levib2 Posted September 25, 2021 Report Share Posted September 25, 2021 I am looking for a way to receive texts while onboard the Serenade (Radiance class ship). I read that I can use Whatsapp with Voom. However, the person I need to text me while I'm cruising is not very phone savvy so does not use Whatsapp. ATT international does not cover cruise ships....Their cruise ship plan is $50 a month. What is best way for me to receive texts from people who do not use messaging apps? Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 16 minutes ago, levib2 said: I am looking for a way to receive texts while onboard the Serenade (Radiance class ship). I read that I can use Whatsapp with Voom. However, the person I need to text me while I'm cruising is not very phone savvy so does not use Whatsapp. ATT international does not cover cruise ships....Their cruise ship plan is $50 a month. What is best way for me to receive texts from people who do not use messaging apps? Thanks so much. Any web-based application you can use for messaging will require a VOOM package for both of you. Other than messaging apps, I cannot think of any other option available. Without VOOM packages, you will have to go old school - room-to-room calling, post-it notes, and/or small white boards on door. If you are both iPhone/iPad users, iMessage (Messages) works well onboard. I don't know anything about Androids and other devices Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycho and Barb Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 We’ve found the best way is with the ships Voom. We can send, receive texts just by using our phones texting app…Do FaceTime and even make actual calls. We can do just about anything on the ship that we can at home on our WiFi. whitsmom, Cruiser58 and SpeedNoodles 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Yeah, I never use apps for communicating with people back home. I always have Voom and just have my phone on airplane mode and text like normal. Sharla, whitsmom and Neesa 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 2 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: Yeah, I never use apps for communicating with people back home. I always have Voom and just have my phone on airplane mode and text like normal. It's only iPhone-to-iPhone, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 The royal app now has a messaging feature. I think it costs about $2 per day per phone and does not require voom. My wife and I used the celebrity message feature and found it worked pretty well, but not perfect. I suspect royal uses the same technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 24 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: It's only iPhone-to-iPhone, right? I guess I'm not clear on who the OP is texting. I was talking about communicating with people who are not on the ship. I don't ever have to communicate with anyone else who's on my ship, and I wouldn't touch an IPhone with a 10-foot pole, lol. Pooch, AshleyDillo, emmef and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
levib2 Posted September 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Thanks everyone. I only need the ability to communicate with someone at home in the US via text. So I'm thinking if I order a Voom on one phone that would work to text back and forth with petsitter. (First time we're leaving our beloved standard poodle on longer than an overnight with the petsitter, and we're so nervious about it. Since she doesn't text via apps, I'm glad to learn that regular texting while on the ship or in a port with wifi will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 24 minutes ago, levib2 said: Thanks everyone. I only need the ability to communicate with someone at home in the US via text. So I'm thinking if I order a Voom on one phone that would work to text back and forth with petsitter. (First time we're leaving our beloved standard poodle on longer than an overnight with the petsitter, and we're so nervious about it. Since she doesn't text via apps, I'm glad to learn that regular texting while on the ship or in a port with wifi will work. Our pet sitter is the only person we communicate with back home as well. I feel your pain about leaving your poodle behind! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 I’m sorry, I think I misread the original post. Sorry for adding to the confusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuttMutt Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Most modern phones have a calling and texting over wifi feature. It's easy to try out too. Go to a local store. Turn airplane mode on. Turn wifi back on since airplane mode will turn it off. Connect to a wifi network and make some texts and call someone you know to verify it works. If it does purchase voom for on the ship and text away. The only other option I see if it doesn't work and they don't use something like Signal messenger (it's a drop in secure text replacement app) is to install a messaging app on an old phone that doesn't have service and leave it with them for communication with you while on the ship. As long as the phone will connect to wifi they should be able to message you so if they plan to go top the store or something you can take that phone and get it connected to the hotspots ahead of time. Sharla, WAAAYTOOO and CruiseGus 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 3 hours ago, levib2 said: Thanks everyone. I only need the ability to communicate with someone at home in the US via text. So I'm thinking if I order a Voom on one phone that would work to text back and forth with petsitter. (First time we're leaving our beloved standard poodle on longer than an overnight with the petsitter, and we're so nervious about it. Since she doesn't text via apps, I'm glad to learn that regular texting while on the ship or in a port with wifi will work. Test it at home by putting your phone into airplane mode and use your home wifi to try to text her. If it works at home, it will work on the ship. Make sure you put your phone in airplane mode on the ship or you will likely incur charges you are not expecting. