GMRS onboard Cruise Ship?

[Over2U]

Oceania Cruises specifically prohibits “ham” radios. Has anyone experienced difficulty bringing along a GMRS Radio?

[Drumbic]

30 minutes ago, Over2U said:

Oceania Cruises specifically prohibits “ham” radios. Has anyone experienced difficulty bringing along a GMRS Radio?

I would assume the way they see it, they are all the same and a no go. 

[KAF6045]

Pretty much in ALL cases, use of personally owned transmitters is by permission of the captain/ship-owners, and under the laws of the country in which the ship is registered. GMRS is US (with a limited variant in Canada -- Canada's GMRS is closer to the US restructured FRS).

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§ 95.307 Authorized station locations.

Personal Radio Service stations generally may be operated in any location included within the descriptions in the following paragraphs in this section. In certain specific locations, however, co-ordination procedures or operating restrictions may apply, as set forth in § 95.309. Operation of Personal Radio Service stations in any location outside of those described in the following paragraphs is not authorized by this part.

(a) Within the United States and its territories. Those areas include the fifty United States and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Navassa Island, the United States Virgin Islands (50 islets and cays), American Samoa (seven islands), Baker Island, the Commonwealth of Northern Marianna Islands, Guam Island and Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Island (Islets East, Johnston, North and Sand), Kingman Reef, Midway Island (Islets Eastern and Sand), Palmyra Island (more than 50 islets), and Wake Island (Islets Peale, Wake and Wilkes).

(b) Aboard any vessel or aircraft registered in the United States. With the permission of the captain, while the vessel or aircraft is within or over the United States or its territories, U.S. territorial waters, or upon or over international waters.

(c) Aboard any unregistered vessel or aircraft owned or operated by a United States citizen or company. While that vessel or aircraft is within or over the United States or its territories, U.S. territorial waters or upon or over international waters.

(d) Other locations. Any other area of the world, except within the territorial limits of areas where radio services are regulated by:

(1) An agency of the United States other than the FCC. (You are subject to its rules.)

(2) Any foreign government. (You are subject to its rules.)

 

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With headquarters in Miami, Oceania Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a diversified cruise operator of leading global cruise brands which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Good chance that the ships are also registered to Norway, and hence under Norway's rules regarding radio transmitters. And I'm certain they do not authorize a GMRS service.

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PMR446 UK / European Walkie-Talkies

"PMR446" is a UK & European Union standard for radios approved for use in the UK and the European Union. They have 8 channels at frequency 446MHz, and a maximum range of around 2 miles in open country.

No PMR446 radio can have more than ½ watt of transmission power, so all makes and models of PMR446 walkie-talkie will effectively have the same maximum range.

Essential pre-restructured FRS capability, but different frequency band. In fact, they are in the middle of the US Amateur 70cm band (430-450, though repeaters are mostly in 440-450).

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FRS / GMRS American Walkie Talkies

FRS and GMRS are American official standards for consumer radios widely sold in shops in those countries.

They have 14 - 22 channels, on frequencies at 462 and 467MHz. They will not communicate with European PMR446 radios and are NOT LEGAL to use in the UK or Europe.

In the USA and Canada the electrical mains voltage is 120 volts, rather than the 240 volts used in Europe and the United Kingdom, so there could be problems with UK voltage blowing up the US 120v chargers.

There is NO SUCH THING as a "combined" European / American walkie-talkie that is legal to use in both places, since such a radio would, by definition, be capable of transmitting on non-legal frequencies as well, and would therefore not be legal in either country.

 

[Blaise]

I literally just got off a cruise (Royal Caribbean).  The boarding security took out my GMRS HT's, turned them on and off to make sure they weren't bombs, and handed them back to me.

I'm sure you'll be fine!

FYI, Greece, Italy, and Montenegro apparently couldn't care less, either...

[tep182]

International waters and Flags of Convenience... cruise ship gambling! alcohol during Prohibition! no controlling legal authority!

https://wikiless.org/wiki/Flag_of_convenience?lang=en

[KAF6045]

Took some searching, but apparently (at least) two of the line's ships is operating under the flag of the Marshal Islands.

[Over2U]

I hadn’t thought about the rules of the country of ship’s registry. As I will be embarking and disembarking on U.S. soil I may bring my radio, on the assumption that, if confiscated, it will be returned. Thanks to everyone for so much research on my behalf!

[WRTY790]

We have seen and talked to people that have brought FRS radios and they have all worked with a very limited range.  Ships are big hunks of steel with lots of obstacles in them.  The only thing that MIGHT make them more usable is that GMRS channels have more power.  Even with that, I would not hold my breath.

Beep!

WRTY790

[PRadio]

I spend a lot of my time on ships due to my work. Once when I took my wife, we took Midland GTX100 radios. They worked very well. At one point I was on deck 9 aft, lying int he sun, and my wife went to deck 1 midship to guest services. I was able to talk to her while she was there. Yes, there is a lot of steel, but you would be surprised. Just don't expect them to work everywhere. They are useful on deck. In port, remember that you are not in the US, and the laws governing the island may not allow the use of the radios. 

Phil