Coming Soon: Wireless cell phone service at sea!

[Jason]

Mobile phones get nautical

AT&T plan to bring mobile phone access to cruise ships - everyone get ready for some texting by the pool.

In a first for the US wireless industry, AT&T Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) announced today that cruise ship passengers may soon enjoy the convenience of using their wireless phones while at sea.

The companies have formed a joint venture, Wireless Maritime Services, to develop and launch an innovative and affordable communications offering that will rely on a combination of satellite and wireless services to provide the cruise line industry and its passengers with on-board wireless service. The joint venture will combine MTN's expertise in providing satellite services to the cruise industry with AT&T Wireless' expertise in delivering wireless services to consumer and business travelers. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The international service will offer SMS messaging and the ability to make and receive calls as well as use data services on the high seas using the same handsets as in a domestic environment.

MTN already offers Wi-Fi, internet access and newspapers while aboard cruise ships, and with the addition of this mobile phone service aims to make communication while aboard a cruise ship indistinguishable from dry land.

Subscribers from wireless carriers outside the U.S. can use their GSM phones to roam on AT&T Wireless' network when visiting the U.S. and parts of the Caribbean. These subscribers may also be able to take advantage of the new offering from Wireless Maritime Services.

The companies are currently working with several cruise lines and expect to introduce the service later this year.

(By: Anthony Newman, infoSync World)

[PEB]

One of the best things about a cruise is not having to deal with cell phones or people talking on cell phones. I go on a cruise to relax and enjoy myself. I will admit I have a business and once or twice during a cruise I will go on the internet to check emails from the business but I will not start tying up my time by calling and checking in constantly, which many people who feel they are important will do. I personally do not see wireless cell phone use a good thing for a cruise. JMHO

[DaCruzNut]

When I began cruising:

The ships either had no televisions, or only could show what they brought onboard. If it wasn't on tape, you didn't see it.

The cabin telephone could get you to the Purser's Desk, Room Service of the Hotel Manager. That was it.

Oh, you could telephone 'back home,' but it wasn't quite as easy as it is now. If you needed to make a call, you went to the Radio Room, between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, and placed the call.

There were no newspapers onboard, and no "Times Fax," or any similar news items. Even in the ports, it was very hard to find any type of newspaper, even a 'local' one.

You were completely isolated from the 'real world' on your little island in the sea that floated from place to place....

IMHO, one of the main attractions of a cruise is being able to "get away from it all." Unfortunately, too many of today's passengers MUST take it with them, and forgot how to relax!

[dot73]

Oh, no, not cell phones on cruise ships!!!!!!!!! As a person who works in an office full of constantly-ringing telephones, I can't stand the thought of cell phones going off on cruise ships. If people really have to stay in touch, why can't they just use the internet.

The cells phones are now everywhere. Last summer, I had to move three times at a beach to get away from cell phone users. It was so sad to see fathers and mothers sitting on beach chairs conducting business while their kids were playing by themselves. Every day on the commuter trains, someone is conducting business on the cell phones and/or yelling at their kids, husbands, etc. I could go on ... It's not that I hate cells phones - I have one myself but I would never use one on holidays except perhaps for emergencies.

One of the reasons I thoroughly enjoy cruising is that I can truly get away from the stress of work. It's such a pleasure to talk to people sitting next to you rather than listening to their cell phone conversations. I guarantee that once cell phones are allowed, it will never be the same.

[TheSkipper]

Just what we DON'T need aboard ship!!

Gimme a break! :undecided:

[GottaCruz]

Can you imagine being in the show and hearing cells beeping???Or being in the middle of a conversation with folks you've met and having them answer their phones? :sealedlips:

[KeithnRita]

One of the many, many reasons we cruise it to get away from cell phones, especially ours! :grin: :grin:

[Lisa63]

I agree with all the above. I also remember the "radio room" days. I also remember that if you wanted to find out what was happening in the outside world, you'd consult a computer printout (dot-matrix) that was posted on a bulletin board by the pursers' desk. Those were the days.

I hope that there will be "no cell phone" areas in the future...

[iriscruiser]

I agree we definetly do not need them on a cruise. I for one do not even own one. I have an answering machine leave me a message if i'm not home. Working in retail it is annoying when you are waiting on someone and they hold you up to have a conversation on thier cell. (really pisses people off behind them) I think we all have seen people shopping in the grocery store and consulting the person on the other end of their phone which product to buy. Well enough I have said my piece.,