Wi-Fi and Cruise Ship

THere is no charge when using wifi anywhere in the world (unless it is a pay wifi service, and then you pay the wifi service, not ATT).

You can turn off EDGE and still use wifi.

It is true that you must leave your phone on (no airplane mode) to use WiFi. You will not incur roaming charges while you are on Wifi, even with airplane mode on. Just don't answer your phone.

The horrible and incorrect rumors spread all over the internet about huge phone bills overseas are NOT true -- I use my iPhone all over the country and all over Europe already, and I have not incurred any weird or extra charges on the phone outside of the calls and data usage I myself have made, fully knowing I will have a surcharge for that overseas.

You do not need to worry about your airplane mode being off while roaming the internet on Wifi. Just turn it off when you are done, and don't answer the phone if it rings (which it most likely wont).

The wi-fi on cruise ships is not free. I am going on a cruise this month and was told by ATT an hour ago that if my phone was turned on I would be charged $2.49 for roaming because the ship I will be on has a cingular tower on it. The only option for me is to put the phone in airplane mode so at least I can use the ipod....

The roaming charge AT&T told you is for cellular phone service. There is a roaming charge for phone service on any cruise ship. There will also be roaming charges for EDGE. If you turn off EDGE and turn on WiFi (and don't make or receive any cell calls), there are no AT&T roaming charges. But as mentioned, WiFi is limited to certain areas on most cruise ships and it is not free. The rates vary from cruise ship to ship. Some have daily plans and others allow you to purchase minute packages. By the time you do that, you may as well use the ship computers (paying the same rate) and have a large screen and keyboard.