Kindle Fire- Wi Fi on Carnival Magic

[finsupcruiser]

I could google it and find out .. but I dont even know what MIFI is. lol

 

It is portable wireless device from my wireless company uses same towers as cell phones.

Different plans based on usage. Mine is $25/month for 3 gigs of data usage. Have yet to hit max usage. Even use it at home when my Internet is down.

[bzpilot]

If you are using a Kindle with 3G you can still download books on the ship and in foreign ports, no extra charge. The signal on board was too slow for the bowser to load cleanly but we were able to order books and browse some simple sites. The Fire is WiFi only right now and WiFi will cost you on the ship.

 

Be sure to suspend any automatically delivered Magazine subscriptions while you are out of the country. There is an extra fee for delivering magazines outside the US.

 

You're still going to be charged for the Cellular At Sea 3G Service which is $2.49/minute.

[firefly333]

It is portable wireless device from my wireless company uses same towers as cell phones.

Different plans based on usage. Mine is $25/month for 3 gigs of data usage. Have yet to hit max usage. Even use it at home when my Internet is down.

 

So, I would need a separate internet plan to use it :(

[jtwitch]

You're still going to be charged for the Cellular At Sea 3G Service which is $2.49/minute.

 

Do you know this from experience, or are you just stating what you believe to be true?

 

While this could be true, Cellular At Sea would have to bill Amazon, and Amazon would have to bill the end user. So far, I haven't read any reports of anyone who has had to pay for the Kindle 3G connecting through Cellular At Sea.

 

I have seen reports of people saying that it works and that they weren't charged. I've also seen reports of people who have been unable to connect with their Kindle. But I have yet to see any reports of anyone who connected and was later charged.

[tazco]

There are a lot of other good tablet options available that are not an iPad or a Kindle Fire. There's a whole section at your local Best Buy or Staples dedicated to tablets. We have the Motorolla Xoom and it's awesome. Syncs to your google accounts and you can browse, access email etc. just like on on a laptop, but it's a lot more portable. There are also other cheaper tablets out now like the Lenovo one and also I think Acer has an affordable option. Shop around!

I just got the Lenova Ideapad A1 last week. It was the same price as the Fire ($199) but has front and back camera, GPS that is stand alone, 16 gig and able to use a micro SD card up to 32 gig. I love it. It is 7 inch screen the same as Fire. I like that it has access to the full android market not just Amazon.

[jtwitch]

I need something to trade stocks with to access the internet, and wondering if the kindle fire is the answer? I have a laptop, but its a little large to travel with easily. I need something that fits into my purse for flying they dont count as a extra item.

 

does the fire access the internet like a regular computer.. or just do books?

 

The Kindle Fire should do what you want... but it will ONLY connect through an available WiFi signal.

[firefly333]

The Kindle Fire should do what you want... but it will ONLY connect through an available WiFi signal.

 

I was in Progresso last week and their internet cafe did not have wifi, I guess they are a little behind times there.

 

Im thinking a tablet might suit me better .. closer to my laptop, just lighter.

 

I would also probably want to load my system mechanic for security before I would feel comfortable accessing my broker's site.

 

I had to preset a entry price the weekend before I left on my cruise and then just kept checking to see when/if it filled. It would have been preferable to be able to go into my account and adjust the buy price.

[finsupcruiser]

So, I would need a separate internet plan to use it :(

 

No--I just mentioned that as a land based option Did not mean to muddy the waters.

 

Kindle can be used with Internet on Magic. I found Kindles speed is comparable to Ipad speed hooking to Internet. It should work as well as Ipad on cruise ship. I bought mine for travel instead of heavier Ipad.

 

As others said download books before you board ship.

[bzpilot]

Do you know this from experience, or are you just stating what you believe to be true?

 

While this could be true, Cellular At Sea would have to bill Amazon, and Amazon would have to bill the end user. So far, I haven't read any reports of anyone who has had to pay for the Kindle 3G connecting through Cellular At Sea.

 

I have seen reports of people saying that it works and that they weren't charged. I've also seen reports of people who have been unable to connect with their Kindle. But I have yet to see any reports of anyone who connected and was later charged.

 

No personal experience with the Kindle. I just know the Cellular At Sea systems and there interoperability (roaming with other networks). The Kindle requires an AT&T network or a network which allows AT&T roaming - which most do. I made the assumption that since Cellular At Sea does allow AT&T roaming (internationally) it would work, but this may not be the case. There may be limits and odd functioning in this case - which is probably why you see some reports of it working for some people and not for others.

