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 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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