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 The AT&T cruise ship plan is awful. It's super expensive and gives you back very little (and slow). You are much better off paying for the Voom Surf and Stream Package. Before you leave home, turn on Wifi Calling on your phone. Then, when you're on Voom, disable your phone (put it into airplane mode) and connect to wifi. Wifi Calling will allow you to make calls and text for a fraction of the cost of AT&T's plan. WAAAYTOOO, levib2, SuperStarian and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser58 Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Tangential to this question about Voom, I wanted to describe what happened when we went to purchase Voom for 2 devices. The price for 1 device was 10.99, so that would be about $77 dollars for a 7 day cruise. The price for 2 devices is $19.49,so that should be $137 for the cruise. However, when I added the 2 devices package to my cart, it shows $273. In other words, they charged me the 19.49 for 7 days for 2 people. We came out ahead by buying 2 single Voom device, roughly $154. Don't know if this is a glitch, or intentional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 9 minutes ago, Cruiser58 said: Tangential to this question about Voom, I wanted to describe what happened when we went to purchase Voom for 2 devices. The price for 1 device was 10.99, so that would be about $77 dollars for a 7 day cruise. The price for 2 devices is $19.49,so that should be $137 for the cruise. However, when I added the 2 devices package to my cart, it shows $273. In other words, they charged me the 19.49 for 7 days for 2 people. We came out ahead by buying 2 single Voom device, roughly $154. Don't know if this is a glitch, or intentional. Maybe this? When you put the 2 device package in your cart and go to check out, don’t check the box both people. Only one person needs to buy the 2 device package. You don’t need to tell them each person who will be using Voom. Yesterday we bought the 2 device package for 3 different cruises with no issues. MuttMutt and PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser58 Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 1 hour ago, teddy said: Maybe this? When you put the 2 device package in your cart and go to check out, don’t check the box both people. Only one person needs to buy the 2 device package. You don’t need to tell them each person who will be using Voom. Yesterday we bought the 2 device package for 3 different cruises with no issues. Thanks, I'll give it a shot . teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
levib2 Posted September 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 One more thing please....If I get Voom (cheaper version) and use Facebook Messenger (via ,u phone) does the person I send a message to also need to have Facebook messenger on their phone? Thanks everyone. I only need the ability to communicate with someone at home in the US via text. So I'm thinking if I order a Voom on one phone that would work to text back and forth with petsitter. (First time we're leaving our beloved standard poodle on longer than an overnight with the petsitter, and we're so nervious about it. Since she doesn't text via apps, I'm glad to learn that regular texting while on the ship or in a port with wifi will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 16 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said: Yeah, I never use apps for communicating with people back home. I always have Voom and just have my phone on airplane mode and text like normal. Ok really stupid question . When I put my phone in airplane mode for our flights, I cannot send/receive texts. Is this because I am not connected to WiFi? We will have Voom on our cruise so I connect to the ship’s WiFi, put phone in airplane mode and I can text because I’m on WiFi??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Cruiser58 said: Thanks, I'll give it a shot . We made this mistake our first cruise, and Royal refunded the difference onboard for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 50 minutes ago, Pooch said: Ok really stupid question . When I put my phone in airplane mode for our flights, I cannot send/receive texts. Is this because I am not connected to WiFi? We will have Voom on our cruise so I connect to the ship’s WiFi, put phone in airplane mode and I can text because I’m on WiFi??? I can only answer from an iPhone user's perspective. When on airplane mode, you need to be connected to WiFi to be able to text using "Messages" with other iPhone users. On the ship, when connected to VOOM, you can do the same. I do not know how to send texts to non-iPhone/iPad users. Pooch and 14Terry 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Pooch said: Ok really stupid question . When I