 

So, yeah basically I have no answer for you :rolleyes: just didn't want to lead you down the wrong path thinking I knew absolutely you would be charged - from my first post.

[jtwitch]

No personal experience with the Kindle. I just know the Cellular At Sea systems and there interoperability (roaming with other networks). The Kindle requires an AT&T network or a network which allows AT&T roaming - which most do. I made the assumption that since Cellular At Sea does allow AT&T roaming (internationally) it would work, but this may not be the case. There may be limits and odd functioning in this case - which is probably why you see some reports of it working for some people and not for others.

 

So, yeah basically I have no answer for you :rolleyes: just didn't want to lead you down the wrong path thinking I knew absolutely you would be charged - from my first post.

 

Thanks! (rereading my post later, I realized it might have come across as challenging... wasn't intended that way, just seeking more information!)

 

It seems to me that there's really no manner or mechanism for a Kindle-user to be charged for the 3G connection... at least at the moment. I don't think that the kindle-owner has agreed to pay Amazon for any charges... and cellular@Sea wouldn't know how to charge the kindle owner.

 

My suspicion is that it isn't supposed to work at all... but that sometimes Cellular@Sea allows the connection. And if they do, it's their loss. But that's just my suspicion... obviously, no knowledge on it here.

[jimw]

I bought a cheapie on ebay a few weeks ago, works well until one gets to videos. It runs youtube fine using an Android operating system and youtube mobil application as many phones have. Mine is a 7 inch tablet with Android 2.2. I can do email easily, just don't bother with pictures; surf a bit, look at scubaboard.com, etc.

 

I'm using it next week on a cruise. I have used various ships I'net and it IS sloooow, especially for the big bucks. It's probably cheaper to call for $2.50 a minute than do email for .75.............I think I'll just crank it up when we are in port. I don't plan on doing any banking or credit card purchases online and I wouldn't advise anyone else to do so either. I would guess the ship system would be reasonably secure though.

 

There will be some 7 inch Android tablets out there on Black Friday in the $50. range.

[bptex]

The Nook Tablet is $50 more than the Kindle.

 

But the Nook Color is the same price. It has a single core processor vs dual in the Tablet and Fire. The Tablet has double the ram and a slightly more efficient battery than either option but otherwise they all are basically the same. The Fire doesn't have any kind of an external memory port either, the Nook's offer a micro SD slot.

[asb2164]

But the Nook Color is the same price. It has a single core processor vs dual in the Tablet and Fire. The Tablet has double the ram and a slightly more efficient battery than either option but otherwise they all are basically the same. The Fire doesn't have any kind of an external memory port either, the Nook's offer a micro SD slot.

 

Really how much storage do you need?

I can tether it to my phone for internet and watch Netflix or listen to Pandora.

It plays most of the games I have installed on it.

I have 10,000 books in .mobi format stored on dropbox if I need something to read.

[groo]

Really how much storage do you need?

I can tether it to my phone for internet and watch Netflix or listen to Pandora.

It plays most of the games I have installed on it.

I have 10,000 books in .mobi format stored on dropbox if I need something to read.

 

Depends on how many pictures you want to load on the sd card or maybe a movie or two to watch during downtime. Externally loaded books you could swap between your Nook and the Nook tablet ( not that they take up much space ). Music can take up some storage space as well.

 

 

I'm referring to using it on a ship which would cost extra to tether to your phone or use wifi for internet, netflix, pandora or dropbox.

[Kaboochi]

Love my new Kindle Fire but with the charges to use it I will leave it at home. Why are cruise ships still charging when hotels are giving free air time. On the other hand, I am glad they charge for air time as it gives us another excuse not to call HOME when on VACATION!!!!:D

[dude_hdt]

[quote name='jtwitch']Thanks! (rereading my post later, I realized it might have come across as challenging... wasn't intended that way, just seeking more information!)

It seems to me that there's really no manner or mechanism for a Kindle-user to be charged for the 3G connection... at least at the moment. I don't think that the kindle-owner has agreed to pay Amazon for any charges... and cellular@Sea wouldn't know how to charge the kindle owner.

