes since you have to access the ship's Wifi in order to connect. I think the rate is around $.75 per minute. Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beg3yrs Posted January 31, 2014 #16 Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) I have an Iphone and an Ipad that I planned on taking with me on a cruise from LA to Hawaii. I have a wireless data plan with AT&T so I do not need the ship's wireless. So I am confused, would I still encur some fee from Princess if I used my internet on the ship since I pay for my own data plan? Your wireless data plan with AT&T covers your usage through AT&T cell towers only. While you are at sea, there are no AT&T towers available, only the "tower" provided by the ship through MCP (Maritime Communications Partners). If you use cell-phone data to access the Internet on-board the ship you would be roaming and that's expensive data. Another poster said you could also use the ship's wifi which is correct. However you must establish an account and use wifi minutes. Unless you have some free minutes by being Platinum or Elite in the Captain's Circle they are expensive as well. When you get to Hawaii, your AT&T plan will be good as AT&T covers the islands very well. Just be sure your phone says you're connected to AT&T and it's just like you're on the mainland. Edited January 31, 2014 by beg3yrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitoh_777 Posted January 31, 2014 #17 Share Posted January 31, 2014 . Yes since you have to access the ship's Wifi in order to connect. I think the rate is around $.75 per minute. Mike:) . Yikes! You would have to pay me a buck a minute to use that... :D :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted January 31, 2014 #18 Share Posted January 31, 2014 What is the best way to use your cell phone on a Caribbean cruise without breaking the bank? Turn it off, put it in the safe, and leave it there. DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser415 Posted January 31, 2014 #19 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Here's the data plans directly from Princess Internet Access Perfect for those who like to stay in touch or need to manage their affairs on a daily basis in order to put their minds at ease. Help a passenger relax and fully enjoy their Princess vacation by giving them Internet access for news, information and web-based email. 120 minutes Item #6038 – $72.95 (Includes $69.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee) (Includes 20 bonus minutes for prepurchasing an Internet time package.) 240 minutes Item #6039 – $102.95 (Includes $99.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee) (Includes 40 bonus minutes for prepurchasing an Internet time package.) 460 minutes Item #6302 – $162.95 (Includes $159.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee) (Includes 60 bonus minutes for prepurchasing an Internet time package.) 680 minutes Item #6301 – $202.95 (Includes $199.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee) (Includes 80 bonus minutes for prepurchasing an Internet time package.) 1100 minutes (for World Cruise only) Item #6300 – $252.95 (Includes $249.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee) (Includes 100 bonus minutes for prepurchasing an Internet time package.) All prices include account activation fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satxdiver Posted January 31, 2014 #20 Share Posted January 31, 2014 If you turn on your cell phone in a foreign port, you will be international roaming and will pay the price determined by your cell carrier which is most instances is less than using it aboard the ship in international waters. There are packages available from most carriers. AT&T charges for messages sent and free for those received. Verizon charges both ways. Always check with your carrier to find out what they charge. While data received/sent through the ship cell tower is pricey, turning it off is an excellent idea. The ship does have WiFi which is not the same as cell tower data exchange although to the user it appears the same. Use of the ship WiFi requires a prior setup and purchase before it can be used and does require a log on sequence as well as a log off sequence. It is quite slow. This is not land based internet services by any means. If you turn off data on your cell phone but leave on the messaging capability, the voice capability will also be active meaning you could receive phone calls at $2.49/minute. You cannot deactivate voice and keep messaging. When you are outside the US, always look at your cell phone display and see where the cell phone is attached. If you see anything that includes "at sea", you are attached to the ship's tower. All use of the tower is billed through your home cell phone carrier. Bottom line: ALWAYS check with your carrier before leaving on the cruise for their prices and policies. Do not take other people's opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SASSYMI2 Posted January 31, 2014 Author #21 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thanks satxdiver and all who are offering advice. I am learning a lot.:) Satxdiver...looking forward to meeting you on the Royal in 2 weeks!!!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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