Another HAL and internet post

[POA1]

If you have a smartphone, you don't have to buy a separate reader. You can load up the Kindle app and read from it.

 

And - this is a tip I got from someone here on CruiseCritic - many public libraries lend ebooks. Ours in Fort Lauderdale does. The selection is great and both ebooks and audio books are available. You download the book to your phone, so you don't need Internet access other than to download the Kindle edition of the book. The library app used most often is called Overdrive.

 

Since you can zoom the text, it's pretty easy to read anywhere. Depending on how blind you are and how big you need the letters to be, you may do a lot of flicking the screen to read. However, the phone is lightweight and uses very little battery in airplane mode. I have mine set for white text on a black background which is great for night reading. Since I found out about electronic library books, I've saved hundreds of dollars, possibly more as I am an avid reader.

 

Also, my page-turning, flicking thumb is strong, like bear.

[kazu]

Many of HAL passengers don't use the internet regularly. As a result higher speed probably isn't a priority of their ships.

 

We have obviously been on different cruise ;) :D

 

There were lots of people on the internet on our Rotterdam cruise and our previous Westerdam and Prinsendam cruises. None of these were short cruises so the clientele were average HAL age I would think.

 

Faster speed would be great - but first, it needs to work on a regular basis :eek:

[slidergirl]

That's funny about the Hal Cats. I haven't thought about that in a long time. As far as ballroom dancing, remember the "gentlemen hosts?

 

 

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I always thought it was a bit discriminatory that only "gentlemen hosts" were available. But, since we usually use quotes for them, I wonder if they were afraid that any "lady hosts" would end up being called hookers??? ;) I never heard the men called gigolos.

 

Back on Internet: Until last year when I got my first "smartphone", I had a tablet for the first time for my 2011 trip to Italy. Bought a SIM card to use while there. I didn't have my nose buried in it, but it came in handy for navigation, find a nearby place to eat, look up a set of ruins. I started teasing my friends with daily postings of "food porn" from my foodie destinations. And, the tablet was handy for reading during down time. But, I wouldn't think of using Internet on the ship unless I had to - I'd do my postings in port. Even at home, I forget to take my iPhone with me most of the time. I'm definitely not wedded to it or the tablet. They are just nice conveniences. P.S. I used to be an engineer with the world's largest (and best) networking company, so it's not like I don't know about the Internet or how to use it. ;)

[Kamloops50]

I only use email to know if my Dad and wife's Dad are Ok. Also updates from the kids and grandkids.

 

 

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[POA1]

I always thought it was a bit discriminatory that only "gentlemen hosts" were available. But, since we usually use quotes for them, I wonder if they were afraid that any "lady hosts" would end up being called hookers??? ;) I never heard the men called gigolos.

 

There are usually more single women of a certain age than there are men. Back when they still had dance hosts, some of the bar staff jokingly referred to them as gigolos. Not publicly of course, but on the sly.

[Florida_gal_50]

You're not going to win this one on HAL. He!!, a lot of HAL cruisers don't own smartphones yet - "fast Internet" is not one of their priorities when they sail. They are still getting over the demise of the HAL Cats, ballroom dancing and the installation of the BB King All Stars.

 

You might be better served on another line where fast Internet for streamers is available. If you find one, please let us know.

Love it :D:D

[TAD2005]

There is a world of difference between internet access on a 200-300 passenger aircraft and on a 2000-5000 passenger ship. On a plane, the internet link is either ground-based in the continental US, or KA/KU band satellite based when over water or un-affiliated countries. The internet is exclusively for the use of the passengers, the pilots communicate by a totally separate system called "Controller–pilot data link communications (CPDLC)," Totally isolated systems.

On a cruise ship, you have internet connection via the "Maritime Telecommunications Network". That satellite link is used by the entire ship, not just the passengers. You have the ship's Marine Operations, which is communications from the bridge to headquarters, Hotel operations, Food & Beverage dept., Future Cruise Consultant, crew usage, credit card verification, Shore Excursion Dept, Hospital, Cruise Director, all using that satellite link. The live TV is delivered by a separate system also by MTN Satellite Systems, which is a separate antenna and system from the internet. Whatever bandwidth is left over from ship operations is provided to the passengers.

You cannot compare commercial aviation and the cruise industry for internet access.,

[FRANKIEDNYC]

They charge by the minute. Why speed it it up. The slower it is the more they make

[boze9999]

I respect and understand that everyone doesn't need, nor want, internet connectivity. For the reasons many have already mentioned on this thread, in today's world MANY do want or need reasonable connectivity. Most of the other cruise lines already offer unlimited plan options, and have for a few years. HAL's Westerdam has had a "flat rate" for almost three years now. All I ask for is HALs commitment to offer consistent "flat rate" internet options on every other HAL ship. If every ship had an option for an unlimited plan, I would be able to book without fear of internet concerns. Additionally, although I may not be happy with the fast & slow speeds, at least I can be patient during on-line sessions instead of wasting time with HAL customer service explaining why I am extremely dissatisfied watching my minutes (and dollars) fly by while my browser remains stagnant!! Appropriately affordable internet connectivity is now an expected minimum traveler standard and today's customers are including it in their pricing value comparisons for their ultimate vendor preference. IMO, enhancing their internet offerings would actually enhance HAL's bottom line. As a background note - I still work and prefer to cruise every other month. I am able to work remotely if I have consistent internet connectivity - not by the snail pace minute, but instead with an unlimited plan. HAL has continued to forage into the current and future needs and desires of the customers, and this is one of those needs and desire, which can comfortably blend with those who choose to disconnect. Respectfully added....

[OceanPatter]

We're on the Koningsdam now on a Baltics cruise, and the only times we can get acceptable Internet is in the early mornngs or very late evenings. Luckily, the wifi in the Scandinavian ports (Helsinki, Stockholm) have been blindingly fast. Makes the U.S. seem third-world ...

[Tampa Girl]

Luckily, the wifi in the Scandinavian ports (Helsinki, Stockholm) have been blindingly fast. Makes the U.S. seem third-world ...

 

 

And not just in the field of wifi.