Why internet on a cruise?

[Casshew]

and some people don't need computers onboard because they have no friends to write.

[Toto2Kansas]

and some people don't need computers onboard because they have no friends to write.

 

Definitely a good comment Casshew!

[California Native]

I never take a cruise for less than 10 days and many many times it's up to 24 days.

I'm usually traveling with my mom, so it helps my DH and I stay connected.

A couple of years ago my mom and I were leaving for 28 days for a B2B Baltic cruise and land stay in CPH

My DH proposed to me right before

It is just amazing how much you can plan a wedding in California on sea days in the middle of the Baltic! :D

That's when the internet was unlimited!

To each our own when it comes to the internet, no need to judge others don't do what you do.

All I ask is whenever others are using the internet...be respectful...it's not a meeting room and people are trying to concentrate,

 

especially the ones that have to pay for it

and those that are jabbering in loud voices are annoying!

[rdsqrl]

Well, maybe I'm a sociopath or a crazed loner or something, but I simply can't imagine spending precious vacation time staying in touch with family or anyone else. Except for one emergency situation, I've never telephoned or emailed home from a vacation. If somebody back home dies, they'll be in touch; otherwise, that's what postcards are for. And from a kid's perspective: back in the day I loved it when my parents went off to Europe: it was nice to get a break from them!, plus it was fun to get their postcards and anticipate the exotic gifts they were going to bring us, but it's not like we all needed to hear their voices or get the 1960s equivalent of email, airmail letters, every other day.

[kenexx]

and some people don't need computers onboard because they have no friends to write.

 

+1

 

I dont know why people just cant mind their own business. If people want to bring their laptops thats fine. Whats it to them anyway?

[rdsqrl]

+1

 

I dont know why people just cant mind their own business. If people want to bring their laptops thats fine. Whats it to them anyway?

Oh, honey, if we all minded our own business, these boards would die a quick death, don't you think?!

[mehitabel]

I'm just a bit perplexed as to why an honest question has led to a flurry of veiled insults. Apparently my curiosity means that I have no friends and that I like to go around cruise ships knocking computers out of people's hands while I'm judging them for...something, I don't even know.

 

I don't remember ever saying that I was better or worse than anyone simply because I enjoy a non-technological vacation. Seems like some people here are unnecessarily defensive, and with attitudes like this, I don't wonder why.

[Pam in CA]

Emergencies at home... As if you can do a thing about it...

Actually, sometimes you can and even more important, it can make a difference. On my 21-day Manaus to Rome cruise three years ago, I learned through an email from my daughter that my stepfather had been diagnosed with a fast-moving esophegeal cancer and to make plans to go to FL to say "Goodbye" after getting back home; he was perfectly fine and in good health when we left. I was able to cancel my post-cruise stay in Rome and make flight plans to go to FL after the cruise. He passed away less than a week after I saw him, just over two weeks after he was diagnosed. I was forever thankful that I could make it there in time and would have been devastated if I couldn't. FYI, I had Princess air and they were wonderful about rescheduling my air home.

[Casshew]

mehitabel, do you understand a bit more why some people like to have Internet while they are away? :)

[mehitabel]

I do indeed! And the bill-paying makes lots of sense--definitely something to think about if I'm ever able to go on a back-to-back cruise.

 

Because we ALL know I won't be keeping in touch with any friends. ;)

[Casshew]

You can write me if you like :D

[Whimsy]

I use the internet to keep in touch with my DD while we are on vacation. We schedule a few phone calls but the internet allows me to make contact with her everyday. I can relax a lot easier by keeping in touch.

[MaryPoppinz]

I'm just a bit perplexed as to why an honest question has led to a flurry of veiled insults.

 

You made reference to 'the idea of a vacation' which seemed to suggest that there is only one idea of a vacation. Perhaps your question was viewed by some as a veiled insult - - and that resulted in honest answers that you viewed as veiled insults?

[woodofpine]

I'm just a bit perplexed as to why an honest question has led to a flurry of veiled insults. Apparently my curiosity means that I have no friends and that I like to go around cruise ships knocking computers out of people's hands while I'm judging them for...something, I don't even know.

 

I don't remember ever saying that I was better or worse than anyone simply because I enjoy a non-technological vacation. Seems like some people here are unnecessarily defensive, and with attitudes like this, I don't wonder why.

