Laptops on cruises

[Krazy Kruizers]

Do you take your laptop with you on a cruise?

How important is it for you to have your laptop on the cruise with you?

Is your laptop just one of those items that you can't leave home without?

[Spot]

I take along my laptop to download my photos/make adjustments as needed and keep my journal.:rolleyes:

[BCEagle78]

I did take my laptop during my last cruise (10 day Panama Canal - Rotterdam, Nov 2003).

I would have preferred to leave it at home but we were in the middle of salary planning and bonus distribution, both of which require my approval.

If I didn't have urgent business need, I would have left it home. It was one more bag to bring and once on the ship, I was always concerned about someone wanting to steal it. I ended up locking it in the night stand by the bed when I wasn't using it.

I did not use it for personal reasons and this November when I go again (Volendam Nov 26), I plan to leave it at home.

[thulewx]

I have a small Sony Vaio that I took on my recent trip on the Gauguin to Tahiti. I also use a sony camera and used the computer to download the tons of pix I took along the trip. On the last night I recorded several CD's of the pix to give to friends on the cruise - a big hit...
I also like to use it for my trip journal, and as a photo album of pix from home, since so many folks seem to be so curious about life near the North Pole. It's also great on long flights and long waits at airports - I have about 10 hours worth of batteries (1 4-hour & 1 6-hour) which is handy.
It's a Sony Vaio PCG-TR2AP with a 10" wide-screen with CD burner and DVD player, and it's small enough to fit in a pocket on my carry-on conveniently... :D

[RevNeal]

For any cruise longer than 7 days I take my Macintosh Powerbook with me. There are several reasons why I take it but, most importantly, I bring it in order to be able to download photos from my digital camera cards and save have several copies ... it helps to ensure the safety of my photos. I have had one or two digital camera cards (the older smartmedia ones) flip out on me and become unreadable, thus destroying the photos I had taken with those cards. If I can download the images that day I have a better feeling about having them safe. It's also easier to process the pictures during "down times" in transit (on planes and such) ... gives one something to do other than just reading. It's also nice to be able to download and view the pictures on the 15 inch laptop screen in order to see if I need to try any re-shoots of particular photos ... while useless relative to shore excursions, it's helpful if I'm trying to get a photo of something on someone on ship to be able to review the photo on a larger screen than the tiny little display built into my camera.

There are several other reasons for me to bring a laptop on a 7+ day cruise ... reasons not connected with photograph review and archiving. For example, with the new wireless internet options the ships provide it is easy to write one's emails, one's cruise reports, and process one's photos for upload to the internet ... all without having to pay through the nose for using the ship's terminals. THEN, when everything is ready, all one needs to do is sign onto the ship's network, access the internet, and run one's uploads. It can save a SIGNIFICANT amount of money.

Another good example for use of a laptop on a cruise is, if one is writing a cruise review, it's far easier to write it IN TRANSIT (during the cruise) than to wait and write it afterwards. While the thoughts are fresh, the events immediate, write up one's review. It's amazing the difference in setting will make to one's review.

Additionally, if one is like me one's laptop is NOT a "office machine" or a "piece of equipment;" it's almost an essential part of one's creativity. I write SO MUCH BETTER with a keyboard than i do with pin and ink. I'm a much faster typer than I am a scribe, hence my thoughts flow more readily and with greater clarity when I'm composing on the screen than if I use paper and pen. And, as a writer, it is essentially that I have the freedom and the opportunity to write on a regular basis ... it is an outlet that I need, even if no one ever sees what I write. I can go 3, 5, or 7 days without writing and be ok ... but push it to 10 days and I'm getting anxious to put curser to screen again. Hence, taking a laptop on a 10 or a 21 day cruise is a very good idea. Otherwise, I'll be using the ship's terminals just to access a word processor ... and PAYING THROUGH THE NOSE for it.

At any rate, those are my thoughts on this subject. I understand that many people view computers/laptops very differently than I do, and I don't blame them. My mother HATES computers ... she thinks they're laughing at her. :) That's ok ... I don't expect everyone else to agree with, or share, my point of view or experience of our electronic friends. :) I just pray everyone has a ball on their cruises. I know I do.

[bepsf]

I bring my laptop with me - and like Thule manage photos and burn CD's for folks as well as keep my travel journal.

