Skype

Anywhere you have an Internet connection.

Hi Wendy. Skype-to-Skype is free and works internationally.

Does anyone know if I can use Skype on RCCL while sailing the Med? Also how much would calls be from France and Italy to a U.S. mobile phone number?

"Does anyone know if I can use Skype on RCCL while sailing the Med? Also how much would calls be from France and Italy to a U.S. mobile phone number? " Internet connections on cruise ships are done via satellite. They are expensive and relatively slow. Skype might work, but you will pay 35 to 45 cents a minute for Internet on a ship. Cell phone calls to the USA from France, using an American phone, will run you over a dollar a minute. Would be slightly cheaper if you get an international calling plan for your cell phone.

We were told on Princess that it would be practically impossible. It had something to do with the internet contection not being fast enough or not being broad band internet (I don't remember which). We were on a cruise this summer, and the internet connection was very slow when we were away from the coast.

Satellite Internet also varies in strength frequently, depending on atmospheric conditions and the location of the ship. So, I wouldn't count on Skype to work. Some cruise ships now have easy cell phone access, without you having to sign up for anything - you just turn on your cell phone and it connects to the ship's cell phone network. You could use this to make a voice call, but it's expensive, and will depend on whether your carrier (e.g., AT&T, Verizon) participates in the ship's plan.

Phone calls from France to a US mobile phone will be more expensive than to a landline phone. If you are using a calling card, expect it to run out much sooner.

Sailing on RCCL in South America, we had to "Buy" internet time and it was expensive, but my husband found cheap internet cafes around the port area. I don't know if this applies to Med, but you could call RCCL and ask what the charge would be from the ship and if you could Skype.

You can use Skype while in Europe, the problem is finding a free wifi/internet connection.

"Also how much would calls be from France and Italy to a U.S. mobile phone number? If Dawn's question relates to using Skype, the answer is that the same Skype rates apply to US mobile and landline numbers, i.e. $0.023 per minute. Note also that the Skype iPhone app is free. Video calling isn't possible on the iPhone, however it's very convenient for making calls when good wifi is available such as in cafes.