Text messaging with other passengers without Wi-Fi

[ping1]

Is it true that one can text other passengers even if I didn’t purchase an internet package? (Thru app?)

Do we turn on airplane mode when boarding the ship?

 

Thank you

[mets07]

Yes, and yes. 

 

Please note that there are no automatic notifications that you have a message, so you need to open the app and check frequently. You will see a little red indicator in the top right of the Royal app screen if you have a message

 

To use the function, you have to identify (first and last name) other passengers and invite them to communicate with you. You do this in the app.

[ping1]

So with airplane mode on and no internet package , I can access the app?

 

thanks

 

[GTO-Girl]

32 minutes ago, ping1 said:

So with airplane mode on and no internet package , I can access the app?

 

thanks

 

yes…

[KEG21552]

We had the internet package, but I think I you go to your settings and enable notifications from the app, you will get a notice.  Sometimes though, even with the package, it is hit or miss

[mets07]

Go into airplane mode and turn on the wifi --- select your ship Free wi-fi. Open the Royal app and go to messages and invite others (they need to accept). Then you can communicate. Just keep checking the app periodically after that to see if you have messages. 

[OCVTSGIRL]

Where is "messages" in the app?  I've never used it so I have never looked for it.  Is it on the bottom and does it only show up once I'm on the ship?

[mets07]

Only when you are on the ship. I think it is only by clicking on the 3 dots in the upper right while in the app. I don't recall any obvious "Messages" option. 

[Biker19]

35 minutes ago, OCVTSGIRL said:

Where is "messages" in the app?

Three dots in the upper right.

[MD_Dan]

5 hours ago, mets07 said:

Yes, and yes. 

 

Please note that there are no automatic notifications that you have a message, so you need to open the app and check frequently. You will see a little red indicator in the top right of the Royal app screen if you have a message

 

To use the function, you have to identify (first and last name) other passengers and invite them to communicate with you. You do this in the app.

It was not for us.  You could send a message but, if it wasn't read (did mets07 say there is no audible alarm when a message arrives?), you don't know if the person got the message!  Seriously, it would be better to leave a written message in the cabin and have others write a follow-up message saying they received it!  This works better for us.  I'm in and out of the hot tub and pool.  And I frequently go back to the cabin to change anyway.

[Illbcruzn4life]

If you all have iphones you can text without any apps. Cant send pics or videos, just text

[Biker19]

11 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

If you all have iphones you can text without any apps.

The ability to do that without Voom was plugged some time ago. You can get inbound notifications, but can't send outbound.

[Illbcruzn4life]

5 hours ago, Biker19 said:

The ability to do that without Voom was plugged some time ago. You can get inbound notifications, but can't send outbound.

Oh that stinks. Hopefully the other cruise lines don’t hear about the fix.☹️

[neverbeenhere]

Do all your drinking in one lounge then you cruise mates can always find you.

[Charles4515]

5 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Oh that stinks. Hopefully the other cruise lines don’t hear about the fix.☹️

Apparently not. Someone has posted they can still use iMessage on Princess and NCL without purchasing WiFi. 

[KEG21552]

You don’t have to buy the internet package.  We were just on the Allure and one of our group did not get it.  We were able to send them messages regularly through the app.  They apparently got them, because they always replied.  Like I said, the notifications were hit and miss but I did get most notifications when I had a message

[Illbcruzn4life]

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

Apparently not. Someone has posted they can still use iMessage on Princess and NCL without purchasing WiFi. 

Have been on Carnival, msc. and Disney in the last year and worked on those lines

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Have been on Carnival, msc. and Disney in the last year and worked on those lines

Good to know. I had assumed that other lines had plugged it like Celebrity and Royal had. 

[qkd0314]

In 2019 on Anthem we were able to chat with iMessage.  Anyone on here been on since then and tried?

[steveru621]

Just to be clear you would be buying internet access.  WiFi is free.

[iuki]

I was lead to believe that, in order to text each other through the app, that it costs $2.99 per person per day.  Is that no longer the case.  Both my husband and I have an iPhone 14 Pro.

 

[steveru621]

17 minutes ago, iuki said:

I was lead to believe that, in order to text each other through the app, that it costs $2.99 per person per day.  Is that no longer the case.  Both my husband and I have an iPhone 14 Pro.

 

 

Thankfully that charge is gone,  RCI tried.

 

I won't be surprised if they bring back the charge when they improve it functionality.

[iuki]

On 10/8/2023 at 11:15 AM, steveru621 said:

 

Thankfully that charge is gone,  RCI tried.

 

I won't be surprised if they bring back the charge when they improve it functionality.

Thanks!

[Biker19]

On 10/7/2023 at 4:45 PM, qkd0314 said:

In 2019 on Anthem we were able to chat with iMessage.  Anyone on here been on since then and tried?

That loophole has been plugged - you might still get notifications of messages inbound, but you won't be able to send any outbound.

[BND]

On 10/8/2023 at 4:56 PM, iuki said:

I was lead to believe that, in order to text each other through the app, that it costs $2.99 per person per day.  Is that no longer the case.  Both my husband and I have an iPhone 14 Pro.

 

That charge was dropped at the beginning of 2023. As far as phone type, it doesn't matter as you message through the RCI app.  We have Google Pixels.  We used it in April with friends.  You just have to add them and they have to agree in order to message someone.

Edited October 10, 2023 by BND