Mobile phone use whilst on board.

[Daftlad]

Before I ramble on, please forgive my naivety on the subject.

On past cruises I've been content with switching my phone off whilst at sea. Reasons being I've been spooked by some phone users unwittingly running up extortionate bills as the phone connects to ship's communications.

As I'm about to join Iona at the weekend my research on life on board tells me that your phone will be your best friend as you download apps which will enable you to book tables in the dining rooms amongst other things.

My question is, by turning off data roaming will I still be able to use my phone?

This is my first cruise since the pandemic so I am a bit out of touch with such matters. 

 

[molecrochip]

Yes, turn off data roaming, in fact put your phone on flight mode.

 

It’s not an app, just a website you access from the ship’s WiFi.

 

Finally, you don’t need to buy a wifi internet package. It’s a free site to use.

 

Have a great holiday.

[Daftlad]

10 minutes ago, Daftlad said:

Before I ramble on, please forgive my naivety on the subject.

On past cruises I've been content with switching my phone off whilst at sea. Reasons being I've been spooked by some phone users unwittingly running up extortionate bills as the phone connects to ship's communications.

As I'm about to join Iona at the weekend my research on life on board tells me that your phone will be your best friend as you download apps which will enable you to book tables in the dining rooms amongst other things.

My question is, by turning off data roaming will I still be able to use my phone?

This is my first cruise since the pandemic so I am a bit out of touch with such matters. 

 

 

7 minutes ago, molecrochip said:

Yes, turn off data roaming, in fact put your phone on flight mode.

 

It’s not an app, just a website you access from the ship’s WiFi.

 

Finally, you don’t need to buy a wifi internet package. It’s a free site to use.

 

Have a great holiday.

Honestly,  how spooky is this.

Just moments after finishing my post, that nice man Olly Smith sent me a very informative video explaining exactly what you have kindly said above. 

Thank you very much for your prompt response I am suitably reassured. 

[molecrochip]

Maybe I’m Olly Smith….

 

….. I’m not!

[AlanCruise]

The safe mode is to put the phone in flight mode, but you then may need to turn WiFi back on.
The important thing is to disable data roaming as if the phone connects to the Maritime network (which is created by the ship and satellite connection) then you can be charged a fortune.
I have found that some phones can connect to the Maritime network and if you have other network suppliers it won't allow that connection.
I do enable the connection on my phone with Data Roaming off. You don't get a charge unless you make or answer calls or send a text - it is always free to receive texts which is good for emergencies at home,
It is also recommended to turn off Voicemail when abroad, Depending on your suppliers you may be charged by the minute if someone calls you and leaves a message and then charged again if you listen to it!

[david63]

As a backup for anything going wrong it might be an idea to put a limit on call spend, if your plan allows it.

[pennib]

We both used the starlink internet on our Britannia Christmas  cruise. Worked pretty well for emails and downloading our newspaper on the essential package. You just need to be careful though that you don’t accidentally hit the button to upgrade to the bigger package. This happened to us twice. The first time it took us 4 days to get it wiped from our cabin account. I know it’s not cheap but we wouldn’t have been without it.

[Daftlad]

2 hours ago, AlanCruise said:

The safe mode is to put the phone in flight mode, but you then may need to turn WiFi back on.
The important thing is to disable data roaming as if the phone connects to the Maritime network (which is created by the ship and satellite connection) then you can be charged a fortune.
I have found that some phones can connect to the Maritime network and if you have other network suppliers it won't allow that connection.
I do enable the connection on my phone with Data Roaming off. You don't get a charge unless you make or answer calls or send a text - it is always free to receive texts which is good for emergencies at home,
It is also recommended to turn off Voicemail when abroad, Depending on your suppliers you may be charged by the minute if someone calls you and leaves a message and then charged again if you listen to it!

Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't imagining things with regards getting connected to the Maritime networks.