koneill65 Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I am wondering if the Vroom service is worth it? Do I also have to contact my carrier for roaming or does Vroom take care of that? I have ATT as my carrier?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 VOOM is Royal Caribbean's onboard Wi-Fi service. It's not a cellular service and can be used by your device in "Airplane Mode". Your cellular carrier is not involved at all. Whether it's worth it is a different question. That's going to depend on the ship and how you want to use it. (Some ships have significantly faster VOOM than others, now that Royal Caribbean is calling all their Wi-Fi offerings "VOOM".) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I find Voom to be worth every penny it costs because I love being online while on my cruise. Like Marc said, depends how much you use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRC Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Bottom line, VOOM is faster and cheaper than the "old" wifi service, do that's definitely a win. Will you use it enough to justify the cost? That's a decision for you. But keep in mind:it will only take a VERY FEW minutes of cellular at sea to equal the cost of VOOM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dejagatkins Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I am wondering if the Vroom service is worth it? Do I also have to contact my carrier for roaming or does Vroom take care of that? I have ATT as my carrier?? I loved Voom on the Oasis! Posting pictures on my FB via my smart phone in airplane mode , while I sit on the deck watching the water and sipping my frosty drink. Some distant relative died while I was on board and I had immediate messaging available. Not even sure how,but I also got my text from my son about the situation. I swear I never took my phone out of airplane mode but my messaging capability was the same as if I were home. Loved posting Instagram pictures to journal our cruise also! EmersonNZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arebee Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I shut my devices off and enjoy the ride. So to me, not worth it. I'll post pics when I get home, don't want anyone knowing I'm away on vacation whom I haven't already told. dejagatkins and Cruising With JT 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I loved Voom on the Oasis! Posting pictures on my FB via my smart phone in airplane mode , while I sit on the deck watching the water and sipping my frosty drink. Some distant relative died while I was on board and I had immediate messaging available. Not even sure how,but I also got my text from my son about the situation. I swear I never took my phone out of airplane mode but my messaging capability was the same as if I were home. Loved posting Instagram pictures to journal our cruise also! FYI, the way you received texts (and likely could make and receive calls) through WiFi calling. Newer iPhones and many Android phones support this on the major US networks. It allows calling and texting to happen over WiFi, without a cellular connection (airplane mode on). It's also possible that you were receiving iMessages, which look like texts, but are sent only between Apple devices. dejagatkins 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dejagatkins Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 FYI, the way you received texts (and likely could make and receive calls) through WiFi calling. Newer iPhones and many Android phones support this on the major US networks. It allows calling and texting to happen over WiFi, without a cellular connection (airplane mode on). It's also possible that you were receiving iMessages, which look like texts, but are sent only between Apple devices. Yes, I have a Samsung Galaxy. My son was so funny. He texted me "I thought you said you couldn't receive texts??" haha I guess I lied. But seriously, with Voom the messaging was seamless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I agree I used it last year when on a few of the newer ships and thought it worked great As an option it just depends on what you want you need it for on the ships but I think its great and worth the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christie Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Has anybody actually tried the wifi calling yet? We are anxious to do this in Sept Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 I'm looking forward to trying it on the Serenade next month while sailing the Baltics and plan to post a lot to social media and Periscope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 I am wondering if the Vroom service is worth it? Do I also have to contact my carrier for roaming or does Vroom take care of that? I have ATT as my carrier?? The real question is do you want to have Internet access on the cruise? Does not matter if the price is fair, high or low, if the service is great, fair, or bad. If you want internet access and to be able to us your phone you really have no choice, purchase it or have no access. Yes very close to land your phone can work but limited, and ATT does have a roaming deal but again very limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmasummerill Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Has anybody actually tried the wifi calling yet? We are anxious to do this in Sept Yes I did calling over FaceTime (both video and just voice calls) and via what's app. Worked fine most of the time. The signal was variable around the ship, on Harmony, but significantly improved as our cruise went on so I put it down to issues with a brand new system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christie Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Yea, I was referring to actual wifi calling. It's a new thing with cell carriers. You can call any number, not just iphones or people that have a certain app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 I used Wi-Fi Calling with my iPhone on Verizon Wireless during my last cruise. I was surprised it worked as well as it did given that Freedom of the Seas didn't have the fast VOOM internet service at the time. I was able to both make and receive calls with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 