It's not actually for myself but for my parents. They've recently taken a liking to taking long cruises and unfortunately a cell phone isn't of much use at sea. Even when visiting places the roaming charges that some networks charge are like daylight robbery.

Hence the idea to get them a satphone. Does anyone use one? Do they have coverage everywhere as long as you are outside? Are the costs reasonable?

It's ages since I last looked into the costs involved in getting a sat phone (GSM completely overtook the idea) but, a few points to note:

- It will enable them to make a call from the deck of their cruise ship but will it really be less expensive than the on board ship to shore calling facilities already available?

- On shore, even the most exorbitant outgoing roaming charges will likely be less than the cost of using a SAT phone.

Satellite phones are not really for your typical leisure travellers. If your idea of fun is camping in the dessert or winter photography expeditions north of the arctic circle (or even if you regularly drive off the beaten path in the US or Australia) then a sat phone is pretty much mandatory IMHO.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...atellite+phone

Iridium phone service is around $1/min, and drops when you add minute-bundles. The device will be around $1250, plus some accessories. Subscription is another $50/month.

Do they really need it THAT badly, or do you just want the option to stay in touch?

Many of the larger cruise lines offer GSM roaming on the ship, but you are right - at $2.50/min, that is insane.

I used Iridium for several years, but then GSM became even more available so I started leaving it at home.

It will be tough to get a good signal unless you are outside with a clear view of the sky, but Iridium is by far their best option. AFAIK, Globalstar is STILL mostly out of operation for voice calls. Inmarsat is much more expensive.

I've always used a GSM phone as they've been available in Europe as long as I can remember. The problem isn't as much about coverage as it is about the roaming charges. Even here in Singapore (where I live and thus do not use roaming) the roaming charges are awful. I'm sure it gets worse as you head into far-away tourist spots.

A satphone at $1/min would be a miracle worker in this case. Scott mentioned Iridium as the best bet here so I am going to look into their offer.

BTW, is there a noticeable and annoying lag when using these phones?

I've always used a GSM phone as they've been available in Europe as long as I can remember. The problem isn't as much about coverage as it is about the roaming charges. Even here in Singapore (where I live and thus do not use roaming) the roaming charges are awful. I'm sure it gets worse as you head into far-away tourist spots.

A satphone at $1/min would be a miracle worker in this case. Scott mentioned Iridium as the best bet here so I am going to look into their offer.

BTW, is there a noticeable and annoying lag when using these phones?

Yes - but you get used to it quite quickly. Think of a poor quality Skype call with a 1/2 second delay.

I do recommend getting a newer generation Iridium terminal, the old 9500 series is almost 12 years old. The 9575 will run you around $1300, but has the best reception and a rock solid antenna. The old 9500 has a rotating antenna which would stop staying in its upright position after a couple of months of use...

Our organization issue the Iridium Extreme when we need to be at locations without cell service and need to get in touch. We are talking about post major disaster relief in rural areas.

Many cruise terminals worldwide has calling cards that you can buy with phones nearby to use them. Much lower cost solution.

Ship to shore is expensive but in our experience there is discount or complimentary in case of emergency. RC cruise which my parents were on was expected in port the day after the famous earthquake in Santiago. The ship was unable to dock and was at sea for one more day. The airport was closed postquake for 4 days after. The ship gave each room a three minute ship to shore call so the passenger can inform their family that they are OK and I, as a Fter informed my parents of their new flights and insurance covered accommodations and food allowance that I remotely arranged for them. (thanks to wisdom learned here)

Calling cards and other cheap-call tools are great - but they have one major disadvantage - they are one way only... You can't use a calling card to leave an important message to someone on a cruise ship.

Where would the 9555 figure in all of this? Still best to go for the heavier (but more rugged) 9575?

I also see that Thuraya is quite popular. Even though they don't cover the entire globe, would they be a good solution cost-wise if someone was fine with their coverage?

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While these don't give you a voice option, products like the inReach allow for two way SMS communication via satellite across most of the globe, and may be a less expensive proposition if you can make do with SMS only.

http://www.inreachdelorme.com/

Danski

I'm looking at normal phone calls mainly. Iridium looks good because of the coverage, but then the other networks offer enough coverage for my purposes so Thuraya or Inmarsat would also seemingly do the job.

I just want something easy and stable so my parents can call at the $1-1.50 rate without resorting to crazy roaming charges that some GSM networks can employ. Plus with lots of time spend at open seas it seems a satphone would be ideal.

You use them just like any other portable phone, unlike the early days 30 yrs ago where you need to set up the base unit, track the satellite and aim the antenna.

IME I have never had users in our organization who had problem using them in the last five years.

they could rent
http://www.satellitephonestore.com/

or they could get an unlocked GSM world phone and buy the sim before they go
http://www.onesimcard.com/