Nope! I turn my phone on airplane mode as soon as I get on the ship, I purchase the wifi package because I like posting some of my photos of my trip each day to my social media, and for port stops, I purchase my cellphone carrier's travel plan (Verizon has Travel Pass that's $5-$10 per day, depending on the country you're visiting), so I can use my unlimited data plan while in port. I turn back on airplane mode as soon as I get back on the ship.

@boulevard14

4 ай бұрын

That makes sense. Travel/international plans will help. I've never had problems on board on sailing days though.

Great point Matt! Without a doubt everyone should check the functionality of 'Airplane' mode for their specific device and OS (iOS (Apple) vs. Android). Also, what is important is the Software version you are on for your device (older versions will have different functionality due to updates). What I may suggest is trying Airplane mode at home and make note of what happens to your wi-fi and bluetooth settings (be sure they are both 'On' when you test). Do they get turned 'Off' when Airplane mode is turned on? You will want to have wi-fi 'On' and Airplane mode 'On' while on-board to use either the paid or RCI free (limited) wi-fi. This way you know the expected functionality before you get on-board. Have a great cruise everyone!

My very first cruise back in 2006 I came home to a $700 phone bill 💸 😣. That one hurt. Definitely learned my lesson!

I check my cell phone to make sure it's on airplane mode at least twice a day every day of the cruise if not more.

I’d also add that before you turn on airplane mode make sure to connect to the ship’s (or plane’s) WiFi first because depending on the phone (or WiFi) you may not be able to connect while in airplane mode.

Your posts a super informative !! Thank you for sharing

On board the ship, we use the Royal internet package to stay connected for work (using whatsapp, skype, etc) and for the ports, we get a voice/data package from our cellular carrier that covers all the countries the ship visits.

Thanks!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

4 ай бұрын

No problem!

you can also call your phone provider and ask them to block other overseas antenas.

Wifi Calling for the win!

Your volume level has slipped even lower than Don's Family Vacation level. I hope you will adjust it soon.

There's a few things I do with mine. Of course put it on Airplane mode as soon as the boat starts to leave port. But I double check with my phone providers on where I would have signal and such. I found out that there is some parts of Mexico and Canada that my phone will work. But not always. So it's best to double check, just in case. And as soon as you get on the boat. Immediately turn it back on.

I always turn on airplane mode. No reason to risk it. Also many carriers now include Mexico and Canada without costing extra (check your own plan, of course), so if you don't want to pay for a wi-fi package, you can try to catch up with people in various ports without issue. That's what I did on my last cruise. Usually you'll get a text from your carrier, when you're in that country, telling you that it's included once you connect to the mobile data. Just make sure you remember to turn airplane mode back on once you're on the ship again.

I went immediately to the internet desk to make sure we were using the data plan right and not get charges lol

Also be careful of when you turn it back on. I turned it back on when I woke up the last morning at the Port of Miami, but got a message from Verizon about roaming. I have not seen a charge, but it would really stink if it connected and all the data that was queued, hits your phone automatically and creates a big bill

Also use Face Time when calling should be no charge .Verizon likes adding charge even if on airplane mode call them they will remove them just be polite.

Switch data roaming off and make sure that such in Three no extra call charges are allowed. This will fix also the problem in case you need to receive phone calls.

The best way to accrue an enormous cell phone bill on a cruise is NOT to have an internet package but instead use the cell phone service to stream hours of video to the phone. Read of a family that this happened to. I believe the total was close to 5K

Is it also similar to turning off cellular data and then turn on/off airplane mode? I'm not social media savvy anyway so won't be posting stuff to feeds. As long as use the Royal App?

When you say that the app can be used for people who are on the ship, do they have to be "linked" to your booking? I am going with a group and we all have separate bookings and we want to be able to communicate without buying the wifi

Great advice Matt. Question. Per your advice to save money I bought Voom package for 1 person but two devices to share between my wife and I. RC says when you first connect it will ask you if you purchased Voom or want to. Do we both say yes or just the first of us then later the second person. Don’t want to get charged twice. Thanks.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

4 ай бұрын

You can always change that choice by logging out.

@jcshaves

4 ай бұрын

@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog thanks Matt

Does iphone watches have airplane mode and should the watch be put on that mode as well?

@starzie2257

4 ай бұрын

Yes, It has airplane mode, and If you have a 5g watch you should also make sure it's turned on.

how do you use RC app to communicate with friends and family if using the ship's wifi "free" if wifi package costs money?

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

4 ай бұрын

The app has built in chat feature

@old_lady5933

4 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, without paid for Wi-Fi you do not receive notifications when you get a post. You need to walk around watching the app to see if someone has posted something. Maybe I did something wrong, but I tried everything to get it to “ding”. Anyone know?

Making/taking calls via Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) "the important thing is to activate WiFi calling, before your cruise, while you're still at home" You missed one _CRITICAL_ point here. Don't just activate VoWiFi. _Test it. Make sure_ your phone will actually use it. There are phones, where you can set them to use VoWiFi by default, but the phones will still go and use Voice over LTE (VoLTE) anyway. If your phone does this, then replace your phone. edit: fix formatting

274 days until AOS

@ashleynbjohnson7623

4 ай бұрын

Allure is a beautiful ship. Enjoy

@SilverHonda0767

4 ай бұрын

@@ashleynbjohnson7623 I meant to say Adventure of the Seas. Thank you

I just saw that the chat feature is actually $1.99 per person, is that true?

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

4 ай бұрын

No, not anymore. It used to have that price, but it’s free now.

Will the app messaging work on airplane mode?

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

4 ай бұрын

Yes

The trick: put your cellphone in airplane mode. Thank me later.

@FloridaGiGi

4 ай бұрын

Which is exactly what Matt said on this vlog… 🥴

@xFerry

4 ай бұрын

@@FloridaGiGi My comment was just to help people avoid watching a 6 minutes video for something that can be said in one sentence.

2:31 phone is not in Airplane Mode 😂

@stevenz2234

4 ай бұрын

And again at 5:44.

Airplane mode

Stick the phone in aeroplane mode, then use free Wi-Fi in ports, unless you are travelling to countries that are provided in your data package. We are lucky, our unlimited plans mean we can use our phones in 81 countries.

"Airplane mode" isn't exactly correct, yet it's what everyone says to do. When you change to airplane mode, you're also turning off Wi-Fi. What you really want to do is turn off cellular. You'll need Wi-Fi on, even if you don't have a Wi-Fi package to use the onboard app.

@kenyattaclay7666

4 ай бұрын

That’s actually not correct at all. Your WiFi is NOT disconnected when turning on airplane mode. However you die need to connect to the ship’s (plane’s) WiFi before turning it on. In fact just to prove a point I just turned on airplane mode without going through the steps you just said & on still connected to my internet & am able to leave this reply.

@BrianAlt

4 ай бұрын

@@kenyattaclay7666 actually, yes it is. At least on an iPhone.

@kenyattaclay7666

4 ай бұрын

@@BrianAlt actually no it isn’t. I have an iPhone & it doesn’t turn off wifi when turning on airplane mode. Like I said, I just did it & my WiFi never turned off.

@kenyattaclay7666

4 ай бұрын

@@BrianAlt seriously, don’t double down on this, your wrong & that’s okay. All you have to say is “ my bad, I thought it worked that way” and just be about your day.

@jamesthompson3099

4 ай бұрын

@@kenyattaclay7666 My iPhone 15 shut Wi-iFi off when Airplane Mode went on but I was able to turn Wi-Fi back on and was back in business. I have an iPhone 15 on T-Mobile.