MG728 Posted July 5, 2022 Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 Happy 4th of July! I want to be able to text with my young teens while on ship. We all have the internet package. I’m assuming I need to download the app to their phones before we board- for people that have done this- do I need to create an account for each of them (and will I be able to create it since they are minors). We are on Odyssey if that makes a difference. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted July 5, 2022 Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 If you have the internet package you can use WhatsApp or iMessage or any 3rd party messaging app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG728 Posted July 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 Oh thank you so much! I’m so glad I asked because they will definitely be more comfortable using iMessages!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Miller Posted July 5, 2022 Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 1 hour ago, smokeybandit said: If you have the internet package you can use WhatsApp or iMessage or any 3rd party messaging app. Also, if you have a later version of Android on your phone, the "Messages" app will use wifi as well. You could test it at home before you leave. Turn off cellular data on all phones involved and see if you can send texts between the phones in question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG728 Posted July 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 We have iPhones so this shouldn’t be an issue. Thank you though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinkm Posted July 5, 2022 Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 I know you don't have to have it, but we found that WhatsApp worked much better than our usual message app on our phones (Android phones, from new to 3 yrs old) on the ship. Very fast, whereas the message app had a lag and sometimes didn't go through. Others have said you don't need a separate messaging app - and you don't! - but thought I would let you know what our experience was so in case you have the same problem, you have an alternative to try. Very easy to set up. Pattycruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG728 Posted July 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 Thanks- I have what’s app and use it. My kids don’t so it may be worth teaching them how to use it before we go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted July 5, 2022 Report Share Posted July 5, 2022 Just remember to put all phone in airplane mode!! Then turn WiFi on. You should also enable WiFi calling on all phones prior to the cruise. teddy and whitsmom 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTKaren Posted July 6, 2022 Report Share Posted July 6, 2022 If you just want the ships app to communicate with each other do you need to have internet? I have no desire to purchase internet on the ship. The 1.99 per day seems like a much better option to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted July 6, 2022 Report Share Posted July 6, 2022 On 7/4/2022 at 10:59 PM, jbrinkm said: I know you don't have to have it, but we found that WhatsApp worked much better than our usual message app on our phones (Android phones, from new to 3 yrs old) on the ship. Very fast, whereas the message app had a lag and sometimes didn't go through. Others have said you don't need a separate messaging app - and you don't! - but thought I would let you know what our experience was so in case you have the same problem, you have an alternative to try. Very easy to set up. Yep, and then service can be so bad that’s it’s near impossible to download WhstsApp. Best to do do before boarding, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted July 6, 2022 Report Share Posted July 6, 2022 24 minutes ago, CTKaren said: If you just want the ships app to communicate with each other do you need to have internet? I have no desire to purchase internet on the ship. The 1.99 per day seems like a much better option to me. You can do that, but you have to constantly be checking the chat app for new messages. There are no notifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG728 Posted July 6, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2022 We were getting the internet anyways so it’s a no brainer for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinkm Posted July 6, 2022 Report Share Posted July 6, 2022 I balked at the price of internet, even with the shared package, but I was SO, SO happy to have it once we were on the ship. I didn't ever have to worry about letting the kids (ages 12 & 15) go off on their own - we could always reach them. It let me give them a level of freedom that I wouldn't have otherwise, which made the vacation more enjoyable for them. MG728 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted July 6, 2022 Report Share Posted July 6, 2022 3 hours ago, CTKaren said: If you just want the ships app to communicate with each other do you need to have internet? I have no desire to purchase internet on the ship. The 1.99 per day seems like a much better option to me. Remember it’s 1.99 per day for each person using the chat app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 On 7/5/2022 at 6:41 AM, Pooch said: Just remember to put all phone in airplane mode!! Then turn WiFi on. You should also enable WiFi calling on all phones prior to the cruise. the whole wifi calling set up on my android phone is so confusing! Quick question...once it is enabled, does it make sense to turn it off when you are on land and don't need it? I mean both on and off a cruise actually. I just wondered if it's a "one and done" deal, or i should enable it everytime. I have never used wifi calling, but does it mean you could actually receive and make calls on the ship without fees other than wifi? Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 8 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said: the whole wifi calling set up on my android phone is so confusing! Quick question...once it is enabled, does it make sense to turn it off when you are on land and don't need it? I mean both on and off a cruise actually. I just wondered if it's a "one and done" deal, or i should enable it everytime. I have never used wifi calling, but does it mean you could actually receive and make calls on the ship without fees other than wifi? Jane There's no need to turn off wifi calling. Mine is always enabled. Just if you don't enable it prior to your cruise it may not be able to be enabled on the ship. Wifi calling basically says "if I'm on wifi, make phone calls over the internet instead of using a cell tower" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 8 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: There's no need to turn off wifi calling. Mine is always enabled. Just if you don't enable it prior to your cruise it may not be able to be enabled on the ship. Wifi calling basically says "if I'm on wifi, make phone calls over the internet instead of using a cell tower" and thus no charge Thanks...I know i looked up how to do it and my samsung had about a gazillion steps. I could always go into the stupid t-mobile store and have them do it (I really really really miss sprint!) Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 10 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said: and thus no charge Thanks...I know i looked up how to do it and my samsung had about a gazillion steps. I could always go into the stupid t-mobile store and have them do it (I really really really miss sprint!) Jane It should literally be one step. Click the Wifi Calling icon. You may need to confirm an address for 911 purposes but that's it. mom2mybugs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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