Nowadays, traveling on a cruise ship becomes very popular. Many people enjoy travel by sea with close families and friends, which can bring special experiences and create wonderful memories. However, it is easy to get separate from them when at the port or on-board.
So it is necessary to find ways to keep constant touch with your group members. Given that cellphone communication at sea can be very expensive and unstable, a walkie-talkie might be the perfect option for you. If you like the idea but have trouble selecting a suitable one. Here are our top picks for the best walkie-talkie to help you choose the right one.
The Best Walkie Talkie for Cruise Ship Reviews 2022
1. Midland LXT600VP3 30 Miles Walkie Talkie for Cruise Ship – 2 Pack
LXT600VP3 is one of the most popular two-way radios of Midland. This is a typical rugged and versatile walkie-talkie that is very suitable for many outdoor activities, such as hunting, hiking, and fishing, . So if you are going to go on a trip by sea, this model is suggested.
A key feature of this radio is that it comes with a dual charger base. There is a rechargeable battery pack, a desktop charger, and an AC/DC adapter. That means you have more charging options so that you won’t worry about the power life. You don’t have to take the batteries out or deal with wires or plugs. Just place them in the cradle and let them charge.
Besides, it features NOAA weather alerts. By accessing the strongest channels, this radio provides you the latest weather updates and gives you an alert if there come bad weather conditions. Plus, it has emergency alerts too. If some urgent events or terrible weather are happening ahead of your way, you can receive alerts and get yourselves well-prepared.
Something else we like about this model is the great range. Although the reported range of 30-mile seems unrealistic, the practical range on a cruise is wide enough to allow you to get contacts with any member of your team.
On the other hand, disadvantages exist too. First, the claimed range is a lie that may trick you. Second, it takes a quite long time to recharge the rechargeable batteries.
All in all, the disadvantages won’t reduce the communication on board, so we think this is still an ideal choice for you to have fun at sea.
Pros
- A dual charger base– more charging options
- NOAA weather alerts– guarantee the safety
- Emergency alerts– better protection at sea
- Adequate range– communicate constantly
- Light and small– easy to carry
Cons
- Recharging costs too much time– better use alternatives
- Misleading range– but don’t affect usage on board
2. FLOUREON Walkie Talkies for Cruise Ship – 2 Pack
If you are searching for a walkie-talkie for your family especially for children, Floureon 161886001 is the right one. When you bring your kids to sea travel, it is necessary to give them a walkie-talkie because kids are always running around and hard to catch. So you need this model to keep in touch with your children.
One of the amazing features of this radio is in multiple colors. It features custom colors, so you can buy different color spray cans and a clear can. With a sharp knife, you can carefully pop up the front cover. Then you can spray painted the covers with about 3 coats, letting them dry for a day in between. That feature makes the product a cute little tool.
Additionally, it is a dual-band FRS/GMRS device that contains privacy codes. So it can not only offer more channel combinations but also provide encrypted communications. Therefore, you will never worry about the interference caused by the same channel users.
Another function is that it comes with a backlight that helps to lit up the display so that you can read the messages on the screen even in the dark. Also, there is a built-in flashlight too. So when there is an emergency on the cruise at night, you can use the radio to lighten your way and stay safe.
However, this product is only battery-powered so you need to take some spare batteries to change them.
In short, although the power option is limited, the overall functions are considerable and practical. So you can take it for your family.
Pros
- A dual-band– more channels
- Built-in flashlight– lighten your way
- Customcolors – cute and more choices
- LCD– easy to read
- Privacy codes– eliminate interference
Cons
- Not rechargeable– only support batteries
- No emergency alerts– only has call alerts
3. Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkies for Cruise Ship – 3 Pack
Ansoko long-range walkie-talkie is particularly designed for outdoor use. It is well-known for having a long-range. If you pay more attention to the range offered by two-way radios, this is a perfect option for you.
The most remarkable feature is that it has a long-range. This model has a range up to 4-mile, which is different from the reported ranges claimed by other products. This range can cut through most obstacles like sense woods, and concrete, transmitting your messages to your friends without reduction. So if you take this on a big cruise, you don’t need to worry about the sending and receiving quality.
Furthermore, it includes a flashlight in the package too. When there is insufficient light or at night, the flashlight can lighten your way to anywhere on the cruise. So you don’t have to carry a flashlight separately, which is inconvenient.
Also, this is a very portable one because of its small size and lightweight. So you can put it into your pocket or handbag rather than hold it in your hands.
The battery life is relatively long too. That means you can use it constantly for a long period without worrying about the power-off.
But, this is not waterproof, forcing you to protect it from water. Some users may feel annoying about that.
In a nutshell, if you are willing to give it specific care, you are recommended to buy this. After all, all these advantages are attractive.
Pros
- Portable– easy to carry
- Long-range– better connections with others
- Flashlight– brighten your way at night
- Long battery life– allows you to use it longer
- UHF frequency– eliminate interference
Cons
- Not rechargeable– only support batteries
- Not waterproof– need more protection
4. Midland GXT1000VP4 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio – 2 Pack
This product has remarkable long-range and designs for emergency preparations. Therefore, this is a suitable one used on a cruise ship. Taking this model, you are freer to have fun under bad weather conditions.
