Are Walkie Talkies Allowed on Cruise Ships? Best Options for Staying Connected

do walkie talkies work on cruise ships

This is one of the reasons why some cruise lines restrict the use of devices with certain frequency ranges. Always ensure to use your device respectfully, following any guidelines provided by the cruise line to prevent any unintentional interference. The radios also feature a power-saving function, extending their battery life during periods of inactivity. This, coupled with their quick charging capability, ensures your walkie talkies are always ready to use. Topsung M880 Two-Way Radios rank highly among the most preferred walkie talkies for cruise ship adventures.

Least Expensive Topsung Walkie Talkies

Additionally, walkie-talkies can be useful in areas where cell phone reception is poor or non-existent. Measuring 4.72 x 2.16 x 1.2 inches, the Ansoko long-range walkie talkies are ultra-portable and easy to use. They operate on a UHF frequency, which means these devices receive less interference. Not to mention, they are more likely to transmit your message to your travel buddies, even with concrete, wood or non-metal walls obstructing your communication. Knowing all that, you should use the Ansoko walkie talkies if you want to use them in your cabins and in other indoor areas.

Are Walkie-talkies Allowed On Cruise Ships?

Only people with walkie talkies that have the same code as you will be able to hear your conversation. Since you will be surrounded by water all the time, it’s a good idea to get a walkie talkie that is JIS4 certified which means it can operate under a stream of water. Some reviews have reported issues using them on cruise ships; however, due to the amount of metal on a cruise ship, there's always a risk of interference. FRS walkie-talkies use a lower frequency wavelength, so they don't interfere with emergency services.

FRS (Family Radio Service)

The radios are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry around. On the downside, their size and weight are a bit on the larger side, which may not be ideal for users looking for more compact models. However, their ruggedness, long-range capabilities, and waterproof feature make them a solid choice for use on cruise ships. The RT49P walkie-talkies offer a commendable range for clear communication, with 22 channels and 121 privacy codes to minimize interference from other users. They feature a large backlit LCD screen, making them easy to operate even in low-light conditions. Retevis RT22 walkie-talkies are a compact and lightweight option that ensures easy communication while cruising.

The design of the walkie-talkie is minimal, and the antenna is placed in such a way that it makes it easy to carry and store. If you are new to the whole walkie-talkie side of things, it can be quite confusing to understand many technical terms and what each type of walkie-talkie does differently. If you go through Royal Carribean’s website, they only allow you to carry FRS or GMRS two-way radio/walkie-takie. Furthermore, it should have an explicit ship mode setting as well. I prefer a walkie with the text messaging feature too because it makes communication a lot easier and lot less intrusive. And besides that, those texts are FREE from roaming charges of any kind.

If you want to save some money, but want to break sure you don’t break any rules while at sea… We’ve got you covered. Over the years, we have used several others, some of which are useful to have or know about as a backup, even if you do have your two-way radios with you. Assuming you have purchased a model with a good range, you can try the following tips.

Topsung M880 FRS Walkie-Talkie

Wi-fi is everywhere these days on land, and it’s usually free of charge, even in out-of-the-way cruise ports like Costa Maya or Progreso. And yes, Internet is available on cruise ships, but you’ll pay dearly for it. Royal Caribbean, for example, charges about $20 per day just to get online with one device. Sure, some cruise lines grant access to their apps, which can include messaging features. These might not be free and can sometimes be inefficient, requiring frequent log-ins to check for messages.

Are Walkie Talkies Allowed on Cruise Ships? Best Options for Staying Connected

With one person staying behind the in the cabin, we set out around the ship testing reception. Unfortunately, it became apparent quickly that the handsets would not be an effective solution on the ship. To give you an idea of the conditions, we had an interior cabin on the 10th deck of the ship, located at the very back of the ship. The main pool deck was on the 11th deck, just one floor above our cabin. The casino area was on the fourth deck, and the ship’s promenade was on the fifth.

Royal Caribbean adds group chat feature to app - Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean adds group chat feature to app.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Although there have been complaints about problems utilizing them on cruise ships, there is always a chance of interference because of the quantity of metal on a cruise ship. Without a doubt, walkie-talkies, also known as two-way radios, are the primary means of communication for cruise ship crew members. Certain cruise lines may impose limitations on power and frequency to prevent passengers’ devices from interfering with ship operations, while others may be more forgiving.

do walkie talkies work on cruise ships

You get six, which is great for large families, and they have a single docking station so charging them all at once is easy. But it is expensive – often you have to pay hundreds of dollars for a package since you are forced to buy it for your entire cruise. They are more powerful and operate on a higher frequency from 462 MHz to 467 MHz.

Can you imagine trying to communicate from an aft interior cabin on Deck 2 to a family member at the top deck on the back of the ship? They are fantastic when on a large cruise ship such as the newest Royal Caribbean vessel, Wonder of the Seas. When it comes to making a decision on whether to use walkie-talkies or not, first be sure to check with the cruise line to see if you can in fact use them. They offer a longer range for a 2-way radio, have a small size but again keep in mind range is dependent on having few obstructions. If you look at the crew members, you may notice they often have walkie-talkies.

Both types can struggle if you use them in the cabin, even if you have good quality ultra high-frequency walkie-talkies. These walkie-talkie models are designed with cruise ships in mind and offer excellent performance even in crowded areas and cabins. They also offer a 10-mile coverage range which can be particularly useful if you chose to use them when on shore. Generally, walkie-talkies with higher wattage provide better signal strength and can communicate over longer distances. So you need to strike a balance between power output and battery life for optimal use on a cruise ship. The palm-sized Topsung M880 is a lightweight and user-friendly two-way radio with smart features.

They offer excellent value for money, given their durability, reliability, and the rich feature set they offer. The M880’s user-friendly interface, coupled with its long-range capabilities and power efficiency, make it an ideal pick for cruise ship adventures. The Retevis RT22 walkie-talkies are a fantastic choice when going on a cruise. They offer good battery life and are known to work well in enclosed indoor spaces.

Midland also equipped these radios with 38 privacy codes to help you drown out all the noise from other users. Cruise ship walkie talkie benefits include ease of communication with family and friends. The best walkie talkie brands for cruise ships are FRS and GMRS, but they may not work in all areas due to the volume of metal.

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