Cell Phone service

[Couple of Kentuckians]

I have Verizon cell phone service. Can you get a signal on the Eastern CCL cruise or do I need to call them about the service that may be available. Maybe you can still text to the poor kids back on land Huh? :confused:

[silentbob007]

You can get service but it will cost $$$. Ship's roaming will be expensive. International roaming in the islands you might need to call Verizon to ensure that you can do it. On the plus side ... and at least in my experience ... your phone will work with no roaming at all in St. Thomas because it is a US territory so that might be a good place to make calls for the week.

[wrp96]

Most ships these days have cell towers operated by Cellular at Sea. You need to contact Verizon to find out their Cellular at Sea rates and to make sure your phone will work with the towers.

 

The rates for Cellular at Sea typically start at $2.49 per minute for a call and $.50 per text but vary depending on your cell carrier.

 

Also, check about their rates for your individual ports and whether your cell phone will work in your international ports.

[cardbucfan]

Also, make certain if you decide that the ships cell service is more than you want to spend that your cell phones spend the trip OFF. You could still get hit for incoming calls and texts. We turn ours off as soon as we get on the boat. If there is an emergency we can be contacted via the ship and if it's not an emergency, I don't want to know about it!

[Sheffie]

If you go to St. Thomas, it is a US port. I believe that Verizon Nationwide is covered there, as well as in San Juan.

[RITTER19]

Cell service is spotty and $$$$$$$. Just turn it off and forget about home. The ship has an emergency line if they need to get in touch with you.

[satxdiver]

Most cruise lines use Cellular at Sea. Some use CellatSea which is a different company. The going rate seems to be $2.49/minute for most USA cell carriers. The rate is determined by your cell provider and not the ship or cell tower owner.

 

Sprint and Verizon use CDMA technology for their cell phones. AT&T and T-Mobil along with most of the rest of the world uses GSM technology. The two are totally different and are not compatible. In order to use your Verizon cell phone in a foriegn country, they have to have a CDMA cell tower. Most do not. Verizon now sells a "world" phone that has both CDMA and GSM capabilities so that they will work in foreign countries. Check with your carrier whether your cell phone will work in the ports you intend to visit.