put my phone in airplane mode for our flights, I cannot send/receive texts. Is this because I am not connected to WiFi? We will have Voom on our cruise so I connect to the ship’s WiFi, put phone in airplane mode and I can text because I’m on WiFi??? Yes. You can test it on your home wifi before you leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Pooch said: Ok really stupid question . When I put my phone in airplane mode for our flights, I cannot send/receive texts. Is this because I am not connected to WiFi? We will have Voom on our cruise so I connect to the ship’s WiFi, put phone in airplane mode and I can text because I’m on WiFi??? Yes, it's the WiFi that makes it work. Nearly all phones these days can do WiFi calling/texting. But like wordell said, you can test it at home if you have WiFi there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Works to another iPhone. Now have to figure out how to text my son’s android. He’ll be the one I have to hunt down! Or I could just look in every bar on the ship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 25 minutes ago, Pooch said: Works to another iPhone. Now have to figure out how to text my son’s android. He’ll be the one I have to hunt down! Or I could just look in every bar on the ship On some ships now there's an option to pay for messaging on the ship. It's a couple of dollars a day, I believe. It's an option if both of you aren't planning on getting Voom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 On Adventure this month, I had Voom Surf. I have an iPhone and was able to text and send pictures to two friends of mine…one has an iPhone and the other has an Android whitsmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 We will have 4 Voom packages based on cabin level. I tried turning airplane mode on then reconnected to the house WiFi: I could text my IPhone daughter but not my android son. Will figure it out. Thanks for all the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 20 minutes ago, teddy said: On Adventure this month, I had Voom Surf. I have an iPhone and was able to text and send pictures to two friends of mine…one has an iPhone and the other has an Android What app did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 17 minutes ago, Pooch said: We will have 4 Voom packages based on cabin level. I tried turning airplane mode on then reconnected to the house WiFi: I could text my IPhone daughter but not my android son. Will figure it out. Thanks for all the help That's weird. You'd think that texting is texting. I use wifi calling/texting all of the time from my android phone to others who have IPhones. teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 17 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: What app did you use? Just regular texting from my phone (in airplane mode), no third party app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 1 minute ago, teddy said: Just regular texting from my phone (in airplane mode), no third party app. I just went back and verified with both friends that they both received my texts and pictures while I was onboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 12 minutes ago, teddy said: Just regular texting from my phone (in airplane mode), no third party app. What kind of phone do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 29 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: That's weird. You'd think that texting is texting. I use wifi calling/texting all of the time from my android phone to others who have IPhones. On an Apple device, on WiFi, the Messages app can only be used for other iOS (iPhones/iPad) users. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 14 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: On an Apple device, on WiFi, the Messages app can only be used for other iOS (iPhones/iPad) users. Ok, but that's different from SMS texting, which is what I was talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 27 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: What kind of phone do you use? iPhone 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Come on guys, clueless here. What’s SMS texting & how do I do that? I’m not old enough to be this confused (at least not til Wednesday). Checked in my settings & “send as an SMS” is enabled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda R Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 21 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said: Yeah, I never use apps for communicating with people back home. I always have Voom and just have my phone on airplane mode and text like normal. Exactly what I do also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 29 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: Ok, but that's different from SMS texting, which is what I was talking about. Oh wow! I need to figure out a lot of this stuff now. I can only do SMS texting when using my carrier plan, not on WiFi Pooch 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 The friend I was texting onboard with my iPhone has a Galaxy 10+ Edited to clarify….I was onboard and he was in Delaware Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Problems would be solved if everyone just switched to Android phones. Just sayin'. teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Or you joined our iPhone cult!!! teddy and barbeyg 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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