No Radios Allowed MSC Cruises Meraviglia

[hopeinvalor]

Good Day All,

After lots of ambiguity surrounding whether radios were allowed on my upcoming cruise, I called MSC for clarification. Although it’s not one of the published prohibited items, two way radios of any sort are not allowed to be brought on board. My itinerary departs Brooklyn NY, stops at Port Canaveral FL, stops in Nassau Bahamas and returns to Brooklyn NY. 
 

I was informed that the App can be used to keep in touch with other cruisers without paying for WiFi. The App would allow for messages to be sent and received, but no voice calls. 

[marcspaz]

Depending on where you are going, specific types of radios and two-way communication methods are illegal. Im sure the company is trying to avoid any criminal liability. Not to mention, imagine how bad the radio waves would be crowded a d how much RFI would be causing issues on a big ship with 8,000-10,000 people, all trying to usetheir radios at the same time.

[hopeinvalor]

I totally get where they’re coming from. Just a bummer that I purposely amassed four more KG-905’s, two more KG-935’s and four KG-805’s specifically for this trip. We are rolling deep with three generations on the same cruise. 

[WRHS218]

My family went on a cruise 20 years ago. Several families went together. My friend and I were both HAMs at the time. We both took an HT with us. Mine was in a carry on which was searched when we boarded. My friend, who's more of a nerd than me, had his hanging on his belt. The security people who had just searched my bag half an hour earlier and saw my radio and even asked what it was had my friend take his radio back to his car which was a true pain. I never asked why I could keep mine and he couldn't. I even used my radio up on the deck. I theorized that since the chicks really dig the HAM operator with a radio on his belt that security wanted to give all the other guys on board the ship a chance. I haven't been on a cruise since then. My wife didn't really care for it and I spent enough time at sea when I was a member of Uncle Sam's canoe club.

[MarkInTampa]

My guess is they don't want interference on their radios. Some of the Carnival and Royal Caribbean (MSC doesn't operate here) ships here in the Tampa area use 467.550 and 467.575 MHz (GMRS repeater input frequencies) and 467.5625 (GMRS Channel 8), both analog and digital depending on the ship.

I did bring some FRS radios on a cruise and found them to be almost useless. The ambient noise level with crowd noise, band playing, etc made it so I couldn't hear the HT even if I wanted to. 

[tcp2525]

11 hours ago, hopeinvalor said:

I totally get where they’re coming from. Just a bummer that I purposely amassed four more KG-905’s, two more KG-935’s and four KG-805’s specifically for this trip. We are rolling deep with three generations on the same cruise. 

Time to put the radios down and enjoy the cruise, which is the point of taking one. Plus,you won't be annoying other passengers. You'd be amazed at how enjoyable your trip is going to be when you get together with your family without cellphones or radios.

[PRadio]

I used GMRS on a couple of cruises in the past. I was able to reach my wife from deck 12, while she was on deck 4 using a pair of Midland GTX1000 radios. I work on ships, and actually just got home from one last night. Carnival used to actually sell FRS radios onboard, although I do not know if they still do. Many lines now have them on their do not bring onboard list.