adstz Posted March 19, 2022 #1 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Need some help, please. Is there ANY cell phone service in Glacier Bay? Can you use the ship's tower to make phone calls that day? We are not (too) concerned about cost just availability. My son HAS to call in to work that day or he will lose his job. Final payment is soon so we are trying to make a decision. Please tell me if you have used your cell phone (not an app like WhatsApp or Facebook, those won't work for him) while in Glacier Bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvaka Posted March 19, 2022 #2 Share Posted March 19, 2022 (edited) If the phone supports WiFi calling, use the ships WiFi to make the call. Do an internet search on his phone model and WiFi calling. He can practice at home. Just turn off cell service but leave WiFi on and have him call him work or friends to see how it works. Edited March 19, 2022 by jvaka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 19, 2022 #3 Share Posted March 19, 2022 You may want to say what carrier he has. Verizon, ATT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brisalta Posted March 19, 2022 #4 Share Posted March 19, 2022 According the NPS there is no cellular coverage in the southern parts of the park. That would indicate there is no cellular coverage in the bay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 19, 2022 #5 Share Posted March 19, 2022 (edited) 7 minutes ago, brisalta said: According the NPS there is no cellular coverage in the southern parts of the park. That would indicate there is no cellular coverage in the bay. Would there be satellite phone service? I wonder if he could use the phone in his cabin? It has been a few years since I have been to Alaska but internet was always spotty on Glacier Bay day. Edited March 19, 2022 by Coral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adstz Posted March 19, 2022 Author #6 Share Posted March 19, 2022 He has AT&T. Thanks to those who responded already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted March 19, 2022 #7 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Many Need to setup WiFi calling prior to leaving for cruise. For a few bucks, I’ll call in for him. 📞☎️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PescadoAmarillo Posted March 19, 2022 #8 Share Posted March 19, 2022 (edited) There is no cellular coverage and almost no WiFi signal on the ship in Glacier Bay NP. I remember it well because we received an iMessage text with really good news in it that day that I couldn’t read until the next morning. Edited March 19, 2022 by PescadoAmarillo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Raider Posted March 19, 2022 #9 Share Posted March 19, 2022 @PescadoAmarillo is correct. There is no discernable cell signal or Wifi while in Glacier Bay. When you get there, you will see why. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted March 20, 2022 #10 Share Posted March 20, 2022 Just curious what type of job requires someone to call in on approved PTO or get fired. Whether or not I had a signal, that would be a hard NO for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moondogy Posted March 20, 2022 #11 Share Posted March 20, 2022 10 minutes ago, 1025cruise said: Just curious what type of job requires someone to call in on approved PTO or get fired. Whether or not I had a signal, that would be a hard NO for me. One I know of would be the military, not that you'd lose your job, they would mark you as awol. Would depend on leave vs a pass. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted March 20, 2022 #12 Share Posted March 20, 2022 18 hours ago, adstz said: Need some help, please. Is there ANY cell phone service in Glacier Bay? We’ve gotten cell coverage as we entered or exited the bay as we passed by Gustavus. Might work for a quick check in but not for a long conversation. You’re also, usually, transiting that area very early in the morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted March 20, 2022 #13 Share Posted March 20, 2022 If it is that critical, perhaps he should check on renting a satellite phone for a month. DON 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted March 20, 2022 #14 Share Posted March 20, 2022 Good read from one of the Glacier Bay tour operators that discusses communication devices. “Important to note: There are three global satellite telephone systems in place: Iridium, Globalstar and Inmarsat. Iridium is considered to be more dependable.” https://glacierbayseakayaks.com/backcountry-trip-planning/planning-details/communication-devices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted March 20, 2022 #15 Share Posted March 20, 2022 3 hours ago, Moondogy said: One I know of would be the military, not that you'd lose your job, they would mark you as awol. Would depend on leave vs a pass. I would presume if one in the military is taking a cruise, they would have been granted leave, and would not be expected to be available. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moondogy Posted March 20, 2022 #16 Share Posted March 20, 2022 4 hours ago, 1025cruise said: I would presume if one in the military is taking a cruise, they would have been granted leave, and would not be expected to be available. I have seen people take a pass and have to call in at a point. Not supposed to be out of a certain area, but they do. I did it once but was only 3 hours away, but have seen it done with some states away from base, so it can be done if you're willing to risk punishment 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Rick&Jeannie Posted March 20, 2022 #17 Share Posted March 20, 2022 There's been a lot of speculation that the person in question is military, but @adstz has never actually said this. (Unless I'm just totally blind and missed it...I went back and read the thread twice.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsqrl Posted March 21, 2022 #18 Share Posted March 21, 2022 If I've gotten prior approval for a vacation and still had to call in while on said vacation or be fired, I think I'd take being fired. Sounds like only the tip of the iceberg of workplace dysfunction. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brisalta Posted March 21, 2022 #19 Share Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) 12 hours ago, donaldsc said: If it is that critical, perhaps he should check on renting a satellite phone for a month. DON You are assuming a satellite phone will work at that latitude. It may or may not depending on the particular atmospheric conditions and the azimuth of the particular communications satellite. Edited March 21, 2022 by brisalta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted March 21, 2022 #20 Share Posted March 21, 2022 5 hours ago, rdsqrl said: If I've gotten prior approval for a vacation and still had to call in while on said vacation or be fired, I think I'd take being fired. Sounds like only the tip of the iceberg of workplace dysfunction. OP did not say if it just needed to be a quick call or one that would last a while. It is possible the person was told "Yes, you can take vacation that week, but only if on xx/xx/2022 you can call in for a conference call for x minutes at a certain time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moondogy Posted March 21, 2022 #21 Share Posted March 21, 2022 9 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said: There's been a lot of speculation that the person in question is military, but @adstz has never actually said this. (Unless I'm just totally blind and missed it...I went back and read the thread twice.) I never said he/she was military....if you reread, I was giving an example of someone that could need to make a call for said reason. One person stated they could not think of anyone who might need to call work in the middle of a cruise to save their job. There could be a thousand jobs where this could be a possible need. I'm glad I don't have to worry about working anymore myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adstz Posted March 22, 2022 Author #22 Share Posted March 22, 2022 On 3/20/2022 at 7:27 AM, 1025cruise said: Just curious what type of job requires someone to call in on approved PTO or get fired. Whether or not I had a signal, that would be a hard NO for me. He is a poker dealer at a casino. July 4 and 5 are blackout days for vacation so he can't sign up in advance. He would have to call in each of those days and use his "points" to take the days off. If he doesn't call in before his shift it counts against him and would lead to termination. He will have vacation for the days before and after (we board June 29 and return July 9) but MUST call in for those two days. Very frustrating. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDDY0827 Posted March 22, 2022 #23 Share Posted March 22, 2022 I don't know that I would stake my job on unreliable phone service in GB. It works fine in the towns you visit but GB doesn't have much in the way of roads much less cell towers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Yoda Posted March 22, 2022 #24 Share Posted March 22, 2022 (edited) Check with this provider as well: Cellular At Sea (the ship has its own cell "tower") https://www.cellularatsea.com https://www.cellularatsea.com/faqs.html Edited March 22, 2022 by Papa Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeeluvr05 Posted March 22, 2022 #25 Share Posted March 22, 2022 2 hours ago, adstz said: He is a poker dealer at a casino. July 4 and 5 are blackout days for vacation so he can't sign up in advance. He would have to call in each of those days and use his "points" to take the days off. If he doesn't call in before his shift it counts against him and would lead to termination. He will have vacation for the days before and after (we board June 29 and return July 9) but MUST call in for those two days. Very frustrating. That sounds like a stressful vacation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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