Bringing your family on a cruise is certainly fun. But wait until you suddenly become separated and have trouble finding each other’s positions. In a situation like this, a cell phone won’t be of much help as you may be in a poor signal area. So, the best walkie talkie for a cruise ship use will be the most reliable option to stay in touch with the whole family.
The best walkie talkies for a cruise ship will make your communication easier during the trip, especially if you plan to travel internationally. There’s no need to consider roaming or other extra costs since two-way radios don’t need network coverage. That’s why in this post, we’ll reveal some great alternatives to a walkie-talkie for cruise ship use. As a bonus, we’ll also share a short buyer’s guide on choosing the best walkie talkies for a cruise ship. Are you guys ready? Let’s start!
Table of contents
- Ansoko Rechargeable Walkie Talkie
- Standard Horizon HX210
- QNIGLO Walkie-Talkies for Adults
- Greaval Rechargeable Walkie Talkie
- Motorola T100 Walkabout Radio
- Retevis RT22 Walkie Talkie
- Cobra MR HH350W FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio
- Topsung M880 FRS Walkie Talkie
- Retevis H-777
- Arcshell Rechargeable Walkie Talkie
- Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
- Motorola Talkabout T465 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Bundle
- Cobra CXT195
- Our Verdict!
- How to Choose the Best Walkie-Talkie for A Cruise Ship
Ansoko Rechargeable Walkie Talkie
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Whenever you decide to take your family on a cruise, don’t forget to include the Ansoko Rechargeable Walkie-Talkie on your must-carry list. That’s because this two-way radio works extremely excellent onboard. All thanks to its stable UHF frequency. Apart from that, this tiny device also features 16 channels, 50 CTCSS tones, and no less than 105 DCS codes.
Being the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship, Ansoko offers decent usage time via a built-in 1.500mAh Li-Ion battery. When there’s not a lot of conversation going on, you can even keep this radio running for up to 24 hours straight! If that’s not enough, a VOXX feature allows you to operate this walkie-talkie hands-free.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie has 105 DCS codes.
- It has as many as 16 channels.
- The walkie-talkie boasts a stable UHF frequency and VOXX.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with earpieces.
Buy on:
Standard Horizon HX210
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Easiest to operate. Say goodbye to difficult communications while on the ship. With the Standard Horizon HX210, you get a two-way radio that is easy to operate, even for children. That basically means that if you’re a family with kids, then you can rest assured of being able to reach them anywhere on the ship. So, adults can indulge in their activities, while kids can enjoy themselves in the play area or the pool. Apart from that, this is the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship that comes with a tough package. It is rated IPX7, which means you can expose your device to water without worrying about malfunctions or permanent damage.
For more comfortable use, Standard Horizon embeds a nice high-resolution LCD. This way, you can navigate menus easily, even in low-light conditions. As for performance, this fantastic product has a built-in 1,850mAh Li-ion battery. It can be fully recharged in just 3 hours. Great!
Pros
- This walkie-talkie is IPX7 waterproof.
- It boasts a high-resolution LCD screen.
- It also has a 1,850mAh battery and good VHF frequency.
Cons
- Some might find this device quite beefy.
Buy on:
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QNIGLO Walkie-Talkies for Adults
With 22 channels available, the QNIGLO Walkie Talkies for Adults is a great single-band radio to help you stay in touch with the whole family while on a cruise. This communication device also carries a 1,500mAh battery, which should be more than enough to give you a decent usage time. In addition, we especially like the quality of the speakers. They’re capable of producing crystal-clear audio, which is rare for the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship.
As for design, the QNIGLO Walkie Talkies for Adults come in an ergonomic package. It’s easy to hold, even for small children. And in case you’re wondering about range, this fantastic communication device supports signal transmission up to 2 miles away.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie boasts a 1500 mAh battery.
- It has 22 channels.
- The walkie-talkie even has a battery saver mode
Cons
- Spare batteries are hard to find.
