Android phone on cruise, need data
Jun 15, 2011 | 11:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA, LAX
Posts: 425
Android phone on cruise, need data
If I have an unlocked GSM Android phone, and I want a sim card that will provide data service (preferably prepaid, but postpaid is ok too), then what should I get? Would an AT&T sim and one of their data connect passes work? Do I need a "global" one? (It's a Princess ship, the Sapphire.)
I know it's not cheap, but neither is the ship's wifi, and the service is usually slower than 3G. Thanks for any help!
I know it's not cheap, but neither is the ship's wifi, and the service is usually slower than 3G. Thanks for any help!
Jun 15, 2011 | 1:49 pm
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
If yo uhave not seen it yet, see the details on this page for AT&T and princess ships
http://www.wireless.att.com/travelgu...=1633&MNC=CING
It may help. It says you don't need international plans for voice access, but will be charged international rates, but does not say if it is the same for data.
The actual provider of the service on Princess has their page here
http://www.mcp.com/princess/
it may be easier to just contact them and see if they can tell you any options, again they are quite vague on their website.
http://www.wireless.att.com/travelgu...=1633&MNC=CING
It may help. It says you don't need international plans for voice access, but will be charged international rates, but does not say if it is the same for data.
The actual provider of the service on Princess has their page here
http://www.mcp.com/princess/
it may be easier to just contact them and see if they can tell you any options, again they are quite vague on their website.
Jun 15, 2011 | 2:13 pm
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Tmobile on their website says it's $15 a meg, at 2GS speed.
I'm not sure which would frustrate me more, the slow speed or the ever increasing bill
http://www.t-mobile.com/internationa..._RoamWorldwide
choose the ship in the pull down list of countries
Which is cheap compared to Verizon
http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Cru...ips/index.html
at just over $20 per mg.
I would take another look at wireless on board, that may be a much better way to go in the long run.
I'm not sure which would frustrate me more, the slow speed or the ever increasing bill
http://www.t-mobile.com/internationa..._RoamWorldwide
choose the ship in the pull down list of countries
Which is cheap compared to Verizon
http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Cru...ips/index.html
at just over $20 per mg.
I would take another look at wireless on board, that may be a much better way to go in the long run.
Jun 15, 2011 | 4:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 582
Jun 15, 2011 | 10:35 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Miami
Programs: DL Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 568
Jun 16, 2011 | 1:18 am
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: YYZ
Posts: 731
There really isn't a better option for on-board data access than the wifi service they offer.
The only time I would ever get data through my phone provider is if my employer were picking up the tab, and even then, I would feel guilty submitting a HUGE tab when wifi would do just fine.
The only time I would ever get data through my phone provider is if my employer were picking up the tab, and even then, I would feel guilty submitting a HUGE tab when wifi would do just fine.
Jun 16, 2011 | 6:45 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
If I have an unlocked GSM Android phone, and I want a sim card that will provide data service (preferably prepaid, but postpaid is ok too), then what should I get? Would an AT&T sim and one of their data connect passes work? Do I need a "global" one? (It's a Princess ship, the Sapphire.)
I know it's not cheap, but neither is the ship's wifi, and the service is usually slower than 3G. Thanks for any help!
I know it's not cheap, but neither is the ship's wifi, and the service is usually slower than 3G. Thanks for any help!
Jun 16, 2011 | 8:17 am
#10
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Keep in mind too that the internet on the ship is usually priced per minute.
The internet on your phone on the ship is usually priced per Megabyte, and it's probably at 2G speed or maybe 3G. I have had some fairly decent speeds on the ships WiFi or onboard machines
There is also usually a bonus for booking the block of time the first night which also cuts the cost a bit.
Paying per minute unless you are only sending tiny text files is probably going to be much less expensive than paying by size.
The internet on your phone on the ship is usually priced per Megabyte, and it's probably at 2G speed or maybe 3G. I have had some fairly decent speeds on the ships WiFi or onboard machines
There is also usually a bonus for booking the block of time the first night which also cuts the cost a bit.
Paying per minute unless you are only sending tiny text files is probably going to be much less expensive than paying by size.
