Bratbrey Posted April 16, 2019 #1 Share Posted April 16, 2019 (edited) Probably a stupid question.... I have purchased the wifi for my cruise this weekend on the Mariner of the Seas. I just spoke with my cell carrier (AT&T) and they want to charge me a $50.00 for a cruise package with unlimited texting and 50 minutes of phone time with $2.00 per minute overages charges and no data. Do I need to do that if I only will text from the boat while on wifi? Don't plan to make any phone calls and would probably go on facebook, check email while on wifi too. Do I need to have certain settings on or off? Edited April 16, 2019 by Bratbrey add one more question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaumD Posted April 16, 2019 #2 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Turn on airplane mode and leave it on for the entire cruise. When you turn Airplane mode ON, your wi-fi will go off. Just turn wi-fi back on and you're good for the cruise using ship's wifi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted April 16, 2019 #3 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Agree, just leave in airplane mode and turn wifi on. There will be a fee for the internet access. By the way, its a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishywood Posted April 16, 2019 #4 Share Posted April 16, 2019 What many carriers claim as their "cruise package" is actually only an international roaming plan for when you are in port. Virtually none eliminate the very hefty roaming charges inflicted by cellular-at-sea. So if you don't plan to make any calls while on board just put the phone in airplane mode if you will be using the ship's wireless internet. Or inquire with ATT how much texting will cost without the "cruise package" and you can simply turn off data roaming and choose whether or not to respond to any incoming texts (or calls). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted April 16, 2019 #5 Share Posted April 16, 2019 1 hour ago, Bratbrey said: Probably a stupid question.... I have purchased the wifi for my cruise this weekend on the Mariner of the Seas. I just spoke with my cell carrier (AT&T) and they want to charge me a $50.00 for a cruise package with unlimited texting and 50 minutes of phone time with $2.00 per minute overages charges and no data. Do I need to do that if I only will text from the boat while on wifi? Don't plan to make any phone calls and would probably go on facebook, check email while on wifi too. Do I need to have certain settings on or off? Another useful thing to do is to make sure you enable your phone for WiFi calling. That way the phone is fully functional while on WiFi, without incurring any charges from your cell carrier. If you have never enabled WiFi calling, the initial configuration must be done while you are on cellular, so do it at home before you leave for the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WisconsinFan Posted April 16, 2019 #6 Share Posted April 16, 2019 55 minutes ago, Host Clarea said: Another useful thing to do is to make sure you enable your phone for WiFi calling. That way the phone is fully functional while on WiFi, without incurring any charges from your cell carrier. If you have never enabled WiFi calling, the initial configuration must be done while you are on cellular, so do it at home before you leave for the cruise. Unfortunately, not all carriers support wi-fi calling- mine doesn't. For more information on wi-fi calling just Google it with your carrier and type of phone to get more information. You can make calls via Facebook Messenger, What's App, Skype if on an Android and of course Face Time on an iPhone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac1_131 Posted April 16, 2019 #7 Share Posted April 16, 2019 I use Google Hangouts dialer to make free calls using the wifi.It doesn't work inbound, so I tell people to email me and I'll call them right back using the wifi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted April 17, 2019 #8 Share Posted April 17, 2019 6 hours ago, WisconsinFan said: Unfortunately, not all carriers support wi-fi calling- mine doesn't. For more information on wi-fi calling just Google it with your carrier and type of phone to get more information. You can make calls via Facebook Messenger, What's App, Skype if on an Android and of course Face Time on an iPhone. Good point, but the OP has AT&T which does support WiFi calling. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WisconsinFan Posted April 17, 2019 #9 Share Posted April 17, 2019 9 hours ago, Host Clarea said: Good point, but the OP has AT&T which does support WiFi calling. Thanks! I didn't know AT&T was one who would support it, and others (like me) often get good information just by following a thread. This day and age you would think something like wifi calling would be standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted April 17, 2019 #10 Share Posted April 17, 2019 11 hours ago, Host Clarea said: Good point, but the OP has AT&T which does support WiFi calling. With a caveat - only on phones purchased from AT&T. If you buy an unlocked device they do not support WiFi calling/texting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted April 19, 2019 #11 Share Posted April 19, 2019 On 4/17/2019 at 9:00 AM, WisconsinFan said: Thanks! I didn't know AT&T was one who would support it, and others (like me) often get good information just by following a thread. This day and age you would think something like wifi calling would be standard. ATT, Verizon and T-Mobile all support wifi calling. I use T-Mobile, as I travel a lot internationally, so free unlimited data (not super fast, but works) and texting, 25 cent per minute calling, in over 210 countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobJenn Posted April 24, 2019 #12 Share Posted April 24, 2019 On 4/16/2019 at 3:10 PM, fishywood said: What many carriers claim as their "cruise package" is actually only an international roaming plan for when you are in port. Virtually none eliminate the very hefty roaming charges inflicted by cellular-at-sea. So if you don't plan to make any calls while on board just put the phone in airplane mode if you will be using the ship's wireless internet. Or inquire with ATT how much texting will cost without the "cruise package" and you can simply turn off data roaming and choose whether or not to respond to any incoming texts (or calls). ATT does have a package that works on the ship’s cellular network (cellular at sea). It isn’t designed for port use, its for use on the ship.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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