cruzcitement Posted May 12, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Our DOL's due date falls during our cruise. Yes, I know -- poor planning on our part. Anyway, we don't really want to keep our phone on during the entire cruise. What's the best way for our son or DOL to get a message to us if she goes into labor? If it matters, we're cruising on the Liberty with Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted May 12, 2014 #2 Share Posted May 12, 2014 First question, if you do get the call, do you intend to jump ship and rush home? If the answer is no, then let them leave a message and you'll get the news when you get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted May 12, 2014 #3 Share Posted May 12, 2014 As long as your presence is not essential, you will have to live with the delay. If an email is sent when she goes into labor and another when she delivers, and you make a point of hitting an Internet cafe at every port, you will be kept in reasonably timely notification. Or you could check your email every day on the ship - keeping connect time short can hold down cost. If you are really antsy, you could go on line for a minute several times a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzcitement Posted May 12, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted May 12, 2014 No, we'll enjoy the rest of our cruise and then head home afterwards. It's their first baby though (our fifth grandchild) and so they would feel much better if they knew there was a way to reach us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted May 12, 2014 #5 Share Posted May 12, 2014 No, we'll enjoy the rest of our cruise and then head home afterwards. It's their first baby though (our fifth grandchild) and so they would feel much better if they knew there was a way to reach us. My suggestion would be for them to e-mail you, and then you can just check your e-mails periodically during the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorK Posted May 13, 2014 #6 Share Posted May 13, 2014 email text message they can send you a text message that will go to your email, and you can send an email that will come to them as text message, for their phones standard charges will apply, which can be free or 10 cents, and for you it will be free since you're on email, then its the matter at how promptly they will reply to your email text messages this is basically the tutorial, try it now with your own phone to see how it works, once they get your email text message they simply have to reply it Alltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com2 AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com US Cellular: phonenumber@mms.uscc.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted May 13, 2014 #7 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Your family can reach you on the ship's emergency #....you don't need to keep your cell on all the time! If you're not in your cabin, they can leave a message! Nothing you can do, anyway, except get excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted May 13, 2014 #8 Share Posted May 13, 2014 email text message they can send you a text message that will go to your email, and you can send an email that will come to them as text message, for their phones standard charges will apply, which can be free or 10 cents, and for you it will be free since you're on email, then its the matter at how promptly they will reply to your email text messages this is basically the tutorial, try it now with your own phone to see how it works, once they get your email text message they simply have to reply it Alltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com2 AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com US Cellular: phonenumber@mms.uscc.net Sigh. Was going to respond to this, but what's the point? The expert in shipboard communication has been heard from again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisis Posted May 13, 2014 #9 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Sending early congratulations on your latest grandchild. We just had our first great grandchild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted May 13, 2014 #10 Share Posted May 13, 2014 email text message they can send you a text message that will go to your email, and you can send an email that will come to them as text message, for their phones standard charges will apply, which can be free or 10 cents, and for you it will be free since you're on email, then its the matter at how promptly they will reply to your email text messages this is basically the tutorial, try it now with your own phone to see how it works, once they get your email text message they simply have to reply it Alltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com2 AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com US Cellular: phonenumber@mms.uscc.net What makes you think sending an email from a ship, whether on cell phone or otherwise, would be free? Your misinformation is amazing. Have you ever been on a ship, or travelled anywhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted May 13, 2014 #11 Share Posted May 13, 2014 What makes you think sending an email from a ship, whether on cell phone or otherwise, would be free? Your misinformation is amazing. Have you ever been on a ship, or travelled anywhere? Since he has decided to spread his ignorance to threads other than his own, I was going to point out to him that the OP was more interested in keeping cost down than a tutorial in texting, but you've done a good job with it. Not much gets me worked up on these boards, but he's topping the list right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole Posted May 13, 2014 #12 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Since he has decided to spread his ignorance to threads other than his own, I was going to point out to him that the OP was more interested in keeping cost down than a tutorial in texting, but you've done a good job with it. Not much gets me worked up on these boards, but he's topping the list right now. We were in the British Isles this past year and used the "whatsapp" app to communicate with family in the US. Of course, I believe that you have to have an I-phone to be able to download this app, but it is free the first year .99 the next year and all texting is free. Just another suggestion. Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted May 13, 2014 #13 Share Posted May 13, 2014 We were in the British Isles this past year and used the "whatsapp" app to communicate with family in the US. Of course, I believe that you have to have an I-phone to be able to download this app, but it is free the first year .99 the next year and all texting is free. Just another suggestion. Cole Not familiar with this, but I assume you were on land using it? There are plenty of ways to communicate via cell for cheap/free while in port. I believe the OP was looking for ways to do this while onboard the ship, where the ship's cell provider sets the rates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donder1 Posted May 13, 2014 #14 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Be sure that they know how to call the ship and what your cabin number is. If you are not in the cabin, they can leave a message and you can call them back directly from your cabin. Also, have them send photos via email ASAP. The ship to shore call will be expensive but, in this case, well worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted May 13, 2014 #15 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Are you on the eastern or western itinerary? If it's eastern, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico don't have additional costs on most US cell plans--they are considered domestic, so you can leave the phone on while in port and make all the calls you wish. For the other ports, I would simply spend the small amount per call and call home once a day. We're talking under $1 per minute, and in one minute you can get the scoop on what is happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geesherry Posted May 13, 2014 #16 Share Posted May 13, 2014 You can communicate via the carnival message forums for free. Open a new topic in the Who's on board section. You can post there and so can anyone else with a carnival account. The Carnival website can be accessed for free on board the ship. It won't be private, but you can get the information that you want! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fischymom Posted May 13, 2014 #17 Share Posted May 13, 2014 You can communicate via the carnival message forums for free. Open a new topic in the Who's on board section. You can post there and so can anyone else with a carnival account. The Carnival website can be accessed for free on board the ship. It won't be private, but you can get the information that you want! ;) Great idea!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted May 13, 2014 #18 Share Posted May 13, 2014 You can communicate via the carnival message forums for free. Open a new topic in the Who's on board section. You can post there and so can anyone else with a carnival account. The Carnival website can be accessed for free on board the ship. It won't be private, but you can get the information that you want! I'll second the great idea nomination! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady_cruiser Posted May 13, 2014 #19 Share Posted May 13, 2014 You can communicate via the carnival message forums for free. Open a new topic in the Who's on board section. You can post there and so can anyone else with a carnival account. The Carnival website can be accessed for free on board the ship. It won't be private, but you can get the information that you want! This is what I was looking for but couldn't remember where to find this function. I know someone here would know. THANKS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradySRQ Posted May 13, 2014 #20 Share Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) Keep your phone on and data setting off. Text is the cheapest. About .50 cents. If my daughter was expecting I wouldn't sweat a $6 phone call. :rolleyes: Edited May 13, 2014 by GradySRQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartbda Posted May 13, 2014 #21 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Since he has decided to spread his ignorance to threads other than his own, I was going to point out to him that the OP was more interested in keeping cost down than a tutorial in texting, but you've done a good job with it. Not much gets me worked up on these boards, but he's topping the list right now. What's that old saying, "ignorance is bliss"? He is extremely blissful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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