I-PAD in Every Cabin......

[sail7seas]

How does that sound to you?
I just read elsewhere that is what one cruise line is introducing?

Would you be happy about that or not much care?

[rafinmd]

Not care.

Roy

[Randyk47]

We have our own iPads so tht's not a big deal. I think what they really want you to do is to buy Internet minutes else there's not much you can do with an iPad.

[sail7seas]

I agree, Randy. It seem likely the goal is to sell as many internet packages as possible. Of course, the more people on line the very much slower the connections.

[jtl513]

I'd only use it if I could check my On Board account, make reservations, etc with it. :)

[ChelseaSailor]

I would like to see them get a decent wi fi signal first

[ariawoman]

Imagine the germs :-)

I dont know, sounds like an expensive idea to me. Ipads aren't cheap and are pretty easy to mess up (i'd think). What purpose are they using them for, did they say? How will they keep them from walking? The point of ipads is how modular they are so tying them down like they are at the apple store would seemingly defeat the purpose.

[pms4104]

I wouldn't want an I-Pad available for me in the cabin.

I've had a couple of issues with being charged, after disembarkation, for mini-bar items I didn't consume ... and I've seen comments from some in spa staterooms being charged for pedometers they didn't ever use.

Perhaps a system similar to the I-Pods with the pre-loaded art tours would work. Passengers could go to the Library and sign out an I-Pad, with the understanding that if it is not returned by a specific date $XX will be added to your onboard account.

If HAL has problems keeping track of inexpensive cans of soda or bottles of water, imagine the nightmare with costly electronics.

[kazu]

Interesting that another line is adding this - not something that really appeals to us though.

[KirkNC]

I bring my own. One in the room would not have much value. Mine has my books, itinerary and detailed information on each port, something a borrowed one would not have.

Kirk

[Krazy Kruizers]

It would be an expensive waste to have an iPAD in each cabin.

Agree with Kirk about the ship's iPAD not having any personal information.

[Randyk47]

Imagine the germs :-)

I dont know, sounds like an expensive idea to me. Ipads aren't cheap and are pretty easy to mess up (i'd think). What purpose are they using them for, did they say? How will they keep them from walking? The point of ipads is how modular they are so tying them down like they are at the apple store would seemingly defeat the purpose.

I'd agree that even buying the cheapest model at a bargain price would still be pretty expensive. I will say that iPads are relatively easy to use and don't have quite as much flexibility as say a laptop so there's not much to mess up. My son and I got together and gave my mother/his grandmother one so she'd have access to the Internet and so far she hasn't managed to mess it up. She's pretty sharp at 88 but considering a cell phone was a challenge for her I was initially concerned.....so far so good. I guess if one "walks" off the ship there'd be a substantial charge to the passengr's on board account, a lot more tha a couple of missing Cokes out of the mini-fridge. ;):)

[Caribbean Chris]

I have my own with 3G and love it ...

That said, when we were on Celebrity's Eclipse about a year ago, where they used them for the menu in the Qsine extra-fee restaurant, I thought it was a waste. If anything, they were much slower to figure out than a paper menu and a lot of waiter time was consumed trying to explain the use to those dining. We never did see all our choices to select from, and as a result didn't have a meal worth the extra cost.

Like Qsine in general, I found the iPad use in that venue to be an effort to seem trendy and hip, whether it was ideal for function or not. That would probably be the case if they were put in staterooms too.

[sapper1]

I would not want to be responsible for an I-pad in our room. We lock our netbook in the safe, along with other valuables and the I-pad would not fit along with everything else. The cabin doors are often left open while the stewards do their job and an item as hot as an I-pad could grow legs and escape.
I agree with the suggestion that one might be able to sign out an I-pad for the duration of a cruise, but to have the responsibility foisted on one whether they want it or not, just does not appeal to me.

[TheCalicoCat]

How does that sound to you?
I just read elsewhere that is what one cruise line is introducing?

Would you be happy about that or not much care?

Prefer not, I only bring my laptop to download photos. I rather enjoy the disconnect.

[ariawoman]

I'd agree that even buying the cheapest model at a bargain price would still be pretty expensive. I will say that iPads are relatively easy to use and don't have quite as much flexibility as say a laptop so there's not much to mess up. My son and I got together and gave my mother/his grandmother one so she'd have access to the Internet and so far she hasn't managed to mess it up. She's pretty sharp at 88 but considering a cell phone was a challenge for her I was initially concerned.....so far so good. I guess if one "walks" off the ship there'd be a substantial charge to the passengr's on board account, a lot more tha a couple of missing Cokes out of the mini-fridge. ;):)

Sorry, by "mess up" I was referring to cracking the screen, dropping it, sitting on it, whatever. I should have been more clear :-)

As to some older folks "messing up" computers somehow....my boyfriends mother (she's I think 77 or so) somehow erased windows from her desktop but has no idea how :-) hehehe

[Randyk47]

Sorry, by "mess up" I was referring to cracking the screen, dropping it, sitting on it, whatever. I should have been more clear :-)

As to some older folks "messing up" computers somehow....my boyfriends mother (she's I think 77 or so) somehow erased windows from her desktop but has no idea how :-) hehehe

I hadn't thought of that angle but I guess if you break it you buy it. Actually the more I think of this idea the worse it sounds. Might make more sense to have Internet access somehow through the TV and then charge users accordingly. About the only risk would be a relatively inexpensive keyboard.

My mother kept making a bunch of "butt dial" phone calls with no idea why people were upset to hear some 88 year old going on about "who are you and why are you on my phone!". She finally somehow set up a locking code that nobody was able to crack. :D

[Dogstar]

No thanks. Cruising for me is about getting away from daily life ... no phones, no computers, no Internet, nada.