I do want to caution people. It looks like Royal Caribbean is calling their Wi-Fi service VOOM on all ships, not just the ones with the faster, broadband-like service. So, just because you see VOOM offered on a ship doesn't necessarily mean that it's the super-fast internet that they've been touting. dejagatkins 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smpoole813 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 I do want to caution people. It looks like Royal Caribbean is calling their Wi-Fi service VOOM on all ships, not just the ones with the faster, broadband-like service. So, just because you see VOOM offered on a ship doesn't necessarily mean that it's the super-fast internet that they've been touting. That's the thing that I've been concerned about. I want to be able to Skype when on Liberty of the Seas in August. Has anyone sailed on the LOTS since it was 'upgraded' to VOOM in May? I'd love to hear your opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 I do want to caution people. It looks like Royal Caribbean is calling their Wi-Fi service VOOM on all ships, not just the ones with the faster, broadband-like service. So, just because you see VOOM offered on a ship doesn't necessarily mean that it's the super-fast internet that they've been touting. Marc, I'm not sure that I'm right, but I'm inclined to believe that without significant variation, all ships are using the same technology, that it's the itinerary that is the variable here. Voom worked great on Allure, but I have a hunch that the footprint of the primary (fast) service being used likely doesn't extend to the middle of the Atlantic, or the Northern end of the Gulf of Alaska. Have anything that anecdotally supports or contradicts this? Either way, RCCL should probably work on setting more realistic expectations. BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Does Oasis have the fast VOOM yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Does Oasis have the fast VOOM yet? Tests on Oasis have been positive. People regularly stream video to and from Oasis OTS. As mentioned above however, I greatly suspect this is more based on location than it is the ship. As all schedule Oasis sailings are in the Caribbean/Bahamas, all should be well. whitsmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Tests on Oasis have been positive. People regularly stream video to and from Oasis OTS. As mentioned above however, I greatly suspect this is more based on location than it is the ship. As all schedule Oasis sailings are in the Caribbean/Bahamas, all should be well. In theory it really should not matter where you are located, as long as you are within the prime coverage area of the constellation of 12 satellites that make up the 3B Networks (Company providing service to Royal). 3B networks says that the Optimal coverage between 45° north/south latitudes or 3100 miles north or south of the Equator, with a service limit of 62°, with covers 99 % of the Royal service area. From the company website: "Steerable Beams Tracking Your Ship. O3b’s satellite beams follow the ship on its normal route. O3b maintains the ship within the beam centre.O3b receives latitude/longitude updates on two hour intervals via in-band or out-of-band channel. Beam tracking updates in real time if the ship has to change course." So if one says it works great in St Thomas, the same should be said for everywhere along the same latitude. Other counties also at this latitude are Mali, Chad, Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam., Philippines, Mexico, etc. So the service should be the same speed for all. As about every 2 hours the satellite you are using is out of range and you pick up the next one. And yes I know this is way to much information unless you are another Tech Geek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileyzMom Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Have people been able to reliably Facetime? We are on the Oasis and Anthem in Sept and Oct and want to facetime with our daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobble31 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 We was on the Anthem in January and face timed our family in the uk. It was the best connection we have ever had, just like watching a tv, no freezing or pixelating. RileyzMom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Haven't used facetime but have used Google Hangouts video chat (same deal) and it was crystal clear and smooth. @Todd - good info, thanks. corroborates my thoughts about AK sailings. to give you an idea the mouth of the Columbia river is at about 46N latitude. RileyzMom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 In theory it really should not matter where you are located, as long as you are within the prime coverage area of the constellation of 12 satellites that make up the 3B Networks (Company providing service to Royal). 3B networks says that the Optimal coverage between 45° north/south latitudes or 3100 miles north or south of the Equator, with a service limit of 62°, with covers 99 % of the Royal service area. Should be interesting on my Baltics cruise as I'm very close to the limits of the operating range of the satellite network during the cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I've used it on both Oasis and Allure and it's fast! Real fast! I actually think it's faster than the crap Comcast service in my home that cost me more than $200/mo!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinsbur Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 I recently sailed on the Enchantment and the vroom was great. I have a magic Jack at home so I used their app and the wifi calling worked great (on a Galaxy S5). The connection was clear and there was no dropped calls. I had the vroom streaming and was able to watch Netfix and Hulu with out any buffering. The signal was strong in my cabin and by the pool. We traveled to Nassau and coco cay and the weather was great. I do not know if the weather affects satellite service but I heard that weather may affect service from people who have had satellite service at home. I even used the wifi app on my tablet with no difficulties. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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