Forget the Cell Go With Voice Over IP (VOIP)

[kh6275]

Forget the cell phone go VOIP (voice over IP). Set up Yahoo Messenger & Voice on your computer. Some of the Internet Voice services are blocked onboard the ship but Yahoo isn't. I'm sure HAL will figure this out soon enough and block Yahoos service too. Yahoo charges 1 CENT per minute but the minimum charge to set up your account is $10 but you deduct your penny a minute from that. You can make and receive VOIP calls just like telephone call while onboard as long as you are hooked up to the Internet. Super cheap compared to cell phone roaming charges or ship to shore phone calls. If you go to a port with free WiFi like Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (only at the Bar near the Beach) in Grand Turk make all the VOIP calls you want for 1 penny a minute through Yahoo. Make sure that your laptop has a microphone and bring a ear piece or ear piece microphone combo (like your hands free for your cell phone) to plug into your laptop. Otherwise your conversation will be broadcast over your laptops speakers. You must have your own laptop as this program is blocked on all HAL terminals.

This is truly GREAT. I placed a call from the Neptune Lounge on the Noordam while at sea some where near Grand Turk to Florida & New York with crystal clear reception.

[kh6275]

I just wanted to give a follow up post on the VoIP service I used...IT WAS AWESOME. I made numerous phone calls from the ship using HAL's Internet service and always found free WiFi on the Islands to make calls from the shore. I will never bring my cell phone on board again. You can also receives calls as long as you are online. For those of us who must stay in contact for business and/or family this truly is the way to go.