Techie question re: internet on Volendam

[agt]

This question might only make sense for the real tech geeks, but...
Does anyone have experience using non-web protocols from via the onboard wireless?
Specifically I'm hoping to use SSH and IMAPS services from my laptop.

(I've experienced situations where "Internet access" means "Web access via Proxy",
which unfortunately isn't very useful for me.)

[BurBunny]

I can't answer specifically, but I did have full access to my POP3 accounts via wireless. As far as I could tell, my laptop was behaving as normal, albeit much more slowly than my typical DSL broadband speeds.

[arzz]

If you use a "wireless hotspot" to access the internet on board, do you have to pay? Can you access your usual e-mail accounts, or must you use the cruise line's software and access the net through their sites?

[xpcdoojk]

I haven't cruised yet, but I sent an email to HAL regarding this and my understanding from their answer was yes, you pay when connected thru their wireless server. There were only certain portions of the ship which had access to the wireless signal. They had 3 different time plans.

jc

Anyway, I am pasting the reply from HAL for your reading.

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line. We
sincerely apologize that recent modifications to our website have
resulted in an unexpected delay to our e-mail response system. This did not
allow us any prior opportunity to respond until now. We sincerely
appreciate your patience and apologize for the delay.

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding onboard Internet
services on our Holland America Line ships. We are pleased to offer the
following information outlined below.

Internet Café Service
Each ship offers high speed Internet access in the onboard Internet
Café, open 24 hours throughout the cruise. Café computer terminals give
desktop access to the Internet, AOL Chat, Yahoo Chat, CruiseE-mail*, and
Real One Player, and multiple windows and applications can be opened at
one time. Internet Manager is available daily for assistance.

PRICING PLANS:
·One-time Activation Fee of $3.95 applies to each user
·Basic time charge is $0.75 per minute (pay as you go) or purchase a
discounted time plan:
·100 minutes for $55.00 (only $0.55 per minute!)
·250 minutes for $100.00 (only $0.40 per minute)
Time Plan minutes can be used anytime throughout the cruise, and can be
shared with fellow travelers.

CruisE-mail- This is set up as a convenience should passengers not have
their own email address or be unable to access their own email domain.
This application is just like any other email domain and can be used
the same way. Every passenger has one set up and it will be activated as
the café opens and de-activated when they debark. It costs $3.95 to
send a CruisE-mail (including the basic time charges). It can be sent to
one or more people at the same time for one charge. There is no charge
(besides the basic time charge) to read any replies/answers to your
CruisE-mail. However, if you should decide to send a reply back or create
a new one, you are charged again the $3.95.

Wireless Internet Service
Use your laptop or ours! You can now rent a laptop or wireless card
and connect to our Wireless network! If you use your own Wireless card,
it must support the 802.11B wireless protocol. Once you are in range
of our Wireless signal onboard, simply open your Internet browser and
you will be directed to our Login Page. Follow the instructions posted
in the Internet Café to enter your Username and Password, select a
billing plan, and get connected! Internet Manager is available for
assistance.

PRICING PLANS:
·250 minutes for $100.00 (only $0.40 per minute!)
·100 minutes for $55.00 (only $0.55 per minute!)
·33 minutes for $25.00 ($0.75 per minute)
·Laptop Rental $20 per day. Wireless Radio Card Rental $10 per day
(rental insurance optional)

The Wireless signal is available in the following locations:

Amsterdam Internet Café, Java Café, Grand Atrium area decks 3,4,5
Maasdam Atrium area decks 7 & 8, Java & Internet Café, Explorer's
Lounge, Library, Card Room
Noordam Internet Café, Card Room, Explorer?s Lounge, Library
Oosterdam All Public Lounges on decks 1,2,3, Lido Deck (9), Crow's Nest
(10)
Prinsendam Decks 6,7,8, Library, Internet Café, Queen?s Lounge
Rotterdam Atrium area decks 3,4,5
Ryndam Internet Café, Atrium area decks 6,7, Vermeer Lounge, Java Café,
Ocean Bar, Sports Bar
Statendam Atrium area decks 6,7,8, Internet Café, Java Café
Veendam Internet Café, Library, Card Room, Tea Room
Volendam Atrium area decks 3,4,5
Zaandam Internet Café, Library, Card Room, Explorer?s Lounge
Zuiderdam Internet Café, Java Corner, Half Moon Room, Hudson Room,
Stuyvesant Room

Please note: Wireless and Internet Café Time plans are not
interchangeable between systems. Wireless Time Plans cannot be used on Internet
Café terminals, and Internet Café Time Plans cannot be used on the
Wireless system.

In-Cabin Dial-Up Service
Holland America Line's Vista Class ships [Zuiderdam, Oosterdam,
Westerdam] offer in-cabin dial-up Internet access for those guests traveling
with their own laptop computer. Connection is by phone cord at 56K
modem dial-up speed. Phone cords and additional software, if needed, are
available onboard the ship.
Rate: $0.50 per minute. Time Plans or advertised Internet Café
specials do not apply to in-cabin dial-up service.

Please feel free to contact us if we may be of additional assistance.
We are confident our "Tradition of Excellence" will surpass your
expectations. For over 130 years Holland America Line has upheld a
reputation for five-star service and unequaled cruise itineraries. Our
award-winning fleet sails to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Hawaii,
the Pacific Northwest, Mexico, Europe, Canada & New England, South
America, and Around the World. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in
the near future.

Kind Regards,

Kyle
Internet Department
Holland America Line, Inc.
(877) SAIL-HAL