Cruise Calls: Onboard Extras For A Lot Extra

Recently I've been planning a cruise and came across the Royal Caribbean website while trying to find out the best way of contacting home. However the extortionate fees made me run for the hills (or upper decks) looking for something that doesn't require me to mortgage my house to call it.



I did some further research, being recommended by many to use Skype.. which would require buying a laptop, then paying Skype's rates to a land line or cell phone of 2.4-2.2 cents per minute (or less) for an international call. Even then I'd need to pay to use the onboard internet access fees. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a package of 33 minutes for $25 - 75 cents a minute.. before I buy a laptop, pay for Skypes fees.. going over $3 a minute at least (before I consider the cost of a laptop).

If I use my own mobile I'll be subject to any roaming fees my mobile phone provider deems appropriate. Others had the same requirements for me to buy a laptop and pay for access per minute/data fees.

Fortunately I found that renting a satellite phone would be the cheapest option overall on board a cruise ship. I'd only have to pay a daily rental fee (than buying a laptop and then the Skype+internet access fees), and was more cost effective than the international roaming charge my cell provider was going to charge me (plus a charge to activate it) and then the additional cost per minute call charges.

The largest advantage of this is that I can use it from anywhere at all at exactly the same rate. While I can use the antenna extension to get access from the privacy of my own cabin I can freely walk around outside the ship calling home stress free. Plus I love to walk while I'm talking on the phone.

Further Reading:

Wikipedia List of Cruise Ships
$6.95 'economical' calls to Cruise Ships

When it's a 187, call 112..

Did you know that calling '112' on any GSM mobile phone is the International Emergency Number?
Callers will be automatically translated to that country's particular emergency number. For GSM mobile phones access is provided regardless of the presence or validity of the SIM card within the phone, or whether the keypad is locked.

Warning: '112' is primarily integrated with the GSM network, it may not work if the phone is connected to another type of network such as CDMA. Some mobile carriers have enabled '112' access in their CDMA mobile phones but it is best to check this.

It is certainly useful to know about '112', mobile phone users should be aware that this emergency number may not work in every part of the world or for every mobile network.

‘112’ attempts to connect to any available network, it will not work if no signal at all is available despite rumours to the contrary.

Testing 112 just to see if it works is irresponsible. Emergency call services already have to contend with  prank calls without having to take calls from someone testing to see if it really works. Take our word for it - it does! Remember, unless it's hurricane season and you're being whisked off to Oz in serious trouble - don't do it.



Futher Reading:

New Design for 112 Emergency Service

Wikipedia Entry on Emergency Telephone Number