Free instant messaging on Regal

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On ‎10‎/‎28‎/‎2018 at 9:55 AM, skynight said:

The intranet on board is free. It allows you to connect to the ship's information and if set up to other passengers. If you connect to the ship's internet (what's app, facebook) there is a fee. Plans can be found on your cruise personlizer.

as I mentioned above - we were able to use Facebook and Facebook messenger on Regal for FREE, while our phones were in airplane mode. Customer Service informed us that these two apps were free to use.

We didn't have an internet package and didn't incur any other fees for using FB. We constantly messaged our pet sitter who was in the US through FB messenger, and used Facebook as usual.

 

I don't know about Whatsapp, we don't use that.

Edited October 29, 2018 by Itchy&Scratchy

[SSM0120]

I'll be on the Regal starting the 11th and if this is the case, that would be awesome as the grandparents will have our daughter and my mom does at least know how to use FB, lol.

[jerseymermaid]

This may sound Stupid, but does it matter where your cruise is for free facebook messaging? For example, New England versus Western or Eastern Carribean?  Thank you for all information provided.

[pthjudy]

Sometimes with all the new communication technology added on a ship, someone discovers a glitch that allows some type of freebee. A few months ago when we were on Anthem of the Seas someone on the Royal Caribbean board posted that with iPhones you could text another passenger with an iPhone for free. They also said no videos or photos could be sent. Of course the first thing I did after boarding was try it out. Not only did it work flawlessly but as the cruise progressed, I tried texting friends not on the ship and that worked too. Then I tried sending photos and videos and that worked too. My point is that if there is a glitch, someone will find it. Then someone will post it. People on Cruise Critic are smart, creative, and love to share. (My kind of people.)

[KenP]

I was on the Regal in February 2018.  Several messaging apps, including Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and imessaging were free to ALL guests, WITHOUT purchasing an internet package.  All that was required was to connect via wifi to the ships intranet  .  Again, no internet charges were incurred.  No cellular charges.  This was all by design of Princess, as part of testing of their newer faster internet MedallionNET (not available on all ships).  Note that facebook itself was NOT included. Email was NOT free.   The free messaging was advertised to guests (I believe in the patter even), and was no accident.  It was my impression that this was being tested by Princess and not something that was permanent.   But please correct me if I am wrong on this.

 

IT was being tested technically but also to see guests reaction to this.    

[trbarton]

On 5/17/2018 at 11:17 PM, caribill said:

 

I have heard of the social option for purchasing Internet time, but have not heard of the Social Ocean app. Can you explain what this app is and where you found it?

 

I just did a search on Apple for the app “Social Ocean app“ & nothing comes up. 

 

Any suggestions?

 

Tom🤔

Edited January 22, 2019 by trbarton

[trbarton]

On 5/17/2018 at 7:36 AM, Lskravy said:

I was on the Regal in April. Messaging through Facebook and WhatsApp is now free for all passengers through the Social Ocean app. You can contact anyone through those apps without wasting internet minutes. It's the same as using Princess@Sea which can be done for free. I also think just being on Facebook is free, but I can't remember exactly.

 

I just did a search on Apple for the app “Social Ocean app“ & nothing comes up.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Tom🤔

[Itchy&Scratchy]

deleted

Edited January 22, 2019 by Itchy&Scratchy

[derdejoh]

9 hours ago, trbarton said:

 

I just did a search on Apple for the app “Social Ocean app“ & nothing comes up.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Tom🤔

I think that's the problem with hooking on to an old thread. I believe the Social Ocean app has been discontinued. You can use the Princess@Sea website for intra-ship messaging and information while onboard and the PlayOcean app for the gimmicky "tagalong" and free onboard games. (There's also the OceanCasino app for playing casino games while onboard.)

[pablo222]

On 5/17/2018 at 9:27 AM, lippi1970 said:

Hi everybody, I will be onRegal Princess in July.

Anyone can tell me about free instant messaging with whatsapp and Facebook? I’m not sure I could use it to keep in touch with my family at home or only with my Cruise fellows.

Thanks in advance

 

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ocean-medallion/*****-preview-modules/free-messaging.html

I'm really puzzled.  What was removed from the above URL?

 

Naughty word?

 

[JoRoy218]

We were on the Regal 2 weeks ago in the Baltic. We were not able to access FB unless connected to the Internet. I might add, as warned on these boards, despite the Medallion, Internet was quite slow on the ship and we looked forward to using the free WiFi at each port.  In fact, the intranet on the ship was down for about 48 hrs.