iMessage - do these phones need Norwegian app

[Giveitatry2023]

Hi All,

Sorry if this has been asked, couldn’t find it. 

Rounded up some old iphones for the kiddos to be able to iMessage us on the ship. Both kids have the internet package but will they need the Norwegian app to sign into their wifi so it connects to the system and works? I think they’re a bit old for the app additionally they don’t have NCL log ins? What will be the process? 

[Pitzel]

A few responses:

- The NCL app should have the daily schedules, menus for restaurants, and the ability to make reservations to activities or events. The app can be accessed by connecting to the ship's wifi and does not require an internet package to work. If those are things that your kiddos would want to use, then load the app on to their devices before the cruise and set up NCL accounts for them. The app also has messaging capabilities, but every user needs to pay a fee for messaging to work through the app.

- On our Escape cruise last year, we were able to use iMessenger on our iPhones as long as all of the devices were connected to the ship's wifi (again, not using the internet package). It wasn't 100% reliable, though, and some messages were delayed or never sent. Not good if you need to reach someone immediately.

- Unless they have unlimited wifi, it doesn't make sense to log in to use the internet package just for messaging, as they will burn through their minutes pretty quickly.

- You don't need the NCL app to log in to the wifi package. Connect to the ship's wifi and then go to the URL provided to access your internet package.

[CaptainBazz]

You do not need the app to connect to wi-fi...just go to settings...wi-fi...and log onto the ship...in my experience iMessages have always worked to both friends on the ship and to the kids back home.

[Giveitatry2023]

41 minutes ago, CaptainBazz said:

You do not need the app to connect to wi-fi...just go to settings...wi-fi...and log onto the ship...in my experience iMessages have always worked to both friends on the ship and to the kids back home.

Thanks, kids will be on the ship with us and 3 grandparents, but some on them are let’s say less than reliable about keeping an eye on their phones. 
 

often an air tag (in a watch band) works better for keeping tabs more so than asking a grandparent where they are but given the number of decks suspect that will be useless onboard. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, Giveitatry2023 said:

Rounded up some old iphones for the kiddos to be able to iMessage us on the ship. Both kids have the internet package but will they need the Norwegian app to sign into their wifi so it connects to the system and works? I think they’re a bit old for the app additionally they don’t have NCL log ins? What will be the process? 

No, you don't need the NCL app on the phone.

 

Leave the phones in airplane mode. Connect to the ship's wifi (no loggin on or anything). And iMessage should work. This is a "hole" in NCL's wifi system. NCL has plugged the hole several times over the year, but it is back post-pandemic and appears to work... sometimes. 

[MeHeartCruising]

2 minutes ago, Giveitatry2023 said:

Thanks, kids will be on the ship with us and 3 grandparents, but some on them are let’s say less than reliable about keeping an eye on their phones. 
 

often an air tag (in a watch band) works better for keeping tabs more so than asking a grandparent where they are but given the number of decks suspect that will be useless onboard. 

 

Do your kids have the unlimited internet plan or one that has a fixed number of minutes? Unless they have unlimited, they will need to learn to sign in and out each and every time they use the Internet.  Otherwise, if they don't sign out, their clock will keep ticking against the # of minutes purchased.  Signing in and out of the package is done using the phone's web browser and not done on the phone's wifi settings screen.   Signing on and off the package minutes is different than turning wifi on and off.

 

If they have unlimited wifi, then it doesn't really matter.

[Gen X Life]

On 3/5/2023 at 2:27 PM, BirdTravels said:

No, you don't need the NCL app on the phone.

 

Leave the phones in airplane mode. Connect to the ship's wifi (no loggin on or anything). And iMessage should work. This is a "hole" in NCL's wifi system. NCL has plugged the hole several times over the year, but it is back post-pandemic and appears to work... sometimes. 

Did you have to have unlimited Wi-fi??? Did you have to sign on every time as some people are saying???  

 

Same for Europe?

 

Thank you

[MeHeartCruising]

1 hour ago, Gen X Life said:

Did you have to have unlimited Wi-fi??? Did you have to sign on every time as some people are saying???  

 

Same for Europe?

 

Thank you

 

ANYONE can turn on Wi-Fi and join the ship network.  You can do this for free.  This permits people to use the NCL app to make dinner reservations and see the daily activities and review your account balance.  No purchase of anything is required.  
 

As mentioned above, some people have found they can also use Apple iMessages in this mode.  But others report it does not always work.  NCL does not officially support iMessages in this mode. 

You only have to sign in and out of your internet plan (done by navigating to a specific webpage in your phones web browser after you have connected to the ship Wi-Fi) if you have limited number of minutes.  If you do not, the clock keeps ticking and you will lose all your minutes.   If you have an unlimited internet plan, you can stay signed in for the entire cruise if you want. 
 

And yes, this is how it has worked for me in Europe. 

Edited March 7, 2023 by MeHeartCruising

[Gen X Life]

19 hours ago, MeHeartCruising said:

 

ANYONE can turn on Wi-Fi and join the ship network.  You can do this for free.  This permits people to use the NCL app to make dinner reservations and see the daily activities and review your account balance.  No purchase of anything is required.  
 

As mentioned above, some people have found they can also use Apple iMessages in this mode.  But others report it does not always work.  NCL does not officially support iMessages in this mode. 

You only have to sign in and out of your internet plan (done by navigating to a specific webpage in your phones web browser after you have connected to the ship Wi-Fi) if you have limited number of minutes.  If you do not, the clock keeps ticking and you will lose all your minutes.   If you have an unlimited internet plan, you can stay signed in for the entire cruise if you want. 
 

And yes, this is how it has worked for me in Europe. 

Thank you..