juancarlosgarciasanchez Posted October 11, 2022 #1 Share Posted October 11, 2022 Hello Does the basic complimentary internet package with T-Mobile cellular service allow for free phone calls or basic text messaging while out on sea ? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CruisingWalter Posted October 12, 2022 #2 Share Posted October 12, 2022 No free calls or text messaging while at sea. You will be connected to the maritime cellular service with fees up to $14 per MB if you don't switch to airplane mode while on the ship. Your best bet is to use WhatsApp or other WiFi enabled calling app. Calls over WiFi did not work on Scarlet Lady for us and I also have TMobile. The only ship where WiFi calling worked for us so far was the NCL Escape. I will say my wife was able to use the internet and stream TikTok all day long with the included internet package. She could not stream YouTube or any other video service. I paid the extra $10/day so I could upload videos and do livestreams from the ship and that was totally worth the extra $10/day. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted October 12, 2022 #3 Share Posted October 12, 2022 I read somewhere that VOIP calls can only be made with the premium streaming wifi, not the basic wifi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cloud9 Bob Posted October 13, 2022 #4 Share Posted October 13, 2022 I kept the basic wifi to see what it could or couldn't do. I was able to text and make video phone calls using WhatsApp on iPhone. Texting no problem at all. Decent quality with a tiny stutter here and there on video chat, but still very usable. Regular surfing and email was good. YouTube was not great, yet certain other sites worked for streaming at standard def resolutions. Download speeds measured by SpeedTest varied between like 3 and 10. Not great at all but surprisingly usable. Biggest disappointment was that the Virgin IT department blocks all VPN's regardless of the level of speed you pay for. Bad move IMHO, because I only wanted to use it to safeguard some banking transactions....which I decided against chancing. VV touts all these innovations, but dropped the ball on that one. I will say that I had very little trouble with the Virgin app though. Just needed to close open programs and the occassional hard restart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CruisingWalter Posted October 14, 2022 #5 Share Posted October 14, 2022 On 10/12/2022 at 2:34 PM, CineGraphic said: I read somewhere that VOIP calls can only be made with the premium streaming wifi, not the basic wifi. Nope, I had the premium package. No WiFi enabled calls directly with my phone. It could have been done with WhatsApp, FB or other app. But not direct "Calls over WiFi" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted October 14, 2022 #6 Share Posted October 14, 2022 14 minutes ago, WheresWalter said: Nope, I had the premium package. No WiFi enabled calls directly with my phone. It could have been done with WhatsApp, FB or other app. But not direct "Calls over WiFi" That's wild. I've always been able to use wifi calling with my iphone while on Princess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_tacocat_ Posted October 14, 2022 #7 Share Posted October 14, 2022 4 hours ago, CineGraphic said: That's wild. I've always been able to use wifi calling with my iphone while on Princess. i was able to use wifi calling on VV too. i had the premium internet bc i needed to work a couple days fwiw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarramar Posted October 15, 2022 #8 Share Posted October 15, 2022 It may have a lot to do with your mobile carrier. I know that mine does not allow wifi calling outside of Australia whereas other companies do. I do, however have a generous international roaming plan which allows data so can't complain too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted October 16, 2022 #9 Share Posted October 16, 2022 Boarded Valiant Lady today. Internet is really good. Can't answer VOIP specifically. So far everything we've tried to do works. No premium service available on this trip....at least not for sale. We all may be getting premium without paying, but the official word is standard service only for this cruise, even for people who qualify for free premium internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted October 23, 2022 #10 Share Posted October 23, 2022 None of the carriers have a cell tower at sea. ATT VERIZON TMOBILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Wildcatllamas Posted October 23, 2022 #11 Share Posted October 23, 2022 My friend and I both were able to make "wifi only" phone calls with the basic wifi last December. I have Verizon and he has Xfinity. Phone was in airplane mode with wifi calling turned on. There were lags when we were moving but in ports it worked great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted October 23, 2022 #12 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Wifi in the Caribbean is supposedly good. Wifi in the Barcelona area was good, but in Funchal and nearby was so-so, and crossing the Atlantic is pretty minimal. I can get emails but no photos, videos, or such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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