Is it OK to use walkie talkies?

[CruiseMAMA2]

We wanted to keep in touch with each other on the ship with walkie talkies when we were apart. Is this OK?

[Ericknow32]

This is going to be a hot topic, so heads up. You are going to hear a lot of people saying no. I think that if it's possible to use them very discreetly then it's OK. I have a few suggestions

 

1) Don't use them unless you have to.

2) Don't use them in public places.

3) Don't yell into them.

4) Use them on vibrate

5) Keep use to an extreme minimum.

 

I know these sound a little stern but the walkie-talkies can be quite irritating. If they are used properly and respectfully there should be no problem. Like many other people on this board I have had bad experiences with people misusing the walkie-talkies.

[tuggers]

Using them won't win you any friends either on these boards or onboard the ship. Most people on here pretty much hate them. Be prepared for some angry looks and comments if you do use them.

 

Seriously, unless you need to be tied at the hip for some reason, 99% of your fellow cruisers will not be using them and they will be doing just fine. A ship isn't thousands of acres like DW. It's a contained area and you will find each other especially if you use some old fashioned face to face communication each day and just let each other know what your plans are and you both carry a daily.

 

If you INSIST on using them a few more rules:

 

NEVER use them in any of the places where they are serving food and people are eating, from the burger bar to casual dining to buffet to dining room.

 

NEVER use them in any show rooms, movie areas or while there is anyone talking on stage by pool,(trivia, etc).

 

NEVER in the Casino

 

NEVER in Bingo

 

NEVER in any of the quiet bars, Martini, Rendezvous, etc. Pool and Mast Bar would be okay if you don't talk too long. No one really wants to be bothered listening to your conversation.

 

Use them mostly and quietly on open decks away from others whom you will annoy. If you are inside and it rings (beeps, etc.) immediately go to an open deck to carry on your conversation.

 

Oh yeah, this is a real hot button issue on here so try not to take it personally. Most hate the devices and hate the users only who have these types of conversations at very loud levels:

 

Guess where I am?

 

No, really, guess!

 

GUESS! I'm NOT GOING TO TELL YOU TILL YOU GUESS!

 

Look, if you're going to take that attitude, I really don't want to talk to you, goodbye!

 

BRRRRRR

 

Hello? I TOLD you I'm not messing up this expensive vacation with your attitude...

 

Get the idea? That really is a fairly accurate retelling of a conversation that's been heard!

 

 

JMO

[TPKeller]

I wonder why someone doesn't invent an FRS radio that looks and works like a little flip phone. When the PLL signal comes in, it could be set to ring or vibrate, then the user could just flip it open and push to talk, but nobody would hear the other side of the conversation.

 

Someone could make a fortune! ;)

 

Theron

[emptynest1]

This must be your first cruise and I know you are excited. (I would be excited if it were my 10th cruise:p )

 

It is a good question, but please consider that many other people will be enjoying a vacation in close proximity to you and your family and friends. There are many of us that are tied to cell phones and beepers in the coarse of daily work and when on vacation would like a time away from the annoyance of hearing:

Beep- where are you?

Beep- I'm on deck12

Beep- I was just there

Beep- No, I didn't see you

Beep- How did I miss you

Beep- I don't know

 

Maybe you get the point that the conversations I have heard while on board are generally inane and totally annoying.

 

Take a watch and agree on metting times, use the cabin phones, communicate the old fashioned way.

And don't panic if someone is late, they are on vacation too.

[Ships R Great]

Wheb we took our ten-year-old grand-daughter on her first cruise we bought walkie-talkies. When we got on board we tried them out in the cabin and they didn't work. So we went to the gift shop and bought a ten dollar watch for her. We told her where to be at what time and we never had a minute's problem with her being where she was supposed to be at the correct time.

 

You really won't need walkie-talkies if you just set up a time and a place to meet when you part. (Just be sure you both understand where and when!)

 

Sail and enjoy!

 

Hi, Gail. How are doing?

[Schplinky]

My feeling about walkie talkies is that it's like yelling from one side of the deck to another. The beeping and "what!" yelling is just incredibly annoying. I agree that a walktie talkie with a vibrate function would be less annoying.

 

You could also work up a system where you simply phone back to your room and leave messages if your plans change or if you're no meeting up at your pre-determined spot.

[Zigster]

PLEASE don't use them.

[Tuna]

Ignore the condescending responses. Walkie-talkies are fine on a cruise. There will only be a handful of people who mind others using them, and apparently they're all responding to this thread.

[bryanjaync]

My partner and I sailed twice on Celebrity's Millie, and used two way radios (walkie talkies). I never can sleep late, so I would leave the room in the mornings or after naps, and go roam the ship. when my partner awoke, he would beep me and say "I'm up now", and I would say "Be right down", and that was the extent of our use. I think (and maybe others disagree) but such limited and thoughtful usage is acceptable.

