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Cellular Phones/Iphone on a cruise ship

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Expert: - 5/10/2010


Question
Hello,

I will be going on a Caribbean cruise next week on the Carnival Liberty.  I'm hoping to use my I-phone with the ship's wi-fi network.  Do you know if this will work for making/receiving calls/texts and using email?  If so, will I be charged for using the wi-fi, or just my normal data fees?

Thanks,
Melissa

Answer
If the ship has true free WiFi, your iPhone will work on the ship and you will not be charged for any data fees while on WiFi. If the ship instead has an on-ship network to allow you to use your phone, then you will be charged for the fees for calls while aboard the ship. You can check AT&T's web site for the charges aboard the Liberty. There is a specific per minute charge while using your phone on the ship. If you are instead just using true free WiFi, there are no data charges, but using the ship's on-ship network to access calls and texts, yes, there very definitely is a per minute and per kb data fee and per text fee. You will NOT be charged your standard data package unless you are in the US and not roaming. Call AT&T directly to make sure that you are fully aware of the charges. I would hate to see you get hit with a huge bill and believe me, you will if you don't know. I promise you it is not free.  

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DebiN

Expertise

I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.

Experience

Over 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.

Organizations
I belong to several organizations

Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications

Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years

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