Buy on:
Greaval Rechargeable Walkie Talkie
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Any time you decide to join a cruise, Greaval Rechargeable is definitely worth considering to improve your communication during the trip. As you’d expect from the best walkie talkies for a cruise ship, it has no less than 16 memory channels and sets of privacy codes. Greaval uses a 1,500mAh Li-Ion battery as the main power source, which only takes approximately 3-4 hours to charge fully. And that’s more than enough to give you up to 20 hours of usage time!
Thanks to its 2 watts of power, the Greaval Rechargeable Walkie Talkie is able to transmit audio signals up to 3 miles away. Apart from that, it uses the UHF 400-470MHz frequency, which makes it ideal for use onboard. Oh, and did we forget to mention that this communication device is easy to operate? Really great. Check it out if you can.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie comes with 16 channels.
- It has a 1500mAh Li-ion battery.
- There are 2 watts of transmit power.
- The UHF frequency is excellent.
Cons
- It doesn’t work with different brands
Buy on:
Motorola T100 Walkabout Radio
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You may be tired of hearing this, but Motorola is one of the best brands for walkie-talkies. No matter what your needs are, American brands will always have the right product. And for the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship, there’s the Motorola T100 Walkabout Radio. This premium communication device comes with access to 22 different channels, allowing you to communicate in large groups with minimum lag or interference.
The best part is the T100 Walkabout can ‘talk’ to radios from other brands. All you have to do is make sure they both tune to the same frequency. Extraordinary! Apart from that, this walkie-talkie also has a battery indicator, so you know exactly when to recharge. Finally, there’s a keypad lock feature that minimizes accidental calls.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie comes with 22 channels.
- It comes with a flashing low battery alert feature.
- It has an Auto Squelch feature and 18 hours of usage time
Cons
- The battery compartment is quite difficult to open
Buy on:
Retevis RT22 Walkie Talkie
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It’s hard to talk about the best walkie talkie for cruises without mentioning the Retevis RT22 Walkie-Talkie. With 16 channels, 121 privacy codes, and up to 12 hours of usage time, this two-way radio is ideal when you spend a lot of time surrounded by water. Apart from that, it is small, making it great for both adults and young people. But most importantly, this device is capable of producing crystal-clear audio to ensure smooth communication.
Another feature worth mentioning is the USB charging option. This will make it easier for you to charge the walkie-talkie, especially when you are on the move. Apart from that, you also don’t need any license to operate this fantastic gadget.
TDCatTech talks all about this radio in this detailed YouTube review.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie has 16 channels.
- It has an emergency alarm.
- You’ll love the ergonomic, dustproof design.
Cons
- It doesn’t include the programming cable
Buy on:
Cobra MR HH350W FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio
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Anyone who has ever been on a cruise ship has heard of the Cobra MR HH350W FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio. Yes, this is the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship which is quite popular among travelers. And it doesn’t happen without reason. It’s a tiny communication device with a reliable battery, which takes only three hours to recharge fully. Apart from that, you also get 3 channels and a strong waterproof shell.
Apart from that, we were also impressed by the noise-canceling feature. It allows you to minimize noise, which often occurs when receiving or transmitting messages. So, you can rest assured of crystal-clear conversations while you’re out on the water. That’s why it’s the best walkie-talkie for cruises.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie has a noise-canceling feature.
- It comes with a 1,800mAh Li-ion battery.
- The product boasts 3 channels and an IPX8 waterproof rating.
Cons
- The screen isn’t very visible at night
Buy on:
Topsung M880 FRS Walkie Talkie
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Best with privacy codes. Most travelers will agree that the Topsung M880 FRS is the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship. This communication device is ideal for taking on board since it has an auto-squelch feature, which ensures your conversations are free from interruptions. Apart from that, there’s an auto-scan function to make it easier for you to choose the most reliable transmission in your current area.