[teajak]

My partner and I sailed twice on Celebrity's Millie, and used two way radios (walkie talkies). I never can sleep late, so I would leave the room in the mornings or after naps, and go roam the ship. when my partner awoke, he would beep me and say "I'm up now", and I would say "Be right down", and that was the extent of our use. I think (and maybe others disagree) but such limited and thoughtful usage is acceptable.

This type of conversation is what they were meant for,but the others that have been mentioned are far more frequent. I certainly can't understand why another poster would say only a handful object when every post agrees on how annoying they are.

[dmk]

Please don't use them.

[Pegleg1]

Ahh....the dreaded "walkie-talkie" thread again!! :rolleyes:

 

There are some excellent points about the "mis-use" of these things onboard. They can be VERY annoying. However, the discreet use of them once in awhile shouldn't be a problem.

 

Once again:

 

• Use only the ones with the vibrate option.
  
• Keep the volume REALLY low.
  
• Don't engage in the typical "inane" conversations described previously.
  
• NEVER use them (in fact, turn 'em off) in the theatre/dining room, etc.
  
• Whenever possible, use other means to communicate, set up meeting times. etc.
  

I plan to bring a set, but mostly to use them for shore excursions should we get seperated while shopping or such. I doubt we'll even use them onboard.

 

Keep this in mind; the vitriol you'll read on this board regarding walkie-talkies is really meant for the boors who mis-use them.

[Kate Roselund]

The suggestion of using your cabin phone is a good one. You can change the message as often as you like, and calling your cabin from anywhere on the ship is very easy. There's even a phone in the sauna on Infinity!

If you all think walkie talkies on a ship are annoying, you should see them used in campgrounds!

[tuggers]

I would agree that they would be handy ashore. The problem is if they are brought for onshore use only they somehow always manage to make their way to the ship use. And believe me, people will not look kindly on you when they see you using them on ship.

 

I say this only because I would hate for this to be your first cruise and all you remember are the stares and whispers you got when you used them.

[Reese1717]

Cruisemama-

 

I must be one of the few to have never seen anyone using walkie talkies on a ship. It does sound like a lot of cruisers have witnessed rudeness w/them. The fact you are actually asking if it is okay shows that you are not one of those rude people and that you do care about other passengers. I don't see it being a problem if you take the walkie talkies and follow the advice of others on this board.

 

Have a good cruise.

[Arubalisa]

My brother brought his for his family to use on our cruise last year. Reception was lousy. We just ended up using the telephone.

[sasset]

We hate walkie talkies. Having said, we took them on our last cruise. My inlaws actually brought them. We used them while on shore, since we rented two cars. It actually was helpful in coordinating stops, etc. But even in the car, there is a tendancy to use them just because you have them. "Oh look at the goats". "Did you see the sky?" As handy as they were for coordination, they were still a bother. If we didn't respond, they repeated. If we respond, it generates more talk.

We finally left them on in the cabin so the batteries went dead. The unlaws didn't bring the charger.

 

Regards

[etoile]

I have not seen walkie-talkies on cruises either. I am fairly inexperienced but I know I have never seen them. The only time I saw them was on my charter trip because the company's crew needed them to communicate. Ship's staff had ship phones, which were cordless. So while walkie-talkies will probably function, they are not the norm. As has been said, you won't have any problem finding each other most of the time. :)

[Host Walt]

Some posts that bordered on rude have been removed. Please discuss the subject, not each other. Thanks.

[KaC-Cruiser]

I think we had them on one trip ... what ended up occurring was overlapping signals with other using them as well, so they were pretty much worthless ... they never made it on another trip ... not worth the trouble!

[flagger]

I think they are a great idea and have been looking for one with a five mile range or so. Since I do not shop, it will be nice to call the wife to check on her status whilst she haggles. The ship's phones do not work off the ship.

 

We will be bringing a pair on board.

[katiel53]

I guess I just don't understand the need for them. My husband gets up early and I like to sleep in. We decide the night before where we will meet and what time. I don't need to keep tabs on him nor does he need to on me.

 

I would think if we had children with us (teens) they might be necessary, but somehow I don't think I need to hear you tell your husband/wife/partner I love you honey.

[lablvr2]

Please, please, please... leave the radios at home. They are a major annoyance for others, like myself. I don't want to listen to anyone screaming into the wind to their family about locations. I work hard 50 weeks and so look forward to some R&R. I really wish the cruise lines would ban them. Make your plans before you leave your cabin. Remember you are not the only one onboard. Respect your fellow cruisers....and also - DON'T let your door slam as a courtesy to others!!!

 

There....I feel better!!

Thanks

Susan

[tarheelmjfan]

We didn't take them on our June cruise, because I read all the negative posts on here. I didn't want to upset our fellow passengers. To be honest, there was a couple of times we could have used them to contact our DS(13). Keep in my that I am one of those mothers that worries about him, if he's out of my sight for 10 min. :o He didn't go to the teen club at all. The next time he cruises with us we will probably take them, but only use them if extremely necessary. However, we wouldn't use them for daily communication. That said, our cruise in Nov. will only be my DH & I, & we wouldn't consider taking them along with only adults. I guess that's a decision everyone has to make for themselves though.