The wait for using your cell phone on a cruise ship may be ending. Although Digital Seas International and other services have long allowed surfing at sea on select Carnival and Disney lines, phone communication has been limited to ship to shore radio - until now. LGC's Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) Unison platform aims to ensure "four bar" service to anyone anywhere.

LGC's Unison Interreach extends the public wireless infrastructure into congested places like airports and cruise ships where space is a premium and cabling not easy. Using it's Distributed Antenna System and modular hubs, It basically regenerates the wireless signal through it's internal network until it can be passed onto an available satellite channel and roaming network ensuring CDMA and GSM service from anywhere on the planet. Think of it as WIFI on steriods! Similar systems already power Atlanta's Harsfield Airport and others with a great degree of success.

MobileMedia announced "Carnival Cruise Lines announced plans to add cell phone service to appeal to people who don't want to lose touch with work and family while away on vacation. The service will be available on all of Carnival's 21 ships by early next year as part of a deal with Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network. Only one Carnival ship, the Triumph, currently offers the service."

Sound like something you might want to try? Slashphone says many passengers won't travel w/out assurance of some cellular service "that allows them to remain in touch while on vacation." Like most novelties such access does not come cheap. Costs seem to average around $3.99/min (US) according to several reports and some providers such as T-Mobile along with others, already feature cruise ship rates on their international roaming rates.

So although too expensive for me, you CAN continue using your mobile on cruise ships if you want. Do remember though,that one of the goals of a cruise is to GET AWAY from it all:)

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