Some who cruise see their time on board as an opportunity to unplug from daily life, disconnect from work or school, and put their digital devices away. But others want to stay connected while they cruise, whether it’s to stream a favorite TV show, update family and friends at home, check in with colleagues at work, or even work remotely. If you’re in the second category, here’s what you should know about internet availability on cruise ships.
Internet
service at sea has been improving, and most ships now provide service through
their wireless networks (with the exception of some that sail to remote locations).
On many
ships, WiFi access is an extra – it’s not included in your fare, so you’ll need
to pay for it. If you want access for the duration of a cruise, you may be able
to purchase a discounted WiFi package in advance. But if you know you’ll need to
be connected for only part of a day or two, wait until you’re on board to purchase
access at an hourly or daily rate.
Some
cruise lines offer different levels of service. If you just want to check your email,
you may be able to purchase a lower-cost level of access. If you want to stream
TV or conduct video chats, you may need to purchase the strongest, highest-priced
internet access.
Cruise
ships get their internet service from multiple sources, including land-based
signal towers when they’re closer to shore, and satellites when they’re out at
sea. In either case, signal strength can vary, and the connection is likely to
be slower than what you’re used to. Because signal strength is usually stronger
when the ship is near the shore, you may want to do any streaming or video
chatting when you’re close to a port. Regardless of the ship’s location, you
may experience better signal strength very early in the morning or late in the
evening, when fewer passengers are using their connected devices.
Even if
you purchase the best and strongest internet service package you can remember
to put your phone in airplane mode for the duration of your time onboard. You
can turn on your wireless feature separately to connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi, and
you’ll avoid unwanted data and roaming charges.
For more
information about internet service on your next cruise and advice on making the
best use of it, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.
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