Since I'm on the Rome to Nice cruise in October, this is topic is very important to me. I certainly don't want to pay the RSSC roaming rates.

Is the cellular roaming setup on all RSSC ships?

Does anyone know the network code and/or frequency band RSSC is using?

If so, one can usually set up roaming preferences to avoid using RSSC even when on board, if another signal is available.

The code is in the form of CCC-NNN (USA) or CCC-NN (elsewhere) where the C's represent the country and the N's represent the network operator. For example in the US Cingular's network code is 310-410 and I believe T-mobil's code is 310-480.

On my Motorola phone under the Settings/Network menu I can see all available networks by the CCC-NNN code and select the one to register and use.

Under the Settings/Network Setup menu I can select the frequency bands to use, Automatic, 850/1900 (USA) or 900/1800 (Europe).

Most handsets should have similar features.

*update*

Cingular has an agreement with all RSSC ships except the PG. The per minute charges are $2.49.
The ship's cellular repeater operates on the 1900MHz band. If you are in Europe you should be able to set your phone to operate on the 900/1800 band to avoid connecting to the ship's cellular repeater.

The Cingular knowledgebase contains a list of ships, rates and frequencies. The rates and frequencies seem to be the same for all ships.

Link to Cingular article.