My suspicion is that it isn't supposed to work at all... but that sometimes Cellular@Sea allows the connection. And if they do, it's their loss. But that's just my suspicion... obviously, no knowledge on it here.[/quote]

I have a Kindle 3G. Didn't think to take it with me back in Aug on the Ecstasy but I've heard that you can get internet for free as you have. I usually just check news site so don't mind the slow speed. I'll be able to try it for myself in 4 weeks.

I too don't know how Amazon would be able to charge you when part of the agreement is that you get 3G free.

[FlaParrotHead]

We use the WiFi very late/early morning hours after Casino, Piano Bar, etc (2 or 3 am often) for quick email, etc. At that hour, the speeds are not bad but nothing like you probably have at home. BTW, web, email traffic is not throttled on the ships (video and similar traffic maybe). You are sharing a marine satellite connection with multiple other shipboard uses and the Internet traffic is prioritized lower for obvious reasons (and it's not an issue of money).

B


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PenguinLife]

You may have problems with the Kindle Fire in places that other devices work ok as the Fire uses a special cloud based browser called Silk which pre-caches web sites and delivers them over a special network connection, this may cause issues with firewalls and satellite links like the ones used on cruise ships.

[asb2164]

[quote name='PenguinLife']You may have problems with the Kindle Fire in places that other devices work ok as the Fire uses a special cloud based browser called Silk which pre-caches web sites and delivers them over a special network connection, this may cause issues with firewalls and satellite links like the ones used on cruise ships.[/QUOTE]

You can use other browsers I am using Dolphin HD on mine.
Opera works also.

[marimojo]

When I was on the Conquest last year, I could NOT use my kindle, it just would not work. I did not want to pay the internet charges. I thought I would download my books, turn on the kindle and read - but I had no luck at all. I ended up going to the gift shop and buying a book, it was pretty disappointing. My Kindle is an older model, maybe the newer ones work better.

[craftykitty]

[quote name='firefly333']I need something to trade stocks with to access the internet, and wondering if the kindle fire is the answer? I have a laptop, but its a little large to travel with easily. I need something that fits into my purse for flying they dont count as a extra item.

does the fire access the internet like a regular computer.. or just do books?[/QUOTE]

[FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Purple"]Fire, Pick up a cheap netbook (I just got one at K-mart for $150). Will do everything you need a small stand alone computer to do and fit in a purse/carry on. I have a WIFI kindle as well and rarely use it for internet capabilities, only to read email, not to respond to it (far too slow for me). Even in port this summer, it was hooking up to Carnival's WIFI, rather than the G3 connection which I have available on my Kindle.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Miller_KC]

[quote name='bzpilot']You're still going to be charged for the Cellular At Sea 3G Service which is $2.49/minute.[/quote]

We did not get charged by anyone for using 3G on the Kindle on board the ship. Access was faster in port so I assume we hit land based towers there but was able to continue using on sea days.

[Miller_KC]

[quote name='marimojo']When I was on the Conquest last year, I could NOT use my kindle, it just would not work. I did not want to pay the internet charges. I thought I would download my books, turn on the kindle and read - but I had no luck at all. I ended up going to the gift shop and buying a book, it was pretty disappointing. My Kindle is an older model, maybe the newer ones work better.[/quote]


Do you have the 3g or the WiFi model? The WiFi would need to be connected to the shipboard network and you would be charged for internet access. With 3g we could always get books, but couldn't always use the browser. The Fire only has WiFi so I probably wouldn't connect it on board but would go ahead and read books or watch videos already loaded on it.

[jtwitch]

[quote name='Miller_KC']We did not get charged by anyone for using 3G on the Kindle on board the ship. Access was faster in port so I assume we hit land based towers there but was able to continue using on sea days.[/quote]

That's great... thanks for the report. Not that I expect to do much email using the "experimental browser!" but it might be nice to say "hi" in a pinch... ;)

[WinnipegCruiser]

[quote name='bzpilot']I wish they didn't feel the need to throttle (slow) the speed of the connection and then charge by the minute. [/QUOTE]

I really don't think they throttle it on purpose. Basically the bandwidth is limited because you are in the middle of the ocean, and it coming from Space.

Not only is the bandwidth limited, but the two way dish (uplinking to a satellite) is moving. Unlike video, you can't cache the internet. Uplinking while moving is really tricky.

Basically the technology is still limited. When you are on, you are sharing very small bandwidth with hundreds of other people, including the staff/company users.