Cruise ship roaming/ longish rant

[EricKei]

I did everything in my power to avoid getting a cell for over a decade -- a formative moment for me was when, as a teen, I saw the teenybopper girls cashiering at <grocerystore> who were always on their phones...When I asked them why they had the cells, they replied "So anyone I know can get in touch with me any time of the day or night!" -- I was horrified at such a concept, I still cannot conceive of why (emergencies aside) that would be desirable. Today, I have one because -- when I was working -- it was useful for contacting clients en route. I have since replaced my landline with it, but I still only use the 450mins/300 texts plan for around 40/month. 'Tis all I need.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I don't understand the cel phone addiction either. When I'm on vacation, the only thing I use mine for is the time. Or ordering a pizza to my hotel. :-)

Even when I'm not on vacation, the MOST calls I make is 3 per week.

If I'm out of town on vacation, my Mom will call me at least once a day. And that's usually to make sure I'm okay (like my Dad and stepmom aren't taking good care of me) and to let me know how much is available in our bank account (b/c there's no computer or Internet access available at the beach house.)

Besides, I've gotten so used to having my phone on me I don't wear my watch hardly . . . I can just push the button on the side of my phone and my mini display on the outside comes on to show the time. Way easier than having to have a crystal replaced b/c it keeps getting banged up by lugging totes, stocking shelves or whathaveyou.

And I've discovered the notepad feature . .

[Sonoma]

We're planning a cruise to Alaska later this year. I'll bring my cell phone, but I'll wait until our port days to call & check in.

My Mom, Brother-in-Law, and I all share 1300 family plan minutes.....and we roll over minutes every month.

[Racket_Man]

Count me in as a luddite without a cell phone.

I have a home phone, and just go without when I'm on the road. Granted there are times when I'd like to have a phone available, but I just wait.

Ok not quite a full luddite. When I go to Vegas, I have a PAYGO phone I reload, local to Vegas, that I can use to contact people in the area. (Since I'm usually trying to get ahold of EQ friends during fan faire when I'm in Vegas). Otherwise, no phone.

not exactly as Ludite without a phone, but in the past my job required having a company cell phone surgically implanted in my head, I kinda now really do not want to be so "dependant" on a cell. it is very nice to have since my job is "out in the field" so to speak so I do need the use it while working

Yes the cell phone is my only point of contact (no landline) BUT I have a somewhat simple setup. I have a military grade weather resistant phone with voice mail BUT NO texting (send or receive), Internet, WiFi, GPS, apps, camera, video, touchscreen, etc.

I just do not need to be in constant contact or messaging with that many people.

[Kristev]

I read too many reports about the dangers of cell phones, and I disliked being able to be bothered by my family everywhere I went. So after a while, I got rid of mine and got a land-line home phone. And you know what, I'm happier without a cell phone.

[Kal]

I used to have a mobile, theoretically still do but I haven't actually used it for about five years, since I quit the last job that I needed it for. I also don't have a watch (the battery ran out about three years ago and I've not replaced it yet), but do have a portable sundial, but that's more due to the shiny coolness of the sundial than actual utility.

[Daemonmonkey]

Isn't there a sketch about two friends sitting together in a café talking ans SMSing all the time without interruption, and when a third person wondered to whom they were so busy on the phone, the answer was "Well obviously to each-other!"

[shadowpanda]

I feel lost if I don't have my phone on me. I'm not always on my phone, but I can't leave the house without it.

[evillebee]

I'm leaving next week on a 5 day cruise and I'm looking forward to no cell phones. I've told everyone to contact me only if its an emergency (death/serious injury/fire). Friday can't get here soon enough.

[dawnfire]

Isn't there a sketch about two friends sitting together in a café talking ans SMSing all the time without interruption, and when a third person wondered to whom they were so busy on the phone, the answer was "Well obviously to each-other!"

I've seen it on a bus. 2 teens sitting next to each other at the back of the bus texting each other. I'll admit it was a noisy bus, which would have meant that they would be yelling.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

I have a plan off of my parents (their bill, their phone according to the company) for about 40 a month, 450 minutes, no text etc. I'm sure there's better deals out there, and I'll be getting a higher-paying/more consistent job in the next year or two, and then I'll switch for sure. I use about 100-400 minutes a month, usually around 300.
I want a smart phone so bad. I love looking stuff up, 'specially in conversation ('bananas aren't trees! see! *bam *) and I do that with my mini-laptop when I do have an internet connection on it. I'll probably get brain cancer from the waves or something. :eyeroll:
meh. It's still so cool. Bf has no cell, it's annoying as all get out, I use it as a "hey I'm on x block, where are you guys??? " especially when I'm lost out in traffic or something.
OP: ... *sigh why people? why? It's vacay, lay off the phone. Use it on shore, like sensible people.

[Seshat]

My family decreed that I must have a cell phone. But when they gave their reasons, I decided it made sense.

They are right: if I'm stranded due to my scooter malfunctioning, or a sudden attack of more-severely-sick-than-normal, I probably can't go looking for a payphone.

[EricKei]

My family decreed that I must have a cell phone. But when they gave their reasons, I decided it made sense.

My personal reason for keeping the cell, now that I lack clients per se, (aside from the whole "it's my only number now" thing) are related, but much less severe...My blood presure/related meds have been known to make me faint enough that I literally need to just kinda sit down/crash wherever I happen to be at the time (especially if I mis-time them and don't have enough water/food)...I've been lucky enough that that has only happened a couple of times (ever), and they were both at work where I could just put my head down on a desk. Now that I don't have that option (I'm working on it! ), having a cell with me at all times is a really good idea

[MadMike]

They are right: if I'm stranded due to my scooter malfunctioning, or a sudden attack of more-severely-sick-than-normal, I probably can't go looking for a payphone.

I don't know about where you are, but over here, pay phones are few and far between anymore. A lot of the bars I got to have gotten rid of theirs. Even at my office building with 2000+ people, all that's left is the wall boxes where the pay phones used to be.

I knew it would happen sooner or later. As cell phones became cheaper, pay phone calls were becoming more expensive. I got my first cell phone back in '97 when they jacked the price up from a quarter to 35 cents. Haven't used a pay phone since.

[Peppergirl]

Travel Agent hat on:

Regarding cell charges, there are multiple signs all over EVERY cruise ship that I've ever had experience with.

/Travel Agent hat off


This is just yet another excuse for EW's to shun personal responsibility and to want others to pay for their mistakes.