Using ipad 2 on Mediterranean Cruise

[auspal]

I am travelling from Australia to UK, then later embarking on a Med Cruise, hoping to use free Wi Fi for most of the trip, but wondering what I should purchase to access internet whilst on the cruise ship. Any ideas? I dont really want to join a plan, and would prefer pay as you use. I have heard it can be very expensive, even to access your emails.

 

[TonyHancock]

You have probably already done it, but if not, check if the cruise ship has WIFI.

 

[straitman]

You have probably already done it, but if not, check if the cruise ship has WIFI.

The cruise we took in November had Wifi but the price was enough to scare most people off.

 

[auspal]

Yes Bill, that is what I have read too. The cruise doesnt have free WiFi and the prices are horrendous just to check emails.

 

[chrisb]

Have a look at Cruise Critic - They'll be able to offer advice.

Generally all internet on cruises is expensive and you either need to accept that and buy a package or just hunt down Wifi on shore visits.

 

[odysseus]

Agree with chrisb. All mainstream ships have wifi on but prices will usually be around 50-70c US/minute depending on a package.

Try to work efficiently on and offline, or use connections ashore to save money. Being Wifi and more importantly over satellite connections aren't as fast as land either.

 

[Bolthead]

Most cruise lines have status levels similar to airlines. The top rank status levels for Princess Cruises offer free internet. Mind you I think that is something like 16+ cruises. The trick is to find somebody that is at this level and then buddy up to them. We did this on a cruise to Tahiti and they let us use their access. As well last year we went on another cruise through the Panama canal and I charged my company for the internet charges......... that was the only reason I had to check emails. That's what I told them anyway..... However I can't remember but as I had a Blackberry I think I received all my emails via that as well and that service didn't cost anything to receive. I'm sure sending did but no one complained when I got back. Hope this helps!

 

[auspal]

Thanks for the advice. It is a Princess Cruise so we might find someone with the free access, other than that I will be taking a quick check onshore probably. There are only 2 sea days so that should be okay. I will check out what cruise critic has to say as well, I have found them extremely helpful in the past.

Sounds like I am adddicted to my internet but I will mainly be checking things to do with the trip. I have an extensive itinerary on there which I put on with "tripit" for all of different ports we will be visiting, so it will handy to be able to refer to that.

Hopefully I wont be hearing from work

 

[chrisb]

There's a few iPad apps that work with Tripit. Maybe see if they have an offline/cached mode?

 

[auspal]

THanks, I will look into that. I must admit though I am a bit of a novice when it comes to new technology, takes me a while to get my head around it. That is why this forum is so helpful.

 

[TonyHancock]

Would the cruise ship have a "business" room with a couple of computers connected to the internet? That might be cheaper than WiFi and you could perhaps used web based email or tripit?

 

[chrisb]

Would the cruise ship have a "business" room with a couple of computers connected to the internet? That might be cheaper than WiFi and you could perhaps used web based email or tripit?

They generally do, but they're usually the same cost as wifi, charged per minute. (and horribly slow)

Doing as much offline as you can on your own equipment is the cheapest way. (getting drunk in the spa is also another valid option and probably cheaper on a per minute basis)

 

[drron]

Most cruise lines use the same provider.Depends on the lines mark up but our last cruise on Silverseas was 1000 minutes for $US250,250 minutes for $US85 which we took as a 14 night cruise.

 

[renzwiers]

I go cruising to get away from work and everyday routines and normally only use the onboard internet room maybe once or twice a week to check important email. The satellite connections they use onboard are painfully slow, so it doesn't encourage you to spend too much time online - so enjoy the cruise instead!

 

[bPeteb]

We've cruised four times now. I type a travel blog on Travelpod and usually buy a package so that I can upload. The way we look at is if we can't afford the dollars for an internet package then maybe we shouldn't be on the ship in the first place.

If you're not going to be doing anything like this then a package might not be worth it as like everyone has said they aren't cheap. The crew are a wealth of information on internet ashore as they all race off and email there family/friends if they have the time.

I hate to recommend using Maccas but they had free wifi when we were in the UK last year. Not sure if they offer anything similar in med Europe. We just had to register for 'The Cloud' and then it was free.

pete

 

[Jillybean]

Yes Bill, that is what I have read too. The cruise doesnt have free WiFi and the prices are horrendous just to check emails.

A tip is to always type your outgoing emails in Word or similar, then go online to send.

I have an email account for cruising which is useful because I don't receive jokes etc from everyone on this account. It is only used for the necessary communication.

If you belong to the cruise company's loyalty program, they usually give discounts with onboard WIFI packages.

Because the connection on board ships is satellite it is as slow as dial-up used to be.
Some ships have WIFI throughout the ship including your cabin. Others have 'hotspots' throughout the ship for WIFI connection.

I would definitely suggest taking your own ipad or laptop as it is easier to use your own rather than using the onboard computers in the ships internet cafe.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[bobe]

Hi done many cruises just got back from going thru the Panama and also did the Med last year, nearly all ships have WI-FI but like you say all very expencive, what I do and many others too including ships crew is take your laptop or whatever you use ashore with you and most if, not all ports have FREE WI-FI,just buy a coffee or beer etc and go for it , have a great trip. Bob

 

[auspal]

THank you, that sounds like to way to go

 

[kgmsydney]

Wi Fi on cruise ships {Cunard}costs about $167 for 8 hours use which soon gets used up on the slow speed connections. As Med cruises are usually in a new Port every day the Internet cafes are the way to go but not easy to find in most Med ports.
Maybe pack the Ipad away and enjoy the cruise!

 

[auspal]

I'm starting to think the same thing.