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Staying in Touch |
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 Gone
are the days when one went on a cruise vacation and was not heard from for days or weeks at a time. Modern technology
has definitely reached the world of the cruise ship. Passengers have either embraced this new technology or are
doing their best to avoid it ("I'm on vacation!") But it without any doubt is here to stay.Your options for staying in touch while on a cruise: In-room phone You will probably have a direct-dial phone in your stateroom which will be connected to the onboard satellite communication system. You can dial anywhere in the world but be aware that the cost will run anywhere from $6-9 per minute. Chatting can get prohibitively expensive! Internet access Virtually all modern cruise ships have some sort of internet access available. Check your email or surf the web but be forewarned: it is usually unbearably slow (dial-up will seem fast compared to most shipboard access) and can be expensive, running anywhere from .25 to $1.00 a minute, depending on cruise line and available packages. Saving money: phones If you need to stay in touch, there are ways of minimizing your costs. First, take advantage of phones ashore. Even in the most expensive of countries, phone access will be a fraction of what it is on the ship. Depending on the country you are visiting, you may need to purchase a phone card there or you can purchase a phone card before you leave. Saving money: internet In our travels the one thing that we rarely have any trouble finding when we land in a port of call is an internet cafe. From Morocco to Mexico and everywhere in between there usually is the availability of internet access. Again, prices will be considerably lower than on the ship and the access speed will be many times higher. You'll get more done, in less time, at less cost. Plus, you'll probably meet other travelers doing the same thing as you. |