Cellphone Service in Alaska

[Yo Adrienne]

We will be cruising in May 2014 in Alaska with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Skagway...and I'm wondering about current cellphone coverage in these ports. We are Verizon customers (on their monthly share everything plan) and are wondering if we will have cellphone service IN the ports. Coverage maps are a bit unclear and we know that any service we do have there may be through their roaming partners (but my understanding is that there would be no roaming charges anyway because of the way the plans are structured these days.

 

We know NOT to use the wifi and internet services on the ship--cause they're very expensive.

 

Not that we want to spend a lot of time on the phone, nor surfing the web, but just in case we needed to reach someone or they needed to reach us, can we expect to have service in these ports...?

 

I've done searches through the forums here, but much of the information is 1-2 years old at least--so a lot has changed since then.

 

Any and all info/thoughts are appreciated...

[jackswife]

Thank you so much for asking this question. I was wondering the same thing. Will be looking forward to responses.

[zqvol]

We will be cruising in May 2014 in Alaska with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Skagway...and I'm wondering about current cellphone coverage in these ports. We are Verizon customers (on their monthly share everything plan) and are wondering if we will have cellphone service IN the ports. Coverage maps are a bit unclear and we know that any service we do have there may be through their roaming partners (but my understanding is that there would be no roaming charges anyway because of the way the plans are structured these days.

 

We know NOT to use the wifi and internet services on the ship--cause they're very expensive.

 

Not that we want to spend a lot of time on the phone, nor surfing the web, but just in case we needed to reach someone or they needed to reach us, can we expect to have service in these ports...?

 

I've done searches through the forums here, but much of the information is 1-2 years old at least--so a lot has changed since then.

 

Any and all info/thoughts are appreciated...

 

You are in the US and have the same service you do anywhere else. Be aware that if you get out of town service is spotty , but in town its just like at home.

[lilrod]

Thank you for your answer. I will be traveling to Alaska in July 2014.

[donaldsc]

Try typing "verizon cell phone coverage in Alaska" into Google and clicking on hits 1 and 3. As I read it, the answer appears to be "maybe".

 

DON

[travelbug11]

I use Verizon and have no problem using my phone in those ports. You can also call from the ship while in port if you are concerned about not getting reception.

[rusself11]

Thanks for all the info - good to know for us too.

 

 

 

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[Crew News]

While in port in Alaska, I use my ATT for tethering for my PC. Cell service is available in all Alaska but, as previously stated, it may be spotty when far from a cell tower.