 

 

Clearly, I've struck a nerve with all the 'friend' laden 'friendly' people! :D Carpal tunnel...

 

I'd wager that if one quiried the e-mail recipients what the specific contents of that e-mail was (say 10 days after the cruise one was screened away from) I'd bet 80% or more would have a blank look...

 

Just my opinion mind you, an opinion that basically conforms to the OP - for the 'friendly' people that feel that their all important cyber post is valid and worthy but contrary posts are... Oh, how do 'friendly' e-people put it among 'friends'? :D;):D "You've got to have friends..."

 

All this cyber connectedness doesn't appear to have improved anyone's sense of personal or emotional security - quite to the contrary... I guess I'm FREE to 'go it alone' for a week or a month and take my chances... :)

[nbsjcruiser]

I always see lots of discussion on the boards about internet perks/benefits and questions about internet or wireless access. Why is being able to be online such a big deal when you're on vacation? Isn't part of being on vacation being able to put all that aside for a little while?

 

I don't know if our cellphones will get reception on our upcoming cruise--but I can tell you we're going to TELL everybody that they don't! Same thing goes for internet. I'm compulsively checking my email and favorite websites all day, every day. It'll be a nice break not to be able to for a week.

 

So for those of you that use the internet frequently onboard--is there a reason why? Or you just like having internet access just in case?

 

I'm with ya 100%. Unless a person was doing a cruise review or was a TA who was gathering information as he/she cruised I cannot imagine why I would want my laptop and cell with me. As you said, its the only time I can completely get away from work.

[woodofpine]

I few months ago I was driving my teenage daughter and a few of her friends somewhere.

 

After a little while I noted that the vehicle was strangly silent - absolutely silent. This went on... It seemed sort of weird given that 13-14 year girls and silence is uncongruous (just to me mind you).

 

So I asked, "What's up girls?" After a moment, someone said, "We're texting..." I was a little surprised. So I asked, "Each other?!". The response, "No, friends."

 

So much for togetherness... I guess I'm 'old fashioned'... It must be time to put in the earbuds (just kidding) and crank up a recording of Bruce Springsteen's "Human Touch".

 

If I feel the need to cyber connect on a cruise ship, its time to walk the promenade, contemplate the waves, and connect...

 

To each their own... Happy cruising! :)

[awhcruiser]

If I am cruising with DD and my mom I use the internet to keep in touch with DH....If I am cruising with DH I use the internet to keep in touch with DD...But I try to limit my time to 10-15 mins especially if others are waiting to use the internet....The Platinum benefit for the internet is a big plus for me..

[JerseyGuys]

I too am someone who is addicted because of work and family to text messages, blackberry for work and email and internet banking. For me my first cruise without blackberry or internet access was like an addict going into withdrawl. I was checking my blackerry in hopes of a signal...But guess what I never got a signal, I never got to check my email, never looked at on line banking and the world went on just fine..It was an awakening for me....everything ran smoothly, i paid all my bills before I left, i told work and family that I would have no access to email..Work and the kids had the Princess number in case of a true emergancy. For me a new big draw for me to cruise is it forces me to unplug, which is something for me personally i need to do......Now when i i did start getting a signal, there were 500 emails waiting for me but hey it was worth it.....just my personal perspective

[pokey's mom]

I always see lots of discussion on the boards about internet perks/benefits and questions about internet or wireless access. Why is being able to be online such a big deal when you're on vacation? Isn't part of being on vacation being able to put all that aside for a little while?

 

I don't know if our cellphones will get reception on our upcoming cruise--but I can tell you we're going to TELL everybody that they don't! Same thing goes for internet. I'm compulsively checking my email and favorite websites all day, every day. It'll be a nice break not to be able to for a week.

 

So for those of you that use the internet frequently onboard--is there a reason why? Or you just like having internet access just in case?

 

I own a business with my son, sometimes we need to communicate while I am away. It is nice to know that everything is going well or if there is a question it can be answered the following day or later that day. That is the reason I like having the internet. Also if there was any emergency I could be contacted easily.

[cruisemom42]

I tend to arrange for private tours in many ports. To me, it's very worthwhile to have access to the internet for last minute changes, etc.

