Cell Phones at Sea on Carnival

[Joanandjoe]

Here is Carnival's press release on this subject. I think CC has already had a forum as to whether this is a good or bad thing. Since we haven't sailed on Carnival, we won't look up the pricing. If someone does look it up, other Crazies might find the information useful.

Wireless Customers Can Now Use Their Personal Cell Phones Aboard Carnival 'Fun Ships' <]

06/22/2006

MIAMI and ATLANTA, June 22, 2006 – Cruising is oft-cited as the idyllic vacation choice for complete relaxation and escape. The lifestyle of today’s consumer, however, often means that to truly relax and enjoy, people want an easy and convenient way to keep in touch with family, friends, or the office. What could be easier than using your own cell phone aboard ship the same as you can at home?

Through an exclusive agreement between Carnival Cruise Lines and Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network, Carnival guests sailing aboard the “Fun Ships†can now enjoy a new communications option that allows them to stay in touch with people back home using their personal cell phones while in port or at sea.

“Consumers view cell phones as a necessity in today’s world. We’ve been exploring cellular phone service for some time and have developed a capability that provides unparalleled connectivity and convenience to allow guests to keep in touch with friends, family members and business associates back home,†said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

“WMS is excited to offer Carnival guests the opportunity to stay connected while cruising worldwide,†said Leighton Carroll, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wireless Maritime Services. “Whether making a voice call, responding to email, sending a picture message, or accessing the Internet to check on local happenings back home, what a great convenience for Carnival guests to enjoy the same features of their wireless service at sea as they would roaming on land.â€Â

Utilizing WMS’ state-of-the-art high-bandwidth technology, the new fleetwide service is compatible with any cellular phone and enables guests sailing on Carnival to make and receive calls anywhere in the world from any cruising region. The technology is currently available aboard the Carnival Triumph, with the balance of the line’s 21-vessel fleet scheduled to be completed by early next year.

The new fleetwide cellular phone service requires no additional software or special dialing procedures – guests simply make and receive calls as well as transmit text and multimedia messages as they would on land using their personal cell phone. International roaming fees apply to all shipboard cell phone calls.

Consumer benefits to having wireless service while at sea:

• Connectivity – keep in touch with family, friends and business associates through voice calls, email or text messages. Guests can also share travel highlights while at sea through photo messaging.

• Convenience – no need to rent a local phone while at port; guests can be reached by the wireless number their friends and colleagues know.

In addition to being able to use their phones on Carnival “Fun Ships,†Cingular customers can also enjoy competitive international roaming rates as well as a greater selection of quad-band devices than any other carrier.

For additional information on pricing, please visit www.cingular.com/cingularworld or www.cellularatsea.com.

About Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 21 "Fun Ships" operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, New England, Canada, Bermuda, Europe and the Greek Isles.

The line currently has three new ships on order – the 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom, scheduled for delivery in February 2007, the 112,000-ton Carnival Splendor, slated to enter service in fall 2008, and an as-yet-unnamed 130,000-ton SuperLiner – to be the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed – set to debut in fall 2009.

For additional information on Carnival’s “Fun Ship†vacations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

About Wireless Maritime Services

Wireless Maritime Services, LLC, (WMS) a joint venture of New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc. and Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. is the largest maritime cellular service provider in the world. WMS currently provides service for 8 cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Lines. WMS has roaming agreements in place with over 300 carriers in over 180 countries internationally, and delivers both GSM and CDMA roaming capability to the cruise industry.

For more information on WMS and its services, please visit the www.cellularatsea.com website.

[JoeyandDavid]

:sad:

[schatje]

:sad: I would hate to see people walking around talking on their phones. This is part of the reason we cruise ...to get away!

[sailingrose]

I agree!!!! NO CELL PHONES!!!! Mine will be with us but not on........only for emergencies. I'll keep in contact the old fashioned way.....e-mail!

[hamster92256]

I do understand the need to stay in touch but I'm sure this will mean that we will be seeing everyone(okay alot of people) walking around talking to themselves, and then those annoying ringtones will be heard all around you. No I'm not a fan, I think that cell phones are the greatest invention since the wheel because of the ability to communicate instantly, I also hate them!!! To watch people attach that device to their ear and start talking, and talking and talking, kids walking down the street with their hand to the ear chatting away. :sad: :cry:

[matchstickxx]

Too bad they can't limit the cell signal to only work inside passenger cabins. While I do appreciate the ability to contact family back home while at sea, I wouldn't think of carrying on a conversation in a public area of the ship.....Well, maybe I would read the menu over the phone to the people back home...and describe the show in the lounge....and the art during the art auction... just kidding...

[GottaCruz]

Now that would make sense.

It would be horrible to hear cell phones ringing during the shows.Imagine how distracting that would be for the dancers. How about in the dining room? Imagine having a conversation with tablemates and being interrupted by the ringing of their cell phones? That would be ridiculous. Cruises are supposed to be relaxing and that would certainly take away all relaxation from this body, anyway. :sealedlips:

[frostyboy64]

I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. I USE THE PHONE ON THE SHIP AT $7.99 A MINUTE AND THAT ADDS UP FAST. I HAVE A BUSINESS AND NEED TO STAY INTOUCH AT ALL TIMES MY CELL PHONE IS ON 24/7 AND WATING TO GET TO A PORT CAN COST ME ALSO SO I USE THE SHIP PHONE TELL MY CELL WORKS.

[Joanandjoe]

As I was driving Joan to the airport this morning, we discussed the merits of flying to Bermuda or taking a ship. Our conclusion: flying was generally better because one had more time in Bermuda, but there was one big minus. On the ship, we had several days when my office couldn't reach me, except at great expense; while they could easily reach me in Bermuda. Cell phones at sea would mean my office could contact me easily at any time. Bummer! Joe

[JoeyandDavid]

Hey joe couldnt you just say you "forgot " to pack it? :wink: