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Media surrounding the luxury cruise industry as of late has focused not on the exotic locations, first-class entertainment, or extensive menus included in the fare. Instead, what has dominated the headlines has been engine troubles and backed-up systems, leaving many passengers looking for other vacation opportunities that don’t include boats and bodies of water.

For those who believe the industry will rebound and vacation by the sea is still the optimal choice, communication once on board is still one challenge to consider. If something should happen for example, and a passenger needs to use his or her mobile phone to reach someone on the mainland, the cost to make that call can reach up to $6 per minute due to monopoly control of bandwidth and onboard equipment. Even a satellite phone which is a cheaper option, can run $1.50 per minute.

With connections running at a premium, most passengers opt to set the mobile phone aside and simply enjoy their surroundings. For those who don’t have that option, mobile VoIP is a lower cost way to stay connected. But the consumer may not always be aware of its availability. A recent Forbes article examined two new service offerings with rates on par with local roaming rates. One is the result of a joint venture between Wireless Maritime Services and AT&T (News - Alert) known as the, “AT&T Cruise Ship package.” The other is an app known as “Connect at Sea” from MTN.

The Connect at Sea app operates much like mobile VoIP in that a Wi-Fi connection is needed for it to work. Once available on cruise lines, the app will enable voice calls via the Internet to any phone. Texting is possible only if the recipient can also text. This is great if individuals traveling together get separated and need to text each other. Later versions of the app are expected to include integrated video calling, which will require the use of a dedicated Wi-Fi network.

AT&T’s offering is designed to replicate local cellular rates in specific regions. The downside is the service will only be available on cruise lines owned by Royal Caribbean. For those selecting a Royal Caribbean cruise, voice calls are expected to be priced at $.60 per minute while at sea. Text messages and data are expected to be included, depending upon the selected plan. For now, the Connect at Sea app won’t be available on Royal Caribbean ships.

Connecting via the ship’s Wi-Fi network may still be an option for those who want to use mobile VoIP only. When the consumer is able to bypass the carrier network completely, the resulting call is much cheaper than standard cellular rates. Unfortunately, location will make a difference – since some countries have banned VoIP calls but it’s always a good idea to have VoIP ready and available on your mobile device if you plan to head out to sea. That way, if the engine on your cruise line breaks down and you won’t see land for a few days, you can at least let people know and stay connected before they even send out a search party.