My girlfriend recently got a job on the cruise and it's so hard and expensive to talk to each other.  Before she left, she got skype but it cuts out all the time and sometimes doesn't connect at all.  She also has to buy Internet cards for $20 per 200 minutes.  She spends most of those minutes trying to connect though.  She has been calling me from the ship phone, but for that she has to spend $20 for each 100 minutes.  The other way is calling the main cruise number and paying $9.70 a minute for a maximum of 10 minutes.

There is no cheaper way, even computer E-mail is more expensive unless the ship has a special deal for employees.  I expect though, that the ship doesn't want the service staff spending their time on the phone.  The ships don't pay very good, about $20. per day, the service staff is expected to work around 18-20 hours a day and get very little off time to themselves.  They work for gratuities from the passengers.  If your girlfriend spends too much of her working time on the phone, she won't keep her job very long, plus she will be giving up most of her paycheck making those calls.  Most of we cruisers use our cell phones preset up with our providers for international calling, when the ship is in a port. That seems to be the least expesive way.  Most cell phones charge a fixed rate plus so much a minute.  You will need to limit your calls to save on charges.

 Thanks for the quick response....She actually works in the entertainment department so she has free time when not rehearsing or in the show.  It just *** if the only time we can talk is when she's in port.  So she's been asking around and of course I am also.  But it seems like there is no easy or cheap way, as you stated.  I booked a cruise for January so at least I'll get to see her then.  We'll probably just have to keep doing the phone cards but limit the time we talk each night.  Thanks again for the help and the information.

Sorry Matt, there aren't many solutions. My son works on the Pride, and he emails more than he calls. With the prices what they are he knows only to call when on U. S. soil. He has 2 U.S. ports(Baltimore and Port Canaveral) so we hear from him twice a week by phone. He answers all his texts and messages on those days. Wish there was more good news for you. Hope someone else has another answer. Good Luck.

MattM1124:

 So my question is, does anyone know a cheaper more effective way to talk every night?  Can I somehow use a phone card to get through to her?  Just hoping a veteran cruiser may know something that we don't.  We've been trying to figure out solutions but no luck as of yet.  She's on the Inspiration if that helps.

 

thanks in advance,

Matt

If you can not wait for her to call from a port, another option is a satellite phone, but they are expensive. She is going thru a satellite when she calls from the ship. That is why it is so expensive to call to or from a ship when it is at sea. You can buy your own sat phone for about $1000.00 and calling plans for US and Caribbean can be around $1.39 a minute, plus monthly subscription of around $40. You can google sat phones and get all kinds of info. My  suggestion? Have her call you when she is in port and save your money. Good luck.  

 Wow thanks for that info..Don't think we wanna spend 1000.00 lol.  RIght now she uses those phone cards they sell on the ship.  Do you think I could buy like a 2000 minute international phone card from like Wal-mart and send it to her to use.  A phone card's a phone card right?  I would think that if I bought one and sent it to her, she would be able to use it just like the ones she buys on the ship right?  Any ideas on that?

MattM1124:

 Wow thanks for that info..Don't think we wanna spend 1000.00 lol.  RIght now she uses those phone cards they sell on the ship.  Do you think I could buy like a 2000 minute international phone card from like Wal-mart and send it to her to use.  A phone card's a phone card right?  I would think that if I bought one and sent it to her, she would be able to use it just like the ones she buys on the ship right?  Any ideas on that?

Before buying an international phone card, I would write down the customer service number on the back of the card, then call and check exactly what countries it could be used. Some phone cards do not work in some countries. An international plan on a cell phone is fairly inexpensive, but can only be used at or near a port. I have noticed that sometimes when we are cruising near land, between ports, we can get a cell phone signal, but you have to act fast before the signal is lost.