As for the range, the Topsung M880 FRS is claimed to support decent transmission up to 16 miles, although you’ll get less than that in practice. However, it’s not a problem because many users admit that this radio works just fine on a cruise. For the interface, Topsung uses a backlit LCD screen that’s easy to use in the dark.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie has an auto-squelch feature.
- It boasts 22 channels and 121 privacy codes.
- The walkie-talkie is palm-sized.
Cons
- The manual is a little lacking.
Buy on:
Retevis H-777
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With 16 channels and a long range, the Retevis H-777 is definitely the best walkie-talkie for a cruise that deserves a place on this list. This radio works with the UHF frequency, which ensures you’ll stay connected to the whole family without fail while on the boat. Apart from that, this walkie-talkie is also ideal for some night trips since it comes with a built-in torchlight.
Another thing we love about the Retevis H-777 is the fact that it uses a USB charging system. This means you can recharge the walkie-talkie, even with a power bank! It’s truly a travel-friendly gadget. And with its powerful speakers, the H-777 will also be ideal for building sites, camping, or any other situation. That’s why it’s the best walkie talkie for cruises.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie has 72 hours of standby mode.
- The LED flashlight is helpful for nighttime adventures.
- The 1,000 mAh battery is strong and durable.
- It has USB charging.
Cons
- The PTT button doesn’t beep or chime.
Buy on:
Arcshell Rechargeable Walkie Talkie
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Most travelers prefer the Arcshell Rechargeable Two-Way Radio as their best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship. This is because the device is small and easy to carry around. Apart from that, it comes with a waterproof package and a simple design that’s easy to operate for all ages. And thanks to a wide frequency range and 16 pre-programmed channels, you can easily communicate with the whole family using this tiny radio.
In case you ask about speakers, Archsell is able to provide clear audio. Furthermore, the radio also has a VOXX feature, which allows you to transmit messages hands-free. As for the battery, this device should last anywhere from 8 to 96 hours, depending on how intensely you use it.
Read what the Life Wire has to say about the Arcshell AR-5 Radio.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie has a 1,500mAh Li-ion battery.
- It’s VOXX hands-free.
- The audio is decent, and there are even 16 channels.
Cons
- The durability is so-so.
Buy on:
Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
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Most channels. Ask any traveler, and they’ll surely agree that the Midland GXT1000VP4 is a reliable long-range walkie-talkie. This two-way radio is suitable for various situations, whether camping, hunting, or of course, a cruise. It’s all because this device has no less than 50 channels and a decent transmission of up to 36 miles. Apart from that, this best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship also has waterproof capabilities, making it ideal for any marine-related activity.
With the GMRS frequency, Midland GXT1000VP4 has an auto-scan feature to ensure you get the best transmission in every conversation. In addition, there’s a VOXX activation function, so you can operate this gadget in hands-free mode. Overall, a great product. Worth checking out.
In the mood for another walkie-talkie recommendation? For those planning to hit the slopes this week, check out our list of best walkie-talkies for skiing. And for those looking for some great gifts for their little ones, you might find inspiration in our list of the best walkie-talkies for kids.
Pros
- This product has 50 GMRS channels.
- It has 142 CTCSS codes.
- It boasts an NOAA weather scan and a 36-mile range.
Cons
- It doesn’t have a built-in flashlight.
Buy on:
Motorola Talkabout T465 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Bundle
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Best range. If you’re planning to take your family on a cruise, the Motorola Talkabout T465 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Bundle will be the perfect solution for your communication. This is a two-way radio that comes with a compact and lightweight design. It’s easy to handle and carry around. Not to mention that this device has tons of features, starting from the 35-mile range, 22 FRS / GMRS channels, and 121 privacy codes.
