Lazz Posted October 29, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We have 20 people (maybe more) going on a HAL cruise. Our cabins are pretty much scattered over the whole ship. What is the best way for us to stay in contact while on board ship? I am a long time cruiser who likes to lock my cell phone in the safe until after the cruise is over, and I never buy any internet packages. However, I am willing to change this practice if something like texting is the best method. Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted October 29, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I would think that texting could run up quite a bill. How about a bulletin board outside the most centrally located cabin? Or if you're on a ship that has Lido pool cabanas, rent one of those for a bulletin board location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted October 29, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Most of our group is well-traveled and do not overplan things. All that we ever do is have a place (usually aft Lido deck, outside) where we eat breakfast. Everyone who wants to shows up (this is very fluid), eats, chats, etc...talks over what to do today. If it is a port day, same procedure, but excursion plans are discussed, where to meet (on the dock), what time to meet, etc. Suppertime we all eat together (MDR) to review the day, plan the evening, discuss possible things for tomorrow. So, we don't do things in lockstep...unless everyone wants to do the same thing. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzardboy Posted October 29, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 29, 2017 All cabins have voice mail. I don't know if the system is sophisticated enough for the ship to program "group messaging". If not, in advance, put together and distribute a list of all names/cabin numbers. If needed, you can call the cabin of key members of your party who are responsible to notify others. It's old fashioned, but planning never goes obsolete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted October 29, 2017 #5 Share Posted October 29, 2017 If you do have excursions or specialty dinners pre-booked, make up and distribute a spreadsheet of who is attending each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towhee Posted October 29, 2017 #6 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We were in a group of 18 one time and used a telephone tree to communicate (pre-texting era). You probably have already decided on some events for everyone, so make sure the group knows about these events before the ship sails. Having a "meet and greet" at sail-away to discuss how you are going to communicate going forward would help, plus it gets everyone into a "vacation mood". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 29, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 29, 2017 (edited) We were in a group of 18 one time and used a telephone tree to communicate (pre-texting era). You probably have already decided on some events for everyone, so make sure the group knows about these events before the ship sails. Having a "meet and greet" at sail-away to discuss how you are going to communicate going forward would help, plus it gets everyone into a "vacation mood". Telephones in cabins hav e voi ce mail. :) Prior to smart phone and texting, people woud slide notes undercabin doors or into mail box at cabin. they made plans in advance :" meet you in Ocean Bar at 8:00 or what3ver". We did a number of resort vacations in Caribbean a number off years in a row and our group of 18-20 managed to learn routine of those they wanted to see unscheduled an d worked fine. We knew who was likely tto bew at the pool by whatever time, how many of us went to early break fast. et And with a very rare exception, we all wentr to dinner ar same restaurant each evening. Wonderful fun and greatr memories. Edited October 29, 2017 by sail7seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 29, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We were in a group of 18 one time and used a telephone tree to communicate (pre-texting era). You probably have already decided on some events for everyone, so make sure the group knows about these events before the ship sails. Having a "meet and greet" at sail-away to discuss how you are going to communicate going forward would help, plus it gets everyone into a "vacation mood". Telephones in cabins hav e voi ce mail. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted October 29, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 29, 2017 If you do have excursions or specialty dinners pre-booked, make up and distribute a spreadsheet of who is attending each. A spread sheet works great. :) ;) It can really simplify things for all sizes of groups. I've been known to use the odd one ;p:') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 29, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 29, 2017 A spread sheet works great. :) ;) It can really simplify things for all sizes of groups. I've been known to use the odd one ;p:') Seriously? A spread sheet? Do some peoople actually plan evvery day?, every plae they will go, evverything they will do far enough in advvcance foere you to have them on a pread ssheet? No sspur o the moment? No, I'm no sure a week ahedd what I will want to do? and what time I'll want to do it. :eek: I'd go nuts with so much regimentation. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted October 29, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Seriously? A spread sheet? Do some peoople actually plan evvery day?, every plae they will go, evverything they will do far enough in advvcance foere you to have them on a pread ssheet?No. I said if you have some things pre-booked put them on a spread sheet. Not a "schedule" in any way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted October 29, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 29, 2017 It's difficult to say what plan will work best for you. Considering the size of your group, some will have iPhones, other Androids. Different service providers. One size probably won't fit all. FWIW, verizon charges 50 cents for texts sent and 5 cents for texts received on a cruise ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted October 29, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 29, 2017 If you do have excursions or specialty dinners pre-booked, make up and distribute a spreadsheet of who is attending each.Great idea. It was invaluable when we cruised with a large group. Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted October 29, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 29, 2017 No. I said if you have some things pre-booked put them on a spread sheet. Not a "schedule" in any way. exactly, it's not a schedule, but just a planner for things you plan to do together :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qianabb Posted October 29, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We have a group of 8 going on 11/11 and we downloaded a walkie talkie app called Zello. You can even make a group. As I haven’t gone on my cruise yet, I’m not sure how reliable it is, but I live in Florida and we downloaded it ahead of the hurricane as suggested. I’ve used it with my friends in Ohio (while in Florida) and it has worked. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare *Miss G* Posted October 29, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 29, 2017 People are creatures of habit. Once everyone familiarizes themselves with the ship a pattern will start to emerge. Makes it pretty easy to find people after that. Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted October 29, 2017 #17 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We have a group of 8 going on 11/11 and we downloaded a walkie talkie app called Zello. You can even make a group. As I haven’t gone on my cruise yet, I’m not sure how reliable it is, but I live in Florida and we downloaded it ahead of the hurricane as suggested. I’ve used it with my friends in Ohio (while in Florida) and it has worked. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Do you need cell phone service for Zello to work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted October 29, 2017 #18 Share Posted October 29, 2017 (edited) As I haven’t gone on my cruise yet, ...Better find out what the charges will be for using it on a ship before you rack up a big bill. :) Do you need cell phone service for Zello to work?It has to. The only other possibility would be wifi. Direct phone-to-phone like a radio would not have the range to call OH from FL. edit: wikipedia says "It works over 2G, 4G, 3G and GPRS/EDGE networks." Edited October 29, 2017 by catl331 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qianabb Posted October 29, 2017 #19 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Do you need cell phone service for Zello to work? I don’t think so. The point of using it during the hurricane was if your cell service wasn’t actually working, you could still communicate. If you guys cruise after me I will report back. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbkladybug Posted October 29, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We were on a cruise this summer and there were 32 of us! We used the Carnival messaging plan- it cost $5 for the entire cruise. It helped keep everyone up to date on meeting for shows etc. I'm sure most cruise lines have something like that. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted October 29, 2017 #21 Share Posted October 29, 2017 . I'm sure most cruise lines have something like that. I haven't heard of it on HAL yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted October 29, 2017 #22 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We were on a cruise this summer and there were 32 of us! We used the Carnival messaging plan- it cost $5 for the entire cruise. It helped keep everyone up to date on meeting for shows etc. I'm sure most cruise lines have something like that. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Hmmm - don't be too sure. I haven't seen this plan on HAL on any of my cruises. Neither in the "On Locations", "When are Where", "navigator" nor when I sign into internet use. Nothing like that offered ever that I have seen. Has anyone seen it on HAL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbkladybug Posted October 29, 2017 #23 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We have also used it on NCL. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbkladybug Posted October 29, 2017 #24 Share Posted October 29, 2017 https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2056 Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shutrbug1970 Posted October 29, 2017 #25 Share Posted October 29, 2017 On my Android phone I can turn on airplane mode and send texts and make calls using a WiFi package. It does not use the data, so there are no charges. Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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