The Best Walkie-Talkies for Cruise Ships: Everything You Need to Know

Table Of Content

• Factor Cruise Ship Communication (WiFi, App) Walkie-Talkies
• What Major Cruise Lines Currently Allow You To Take A Walkie Talkie On A Cruise Ship?
• How to Choose the Best Walkie-Talkie for A Cruise Ship
• Do Walkie Talkies Work On Cruise Ships Indoors?
• Performance and Range: How Well Do Walkie Talkies Work on Cruise Ships?
• Are Walkie-Talkies Allowed On Cruise Ships?
• What is the range of the Retevis RT22 walkie-talkies?

Furthermore, attempting to tap into the ship’s communication system could potentially interfere with crucial operations and is likely against the cruise line’s policies. Using walkie-talkies on international waters generally falls under the jurisdiction of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). According to the ITU’s Radio Regulations, radio communication equipment like walkie-talkies should not cause harmful interference and should accept any interference received.

Factor Cruise Ship Communication (WiFi, App) Walkie-Talkies

This set is another budget choice, although this is more suitable for people who aren’t as concerned with performance, and just want four handsets for their family that can work OK. While these have a good range, the fact that the manufacturer has warned about their performance on a cruise ship is a concern. A lot of people get bugged by people who use walkie-talkies on a ship. Make sure the volume isn’t too loud, and consider getting one with an earpiece as well so that you don’t have to subject everyone nearby to your conversations. FRS walkie-talkies use a lower frequency wavelength and were originally designed to be a low power bandwidth that didn’t interfere with essential frequencies and services. Additionally, be aware of your surroundings and avoid using the walkie-talkies in quiet areas or during shows and performances.

What Major Cruise Lines Currently Allow You To Take A Walkie Talkie On A Cruise Ship?

With one person staying behind the in the cabin, we set out around the ship testing reception. Unfortunately, it became apparent quickly that the handsets would not be an effective solution on the ship. To give you an idea of the conditions, we had an interior cabin on the 10th deck of the ship, located at the very back of the ship.

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How to Choose the Best Walkie-Talkie for A Cruise Ship

But please note that the fees can be quite high, considering your carrier may charge for international calls. Budget-wise, it’s better if you wait until you get to the port and use WiFi or buy a phone card. TDCatTech talks all about this radio in this detailed YouTube review.

These walkie talkies come with a large backlit display for easy navigation. Their robust construction guarantees durability, and they are also dust and waterproof, offering extra protection in the harsh sea environment. These radios also come with a rechargeable battery and a power-saving feature. They’re equipped with a dual watch that allows monitoring of two channels simultaneously.

Performance and Range: How Well Do Walkie Talkies Work on Cruise Ships?

These radios are powered by a rechargeable 1500mAh Li-ion battery, which offers a long operating time. However, their range can decrease significantly in obstructed areas. Despite this, their long battery life, built-in LED torch, and clear sound make them a strong contender for the best walkie-talkies for cruise ships. Made by one of the leading companies in wireless communication, Midland, the EX37VP two-way radios are long-range and ideal for emergency preparations.

Are Walkie-Talkies Allowed On Cruise Ships?

The Topsung M880 radios are also durable, with a sturdy construction that can withstand drops and impacts. Their power-saving feature and long battery life further enhance their reliability, ensuring they won’t run out of power in the middle of important conversations. Moreover, the radios come with a built-in flashlight that can come in handy during emergencies or night-time activities. Whether you’re coordinating group activities or just want to ensure the safety of your family and friends, a reliable walkie talkie can make a significant difference.

Okay, we know the radio isn’t going to work that well in practice. But by getting the device with the best range, you’ll be guaranteed that it’ll work great at transmitting signals through steel and ship structures. Anyone who has ever been on a cruise ship has heard of the Cobra MR HH350W FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio. Yes, this is the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship which is quite popular among travelers. It’s a tiny communication device with a reliable battery, which takes only three hours to recharge fully.

Some methods are budget-friendly, while others are quite expensive. To be a good fellow passenger (and keep your conversations private), use headphones when using a set of walkie-talkies on a cruise. Generally speaking, most major cruise lines have no problem if you bring one on board. However, they may have certain technical restrictions that you’ll need to adhere to (range limit, watt power, etc.).

Factors such as weather, terrain and obstructions influence the coverage. Whether you want to communicate with your travel buddies indoors or outdoors, you can do so effectively with these reliable two-way radios. Measuring 4.72 x 2.16 x 1.2 inches, the Ansoko long-range walkie talkies are ultra-portable and easy to use. They operate on a UHF frequency, which means these devices receive less interference. Not to mention, they are more likely to transmit your message to your travel buddies, even with concrete, wood or non-metal walls obstructing your communication. Knowing all that, you should use the Ansoko walkie talkies if you want to use them in your cabins and in other indoor areas.

Another thing you need to consider is the battery life and power options for your chosen walkie-talkie. Each person in your group sets their radio to the same channel and privacy code. The Privacy codes then allow you to filter out any other radio signals from other users who happen to be on that same channel. The sound quality isn’t great but can be improved with earpieces (that you’ll need to buy separately). These aren’t amazing value but if you need four handsets, they work and they aren’t expensive. The range performance isn’t great, but that’s the reason they’re cheap.

With so many types available on the market, choosing the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship is not easy. That’s because a lot of two-way radios out there are nothing more than a piece of crap, while the rest are forbidden from being carried on board. Being the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship, the MR305R has a built-in flashlight.

VHF walkie-talkies are more effective at longer ranges and in open spaces – so they’re good for festivals or for ships to communicate with each other. With the right walkie-talkies and a little bit of planning, you can stay connected and enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors, without sacrificing safety or communication. Personally, I find it helpful to weigh the pros and cons of using walkie-talkies as a means of staying connected with others while on vacation. When deciding which type of walkie-talkie to choose, consider where you will be using it the most. If you plan to use it mainly outdoors, a VHF walkie-talkie may be the best option.

With Pxton walkie-talkies, you get good performance at a wallet-friendly cost. Though you might have to compromise on some features, the important ones like sound quality and range are not affected. They are capable of working over half a mile in busy spaces, like the inside of a ship. It’s important to know that walkie-talkies may face some signal problems on cruise ships because of their metal structures.

Apart from that, this tiny device also features 16 channels, 50 CTCSS tones, and no less than 105 DCS codes. Due to the way cruise ships are built, most walkie-talkies are not 100% reliable. If you're in your cabin and want to try and reach someone who is on the lido deck or grabbing lunch at the buffet, you most likely won't be able to get through. One standout feature of these walkie talkies was their long range capabilities.

One potential drawback of the Topsung M880, however, is its limited channels. With only 22 channels available, users may sometimes struggle to find a clear channel, especially in high-traffic environments like cruise ships. Despite this, the Topsung M880 remains a top pick, thanks to its range, clarity, and user-friendliness. Cruise ship cabins essentially act as metal enclosures that can greatly reduce signal reception.