Two-way radio use on cruise ship. Possible? Permissable?

[SlimBob]

I did a work job in a triangular hotel once and brought along a pair of 900MHz handies... it was the most beautiful experience ever. No problems with communication.

[jmr3865]

I know the higher the frequency, the better the penetration, however, has anybody used VHF on a ship, did you get total coverage? How about with a repeater, or without?

[2wayfreq]

Cool Thread,
I would say, VHF would be the worst though decks. I think it would be a test between 900 and UHF. I don't plan on
getting any 900 radios personally so maybe someone eventually will test the two out for performance. I would stick to 464.500 CSQ as a primary so you don't have to contend with congested FRS/GMRS on the ship. Maybe set up a zone something like this:

1. 464.500 CSQ
2. 464.500 DPL
3. 464.550 CSQ
4. 464.550 DPL
5. 464.500 P25 NAC 293 "Digital CSQ"
6. 464.550 P25 NAC 293 "Digital CSQ"

Be aware that on some vessels, 467.525 is used for low power inter ship communications. So be careful when selecting Itinerant freqs.

[MT2000 man]

During our cruise (the Voyager of the seas) the ship had about 16 decks (16 being the top outside deck) and was just over 1100 feet long. We bought 2 two-ways on board, a UHF SP50 (on the full 4 watts) with a stubby antenna, and a Sport 7 packing out all .5 watts lol. I was able to hear the Sport 7 all the way from the top-most deck, all the way down to the infirmary (deck 1 I beleive). The radios we fantastic ! I NEVER lost a signal on the ship. I also had my UHF MT2000 as well, but never used it because the smaller Sport 7 was doing so well. I also found it interesting that (remember, this was back in 2002) it seems like 80% of the other passengers also had those flimsy "bubble pack", talk-abouts, etc. as well. So the FRS channels were crowded beyond belief. However, we used FRS channel 3 (462.6125) with a PL tone, and that was that. Sometimes you'd hear little Johnny calling mom and asking what time the pool closes, but other than that, the channel was free.
Now, we're planning on another cruise, on a bigger ship (the Freedom of the Seas), which can hold something like 4000 passengers plus crew, and the ship is about 150 feet longer then the Voyager. So I plan on bringing my UHF Sp50 (again), UHF MTS2000, and another small radio, probably a UHF Visar, all on 4 watts. Then I will compare and see how good the range/coverage will be.
On a side note, at the port of calls, I never took the radios off the ship, we always left them in the room. I'm sure if someone were to stay on board, while a few of us get off the ship, it would be interesting to see how far we can hear each-other.
Just my .02 cents.
Mike

[2wayfreq]

Yeah,
I think you have real good coverage with 4 watts. I had an MT2000 UHF before and I kinda wish I kept it, one of my favorite M radios.. I liked the Loud,Crisp audio, real good battery life and ease of use. Yeah, Visar ,GP300s, SP50 and MT/S would be the way to go.

[rc50won]

Royal Caribbean has a two way radio policy.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customers ... aqType=faq


Life Onboard

Q: Are walkie-talkies allowed onboard?
A: Dect phones (portable phones) are available to rent for $25.00 a week on Radiance and Voyager class vessels. Guests may reserve a set at the Guest Relations Desk, (price is subject to change). Guests are also allowed to have two-way radios, more commonly know as walkie-talkies, for onboard personal communications. Basic specifications are as follows: Up to 10-mile coverage range, Up to 5 watts power, Internal Voice, Operated Transmission, No external mounting antenna.


Marshall

[Jim2121]

thats a good find Marshall ! then the part about Q: What items are not allowed onboard the cruise ship? Ham Radio is on the List.... have to see what other cruise lines policies are. Me on a personal level, would not want to see a radio if I was on a cruise ship!

[N4KVE]

This is funny. My parents just got back from a 10 day cruise, & my Dad being a ham wanted to take a couple of radios. I was going to loan him a couple of 900 GTX's but he thought they were too bulky, so he took a couple of 1/2 watt FRS radios. This was a huge ship & he said they would work top to bottom & front to back. He stayed on the higher channels & had no interference. He thinks most people use the lower channels. Anyway I thought it was amazing that 2 cheap FRS radio could do the whole ship. GARY N4KVE

[MT2000 man]

Royal Caribbean has a two way radio policy.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customers ... aqType=faq


Life Onboard

Q: Are walkie-talkies allowed onboard?
A: Dect phones (portable phones) are available to rent for $25.00 a week on Radiance and Voyager class vessels. Guests may reserve a set at the Guest Relations Desk, (price is subject to change). Guests are also allowed to have two-way radios, more commonly know as walkie-talkies, for onboard personal communications. Basic specifications are as follows: Up to 10-mile coverage range, Up to 5 watts power, Internal Voice, Operated Transmission, No external mounting antenna.


Marshall

WOW, excellent find !
I can now carry them on-board "worry free". My only worry now is that there is going to be SO many people on board that all the channels will be overcrowded (including using the mixed PL codes). Very doubtful, but, with these ships getting ever so bigger carrying MUCH more people then before, and these radios getting such great range, you never know.
Our cruise is not even booked yet, however it will more then likely be in the first week of September.
Mike

[Jim2121]

Norwegian Cruise Lines, and I don't know how many cruise lines are out there in there FAQ's post this: What can't I bring onboard?

"Passenger is not allowed to bring on board the vessel any intoxicating liquors, or beverages, firearms, weapons of any kind, ammunition, explosive substances or any goods of a dangerous nature, nor animals of any kind, except service or guide animals, provided the passenger notifies Carrier prior to the cruise of his intention to bring such animal and agrees to take sole responsibility for any expense, damage, injuries or losses associated with or caused by such animal."

In A Phone call to Norwegian Cruise Lines, http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/home.html (go to site map) 1-800-327-7030 ask for reservations... ask if you can bring a Ham-Radio/Two-Way Radio on the ship. The rep on the phone had to contact the supervisor of course! and his reply was there were no restrictions on Two-Way radios! He can fax me permission for use, or if I went thru a Travel Agent.. The Agent can put that in the paperwork with the permission of the supervisor attched to my reservation..... no-one seemed concerned over the phone? Jim

[rescuecomm]

You could use some Nextels on off-network Direct Talk. They might look less conspicuous if you think that could be a problem. They probably are no more or less legal than GMRS outside of the US. The range is going to be less than a GMRS radio.

The Direct Talk 900 mhz is legal in Mexico and a few other Carribean nations. I have 5 Nextel i355's (not activated with sims) purchased off of the web that will travel with me the next time I cruise. I agree that the closer to a cell phone it looks, the less questions asked. I have used GMRS WT's in the Carribean and only thought about the legality when I got back. The Direct Talk 900 mhz will reflect better down the passageways, but I don't think it can beat a good 4 watt UHF portable.

Bob

[abbylind]

Took some GMRS programmed HT750s on a cruise to Hawaii. Worked great! Had no problems with the crews onboard. They used 450mhz on the ship.

Fowler
KC5AEE