Cruising is often cited as the idyllic travel choice for complete relaxation and escape. But planners know that the lifestyle of today's incentive or meeting attendee means that to truly relax and enjoy, they want an easy and convenient way to keep in touch with family, friends, or the office. What could be easier than using your own cell phone aboard ship the same as you can at home?

 

Through an exclusive agreement between Carnival Cruise Lines and Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network, guests sailing aboard all 21 Carnival ships can now enjoy a new communications option that allows them to stay in touch with people back home while in port or at sea. Whether your program is under way in the Caribbean, Mexico, Mediterranean, or Alaska, attendees can make and receive calls and transmit text and multimedia messages from their personal cell phones, Blackberries or similar devices.

 

The service requires no additional software or special dialing procedures – guests simply make and receive calls as well as transmit text and multimedia messages as they would on land using their personal cell phone.  International roaming fees apply to all shipboard cell phone calls.

 

Fleet wide cell phone service is just one way that Carnival helps guests stay connected while sailing aboard their ships. Recently, the line completed implementation of strategically positioned “WiFi” hotspots that enable guests to access Web sites and send e-mails via any wireless-equipped laptop computer from all lounges, bars, pool areas, open decks, dining venues and suite accommodations.  Additionally, Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty are the only cruise ships in the world offering “100 percent bow-to-stern” wireless Internet access.  Find out more about technology at sea.