Punki, it comes out on their cell phone monthly bill. This is a huge issue in Alaska as so many people live in coastal areas frequented by cruise ships.

Under Alaska law the cruise ships are supposed to turn off their cell phone equipment when they are in port. Some 'forget' to do so. That means that when this technology first hit the cruise ship industry, just about everyone in Ketchikan and Juneau was at risk of accidently having their calls go through a cruise ship amplifier/repeater system.

Passengers are supposed to be told that their ship uses such a system and what the rates are to use one's own cell phone.

All of this is more than your regular roaming charge. I did a quick GOOGLE. Charges seem to be at least $2.49 per minute with some people reporting they have paid a great deal more. It has nothing to do with how many free minutes you have on your plan.

Coming into New York harbor, as I understand from my Lady Boss who just did so last month, there was a warning given in writing about using cell phones and what the charges would be until that system is turned off approaching port.