Is it possible to contact someone on a cruise ship that has a cell phone but out of range for service?

All major cruise lines have cell phone towers on the ship. So cell phone will work while the ship is at sea. International roaming charges will apply and it will cost several dollars per minute, but they will work.

You could also call them on the phone in their stateroom and in an emergency you could have them paged. This will cost even more than the cell phone call.

So unless it is extreme emergency, life or death situation, do not call them.

If it is connected to a wifi service, then an internet of iMessage (iPhone to iPhone) would work. Many cruise ships have some form of wifi. Otherwise, if the individual does not have international calling and is also out of range with a cell tower, then it will not work to contact.

Many cruise ships offer cell phone service but it will cost about $2.50 a minute.

Yes by calling the ships number.

if they are out of range it will not go through, not even voice mail

There are no cell phone towers at sea, so not really.

It will be expensive for the person you are calling.....