WhatsApp in Australia and New Zealand

[GeorgiaPeach51]

We are pondering using this app to stay in touch with family while we are Down Under and in New Zealand for six weeks. Is this a safe bet or does anyone have knowledge of issues with it? It has to have WiFi to work for free, and I’m guessing that could be spotty in some places... other than that is it workable when off the ship?

 

We have AT&T in the states and we used their special at sea offer on the last cruise in Europe and it was a waste of $100 because the ship was so seldom far enough from shore. We are doing a B2B on the Solstice in October and my understanding is that the ship stays close to shore, enough so that the casino and shops are closed much more often than they are open.

 

Thanks for any insight you can give!

 

Joanie

[GloriaF]

Hi, we are just now trying to put travel plans together for Aus/NZ in late 2019 or early 2020, and I am not offering any advice on travel/cruise....but did want to mention that we switched cell phone carriers after years with ATT....we are now with TMobile for less $, and a few months ago tested that texts sent from Europe to the US were indeed free (as the plan had suggested but we were land-based, not cruising). Just a friendly heads up for what, if anything, it's worth from one GA girl to another.

[Hlitner]

Regarding What's App, our DD used that nearly every day as she traveled around NZ and it worked fine. Or course that does require that you have a decent WiFi connection.

 

As to the other poster we absolutely agree about T-Mobile. It works in over 200 countries with no additional fees for text or data. There is a 25 cents per minute fee for phone calls, which is a pretty good deal. We changed from ATT to T-Mobile after learning of all the benefits from a HAL crew member. Now, as frequent international travelers we love T-Mobile.

 

Hank

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Hi, we are just now trying to put travel plans together for Aus/NZ in late 2019 or early 2020, and I am not offering any advice on travel/cruise....but did want to mention that we switched cell phone carriers after years with ATT....we are now with TMobile for less $, and a few months ago tested that texts sent from Europe to the US were indeed free (as the plan had suggested but we were land-based, not cruising). Just a friendly heads up for what, if anything, it's worth from one GA girl to another.

 

Hi, Gloria,

 

Thanks from one Georgia Peach to another! I only wish we could switch! We live in the mountains inNorth Georgia, and our only provider is AT & T. 😡 Boo. I’d switch in a minute if I could!

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Regarding What's App, our DD used that nearly every day as she traveled around NZ and it worked fine. Or course that does require that you have a decent WiFi connection.

 

As to the other poster we absolutely agree about T-Mobile. It works in over 200 countries with no additional fees for text or data. There is a 25 cents per minute fee for phone calls, which is a pretty good deal. We changed from ATT to T-Mobile after learning of all the benefits from a HAL crew member. Now, as frequent international travelers we love T-Mobile.

 

Hank

 

Hi, Hank, I’m a “fan girl” of your posts! When you speak, I listen! 😄

Thanks for the info on WhatsApp, it sounds like a player. Believe me,I would switch to TMobile if I could. As I told Gloria, we live in a place called Big Canoe, in North Georgia, and are very limited in our cell phone options. Someday....

[Photojunkie_I_am]

Hi, Hank, I’m a “fan girl” of your posts! When you speak, I listen! [emoji1]

 

Thanks for the info on WhatsApp, it sounds like a player. Believe me,I would switch to TMobile if I could. As I told Gloria, we live in a place called Big Canoe, in North Georgia, and are very limited in our cell phone options. Someday....

 

 

 

If you have unlocked phones, you can pick up T-Mobile during your travels. They have no contracts.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[AZchieffan]

Been using WhatsApp for years now to communicate with my best friend in Italy and my cousin in Japan.

[GUT2407]

On ship you’ll need to pay for internet, so still expensive on shore many places in both countries offer free internet, McDonalds, Starbucks, most shopping centres, lots of cafes, libraries, even some of the ports and visitor centres, or just follow the crew.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

On ship you’ll need to pay for internet, so still expensive on shore many places in both countries offer free internet, McDonalds, Starbucks, most shopping centres, lots of cafes, libraries, even some of the ports and visitor centres, or just follow the crew.

 

Thanks! On the ship we will give it a pass. But WhatsApp seems like a good option on shore.