a working cell phone, but...

[MiketheKid]

so we've established that CCL has indeed provided cell phone service fleet wide:
http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/cel...e_service.aspx

my questions is this - if i were to use my cell phone, will it be considered "roaming", or will i be charged any other sort of additional charges? (international charges? long distance charges? "you are on a cruise and we are jealous so take that" charges?)

i have verizon, by the way

and, one other question - now that we can use our phones, has anyone found people abusing the privilege? being obnoxiously loud, having long conversations in public areas, dialing and dining, or breaching any other commonly forgotten cell phone etiquette?

i plan on using mine to make the occasional call home, and to locate lost group members…aside from that, ill be glad to be free from it for 8 days

[PA Steve Rocky Mount]

It is indeed roaming and is expensive, which is why most people do NOT use their cells. I haven't encountered any such problems.

[drlivingston]

Typically rates on a Carnival ship are 2.49 a minute. If you can wait till you reach a port of call you're rates will decrease. My recommendation would be to get of the ship and restart the phone so that it can identify the local towers. Bear in mind, if you're phone is on while on the ship and someone calls you, you will be charged for a minute's usage. That's if you don't even answer it.

[Larry in Miami]

Verizon told me $2.49 per minute. My Verizon phone worked well.

[MrOctober]

On the SENSATION last October I was in the middle of the ocean and suprised to get a phone call...I talked to my friend for 30 min. got home and the phone bill for that 30 min call was $69.00..... my cell stays off onboard now.. heck man thats about 14 beers onboard.

[maryannb]

Do you have to add international service to your cell provider before leaving home? Has anyone considered text messaging? I believe with Cingular it's .50 per message for international texting plus the 4.99 per month for international service.

[MiketheKid]

wow...i thought it might be a little expensive, but i wasnt expecting $2.49 a minute....forget those calls to lost friends, they can find me the old fashioned way haha

also, my friend just mentioned an interesting idea to me...bring a pair of walkie talkies...i have a set of motorolas (sp?) which i assume would work - anyone know otherwise?

though those things can be annoying as well

[drlivingston]

If you are using Cingular(AT&T) you can add an international package to your phone for $5.99 per month. You can have it for just one month. There is no contract. This will give you reduced rates only when you are at a port of call. Onboard the ship will still be expensive. Beware that some phones are not compatable with international travelling. Newer phones are typically capable of international calling but it never hurts to call your service provider prior to your departure to make sure.

[Andrealovescruising]

Larry, ditto. Verizon.

My husband checked in with his office and was able to find out if any more jobs came in during his absence so that we could pay for the cruise we were on.

A'ndrea

[Larry in Miami]

Originally posted by maryannb:
Do you have to add international service to your cell provider before leaving home? Has anyone considered text messaging? I believe with Cingular it's .50 per message for international texting plus the 4.99 per month for international service.

Yes, you need international service.