To begin with, it comes with a claimed 36-mile range that seems impossible in an area with walls and concrete. But it still has a relatively large range after being reduced by the obstacles since the original design support a long-range.
Another feature is water resistance. This product can resist water nicely. So you don’t need to worry about that it can be weltered by the ocean spray or sudden rain. Even this model can survive after being submerged. Thus, taking it to the cruise to keep in touch with your friends is convenient and perfect.
Besides, it features NOAA weather alerts too. When traveling on a cruise, there is a high possibility of bad weather. So this function is essential for you to stay safe. It is always nice to know the weather conditions ahead of time.
Also, it has privacy codes, allowing you to communicate with your partners without interference. Meanwhile, some special conversations can be protected from eavesdropping.
However, the shortcoming is that this model may be too advanced for some users, especially the old and children. Some features like privacy codes and VOX may be too demanding for them to learn.
In a word, although some functions need effort to learn, it provides you an ideal choice for cruise travel with large versatility.
Pros
- Waterproof– suitable for cruise
- Long-range– better connections with others
- Privacy code– allows you to use it without interference
- NOAA weather alerts– know the weather updates in advance
- VOX– set your hands free
Cons
- Some features are hard to master– need some efforts to learn
- Overstated range– set fewer expectations
5. Retevis RT22 Walkie Talkies for Cruise Ship – 10 Pack
Retevis 2-pack walkie-talkie is a representative of those super convenient products. If you want a walkie-talkie that takes up little room and charges easily, you should buy this one.
The most obvious feature of this product is that it is small in size and comes with a belt clip, making it a very portable two-way radio to use. So if you are a big fan of portable radios, this fits you a lot since it is only about the size of a deck of cards, allowing you to put it into your pockets. As there is a belt clip too, you can just choose to fasten it to the belts.
Something else we like about this model is that it can be charged by USB. Since there is a USB port, you can buy a portable charger to charge it conveniently or plug it into any other electronic device like a laptop. With this function, you don’t have to take some new batteries or wait for a long time to get it recharged.
The battery life is long enough to support your daily use. As long as you get it charged, the battery life can last for up to 12 hours, so you can keep the constant connection with your group members for the whole day.
There is a security clear tube too that keeps your communication privacy without reducing the clarity of the sound. This is a user-friendly feature on a cruise because there are lots of travelers who are using walkie-talkies too. You don’t want your conversations to be interfered with.
On the other hand, the disadvantage is there are no NOAA weather alerts. Some users may feel disappointed at this because they care more about safety compared with portability.
In conclusion, if you don’t mind the lack of weather alerts, you can take this model in that there are many appealing functions.
Pros
- Small size– portable
- USB ports– charge it by USB
- Long battery life– use it for the whole day
- Privacy code– allows you to use it without interference
- Belt clip– set your hands free
Cons
- No NOAA weather alerts– may have trouble in knowing the weather conditions
- No VOX– have to operate it manually
6. Nestling Walkie Talkies 2 Way Radio for Cruise Ship – 3 Pack
Different people may have different requirements for ideal walkie-talkies. Some people focus on safety, some pay more attention to the long-range, and others care more about other factors. If you expect a walkie-talkie with an earpiece, Galwad is the right one for you.
As I mentioned above, this radio provides you an earpiece that helps you communicate with your friends privately. Since there are many passengers on the cruise, people are easy to be disturbed. But as long as you put on your earpiece, you can enjoy clear conversations with others.
Besides, it comes with a belt clip too, allowing you to fasten it effortlessly. That means you don’t have to take it in your hands, which can cause some inconvenience if you want to pick up something else.
Turning to the battery, it comes with rechargeable batteries and a charger. With this feature, you can recharge your radio by on the cruise conveniently instead of taking some spare batteries in your package. Furthermore, it features an energy-saving mode, helping to save energy when you are not using it. Also, there is a low-battery indicator, with which you can let your friends know your condition and ask for help.
However, the downside is that the batteries have a relatively shorter life, which means you need to change them for months.
To sum up, all the functions are far beyond its price. So you can have a try if you prefer to enjoy the present.
Pros
- An earpiece– protect the privacy
- Energy-saving– don’t need to recharge a lot
- Low-battery indicator– better to know when to recharge
- Rechargeable batteries and a charger– allows you to recharge it conveniently
- Belt clip– set your hands free
Cons
- No NOAA weather alerts– may have trouble in knowing the weather conditions
- No VOX– have to operate it manually
7. BaoFeng BF-888S Two Way Radio for Cruise Ship – 3 Pack
Baofeng BF-888S is designed for groups with many people. If you want to travel by sea with family members or friends, you can choose this product. It is targeted at security and outdoor communication.
The first wonderful feature is that there are six walkie-talkies in each set, and each one is packed with a headset and a microphone. So this is the perfect choice for large groups. And since they are equipped with headsets and microphones, your hands are set free. Meanwhile, your private conversations are protected from disturbing.
