Cell phones on cruises?

[reefseal]

If use ATT Wireless, can check if will work with this. http://www.attwireless.com/international/travelguide/wtg.html

Put in where you're going, type of phone have (BB, Motorola..) and it will tell you what coverage is and how much.

 

[deepstops]

I did a Panama Canal cruise in December and used my Cingular GSM phone in Aruba, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cayman. I signed for every country I thought I might ever visit when I switched from AT&T to Cingular. The roaming fees are substantially less if you are signed up beforehand. The rates range from .69 to 1.99 IIRC.

 

[DEEPLOU]

I just came off a cruise out of New Orleans 3 weeks ago. We bounced a verizon signal off the rigs and were able to talk 36 hours before we docked back in New Orleans.
So when you get close to the rigs give it a shot.

Not sure if the "rigs" had anything to do with it.

I did a cruise from NYC to Nova Scotia in August. I had cell service the night before we pulled into NYC.
From my calculations I figured we had to be out near the Andrea Doria when I was making my call.

I think the hight above sea level (on upper deck) over flat unobstructed ocean is what let the signal carry.

 

[deepstops]

I did a cruise from NYC to Nova Scotia in August. I had cell service the night before we pulled into NYC. From my calculations I figured we had to be out near the Andrea Doria when I was making my call.

Most ships show their position through a channel on the TV system. Cell phones typically quit about 10-12 miles offshore, even if you're outside and on the top deck.

 

[uaflyer]

I was an early mobile adopter. Started with CellularOne, Sprint, then AT&T, along with T-mobile. Have collected about 12 SIM cards around the world, pay as you go. These days, look for a good website as much as pricing. Recharge over the web is a great newer feature. downside is these days most SIM cards die after a month or more without use., even with a + balance on the account. They recycle your number.

Cingular went from worst to probably a close second for Mobile reception. After it bought AT&T, somethings improved. As you can tell, TMobile has worked out better for me. for price, performance and global flexibility.

Struggled with them all for coverage, but have had good luck with GSM more recently as more shared networks exist as in Europe. All companies have their ups and downs with towers and reception, so it depends on where you live and what exists.
My suggestion is to borrow a friends phone over a weekend (when calls are free) and see how it works from your home and office. (in California there is a 30 days/30 minute return policy with most vendors)

I agree with the 10 miles range offshore. Generally better range at night though. The US phones also work several miles into Mexico.

Tmobile has more acceptable international roaming, due to its size.
When I was in Thailand, found GSM works while on the boat at all the sites we hit.

GSM does not really exist in Japan or Korea. It is by far the most dominant standard world-wide with ocer 75% of the market. A reason why the USA adopted it last, (arrogance) thanks to our Companies that invented the market and screwed it all up. Today, Europe really runs the Mobile Handset and station Market.

What I frequently do is buy a local SIM card and use a spare phone to be able to accept calls from home on T-Mobile. I have used it all over Europe and Southeast Asia.

People I need to call, I either dial local or I SMS overseas.
SMS proves to be much better and cheaper than talking international, but from there I use several calling cards. Also, you can send an SMS with one reception bar, try talking on a single bar !

Hope this helps

 

[fmw625]

We have a singulair Nationwide GSM family plan that works well in the US. In May we are taking a cruise to Progresso, Cozumel, and Belize. Checking on an international plan for a month.

 

[deepstops]

We have a singulair Nationwide GSM family plan that works well in the US. In May we are taking a cruise to Progresso, Cozumel, and Belize. Checking on an international plan for a month.

Cingular doesn't charge extra to get a better rate internationally but you do need to call them first,
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=941173&postcount=12