If you absolutely need internet on the ships

[sail7seas]

I've always read on these forums there is no way to connect to WiFi while on the ships without going through the ship's system to the satellite. There are no cell towers at sea.

Edited September 9, 2015 by sail7seas

[CruiserBruce]

I've always read on these forums there is no way to connect to WiFi while on the ships without going through the ship's system to the satellite. There are no cell towers at sea.

 

You are correct. In the case of a hotspot created by a phone, that phone would still be going through the ships network, and whatever cost and speed was involved.

[slidergirl]

I've always read on these forums there is no way to connect to WiFi while on the ships without going through the ship's system to the satellite. There are no cell towers at sea.

 

Actually, there is a way to connect your cellular service. HAL is just one of the lines that hasn't caught up with the technology. NCL has it:

 

"Cellular Phone Service & Texting at Sea

Freestyle Cellular Service

Norwegian Cruise Line guests can make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, read emails and surf the web on their own cell phones and mobile devices just as they do on land when the ship is at sea, thanks to the CellAtSea® service. Just check with your cellular phone carrier that your cell phone will be able to roam internationally. Keeping in touch with your friends and family, while at sea, has never been easier."

 

You have to find out with your cell carrier if they participate. It definitely isn't cheap, but if it allows your phone to be a hotspot, it may be worth it for for someone who must be able to access the Internet.

[CruiserBruce]

Oh, you can do that on HAL, but I would think it will be a heck of a lot more expensive than the ship's internet package.

[brillohead]

I can confirm from a friend's firsthand experience that RCCL's Oasis of the Seas has the VOOM service that is "faster than cable back home".

 

Not all of the RCCL ships have VOOM installed yet, but for the ones that do, it really IS that fast.

[Capt_BJ]

you 'absolutely need internet service'

 

what KIND of service. What must you ABSOLUTELY do????

 

If you need text only e-mail that's one thing

 

If you need SKYPE any time day or night I might need it, that's another thing.

 

GONNA GET TECHNICAL HERE

 

Because ships are getting their service from satellites - and NO cruise line that I know of, OWNS a satellite - and since the cost to get access to a satellite is still $$$$$ .... well, you can do the math.

 

You can have decent access IF your need is 'low bandwidth' ...... if your need consumes a lot of bandwidth .... forgetabout it.

 

Text e-mail or messages ... low bandwidth

SKYPE or stream a movie ... HIGH bandwidth

 

(al)most all cruise ships have access to satellite communications today, and these can provide internet access. EVERY ship I know uses this connection for ship business FIRST (CASINO????) .... and then charges the passengers wanting access for the left overs . . .

 

(I bought these services for ships and worked on the installation of the systems in the early days)

Edited September 9, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[Capt_BJ]

btw

 

federal laws about workers may come in to play

 

in some circumstances, a call from your employer means this is no longer a vacation day ...

 

One phone call can change this day according to federal law . . .

[Chunder Worthy]

It's "imperative" to have good internet on your cruise and you "might switch" to another cruise line [from the one you were considering] to get it?!

 

I'm sorry but that sounds as if your priorities are irrevocably out of whack. I mean, why go on this vacation then, really? If you have a situation where it is absolutely critical for you to be connected and in touch with someone immediately -- e.g., a severly important work situation or a relative is on their deathbed in the hospital -- then at least at this moment, your focus needs to be elsewhere and you shouldn't be traveling in the first place. If it's anything other than something like that, I seriously urge you to embrace what traveling should ultimately be about: Freedom. The idea is to avoid stressing yourself out to an early grave, not hastening yourself toward it.

 

I know this isn't the help you wanted, but I believe it's the help you need. Please use your best judgment and consider the entire picture here.

[brillohead]

It's "imperative" to have good internet on your cruise and you "might switch" to another cruise line [from the one you were considering] to get it?!

 

I'm sorry but that sounds as if your priorities are irrevocably out of whack. I mean, why go on this vacation then, really? If you have a situation where it is absolutely critical for you to be connected and in touch with someone immediately -- e.g., a severly important work situation or a relative is on their deathbed in the hospital -- then at least at this moment, your focus needs to be elsewhere and you shouldn't be traveling in the first place. If it's anything other than something like that, I seriously urge you to embrace what traveling should ultimately be about: Freedom. The idea is to avoid stressing yourself out to an early grave, not hastening yourself toward it.

 

I know this isn't the help you wanted, but I believe it's the help you need. Please use your best judgment and consider the entire picture here.

 

 

Wow, judgmental much?

 

Not everyone's job or family situation is identical to everyone else's.

 

It's possible to answer some questions and still go on enjoying your cruise. Just because they need to spend thirty minutes a day reading / replying to emails doesn't mean they should never ever be allowed to travel. :rolleyes:

[calliopecruiser]

I'm sorry but that sounds as if your priorities are irrevocably out of whack. I mean, why go on this vacation then, really?

 

Wow, that's a ridiculously judgmental statement to make about a stranger, whose situation and priorities you know absolutely nothing about. It's damned insulting too.

 

I would say having the priority of keeping your business afloat and having a future 20 years of good business income (for instance) isn't at all out of whack. Neither is wanting to ease a family member's mind with a daily email (for instance).

[SadieN]

It's "imperative" to have good internet on your cruise and you "might switch" to another cruise line [from the one you were considering] to get it?!

 

 

I'm sorry but that sounds as if your priorities are irrevocably out of whack. I mean, why go on this vacation then, really? If you have a situation where it is absolutely critical for you to be connected and in touch with someone immediately -- e.g., a severly important work situation or a relative is on their deathbed in the hospital -- then at least at this moment, your focus needs to be elsewhere and you shouldn't be traveling in the first place. If it's anything other than something like that, I seriously urge you to embrace what traveling should ultimately be about: Freedom. The idea is to avoid stressing yourself out to an early grave, not hastening yourself toward it.

 

 

 

I know this isn't the help you wanted, but I believe it's the help you need. Please use your best judgment and consider the entire picture here.

 

 

Because without checking in every day DH isn't able to relax. He owns the practice dealing with time sensitive material and nothing can go out without his approval. A 15 minute daily phone call relaxes him.

If you're an employee you have the freedom not to check in. Those who own a small business do not have the option. If DH didn't have this access he would not go at all.

Edited September 9, 2015 by SadieN

[Hammergirl]

It's "imperative" to have good internet on your cruise and you "might switch" to another cruise line [from the one you were considering] to get it?!

 

I'm sorry but that sounds as if your priorities are irrevocably out of whack. I mean, why go on this vacation then, really? If you have a situation where it is absolutely critical for you to be connected and in touch with someone immediately -- e.g., a severly important work situation or a relative is on their deathbed in the hospital -- then at least at this moment, your focus needs to be elsewhere and you shouldn't be traveling in the first place. If it's anything other than something like that, I seriously urge you to embrace what traveling should ultimately be about: Freedom. The idea is to avoid stressing yourself out to an early grave, not hastening yourself toward it.

 

I know this isn't the help you wanted, but I believe it's the help you need. Please use your best judgment and consider the entire picture here.

 

 

Ummmm I am not even going to give this much thought other than to say that something tells me you would be the same person complaining that I was not available immediately if you needed something from me.

 

I do lot's and lot's of traveling just fine, thank you. But I guess I am confused as to why my and my husbands job bothers you so much?