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[dee920]

We are going on a West. Caribbean cruise Jan 15 (Holland America). We are also leaving 2 teens at home. What is the best way to "stay in touch" if necessary?? Will cell phones work on board?? Thanks

[ute_fan]

I don't think cell phones work on board (at least not yet). We left 2 teens home last January, and communicated through email. The only way my husband talked me into going was because I knew I could stay connected. The cruiselines usually have package deals for minutes that are cheaper than the normal per minute cost. We used all of our minutes and had to add a few more the last day.

 

In case of emergency, you should be able to leave a phone number where the ship can be contacted. You can also call from the phone in your room -- but it would be REALLY expense, and probably not necessary in case of emergency.

 

My sister went to Alaska about 2 1/2 years ago, and while she was gone our other BIL had to have a liver transplant. She did call to check on him following some complications, and I think the cost was about $8 per minute.

[kitty9]

You cannot use a cell phone on board any HAL ship because there are no cell phone towers in the middle of the ocean and HAL hasn't set up their ships for cell phone use. Your cell phone might work in places like St. Thomas and the Bahamas, but not in most other islands, unless you have a GSM phone which will work internationally.

 

The best way to keep in touch is via email. It's the cheapest and you can send and receive email on the ship every day.

[cruzincurt]

Presently, cell phones don't work on a ship at sea because there are no cell towers. Many will work in port.

 

One thing you might consider is providing a written, notorized statement that would allow another adult to authorize emergency medical treatment for your kids left behind. Just in case.

[Bill S]

Another option would be to consider renting a satellite phone. You can find them on the internet. Those phones use a low earth orbiting satellite system and come with a pre-programmed card which you pay for in advance and the per-minute rate is substantially cheaper than using the ship's telephone service.

[dee920]

thanks everyone for their replies!!