Carnival Cruise Lines Completes Fleetwide Implementation of Cell Phone Service Aboard Fun Ships

[Jason]

Carnival Cruise Lines Completes Fleetwide Implementation of Cell Phone Service Aboard Fun Ships

(Source: Carnival Cruise Lines)

MIAMI – With the installation of cellular phone technology aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty earlier this week, Carnival Cruise Lines has completed the fleetwide implementation of cell phone service aboard all 21 of its "Fun Ships."

With the new service, made possible through an agreement between Carnival and Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network, guests sailing aboard the "Fun Ships" can make and receive calls and transmit text and multimedia messages from their personal cell phones, BlackBerrys or similar devices while at sea.

"Since we launched cell phone service last summer, response has been excellent. Our guests are making maximum use of the opportunity to utilize this convenient and cost-effective means for keeping in touch with friends, family members and business associates back home," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Utilizing WMS' state-of-the-art high-bandwidth technology, the new fleetwide service is compatible with virtually any cellular telephone and enables guests sailing on Carnival to make and receive calls and send messages anywhere in the world from any cruising region.

The 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.

Fleetwide cell phone service is just one way that Carnival helps guests stay connected while sailing aboard the "Fun Ships." Recently, the line completed fleetwide implementation of strategically positioned "wi-fi" hotspots that enable guests to access Web sites and send e-mails via any wireless-equipped laptop computer from all lounges, bars, pool areas, open decks, dining venues and suite accommodations.

Additionally, Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty are the only cruise ships in the world offering "100 percent bow-to-stern" wireless Internet access.

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

The line currently has three new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2009. The first of those, Carnival Freedom, is slated to debut in Europe March 5, 2007.

[TheSkipper]

Oh joy! Now we can listen to our fellow passengers shouting "Can you hear me now."

Wait till these folks see their "International Roaming Fees"!!

Anyone know what they are charging for the WiFi using your own laptop??

[rogue]

Friends of ours just came back from a cruise that has cell phone capabilities. They said that they saw nobody at all using a cell phone. For someone who absolutely needs to make calls to shore (sick relative, change of tracvel plans, etc.), using a cell phone is still cheaper than using the ship-to-shore phone in your cabin.

[SCIROCCO]

Text Messaging is cheaper twenty cents per message! We had an emergency last year while on the Rhapsody RCCL and Text Messaging came in very Handy! Our service is through Cingular! Calling costs $1.99 a Minute plus your fees as well! I always put my cell Phone away but check it Every Night to see if anythings gone wrong at Home at no time will I use it in Public! Period! But They are essential with a Large Family at Home and something going wrong at anytime! I say just have consideration for your other Fellow Passengers and not use them around them or on your balcony in case someones on their Balcony as well, they do not want to hear your private buisness or yakking away!

[SMB]

Cellphones for emergencies, I can take. It is these kids running all over the ship with Walkie-Talkies (or whatever these whipper-snappers call them these days). Some parents seem to take this as a license to let the kids "roam" unattended.

"Oh, I can call them anytime to check in on them..."

Meanwhile, the gang of six kids has mowed down three full grown adults on the stairs.

[Gregswife]

I have an international cell phone plan - I wonder if it will cover me at sea, or if there will still be roaming charges. I will have to check on that. I normally only use it in port, to call home and check on the kids and grandson, but it would be nice to know they can reach me easier if they need us in case of emergency. I wouldn't use it just to chat during the day, but if I don't have roaming charges, would probably call every night from the privacy of our cabin, to check on things. I am a worrier and it would set my mind at ease to hear from them directly that everything was fine.

[SCIROCCO]

Yes and use the Text Messaging, It costs less, I have the National one and have always been covered and have had no problems in Jamaica, Caymans, or Cozumel if I can learn to Text Message Anyone can! And I didnt see any ship Charges for the use of their system,it may of changed from last year Ill find out this year though,and the family back home will know your ok as well especially if you run into bad weather they wont be worrying back at home whether your safe or not mine worked perfect in the cabin,and text messaging at least your not talking or bothering anyone!

[agentjoey]

Here we go.....I book a cruise to get away from it all and people start bringing it all aboard. I despise this idea and wish it never existed. Before we know it we will be able to bring a hallogram of our office.

Just my two cents