cell coverage on cruise

tom12345 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 03:08 AM

my wife hates me ...lol.. going on a cruise and like american express, me and my mogul i won't leave home without it. Norwegian cruise offers gsm phone service and gprs data service.

question: I have sprint. I know cell phone won't work with gsm service. but can i utilize the gprs service for data somehow so i can check email and such. i have wireless modem program in phone and use thetherd with nai disabled. are there settings for gprs on at&t network i can modify for the trip.. thanks in adavnce.

By the way this site and forum absolutely rock. Could not have done it without all the great info available. thanks so much

also might be useful
http://164.109.173.140/PDF/freestyle...ar_service.pdf

Shadow366 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 03:18 AM

WiFi with skype may be an option for you...

"Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian ships feature Wi-Fi access in most public areas and in select stateroom categories. Guests can also use Internet centers found on all ships. In addition, guests are provided with a personal e-mail address with their cruise documents" http://www.cruisecompete.com/pressrelease072006.php

tom12345 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 03:21 AM

they rape the hell outta ya for wifi charges i heard. i know when i get to st. thomas sprint has nationwide coverage there that is part of our plan. so thats cool. but is gprs a different data network than what sprint uses? sprint uses evdo, yes ?

Mastanthony89 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom12345

they rape the hell outta ya for wifi charges i heard. i know when i get to st. thomas sprint has nationwide coverage there that is part of our plan. so thats cool. but is gprs a different data network than what sprint uses? sprint uses evdo, yes ?

Evdo is a CMDA service, India is the only other major country in the world that uses CDMA besides the USA and Cananda

So....Yes Wi-Fi will work but as far as using cell connection....I am 99.9% sure your out of luck.. SOrry

tom12345 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 04:16 AM

oh well , i let you know how i do. any wifi hacking programs for wm6 while were on the wifi topic??

jph8tr · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 12:38 PM

http://www.sprintpcs.com/common/popu...ruiseship.html

If you're sailing on one of these ships, you should be fine. OTH, the charges will probably kill you. The cell service is provided by a third party so they along with Sprint and NCL all take a cut. I haven't called Sprint to get the prices, but it makes me nervous when the cell providers will not list prices. I've read that you can expect anywhere from $2.50 -$5.00 /min OVER the cost of the international call. As for using wifi and Skype, the net charges on board are just short of rape and the speeds are usually below what would be necessary for a Skype call. I'm sailing on the NCL Spirit in April, but I'll hold off on any calls if at all till I'm in St Thomas. I probably agree with your wife, you're on VACATION so relax and disconnect from the work world! Enjoy the cruise.

jph8tr · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastanthony89

Evdo is a CMDA service, India is the only other major country in the world that uses CDMA besides the USA and Cananda

So....Yes Wi-Fi will work but as far as using cell connection....I am 99.9% sure your out of luck.. SOrry

It's good that you left that .1%. Sprint and Verizon both cover the US Virgin Islands (CDMA). If you can't get a Sprint signal, you should be able to roam on Verizon. I don't know about EVDO coverage. And yes, this was confirmed by a friend who recently visited St Thomas and was able to use his CDMA phone.

**themuffinman** · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jph8tr

It's good that you left that .1%. Sprint and Verizon both cover the US Virgin Islands (CDMA). If you can't get a Sprint signal, you should be able to roam on Verizon. I don't know about EVDO coverage. And yes, this was confirmed by a friend who recently visited St Thomas and was able to use his CDMA phone.

I currently live in Georgia but I am originally from St. Thomas and EVDO coverage is available as well. I go to visit several times a year and can confirm that its like being anywhere else in the U.S. as far as data and phone service.

tom12345 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 08:34 PM

thats is just sweet news....also it evdo is highlighted on st thomas on sprints coverage map....nothing like globe trottin and sending some pics back to your freinds freezing off the ass up north