blackberry service on board

[FoxyTerrier]

I am planning on bringing a blackberry on board instead of a laptop. Does anyone know if service will be available? I'm guessing only in ports.

Thanks!!!!

PS. We will be in the baltics.

[FoxyTerrier]

That was cool. I actually posted the original question using my BlackBerry. I guess I might be able to give live posts during the cruise without having to pay HAL to use their inernet service. :)

[Orcrone]

I originally thought this was going to be a question about fruit.:o For my own curiosity would you mind explaining what blackberry is?

Thanks,
Marc

[FoxyTerrier]

This a handheld wireless device, not a full computer. But it does have web browser and you can get email on them.

They are very cool. :)

[thulewx]

It's my understanding that the Westerdam has WiFi in many areas of the ship, but as far as using a blackberry in the Baltics - don't count on it unless you have been fitted with a GSM card allowing international phone usage. You could probably use it with the ship's WiFi, at a fee...

[Jacqueline]

The technology does not work in Europe. As was pointed out their standard is GSM. Some new phines in the US are triband and will work anywhere. I dont know if blackberry even has this option. My husband has had one for years and could never take it to Europe or Tahiti. We needed to either rent cell phones or a sattelite phone.
This year our AT&T cell phone will work in Europe as it is the new generation.

[FoxyTerrier]

My BlackBerry does have a SIM card w/ GSM access. I was mainly interested in data access not phone access. The data access uses GPRS - not WiFi.

[Tatka]

I didn't know about it myself...:eek: ( And...I work at MIS department )

Oh, well. This is a page with a picture:

http://www.1st-in-blackberry.com/?OVRAW=blackberry%20&OVKEY=blackberry&OVMTC=standard

[LAFFNVEGAS]

That is kinda Neat. I notice it connects with T-Mobile I wonder if Verizon has anything like this? I will need to check this out.

[Jacqueline]

This is great. You must have newer model. Could you fill me in ? Maybe my husband can upgrade prior to leaving.
I am a little fuzzy on how it connects so that one can access the internet... Does one need to get new SIM cards for each country ? Or is it a universal technology ?
The main thing my husband uses it for is email which would be a big help.

[Jacqueline]

Basically, the phone service for our cell was available in all the ports but St petersburg when we did the Baltics. But that was 2 years ago so who knows know ?
Dont forget, Nokia, is based , I believe in Helsinki...
European cell phone coverage is superior to that of the US so you will find it even at sea, sometimes, if you are close to shore (which is often the case on this trip)
Thanks for the excellent tip. Tell me more about it. I did a search and saw that as of the end of 2003 , the blackberries were also designed as tribands (like the phone I recently purchased).

[elmorejj]

WOW!! this is all too hi-tech for me! I still don`t know how to store numbers in my cell phone!! Wrong generation I guess..jean

[Beckey]

I am planning on bringing a blackberry on board instead of a laptop. Does anyone know if service will be available? I'm guessing only in ports.

Thanks!!!!

PS. We will be in the baltics.I am telling my office that there is NO service for my Blackberry, cell phone, laptop or anything else that will enable them to get in touch with me. :cool: Please, tell me there is not a fax machine on board! I know my job is not SO important that I can not be out of touch for a few days (I DON'T GET PAID ENOUGH TO BE THAT IMPORTANT) - I find they contact me to make decissions they do not want to take responsiblity for. Now, keeping in touch with my kids and SOON to be FIRST grandson in very important.;) I know my cell will work for their calls.

That is my story and I am sticking to it! Last year I went to South America for 10 days - best 10 days of my life!