Through an exclusive agreement between Carnival Cruise Lines and Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network, Carnival guests sailing aboard the line's fleet can use their personal cell phones while in port or at sea. Bob Dickinson, Carnival's president and CEO, said consumers view cell phones as a necessity in today's world and that Carnival had been exploring the use of phones onboard its ships for some time. The new fleetwide service is compatible with any cellular phone and allows guests sailing on Carnival to make and receive calls anywhere in the world from any cruising region. The technology is currently available aboard the Carnival Triumph, with the balance of the line's 21-vessel fleet will receive the new technology by year's end. The new service requires no additional software or special dialing procedures—guests simply make and receive calls as well as transmit text and multimedia messages as they would on land using their personal cell phone. International roaming fees apply to all shipboard cellphone calls. For more information on pricing, visit [www.cingular.com/cingularworld]
