Cruising is an exciting journey that offers a unique blend of adventure and luxury. But between a big cruise ship and the open ocean, how do you keep in touch with your friends or family? This is not as simple as it happens on the ground, because we have become accustomed to the convenience of mobile phones. Those days when missing someone took the form of a dark scenario like an old sitcom. There is no question of giving! In this post, we will talk about the different communication methods available on cruise ships, so you can choose the best option as per your needs.
Using In-Room and Common Area Phones
The most traditional method is to use the phone available in your stateroom. Calls to the second stateroom are free and a practical way to stay in touch with other guests on the ship. But remember that the effect of this method depends on the time when the recipient is in his room and the call is made to him or he hears the voicemail, which can play a trick of phone tag.
Additionally, if you want to call someone on the other end, that service is available but it’s not exactly budget-friendly, since it costs $7.95 per minute to use a credit card on a 1-800 number.
Cellular Phones on Ships
Your confidence is low on smartphone cruise, but you can fly high at its expense. By using mobile phone service via the ship’s satellite your bill can be quite high, with roaming charges reaching $6 to $8 per minute of calls. Data usage may also incur higher charges. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid roaming altogether as long as it is not necessary.
The Wonder of Ship Internet: Voom Packages
One effective solution is Royal Caribbean’s internet package, which goes by the name of Voom. It offers “Surf” for basic browsing and full internet access for $17.99/day, and “Surf and Stream” for $22.99/day, including streaming. The price per device decreases as more devices are added and if purchased before sailing. Once you’re online, you can connect through popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype.
Wi-Fi Calling – A Modern Solution
With the Voom package, you can also engage in Wi-Fi calling. It lets you send texts and make calls with the support of your phone carrier, without any extra charges. It is important that you try and test this setting at home before the cruise, so that a problem-free connection can be made onboard.
Leveraging the Royal Caribbean App
One option is the chat feature of the Royal Caribbean app which costs $1.99 per person per day. This option is less comprehensive than a full internet package but may make sense, especially for your children or those who want to stay in touch with you without full internet access.
The Low-Tech Approach: White Boards
For those who prefer an old-school style or want to avoid electronic clutter, a white board hung on the stateroom door is a simple but effective way to select messages for your group.
To Bring or Not to Bring: Walkie-Talkies
Although walkie-talkies are allowed, their use is generally not preferred. These two interact with each other and the metal structure of the cruise ship and the potsheel cause signal interference that cannot always be trusted.
Nifty Hacks and Workarounds
A quick tip for iPhone users – iMessage has been seen to work without the internet package being connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi. This is a hack and the guarantee is not a complete feature, so it is not a bad idea to rely completely on it, but it should be kept in mind for possible communication backup.
Wrapping It Up
When it comes to staying in touch on a cruise ship, my favorite is the Voom internet package. It strikes a balance between cost and convenience that provides a reliable contact method and allows you to enjoy the vast benefits of staying connected. But in the end, the best choice depends on your specific needs and material preferences.
We would like to know your thoughts and experiences who have wandered around cruise ship communication. What is your go-to strategy for staying in touch while cruising the blue lion of the ocean? Share your comments below, and if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe for more tips. We hope to provide you with sooner and more valuable content!
