Phone and Internet- Ability to work from cruise?

[justme0729]

My DH needs to be able to stay connected to work while on vacations. He has to be able to answer his phone, make calls, and connect to the internet. Is there anyway (even a cell plan or internet plan not through Disney) to get decent phone and internet service while on the cruise? Obviously, he would rather not work but if he can’t stay connected, we aren’t able to go on a cruise.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It really depends on how much bandwidth you need. Internet service is not good for anything data intensive.

You can get very expensive cell service via your carrier. It won't support internet use.

 

[justme0729]

He needs pretty strong internet. Is anyone aware of any way to get it? We have used DCL internet before and it wasn’t super reliable.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

There isn't really a way to guarantee strong internet while at sea because it relies on satellites. If he will have flexibility as to when he needs to be on the internet: It is going to better when everyone is asleep as there will be less people using it or he can use Wi-fi in ports. Checking email, as long as there aren't big attachments, won't be difficult but actual long-term steady access could be an issue. If he has to connect to a company VPN, that can further create issues with poor reliability.

His best option would be to get on, download anything he needs, then disconnect and work on it on the local machine. Then reconnect and re-upload. But a drop in signal anywhere in that process could cause issues. If he has to download files from or upload files to a DMS, those little drops can be nightmares.

 

[SG131]

It really depends on how much bandwidth you need. Internet service is not good for anything data intensive.

You can get very expensive cell service via your carrier. It won't support internet use.

I have Verizon and they didn’t offer ANY cell options when at sea only on our port days.

FYI my father is a work-a-holic and has done at least 6-10 cruises. His biggest complaint is no cell service. He has tried every which way to stay in touch including an antenna mounted to the balcony door. Service is always spotty at best. The only cruise that allowed him decent access was a river cruise so they were never far from land. Maybe that’s a better option for you.

 

[Bonnie1222]

My boss works while on cruises (he goes on Carnival though). He logs onto his computer multiple times a day, and makes calls via Skype. He has trouble with calls dropping and ends up emailing most the time.

Personally my experience with the internet is only with checking personal emails to communicate with my Dad while away. I find that during the day the data gets eaten up super quick, it runs slow and I run out of the time I purchased fast. If I log in super late after most the ship is asleep it seems to be better, but still hit or miss. Sorry I can't give you better news.

 

[Dug720]

If he needs strong, always reliable internet, a cruise is really not going to be a good vacation for you - at least at this point.

Shippernet is reliably NOT reliable - nowhere near the level on land. It has improved, yes. But it is still very much subject to random outages.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I have heard that Royal Caribbean’s internet VOOM is comparable to land based internet and is one of the best on a cruise. That may be worth looking into. Princess has apparently also upgraded internet on some ships. I wouldn’t rely on DCL though.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Will his company pay for a package for him? You might be able to find specialized outside providers. Obviously, if your DH is in the military or military branch, they might be able to provide him with something, including sat phone.

 

[disneylove69]

Crew members will tell you they can barely get internet. It is extremely expensive and slow. While the computer is signing on you are being charged. Best bet is for him to get off at ports and go to a Starbucks or place with free internet. If he has to answer phones calls 24/7 then he probably should skip the cruise.

 

[squirk]

Just speaking for DCL - If your husband wants to use his phone and laptop just like he does normally, frequently taking and placing calls of varying duration, or downloading/uploading more than a few MBs of data per day, that is not going to happen.

Cell service is indeed pricey for at-sea days, and while voice connection reliability is far better than data, it’s still spotty. And I am guessing you aren’t looking to buy a sat phone.

Port days are different. If you are in the USVI, for example, odds are good that coverage is included in your U.S.-based plan. If not, major carriers offer “cruise packages” for something like $10/day for non-U.S. ports. But the service often caps your minutes, and usually does not include very much data, if any at all.

As others have said, high-speed bandwidth and cruising are not compatible. You will be banging your head against the wall trying to make this work, and it’s really going to detract from your cruise.

I have been there and tried that, and unless there’s a sea change (yes, I said it!) in cruise ship connectivity, I will never try it again.

 

[Lilsia]

I think that you will have issues with that level of connections. This might be a time when you have to decide if they can survive without him for a few day. I have to say that it is sad that so many companies do this to their employees. No one(except for the President) should have to be on call 24/7. You wonder how everyone survived before the technology. It wasn't that long ago.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have heard that Royal Caribbean’s internet VOOM is comparable to land based internet and is one of the best on a cruise.

It is highly variable. I have heard their Alaska itineraries have been awful for Voom service.

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

A lot would depend on what he really need in terms of functions and bandwidth. If he needs voice, text, and email you could look into an Iridium hotspot. They are expensive to purchase but you might be able to find a company that rents them by the week. A few years ago I needed to rent an Iridium phone. It may not be cheap but if he really must be tethered to the office 24/7 it may provide the best option. If his company needs to be in constant contact with him they should also pickup the expense.

Edit - Looks like they rent for $60/week + air time

 

[squirk]

A lot would depend on what he really need in terms of functions and bandwidth. If he needs voice, text, and email you could look into an Iridium hotspot. They are expensive to purchase but you might be able to find a company that rents them by the week. A few years ago I needed to rent an Iridium phone. It may not be cheap but if he really must be tethered to the office 24/7 it may provide the best option. If his company needs to be in constant contact with him they should also pickup the expense.

Edit - Looks like they rent for $60/week + air time

I looked at this once. Aren't the data speeds, like, 2.4k? That's slower than a dial-up modem from 30 years ago. Good enough for short emails with no attachments, but painful for anything else.

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

I looked at this once. Aren't the data speeds, like, 2.4k? That's slower than a dial-up modem from 30 years ago. Good enough for short emails with no attachments, but painful for anything else.

That’s correct That’s why it depends on his needs. If he needs database access or to be able to work interactively it’s not a viable option.

 

[Numtini]

Just speaking for DCL - If your husband wants to use his phone and laptop just like he does normally, frequently taking and placing calls of varying duration, or downloading/uploading more than a few MBs of data per day, that is not going to happen.

This.

I need to be in touch with work. Check in. Make sure things are ok. And if things go to hell, we have contractors who cover for me, and I would need to answer any questions they have with the occasional email. But actually work? Back and forth and all that. No.

 

[disneylove69]

I think that you will have issues with that level of connections. This might be a time when you have to decide if they can survive without him for a few day. I have to say that it is sad that so many companies do this to their employees. No one(except for the President) should have to be on call 24/7. You wonder how everyone survived before the technology. It wasn't that long ago.

My boss wants us to answer our phone and emails on vacay as well. I tell him once I am off my cell battery dies... not sure why

 

[squirk]

My boss wants us to answer our phone and emails on vacay as well.

Does that really count as “vacation,” then?

 

[chrisnb]

I have to keep in contact with my business I have Verizon and add a international plan for where we are going did it for spring break cruise that went to Cozumel and Bahamas and are cruise out of Barcelona 2 weeks ago and the cellular at sea worked decent was able to receive and make calls, also used disney internet and had no issues.
chris