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Comment by Katryn on December 4, 2023 at 9:54am

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.  I was just able to connect with someone stateside at ATT and he told me that we could add a "cruise package" to my sons phone for $100.00 per month and the would have unlimited talk, text, data while on the ship.  He said the minute he steps off the ship though that plan no longer applies and if he uses his phone we could be charged up to $50 a minute.  For shore time, he would need an "international day pass" which is $10 per day or $100 per month...I "think" the cruise package is the way to go as long as he has internet on the ship. I don't want to sign up for something and pay $100 extra per month to find out it doesn't work.  If anyone has experience with this plan, I'd love to hear how it's working.  Thank you all again for the support.  It's really great to know you are out there...:). 

Comment by Anna on December 3, 2023 at 10:01pm

Katryn,

I recently got to take a Tiger Cruise on a carrier with my son who is a Chief Warrant Officer. Officer Country gets wi-fi in the wardrooms and the hanger bay but regular phone calls are non-existent.  There are no cell towers in the middle of the ocean!! :)  My son and I both used our phones all the time to check emails, post pics on facebook, and such like that.  He was able to make a couple phone calls to get plane tickets as we were coming near port but I'm not sure how he did it unless they were wi-fi calls.  My phone was basically a camera and a computer with internet access.  

Hope this helps!!

Comment by M's mom on December 3, 2023 at 6:22pm

Katryn--  It has been 9 years since my son was deployed on a ship, so not sure how ship phone service works now, but when my son has been base-deployed in foreign countries, he has been able to suspend his stateside phone service with Verizon because he is deployed military, then reclaim his old number when he gets home.  He buys a new phone as soon as he gets to the new country, that he knows will work locally.  Then, he gets his phone service from Google on line.  When he calls us, our caller ID shows the number is from "Ontario, California."  When we call him, we are not charged for a foreign call, because the Google service is based in California.

Comment by Andy'sMom on December 3, 2023 at 1:15pm

Katryn - Your son will want to keep his phone!  My DS is currently carrier deployed and uses his phone quite a bit!  You can use WhatsApp to text him when he is in port.  Sometimes there is wifi on board.  And he will want it for its camera as well. I'm sure everyone in his squadron will have their phones!

Comment by CindyN on December 3, 2023 at 12:27pm

Katryn - With ATT use this link to request suspension of their line. https://www.att.com/military/military-landing-page. If I remember correctly it use a more permenant sounding word for the suspensionm like "cancel". But they hold the number for 3 years so when you start the line up when they return, they will keep their same number.  They will also pay off the phone if it meets certain criteria on the timing of when they entered the finance agreement. 

My son has been based overseas vs on a ship needing a phone so I can't tell you any thing about their phone needs if they are carrier based for some number of months. Good luck!

Comment by Katryn on December 3, 2023 at 11:15am

Hello Everyone - My son is getting ready for his first deployment.  He'll be on a carrier and flying the F18-Superhornet.  I am trying to help with the whole "communication part" while he is away.  Could you please educate me on how he might use a phone?  I called ATT (our service provided) and after an hour of getting nowhere I remember that I had this other awesome source for information !  I've read some blogs about the SCRA act which might pay off his phone (which is currently financed) and suspend it for a period for a period of time if needed and I see some folks have opted for burner phones, etc.  Help Please.  I am so lost :)

Thanks in advance !!!!!!

Comment by M's mom on August 8, 2023 at 1:44am

Helomom, I'm sure it will be wonderful to have your son and his family so close now!

My son's first assignment in 2013 was with a squadron of Growler jets at NAS Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, near Seattle. When we visited him, we took a few days to tour Seattle, and did Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture. It was "Fleet Week" and got to see the Blue Angels do a show over the bay!  Lovely area.

I'm sure your son felt the weight of the world leave his shoulders after he left that command, so no wonder he looks more relaxed. He had much more than usual to deal with during the pandemic.  Lots of aerospace jobs around Seattle.  I'm sure he'll find something interesting to do, and his family will probably be glad to stay in one place for a while!

Comment by Helomom on August 7, 2023 at 10:56pm

Thanks Andy'sMom! It’s a little strange having their around. It still feels like they are just here for vacation. The other night they texted us to see what we were doing for dinner. They were over at our daughter's house. Her husband was BBQing. It will be different when they move into their house across the water but still…it’s lots closer than Virginia, Florida, or San Diego. Our daughter's son goes to UW so he is already planning laundry weekend at his aunt and uncle’s house. I must say, our son looks so rested. It was almost immediate after Change of Command. 

Comment by Andy'sMom on August 7, 2023 at 4:50pm

Helomom - Congrats to your son and entire family.  We all appreciate his service as well as his family's.  That video was great! Our son is on his first deployment on the Ford.  It is always so comforting to be able to reach out to other moms who have experienced what I am going thru for the 1st time.  So glad that his family will be closer to you now! Enjoy!

Comment by Helomom on August 7, 2023 at 11:26am

M's mom - Fantastic news, grandma! It's great to hear your son and his family are doing so well! We loved our time we were able to spend in the London area in 2019. We were all able to make the trip to Naples for the Change of Command and Retirement, even our daughter, he husband and their two sons flew over. It was a great time! Our son was busy most days with turnover during the day but he was able to schedule some time for tourist activities with us. The cousins are all about the same age so they spent a solid two weeks hanging out. 

They have moved back to our area but over on the east side of Seattle…a ferry ride away. We couldn’t talk them into the more rural life on the west side of Puget Sound. It’s a process as he checks out of the Navy. He was on travel leave the first week and then TDY to Naval Base Kitsap. He had more out processing for two weeks, his last day reporting in uniform was last Friday. Now he is on exit leave until November 1. November 1, he will be retired,..after 26 yrs 7 months plus NROTC. He did take a hard look at the next set of 3 year orders but decided at 48 he would be a better job candidate than at 51. Age optics are real. He is looking at opportunities in the Seattle area. This will be a new adventure. It will be fun to have them in the area. Best wishes to you and your family, good fortune to your son as he moves up the ladder. 

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