Being the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship, the MR305R has a built-in flashlight. It’s a feature that’ll come in really handy if you happen to be in a low-light situation. Apart from that, this radio is also rugged and waterproof. Heck, you might even be able to take it on a swim! So, if you’re looking for a waterproof walkie talkie while you’re headed out on a cruise, then this is the one for you.
Pros
- This walkie-talkie has a VibraCall feature.
- It boasts 11 weather channels and 22 channels of options.
- The product has a 35-mile range.
Cons
- The included rechargeable battery isn’t that good
Buy on:
Cobra CXT195
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Make sure to stay connected with the whole family, even though everyone is busy with their activities while on the cruise. The Cobra CXT195 will take care of that, as this two-way radio has no less than 22 channels to choose from. It also comes with a call alert feature, which will ensure you get a notification every time someone is about to transmit a message.
While not promising fantastic battery life, the CXT195 has a handy power saver mode. This means you can use the walkie-talkie for at least 10-12 hours, depending on the intensity of your conversation. Apart from that, the features that are worth mentioning are the compact design, eco-friendly packaging, and lead-free.
And in case you need some other recommendations, we’ve got some great reading for you. For those planning a long trip, check out our list of the best walkie-talkies for long-distance. Are you looking to camp in the near future? Go and have a look at our list of best walkie-talkies for camping.
Pros
- The walkie-talkie has a 16-mile range.
- This walkie-talkie has 10 weather channels.
- It has roger beeps and a power save mode.
Cons
- It’s not waterproof.
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
All these walkie-talkies are great to be used for a cruise ship. However, some might work better than others for some travelers. That’s why we’ve broken down this list into a more specialized manner according to their best features:
- Best range: Motorola Talkabout T465 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Bundle
- Most channels: Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
- Best with privacy codes: Topsung M880 FRS Walkie Talkie
- Easiest to operate: Standard Horizon HX210
How to Choose the Best Walkie-Talkie for A Cruise Ship
With so many types available on the market, choosing the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship is not easy. You really need to know which will work best. That’s because a lot of two-way radios out there are nothing more than a piece of crap, while the rest are forbidden from being carried on board.
But don’t worry, folks, because we’ve done the hardest part for you. After a fair amount of research, we’ve been able to conclude some of the things you should be looking for in the best walkie-talkie for a cruise. From durability and range to price. Without further ado, here are three factors to consider when choosing a walkie-talkie for cruise use.
Weatherproof
Since you’ll be spending a lot of your time out in open water, it would be great if you got the best walkie-talkie for a cruise ship with weather-resistant capabilities. Our advice, look for a two-way radio with a JIS4 rating. They are specifically designed to work well, even if they are completely submerged in water!
Privacy
Another thing to consider is privacy. Since you will be using the radio to communicate with your family, you definitely don’t want any unnecessary interruptions from the other party. Therefore, get the best walkie-talkie for a cruise that comes with sets of privacy codes. This will minimize interference while keeping all of your conversations private.
Range
Third and lastly, you’ll want to get a walkie-talkie for cruise use that supports communication up to a 30-mile range. Okay, we know the radio isn’t going to work that well in practice. But by getting the device with the best range, you’ll be guaranteed that it’ll work great at transmitting signals through steel and ship structures.
What is The Best Way to Communicate on a Cruise Ship?
As the title of this article suggests: walkie-talkie! Seriously, using a two-way radio lets you keep in touch with the whole family without fail. That’s because you’re going to use shortwave radio signals instead of mobile networks, which are likely limited while you’re in the ocean.
Can You Use Your Cellphone on a Cruise Ship?
Yes, you can. But please note that the fees can be quite high, considering your carrier may charge for international calls. Budget-wise, it’s better if you wait until you get to the port and use WiFi or buy a phone card.
What is The Best Walkie Talkie to Use on a Cruise Ship?
Most travelers would recommend Motorola, Midland, or Cobra. Some of the brands have had a reputation for producing the best walkie-talkies with an excellent range and top quality for decades. And the good news is you can find reviews of some of their products in this article!