Internet charges/alaskan cruise

[pastorsteve]

WE are cruising to Alaska on Sunday...Verizon describes some ungodly per minute charge for the internet...the ship also charges some ungodly price for the net...in ports, apparently the cost is minimal or none..

QUESTION: is there a way to use the net and avoid these unbeeeeliveable charges while on the boat/cruise?

 

[user7618]

No, there isn't. You will just have to wait until you're in port. Check with your travel agent to see if the cruise line offers minutes packages for on ship internet access. Those are not cheap, either, and if you can wait until you make port, you're better off. Also, don't make any calls. Seriously.

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[pastorsteve]

yes..the ship charge is 250 minutes for 100.00 bucks....ugh. and each part of a minute is a minute...

 

[heavyvino]

I used the ships internet service, it was super slow, not 100's of kps but 10's of kps. The mall in anchorage has free wifi as do most libarys It there use your phone to find it that is what I did.

 

[dubge]

I went to canada for a few days (BB storm days) and added international internet for what ever the price was per month, maybe $50 or so and when I got back in the states I canceled it and they just pro rated me for the days I used, cost me maybe $12 bucks for 2-3 days. Not sure if that will work in your case but worth a look into

 

[p08757]

I would shut your phone off while on the ship, you will thank your wallet later. Depending on the ports you should be able to use your phone while away from the ship. Look at the VZW support page for coverage.

 

[Ameeelia.]

holy crap... can the carrier really charge you, even though you are technically not abroad (still on US soil / water territory)??
good to know, thanks guys for future reference ....

 

[user7618]

I went to canada for a few days (BB storm days) and added international internet for what ever the price was per month, maybe $50 or so and when I got back in the states I canceled it and they just pro rated me for the days I used, cost me maybe $12 bucks for 2-3 days. Not sure if that will work in your case but worth a look into

That's not the issue here, it's that he would be using the ships hardware to route all of his phone activity through, and they charge out the ying-yang for it. The carrier just passes it on to you, with, I'm sure, a modest charge for them. Those cruise lines WILL rip you a new one if you let them. Honestly, OP, you might be better off just leaving your phone at home.


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[dubge]

I can see your point but I would have thought it would be covered under international roaming, I guess I know to look into that better if I ever go on a cruise

 

[user7618]

I can see your point but I would have thought it would be covered under international roaming, I guess I know to look into that better if I ever go on a cruise

Yeah, especially to Jamaica. I was listening to Clark Howard on the radio a few months ago, some dude got hit for something like $2500 for a 20 minute call home. Insane.



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[dubge]

ouch! Well I have some things to look into before I go to Jamaica next winter

 

[Brett]

im not sure if this will work but what about creating a google voice account and getting a number through it. then shut off your radios so you do not have a signal at all and it doesn't use data or signal. find a spot on the ship that has wifi which on a cruise ship i would assume they have a few. connect through wifi and then use google voice to make calls and check your voice mail.

i only use google voice for the visual voice mail so i am not sure how it works exactly or if that is even possible. i think it should work though

 

[user7618]

im not sure if this will work but what about creating a google voice account and getting a number through it. then shut off your radios so you do not have a signal at all and it doesn't use data or signal. find a spot on the ship that has wifi which on a cruise ship i would assume they have a few. connect through wifi and then use google voice to make calls and check your voice mail.

i only use google voice for the visual voice mail so i am not sure how it works exactly or if that is even possible. i think it should work though

But you still would be using the ships router, and I have no doubt that the network would be secured with a password, at least. Nah, they got you by the short hairs on this kind of thing. It's a vacation, leave your phone at home. Here's an article I found that had some decent info.

http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/onboard/connected.cfm#axzz0zu2xogoQ



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