With premium wi-fi, can you receive wi-fi phone calls (not Whatsapp) on the Panorama?

[NutsAboutGolf]

I was unable to do phone calls on the Celebration.  Yes, I'm aware you can use other apps like whatsapp yet that doesn't help with incoming calls

[EngIceDave]

I am going to say no.

 

Celebration should have their most up to date systems

[Tobleronebar]

We were able to makes calls and FaceTime on the Spirit.

[mz-s]

No, Carnival blocks wifi calling.

[BlerkOne]

perhaps if you can wifi call over vpn

[shortyjoesmith]

I was able to receive calls from other iPhones.  When I had a Samsung, I could receive calls from other Samsung devices through the Google Hangouts app. I did not have regular cell service but I could keep in contact with family that had like devices.

[crazycatlady82]

Not the Panaroma, but I was on the Radiance in December with premium wi-fi to do some video calls for work (zoom). I had poor signal for video and often dropped, and that was just in port on the ship. Audio was fine though.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Understand zoom, FaceTime, FB messaging, etc, all work.

 

I will be receiving an important cell phone when on a sailing while on a sea-day.  There’s no way to have them contact me any other way; even if I were home I wish they could just email vs calling me.  Sounds like I’ll simply just miss the call

[mz-s]

Apparently nobody else knows what WiFi calling is except me and OP. FaceTime and Skype are not the same thing. But I realize everyone is trying to be helpful while giving unhelpful information.

 

If the call is seriously important, you can turn on your cell phone's cellular signal and roam on Cellular at Sea to make the call. Be sure cellular data is turned off (use wifi for data) and turn off airplane mode to connect to Cellular at Sea.

 

Rates for Cellular at Sea can be expensive - but if you need to make the call then it might be worth it. See your carrier's rates for that.

 

Another option would be a VOIP solution like SkypeOut - I get 60 minutes of SkypeOut a month as I am a Microsoft Office 365 subscriber. Granted this uses a different phone number than your cell number. I have never tried it onboard however.

Edited March 22, 2023 by mz-s

[BlerkOne]

Speaking of wifi calling, if you have an Android phone I was reading about a few flaws that have been discovered and you might want to disable it. There is a fix out for pixel phones, not sure about Samsung or others.

[BlerkOne]

https://www.newschannel5.com/how-to-turn-off-wi-fi-calling-on-android-to-combat-hackers

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 hours ago, mz-s said:

Apparently nobody else knows what WiFi calling is except me and OP. FaceTime and Skype are not the same thing. But I realize everyone is trying to be helpful while giving unhelpful information.

 

If the call is seriously important, you can turn on your cell phone's cellular signal and roam on Cellular at Sea to make the call. Be sure cellular data is turned off (use wifi for data) and turn off airplane mode to connect to Cellular at Sea.

 

Rates for Cellular at Sea can be expensive - but if you need to make the call then it might be worth it. See your carrier's rates for that.

 

Another option would be a VOIP solution like SkypeOut - I get 60 minutes of SkypeOut a month as I am a Microsoft Office 365 subscriber. Granted this uses a different phone number than your cell number. I have never tried it onboard however.

Thanks.  I have an iPhone and another issue is texting non-iPhone users in existing group texts

[NutsAboutGolf]

13 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Speaking of wifi calling, if you have an Android phone I was reading about a few flaws that have been discovered and you might want to disable it. There is a fix out for pixel phones, not sure about Samsung or others.

Thanks, have an iPhone

[mz-s]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Thanks.  I have an iPhone and another issue is texting non-iPhone users in existing group texts

 

Cellular at Sea can handle SMS as well, at a cost per message (again, dependent upon your carrier's roaming rates).

[Lee Cruiser]

I haven't been on Panorama, but in over 20 cruises I've never had success with wi-fi calling and I always get the premium plan.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

On Panorama twice and both times WIFi calling did not work on my iPhone.  I’m thinking Carnival has blocked this as it worked pre Covid on some ships but none that I’ve been in since - Panorama, Vista, MG. 

[kelkel2]

I couldn’t get it to work. But I was able to make FaceTime to work on the Mardi Gras in January.