Is there cell phone service when you are on a cruise?

Question

I'm going on a cruise in may and I was wondering if i'll be able to text my friends back home when i'm on the cruise.

Answer 1

Yes, a lot of ships have cell service over their satellite connection, BUT you need to check a few things...

1. Check that your carrier has an agreement with the ship. For example, T-Mobile is everywhere, but Metro PCS has no agreements. Also make sure that your phone is compatible (if you have a SIM card, you're fine)

2. Call your provider to turn on international roaming.  It's usually off.

3. Expect a big bill. It's typically 50c per SMS to receive.  And calls are $2.50-$5 a minute

Here's an article with more details, including links and telephone numbers for all the major cell phone companies:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/kn...

Hope you have a great trip!

Answer 2

Some cruise ships have cell service, but be prepared to pay nasty roaming charges. The best way to call home during a cruise is to purchase a prepaid calling card on some island and use a pay telephone. Internet access on board is 75c a minute.

Answer 3

Yes there is DEFINATLY cell service on a cruise.  I only had service when we were at sea.  

Be WARNED though that it is wicked expensive to use your cell on the cruise.  I used mine and I got a $151 phone bill and I only used mind about 5 times.

Answer 4

No not really. Unless you have a SIM card in your phone or your in puerto rico and or the US Virgin island. Hope that helps

Answer 5

I know on Carnival Cruise there is...they have some type of "repeater" so passengers can use their cell phones.  However, there are roaming fees I believe.

I'm going on a cruise in June...I'm looking forward to turning my phone off!

Answer 6

I know they have cell service fleet wide on Carnival ships..pretty pricey if you ask me..i for one leave my phone at home.. you are on vacation leave it home! :D if u need any important phone calls u can do so from your cabin.

Answer 7

Depends where you are going. We went to Alaska, I had service.Otherwise you will have to get a satellite phone from your local cell phone store...

Answer 8

On all the cruises that we have been on, we were not able to get signal on the ship.

On the islands is something different.

Remember you will get charged roaming fee's which can be real high.

We no longer take our cell phones with us on a cruise.

It's a vacation, so leave the cell phone home and lap tops.

Enjoy yourself.

You can always get a two way radio to keep in touch with other family members on the ship and islands.

:-)

Answer 9

nope. We went to Bermuda and our cells worked for 911 but that was it. Call your cell company to make sure.