I will be on a cruise and I will have free WiFi. As long as I am using the WiFi, am I able to text and email for free back to the US using my IPhone? I know that if I use the 3G phone network there will be big charges if I don't purchase an international phone plan in advance. But am I good to go if I only text and email using free wifi?
IMac
Richard Campbell2 wrote:
I will be on a cruise and I will have free WiFi. As long as I am using the WiFi, am I able to text and email for free back to the US using my IPhone?
Note that you can send iMessages for free over wifi.
iMessages are blue in the Messages app and are only to iOS/Mac users that have their iMesssage enabled.
If you are connected to wifi and use the Messages app and the text bubble is green, it is SMS and not sent over wifi. You will be charged.
Kappy wrote:
Yes. Most cruise ships now provide Wi-Fi, but it's not free. You will have no 3G/4G service on the water because there are no cell towers.
Most cruise ships have cell service available.
-> http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=45
What is SMS? I have sent messages and the bubble is green. I have not understood that. Who pays when they are green? I am unlimited texting with my AT and T account. The blue bubbles I know occur when I am texting another IPhone User but I am not clear on green messages.
Richard Campbell2 wrote:
What is SMS? I have sent messages and the bubble is green.
These are SMS. SMS is regular cell text messaging service. This uses the text service on your cell plan.
iMessages use wifi or cell data (not your regular text plan).
The Messages app sends iMessages (blue) to other iDevice users and Mac OS users over cell data or wifi.
The Messages app also sends SMS (text) and MMS (photos/audio). These are green.
I am unlimited texting with my AT and T account.
Then you will not be charged for any text messages (iMessage, SMS or MMS) while in your cell plan area.
If send any SMS/MMS (green) outside the plan area, you will be charged roaming.
If you send an iMessages (blue) outside the plan area, you may get charged. If you are on wifi, you will not get charged (unless you have to pay for the wifi) but it will go onto the wifi bill. If you are not on wifi and send iMessage, you will likely be charged roaming data fees (since the iMessage will go over cell data).
OK Chris....almost got it now. So, finally, if I am on the ship and I have free WiFi, I can text my relatives or friends at home and the texts will be FREE whether they are green or blue. Blue if I text my daughter who uses and IPhone ISO and green if I text a friend who does not use Apple phone. I think I will also be able to connect to my email server while on Free WiFi and send or receive emails. If that is correct, then I think I am set. The ship is giving me free wifi because I am a frequent cruiser. I have not used my IPhone on a ship before and that is why I am asking.
Richard Campbell2 wrote:
OK Chris....almost got it now. So, finally, if I am on the ship and I have free WiFi, I can text my relatives or friends at home and the texts will be FREE whether they are green or blue.
If the message name/text bubble is green (SMS/MMS), it is not sent over wifi. SMS/MMs does not go over wifi.
It will use your text mesaging plan (which likely is not international and only good in your plan area) and you would probably be charged. AT&T is $0.50 for each SMS/MMS sent from outside US with your phone.
Blue if I text my daughter who uses and IPhone
This will be free over wifi.
Yes. Most cruise ships now provide Wi-Fi, but it's not free. You will have no 3G/4G service on the water because there are no cell towers.
Can I send texts for free from Europe to USA as long as I am on WiFi?