Another attractive function is that it has a built-in LED, allowing you to read the messages on the screen easily. Also, there is a flashlight too. So you can use it without difficulty at night.
Besides, it supports bother rechargeable batteries and AA batteries. So you can recharge it via a charger, or just change some batteries. What’s more, it has an energy-saving mode to conserve power so that the battery life can be extended. Apart from that, there is a low-battery indicator to remind you when to recharge it.
And the communication range is up to 4-mile which is adequate for a cruise ship so that you can keep stable connections with your team members without interruptions.
But, it has no NOAA weather alerts that may cause some trouble when there is bad weather. And the range can be affected by weather conditions.
All in all, despite the small defects, it is very suitable for large groups and has nearly all the basic functions you need on a cruise.
If you are interested in Baofeng radio, we have a complete guide to buying the Baofeng radio.
Pros
- Headsets and microphones– protect the privacy
- Built-in LED– higher readability
- Low-battery indicator– better to know when to recharge
- Rechargeable batteries and a charger– allows you to recharge it conveniently
- Energy-saving mode– extended battery life
Cons
- No NOAA weather alerts– may have trouble in knowing the weather conditions
- Unstable range– can be reduced by bad weather
What to Consider When Buying a Walkie Talkie for Cruise Ship?
What is a walkie-talkie? And why would you need one? Are there enough advantages to using it? Let’s think about these questions briefly – and after that, we can look at the factors you need to consider when choosing one.
Most people are not unfamiliar with a walkie-talkie that is used to keep contact with others when in separations. It can be used in many professions, such as police, fireman, and so on. But it enjoys less popularity in common people.
However, a walkie-talkie is quite practical in many cases for ordinary individuals. For example, you take one with you when you need connections with team members outsides. It is highly reliable in the situation where you or your fellows get lost.
So in a cruise ship, this tool is outstanding with many advantages that your cellphones don’t have. It is not only cost-effective but also receives signals constantly, even if there is terrible weather. And most cruises support carrying walkie-talkies. So why not have a try?
However, choosing a suitable walkie-talkie in the market could be challenging because there are always too many products and each of them seems similar. You may be bothered by specific searching.
Now let’s look at some of the brief and key points to consider when choosing.
Range
The range is a key feature since you want a walkie-talkie to cover as large a scope as possible. First, the purpose of using a walkie-talkie on a cruise is to enable you to find your friends and families when they are not in your eyesight. Especially when you are on a very large cruise, your group members may want different views and slip up everywhere. So only if the range is wide enough can you communicate with them without impediment.
Second, the range should allow you to send a message out when you are in an emergency. Emergencies can happen if there is terrible weather, and signals might get weaker due to the bad weather. Therefore, you need the radio to have a wide range to get you out of trouble.
Water resistance
When you are having a trip by sea, you are surrounded by water all the time. Being waterproof is an essential feature for a good walkie-talkie because you don’t want your radio to get broken after being splashed. What’s worse, bad weather like a storm could happen at any time. So if it is not water-resistant, you can hardly use it at sea. Also, you don’t want to spend extra money on repairing it or buying a new one.
Read more about waterproof walkie talkies.
Power
Batteries determine the working hours of a walkie-talkie. You don’t want your device to fall into the unavailability of power while using it. So you need to check battery and charge modes when choosing a walkie-talkie.
Generally, there are two popular power resources. Some of them support rechargeable batteries, and others just using disposable AA batteries. With a rechargeable model, you can recharge the product on the cruise conveniently, which is an environmentally-friendly and economical way. With AA batteries, you need to take some alternatives in your package in case of power-off, which may waste some money. You can choose according to your preference.
NOAA weather alerts
Paying attention to the changeable weather at sea is highlighted since it is closely connected to your safety. If the walkie-talkie can receive NOAA weather alerts, you will know the weather conditions in advance. That means whenever there is bad weather, you can get first-hand news and have enough time to take some preventive measures. That is important for self-aid.
Privacy code
Are the conversations through the equipment well-protected from others? You may care about whether others on the same channel can hear or interfere with the messages between you and your friends. So you need to choose a walkie-talkie with privacy codes. Usually, there are two coding systems: one-coded squelch system (CTCSS) and digital-coded squelch (DCS). They are responsible for protecting your private communication.
VOX
What is VOX? Briefly, its full name is Voice Operated Exchange. This is a function in charge of operating the equipment by voice instead of putting a button manually. This means if you want to talk, you simply raise your voice and deliver orders without using your hands. This is convenient and energy-saving.
Many great options
As you can see, there are many great walkie-talkies on the market to meet almost any demand. If you have decided you’d like one for your travel by sea but are having trouble choosing, any of the picks in our review would be a great place to start your search.
re:
7. BaoFeng BF-888S Two Way Radio For Cruise Ship – 3 Pack
this radio will need to be programmed; you need some software such as “chirp”.
it may come preprogrammed on some unknown frequency, it may not.
there is no display
listing has 6 radios, not 3.
it comes with rechargeable battery