Dogstar.

[Randyk47]

No thanks. Cruising for me is about getting away from daily life ... no phones, no computers, no Internet, nada.

Dogstar.

Personally I agree. We've never bought one second of Internet time on a cruise and don't plan on it anytime soon. Our iPads are with us because our music and books are stored on them, not for access to the Internet. Our cell phones go in the safe as soon as we call family once we're on the ship to say "we're out of here" and they stay there until we're ready to get off disembarkation morning. My wife has a work Blackberry and that doesn't even leave the house. :)

[sail7seas]

I'm glad I asked the question. Thought it was only me who didn't think it a good idea.

[buckirj1]

Not interested. Most of my family aren't technology-enabled anyway, and are perfectly happy with a mid-week telephone call from whatever port I'm in on Wednesday. They know how to get in touch with the ship should that become absolutely necessary. As for me, I'm happy to be disconnected for a week or so.

[Einstein]

Only if they can increase the internet connection speed. :) BTW .. Nice to meet U at Margaritaville last week S7S.

[bigeagle12]

Not interested. Most of my family aren't technology-enabled anyway, and are perfectly happy with a mid-week telephone call from whatever port I'm in on Wednesday. They know how to get in touch with the ship should that become absolutely necessary. As for me, I'm happy to be disconnected for a week or so.

Me too !!!

[puddles'n splashes]

As others have said; not interested. I bring my own with my music and books. I am not interested in paying for internet time.

[bishop84]

I gather the iPads will do a lot of things for free i.e. check your account, book shore excursions, reservations for restaurants and spa etc. As well as charged internet etc. It will also elimante a lot of the paper based items sent to cabins. Much like some ships interactive TV but delivered wireless = less installation costs?

I would not be suprised if they will have targeted adverts based on your onboard spending. I gather that the cruise line involved is also boosting the amount of bandwidth available so the connections will be better for the charged internet access that will also be avaialble through the iPads.

As for cost I guess that if you are buying 1000+ iPads then you get them at less than retail price!

[Sea42]

I gather the iPads will do a lot of things for free i.e. check your account, book shore excursions, reservations for restaurants and spa etc. As well as charged internet etc. It will also elimante a lot of the paper based items sent to cabins. Much like some ships interactive TV but delivered wireless = less installation costs?

I would not be suprised if they will have targeted adverts based on your onboard spending. I gather that the cruise line involved is also boosting the amount of bandwidth available so the connections will be better for the charged internet access that will also be avaialble through the iPads.

As for cost I guess that if you are buying 1000+ iPads then you get them at less than retail price!
I could see it's use for these type of things and would probably use one for doing that if one were provided. I just wouldn't be interested in using it for the internet.

[sail7seas]

Only if they can increase the internet connection speed. :) BTW .. Nice to meet U at Margaritaville last week S7S.


Really nice meeting you, as well, Einstein. I enjoyed our chat. :)
Was a really nice day at Grand Turk when we were there.

Hope the rest of your cruise was great.

[sail7seas]

Would having I-pads reduce manpower requirements. Have us book our own specialty restaurant reservations, check our on board accounts, shore excursions, enter our onward travel plans so they can coordinate for disembarkation......

The more we do for ourselves, the less they require crew/staff to do???

[Sea42]

Would having I-pads reduce manpower requirements. Have us book our own specialty restaurant reservations, check our on board accounts, shore excursions, enter our onward travel plans so they can coordinate for disembarkation......

The more we do for ourselves, the less they require crew/staff to do???


That's a good point. It's overwhelming the effect computers have had on the number of jobs available in many industries. Many new types of jobs created but many more lost forever.

[ASIWISH]

Would having I-pads reduce manpower requirements. Have us book our own specialty restaurant reservations, check our on board accounts, shore excursions, enter our onward travel plans so they can coordinate for disembarkation......

The more we do for ourselves, the less they require crew/staff to do???



I'm in the minority here, but I think it's not only a great idea, but a great question!

Tablets, iPads or not, will be finding their way into our lives more frequently. Last night's restaurant had one for everyone as a menu. They could instantly, delete items they were out of... change prices day to day based on commodities... and track orders, to help with inventory... pretty slick, and ultimately offering the possibility to lower costs for everyone...

Cool thread Sail!

[fann1sh]

Since HAL seems to have a sweetheart deal with Microsoft, perhaps we ought to think in terms of "tablet" rather than "IPad".

It's taken HAL years and years to get a working interactive website. Based on that, it might take a long time before they'd crack tablet technology sufficiently to eliminate jobs, IMO.

[Hawaiidan]

if they offered it I would stop using Holland.

I sail for the ambiance of the sea. Not to be connected by some techno-toy.

[ASIWISH]

if they offered it I would stop using Holland.


Seriously?

So, and Apple one day would keep Hawaiidan away.....

(alright, that was a really bad joke, but I could resist! :D )

[jkrislc]

Would having I-pads reduce manpower requirements. Have us book our own specialty restaurant reservations, check our on board accounts, shore excursions, enter our onward travel plans so they can coordinate for disembarkation......

The more we do for ourselves, the less they require crew/staff to do???



It might, but it could also reduce costs in other ways. For example, perhaps those spa and sale fliers could display on the iPad instead of being printed out. In addition, you might be able to submit your room service order, at least for breakfast, via the iPad, which would mean no one would have to go around picking up the hang tags. I also agree with others that this would be a cost effective way to add interactivity to the cabins without rewiring them all to support new interactive TV systems. Notice that it wasn't one of the newer ships that RCI opted to add the iPads to.