Calling Home While on the Cruise

On every cruise, there is a sign in the stateroom, offering marine phone calls for the special rate of $6.50 per minute, while at the same time offering blocks of Internet service at 50 cents per minute. Even purchased ala carte, the price is a comparatively low 75 cents per minute.

I have noticed passengers on past cruises using Skype to call friends, so I am wondering whether it would be feasible to take a broadband phone service (VOIP) along on the cruise. I just discovered VoiceStick. With VoiceStick, you can make conventional phone calls from anywhere Internet service is available, with a phone number in any of hundreds of area codes available across the United States. I chose a Port Charlotte number in the 941 area code.

If everything works as I think, we will be able to make calls back to family and friends, and will be available in case of emergency anytime we are connected. Voicemail will store those calls that we might lose by not being continuously connected. In any event we will be able to make calls the two nights we are in Barcelona, and when in port at any Internet Cafe.

The thing that makes VoiceStick really useful is the fact that it can be inserted in any USB slot, together with a USB earphone/microphone, making it usable even if you don't take a laptop along. You should be able to use any computer on the ship or in the Internet Cafe in port.

VoiceStick is available using two paid plans, one for $9.99 per month, offering 400 minutes of calls, and an unlimited plan costing $19.99. On either plan, incoming calls are free, and extra minutes cost only 2 cents on the limited plan. A pay as you go plan is also available, free with minutes at 2 cents, payable from a prepaid account. And in any plan, calls to other VoiceStick users are free.

I chose the $9.95 plan. If you want additional information, just post a question. And, maybe I'll see you on board the Millennium.