Was just on Freedom a few weeks ago and that is the only complaint I had. Disney allows you to text back and forth using their app and that part is free. Royal has WI-FI only and no "Wave" type phones. There is a solution though...if you get internet on two devices and you both get the app called "Cruisemates", you can text back and forth on that. This is where RCI was a better deal than Disney. On Disney it goes by the amount of data you use so if you forget to log out you can use up all your data in a few hours. but RCI gives you unlimited by the day. It was $94.00 for seven days unlimited for one device and $120.00 unlimited for two devices. That was with a first day purchase and Crown and Anchor discount. Hope this helps.
Also, be aware that the Internet on Freedom of the Seas only worked well early and late. It was hard to even send texts at times. The newest RCI ships have their own satellite and it is like broadband. (Quantum Class)