I had read about RSSC setting up cell phone use from the ships and my carrier, Cingular, is one that is available. I didn't look into the details for my Alaska trip in May because I could call for free in US ports. I made several calls from deck 12 when we were docked in various ports assuming I was connected to the local cell system. WRONG!! Calls from onboard, even at dock, went through the RSSC setup and I was hit with roaming charges and the cost wasn't low. It connects through the ship automatically. Calls from in town were free. I don't know how far away from the ship you need to be to to connect through the local system.

For those of you going to Alaska or embarking / debarking in a US port, think about waiting until you're on land to use your cell phone unless you don't mind the roaming charges.