Stupid question (phone) on cruise

[Deathraystare]

O . Cruising next year. Have already asked someone about this but such a techno said something about turning stuff offbimbo it is not sinking in. I don't want to amass mega roaming charges on phone obviously. I will probably only use it for if I make friends and want to text them ti see if they want ti meet up for a drink or whatever. I won't be streaming and sending photos (don't normally do it anyway). My techno hero *a porter at work) said something about turning stuff off .apps ???? Although they have an app on board. What do I turn off and how???

I came across something on Google that played a lullabye. How I got into it I do not know. Which shows what level I am at.!!!!!

Anyone??

Turn off your mobile data in settings. The boat will probably have wifi. You can buy a data roaming package from your phone provider.

On the ship you buy a WiFi package. You put your phone on aeroplane mode and just connect to the ships WiFi. You keep in contact via text and WhatsApp.

@FairyLightAddict

Thanks fairy. Would I actually need a roaming package or not?

You roam when in port but don't use it when it's showing 'cellular at sea' where you'd normally see 4g etc as you get charged a lot.

Be prepared for the wifi (even if you pay for it) to be shit. It's best to assume you won't be using your phone until you dock into a port. There's so much to do on a cruise you won't miss it.

Thanks. No I would not use it much. Only to contact any friends I may make on board.

Onboard you’ll be able to leave messages on cabin phone for any friends you make or can drop notes into box outside their cabin door. Remember, as well as you having a package, the person you’re contacting also needs it too to keep in touch. It may be better to make plans to catch up at certain times/places each day rather than planning on thinking ‘I’m off to xx bar, will message new friend stops we if they want to go too’ say ‘I’ll be in xx bar at 7pm; if you get there see you then, if not will see you at restaurant y at 8pm’

Wifi is expensive and not the best speed etc when at sea as they have to connect via satellite and it is used for safe running of the ship, then crew requirements and then passenger need. It’s often slow or only available in certain areas of the ship (I remember one cruise having to go to a specific lounge to pick up enough signal to connect so would often be online around 4-5am as it was the only time I got decent speeds). It is also expensive at £10-25/day depending on the cruise line. What we tend to do is buy a 24 hours package around 2pm and then you’ve got access till the same time the following day.

Once in port you can follow crew members to local wifi hotspots or there is often free wifi in the terminal building - but it can be as slow as dial up used to be as so many passengers will try connecting in there.

If you have an Android phone, within the mobile data in settings, you should be able to select which apps can use data/wifi (I expect ship wifi to be expensive and possibly limited, so you don't want a load of background updates using it up). Turn them all off and then just turn on your text app. Likewise, you can turn on your other apps if you get wifi in a port and then turn it off again.

Phones use huge amounts of data in the background if you're not careful and you can get through any paid allowance in no time. I've just switched away from GiffGaff because I have to go to the Isle of Man a few times a year and it didn't work there, but the last time I was there, I paid £10 for roaming. I turned off all my data but had to turn it back on so I could use Google Maps, not even the photo version, just the basic maps. It lasted about 10 minutes.

But @LovedFedAndNoonesDead advice is good. Just talk to each other and have a standing arrangement to be in a certain place at a certain time each day if you want to meet up. Means you aren't relying on all of you having comms - I can imagine that the signal is patchy across the ship. and not everyone will want to be paying for expensive roaming.

Another advantage is that if you get befriended by Mr & Mrs Boring, you can then not be in the agreed meeting place but enjoying a drink in the bar at the other end of the ship.