 

For example, on our Egypt/Aegean cruise, my mother hurt her knee and it was obvious that she wouldn't be able to go on a lengthy walking tour in Rome that I had scheduled post-cruise. I was able to e-mail the tour provider and have her reservation canceled. She only ended up paying 25% versus the 100% she would have paid if I couldn't cancel in advance. On another cruise, I emailed our tour company to find out if we could add another couple and we were able to work it out.

[cruisemom42]

I'm just a bit perplexed as to why an honest question has led to a flurry of veiled insults. Apparently my curiosity means that I have no friends and that I like to go around cruise ships knocking computers out of people's hands while I'm judging them for...something, I don't even know.

 

I don't remember ever saying that I was better or worse than anyone simply because I enjoy a non-technological vacation. Seems like some people here are unnecessarily defensive, and with attitudes like this, I don't wonder why.

 

 

I *think* some of the responses were not directed at you....

[Babr]

I use it to check with the house sitter to see how the dog is doing.

 

Once I had a message from my former employer (I'm retired) asking me to do a training seminar for new employees. I loved telling her I wasn't available because I was on the Grand Princess in Rome.

[Nige]

As the CEO of a small company, I feel that I have a responsibility to be available to support my employees in an emergency - whether personal or business.

We are all able to set our work email to send an automated reply to our customers, suppliers, etc if they email us advising them that we are on vacation, not available and to whom they can go to for help during our absence.

However, if one of my employees had a personal crisis, I would want to provide them with any moral or business support that I could. And if there was a genuine crisis at work, I would want to be able to provide the necessary leadership.

I am truly envious of those who are part of a larger organization where the absence of any individual is less critical to overall functioning of that company. I'm not complaining though - it is a choice I have made.

On a personal level, my wife and I have family members living in many parts of the world and we would want to know about anything we might need to do to help them.

And, of course, the welfare of our cat is important to us too while we are away....

All that doesn't mean we need to spend hours per day on a computer. Being able to download messages onto a laptop - read at leisure over a relaxing drink and compose any necessary replies to be sent the next time one connects, does not seriously impact our ability to enjoy our vacation.

[woodofpine]

Excuse the perception of 'judgment' that my posts created.

 

One of the earlier posters basically said, it's my preferred mode of entertainment rather than books, shows, etc.; how can anyone challenge that.

 

What I often see though is unnecessary dependance with all the attendant anxiety of dependence. A lesser quality of life through telecom rather than improved.

 

When I was a youngster, my folks did a six or eight week around the world trip. How did they-we live without e-com? Perfectly well. Would my type-A father's trip have been enhanced or impaired by e-mail? (He was the sole owner of a professional practice.) I'm certain the quality of the trip would've been impaired.

 

If someone dies while I'm away... Would my e-mail save them? I've seen medically employed family members (during non-vacation) try to direct medical treatment for other family members via e-mail; it's laughable, but it sure high lights the inner control freak in all of us. Just how 'critical' to well being is this connectedness... or does it just fuel my insecurities. If I e-mail DD during a cruise a she responds, "Sorry I wasn't able to get back to you, we were busy smoking crack and shooting a porno...", what follows...

 

I have a strong opinion about employers 'expecting' (which means demanding) that staff attend e-mails after hours, on weekends, on vacation... Stroke the ego of indispensability then exploit, exploit, exploit... And if you don't buy into this crap-ola you'll see how indispensible you are... If you are a self-employed solo its different - but jeez - do something to give it a break...

 

I'm a business co-owner and professional. Sure - I too have occassionally fallen into the telecom trap while vacationing. Almost always, I can look back on it as foolish (or at least indicative of personal or professional deficiency) Fortunately, in nearly 10 cruises I've avoided it (I think I phoned the office once) and I LOVE the extra barrier - perhaps contrived - that being ship bound represents. I will preserve it as best I can.

 

To each their own cruise... Enjoy.

[Ula]

 

If someone dies while I'm away... Would my e-mail save them? .

No but depending on how close the family member is you may have to arrange to leave early to support the family.

The world is changing. I have observed the young people are more in to this. In fact now at family get together's after the last one. I put in place a rule. All mobile devices checked at the door. I don't drive 2 hours to celebrate YOUR graduation just to watch you text message friends the entire party. I could have stayed home. Time for some rules.

Different situation though from a cruise where you check e-mail once a day to see if something is going wrong. Not going to spend the cruise plugged in to some place else. May as well stay home.

Even with an e-mail alert it will be a response of this is when I will be in a port and will call and get details from there. I am more into direct communication.