Why get internet access on vacation?

[kellyb2000]

I feel like I should start this thread the same way "senor ferrari" did - "at the risk of sounding like a complete jerk...."

Why do people have to have internet access while on the ship? Please understand I am just asking and not bashing anyone. It is simply a question. I was reading the post about the USA Today article and how expensive cruises can get and the internet thing seems to be one of those ways the cost adds up. I can't imagine a reason why I would need to be in front of the computer while on vacation especially on a cruise. Even if it meant coming to the DIS board to ask you people if you have any questions. Sorry, but that's just me and my budget. Any comments?

 

[Michelle]

I get internet access to keep in touch with friends and family, and to check work e-mail. Even though I have back-up for work while I am cruising, I find it's much better if I know what I have to deal with when I get home. Makes for a much more relaxing vacation.

Oh, and I do check the boards but not that often while cruising!

 

[pouncingpluto]

Because the NCAA Gymnastics Championships are during my vacation, and the stupid mainstream media doesn't mention their existence (except in a tape delay broadcast a month later). I've got to know how my Gym Dogs did.

 

[disneyfreak1]

Sorry....but when I'm on vacation, I don't want to be near a computer or a cell phone!!!!!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there..

Even though I am 38 - my parents like to know I am safe and alive LOL

Shore to Ship and Ship to shore telephone rates are about 10.00USD a minute and cell phone roaming rates are astronomical - if you can even get connected.

Using the internet to keep in touch with friends, family & work is economical.

Also it is very cool to post on this board while "LIVE" from the Magic or Wonder.

>>^..^<<

 

[digitalmom]

My husband doesn't go with us on cruises and having internet access for email is the best way for me to stay in touch with
. I really don't get onto the internet itself much at all. On our first cruise I may have checked and posted on these boards once.

 

[mcnuss]

I did not touch a computer on our cruise, and from the looks of the usually empty internet cafe, I was in the majority. I use a computer all day for work so the idea of using one on vacation is intolerable!

I have a national plan for my cell phone so I made calls from PC and Key West and incurred no roaming fees.

 

[tezb]

My DH and I are self employed and make a living selling software thru the internet. When we go on vacation, it can be a hardship since everything has to stop. Having Internet access was very convenient because DH could do listings on a certain day just like we were working. That way when we go home, our items we were selling were still be listed for purchase. Worked out well for us the last time. He wasn't constantly on line...just a few hrs but the internet was also a good way to communicate w/ family, etc. Kept thinking how cool it was to be in the middle of the ocean and still able to have internet access!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I may try to call from our hotel room the night before and maybe again at the airport before we come home but that's it. I don't want to even take a cell phone and computer will not be a consideration.

 

[eye R.N.]

My dad just had surgery and my contractor kept having daily "crisis" with our remodel the week before we left. I slept better knowing dad was well and the house under control (at least at that point)

This time, I have 24 hour responsibility at work so I will check the business e-mail daily and answer whatever questions come up. It's a small price to pay to have a job I love.

 

[Bev J]

Our older kids usually don't go on vacations with us much so it is a convient way to keep in touch with them. We had nothing but problems with calling cards in the Bahamas so internet is easier.

 

[inkkognito]

I don't think you're a jerk and I understand completely, as I go two ways about this. Normally I am a "Leave me alone, I'm on vacation!" kind of person, and I NEVER get internet access on the three-day cruise. But I get it on the seven day because hubby needs it for work and I need to delete the junk mail that saturates my email box (one of the hazards of having a website with a publicly available address). I also enjoy putting posts from the Magic on DIS and checking in to see what's going on. Three days never, but seven days yes!!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[FredS]

I would definitely want internet access on a 7-day cruise for several reasons. Not being able to be contacted via email would leave only the extremely high cost and perceived difficulty of contacting us if there is any sort of "situation" -- be it personal or work -- and that would bother me. I use the internet frequently to get answers or info, and in a new experience of cruising I may well want to get some info about an excursion or port, for instance. We also like to take a few minutes to communicate with friends and family and to relay "live" our impressions, thoughts, and general reactions.

I can't imagine chosing to cut ourselves off from that avenue of information and communication for an extended period of time, but I don't question those who make that choice. I just assume everyone has their own (good) reasons!

 

[Laurajean1014]

My family subscribes to the internet during our cruises. My DH owns a business and I am a business woman. He and I communicate briefly with our employees and I also pay bills on line, so when I get back into the real world, its not so "in my face."

 

[sjm]

We have been on 11 cruises and when we are on a ship, we want nothing to do with the real world. We will watch CNN while we are getting dressed, but do not want to be bothered with computers. I have always told my kids, both adults now, what ship I am on and how to get in touch if there is an emergency. I have also told the rest of the family, if there is a problem, call my kids.

This last trip, I made an exception to our no computer rule. My SIL is in the reserves and I wanted to know if he was called to active duty. We checked our email on the ship, once a day and it gave me peace of mind.

Other then that, we want nothing to do with computers or the rest of the real world while we are cruising.

sue

 

[benebire]

I personally never used it while on our cruises, but hubby needed it to keep in touch for work and my kids did use it to say hi to friends a few times.

 

[ducklite]

I have a technical job with a Fortune 100 company. My position is extrememly specialized, there are very few people in the world that do what I do. If something goes wrong, I could *Maybe* walk someone through fixing it, or at least put a temporary fix to it. Without my assistance there are certain things that even my backups wouldn't be able to manage. So I check e-mail daily.

Anne

 

[kajohn]

Some jobs you just can't be out of contact for an entire week. My husband's job is like that. He has to check in at least 1 or 2 times a day. He used the computer when we were out of cell phone range, and his cell phone when we were in ports where they worked i.e. St. Thomas.

The way I look at it, yes it is inconvient, but by being able to conduct business from vacation he gets to take much more vacation time, he usually takes 5 weeks per year, plus he can work from home sometimes in emergencies.

Also, when we cruise without the kids, we use the internet to stay in touch with them, much cheaper than phone calls!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Although I'd rather not have to do it, on our next cruise I will have an online course that will be close to the end. I have another instructor that will be "ghosting" for me on a daily basis - interacting with the course/students but I will need to touch base with her a few times to make sure all is well and provide technical assignment criteria questions she may not be able to.

And since these online classes are the "extra income" which pay for our cruise I can't really ignore them. I will definitely NOT be glued to it however.

Deb

 

[rcostello1]

On the 7-night cruise I would probably want Internet access just because you are away for so long and want to keep in touch with work, friends, family, etc. On the 3-night cruise (and maybe the 4?) there is so much to do in such a short time I didn't feel the need to get it.

I did find a GREAT Internet cafe on Bay St in Nassau. I have their card at home and will post the info here. Rates were very reasonable and I saw several crew members (either from Disney or other ships) sending mail, etc. Rates were 10 cents/minute, minimum $1. 60 minutes for $5. I don't recall what the unlimited day cost was. They give you a login code (more or less a receipt) that you use to access the computers.

The computers were great, there was a timer that showed how much time you had left, and an audible reminder at 5 minutes. They had AOL instant messenger installed, IE, etc.

I paid $2 for 20 minutes and both of us used 10 minutes each. Time enough to check email, send a few, IM a few people. The access speed seemed faster than on the ship (haven't used the ship in over a year tho).

I would definitely recommend this for those of you that want to "say hi" but don't want to pay $39.99 or whatever the per-minute fee is on the ship during short cruises. I got my "fix" for $2 instead of $10 or more on the ship.

Will post their info in a separate thread when I get home tonight.