Ship Wi-Fi and iPhone?

[amy2313]

I feel like I should know the answer to this by now but can you use the FREE ship WiFi that you use for the Carnival Hub to use your iPhone’s texting (iMessage) while at sea?? Can you also use it to FaceTime while at see for FREE?? 
 

Im very cautious with my cell at sea so not to get any unexpected charges, but would love to know what is possible for free. 
 

thanks 

[audcc77]

5 hours ago, amy2313 said:

I feel like I should know the answer to this by now but can you use the FREE ship WiFi that you use for the Carnival Hub to use your iPhone’s texting (iMessage) while at sea?? Can you also use it to FaceTime while at see for FREE?? 
 

Im very cautious with my cell at sea so not to get any unexpected charges, but would love to know what is possible for free. 
 

thanks 

Sometimes.
 

My husband and I were on the Mardi Gras.  I had paid for premium Wi-Fi. He did NOT.
 

I was in the bed watching TV, and he was out on the balcony.  We were not near a port. 

 

I texted him, and he answered.  🤷‍♀️

[mz-s]

You can try using iMessage on wifi without paying for a plan. It might work. But it's not supposed to.

 

Facetime will not work without buying a plan.

[x lindsay x]

iMessaging is not reliable without buying a package. I will always buy the WiFi package and my husband does not, he will usually get all my messages but they will be really delayed showing up several hours after sending them. 

 

Facetime works best with the highest level package.

[mz-s]

Also if you leave your phone in Airplane mode and connect to Carnival's wifi there will be no unexpected charges. Just make sure your phone stays in airplane mode until you get back to the USA.

 

Carnival's wifi doesn't charge you unless you buy a plan. You don't have to worry about being billed for it unless you specifically buy a plan.

[Riles34]

I have never had an issue sending iMessages on any Carnival Cruise. Of course when the wifi cuts out or not working then you can't obviously. No pictures or Facetime, just good ol iMessage.

[sanger727]

Just keep in mind, the fact that you can send/receive imessages without purchasing a wifi plan is a glitch. The ship can fix that glitch at any point. There is certainly no promised benefit of being able to use imessage without an internet plan.

[dallasdan]

14 day Hawaii cruise in the Miracle, I message worked every day.  On the 4 day breeze cruise in July I message worked every day.  On the Vista last month only worked 2 days.

[Illbcruzn4life]

4 hours ago, sanger727 said:

Just keep in mind, the fact that you can send/receive imessages without purchasing a wifi plan is a glitch. The ship can fix that glitch at any point. There is certainly no promised benefit of being able to use imessage without an internet plan.

very true. Royal went and closed the loop hole. 

[fwbgirlie]

iMessage worked for me on the Mardi Gras in May 2022; Celebration in February 2023; Glory and Sunshine in May 2023 but it did not work for me on the Magic in November 2023.