Are cell phones allowed to be brought aboard the Nimitz?

[MsAZKAT]

I'm wondering if my son will be able to bring his cell phone on his deployment in July. Geez oh petes, I hope not. I can only imagine the cell phone bill. Does anyone have any confirmed info on this subject? I gotta know and I need to pass this info along to many family members. I know they have access to email, but if no cell, then he'll need phone cards before he leaves. Thanks to anyone who ca help.

[Anti M]

He can bring it, but he won't have service. Unless he has a satellite phone, there's no cell towers in the middle of the ocean. Also, they can't use it while on duty, at least, my friend said on his ship they aren't supposed to do that. He probably can make calls when near shore in the US. And unless he has an international plan,such as offered by AT&T, the service will not work. in foreign ports Another factor is the ship's operations, there will be times when they shut off all communications so they cannot be traced by electronic signatures ... such as a cell phone signal. These times affect the email also, it isn't up and running all the time for a number of reasons.

A few international phone cards are a good idea, and write down contact numbers from home. A hardcopy of phone numbers is valuable. Depending on his carrier, he can suspend service until he comes home.

[MsAZKAT]

Thanks for the reply Anti M. I think I've seen you on here before. I read somewhere that some ships don't allow cells on board at all. It just gives these underpaid sailors another bill they can't afford to pay....and HUGE ones to boot. Even if he's along some country that gets cell service, it's not gonna be cheap. I saw Iraq and Afghanistan was over $2/minute! Yeah, I can see him talking to his girlfriend in even 5 minutes. I'm glad I had the plan put in HIS name before he leaves next month!

And as far as not using it on duty...I can't tell you how many times my son has called here or texted me while on watch when he wasn't even supposed to have his phone on him.

I think he really needs to learn a lesson somewhere and unfortunately get caught doing something wrong to realize he's no different than anyone else and ALL have to follow the SAME rules. He still hasn't learned that underage drinking is a big no-no. I hope there are no tragic circumstances associated with that down the road. But thanks for the info you gave me. I hope I get more responses on others experiences with loved ones away with cell phones, bills for them, and their experiences. I love this site.