I also have a cellular wireless card so as long as I have a cell signal, I have internet (which will be great when the ships add cellular coverage aboard - no more pricey internet charges from the ship!) so I can IM friends while I'm gone. Kinda frieks them out when I tell them that I'm in a car on the interstate (I only IM from the back seat...)

[lknick]

Always bring a lap top as I have some of my better business ideas on cruises and never can read my handwriting two days later.

[merryecho]

Laptops on cruises and whiskers on kittens....these are a few of my favorite things

[Lois R]

Well, I must be one of those Oddballs:eek: ...I don't own a laptap, my home computer is still on dial-up and I just got my first cell phone about 2 months ago.....so, no, a laptop is not important to me.

[ekerr19]

I don't take mine... it is a reminder of the thing I'm trying hardest to avoid - WORK. Plus, it is one less thing to lug with me. :)

I have extra camera batteries and several lage capacity memory cards for my camera - they suffice.

I use the internet center for email and surfing - we usually buy the largest block of time available - it works for our family.

[dakrewser]

If I didn't take the laptop with me, I might not be able to cruise. As a free-lance writer, I can't afford to not be working as much as possible and with deadlines just about every week its much easier (these days) to work an hour or so a day while at sea rather than have to kill myself in the week or two before. Plus, no one else is going to gather and answer my email and I'd hate to miss a business opportunity.

Still, I can use cruise (and other vacation) experiences in my writing, which allows a bit of a write-off for taxes!

Plus, my wife uses the laptop to unload digital pictures, and we post some (unedited ones) on-line while we're still at sea.

All in all, it does pay to carry the laptop with us...

[fb0075]

I only take my laptop if their is in-room connection--the peace of mind of checking e-mails to make sure all is well plus if you need to make travel changes is INVALUABLE!!
I check in 3-4 times a day for 2minutes or so---at a nominal chg.
On the Westerdam last week--I was instant messaging with my son---
FRANK

[Krazy Kruizers]

DH is reading this.

I WANT A LAPTOP!

The majority rules!

[Randyk47]

I want to take one of our laptops with us but my DW would come home a widow if she found me with one. She's very, very much against it. I even tried explaining it would be just to transfer digital photos (she said she'd buy more memory) and to email friends/family (she said they can wait until we get home). :( Even though we're both managers/supervisors, we use our computers at work constantly (60-100 business emails a day is average). She doesn't even want to see a computer much less bring one on the cruise.

[Lovebirds]

I think I could get by without my laptop on the 3 day cruise, (I'll probably take it anyway) but no way could I leave it behind for 112 days. In fact, we will BOTH have our laptops with us on the World Cruise. (That's just to offset the poor souls that have to travel without any laptop.):rolleyes:

[Sailure]

I take my laptop with me on all my cruises and I take along my digital camera with 3- 1 gigabyte storage cards. I like to spend time in my cabin working with my photos and writing in my journals and articles.

[ekerr19]

I want to take one of our laptops with us but my DW would come home a widow if she found me with one. She's very, very much against it. I even tried explaining it would be just to transfer digital photos (she said she'd buy more memory) and to email friends/family (she said they can wait until we get home). :( Even though we're both managers/supervisors, we use our computers at work constantly (60-100 business emails a day is average). She doesn't even want to see a computer much less bring one on the cruise.

Randy-

I can relate with your DW... my DH is also against having the laptop, he doesn't even like me to check my e-mail, knowing that my boss won't hesitate to use my personal e-mail address, if he needs something badly enough.

Using the internet center, I check my e-mail while on the ship, but keep my replies short, if I reply at all. If DH is looking for me, he usually stops in the internet center first. :) I like to post to the Cruise Critic board while at sea.

[jazzsea]

I usually have to work when I travel and I need the laptop. I just can't sit with a pencil and pad of paper anymore.

Writing my travel newsletter is so much easier when sitting on the fantail of the ship watching the world go by. I also sign up for internet access in my cabin. I rarely use the internet cafe as many times people are so noisy that it is hard to concentrate.

I also am learning " Adobe Photoshop" and take lessons and play with the digital photos.

Last cruise, on Oceania Insignia, I watched a chick flick DVD that DH really didn't want to see. Isn't this technology great?

[Krazy Kruizers]

DH says - NO WAY!

We usually have one carry-on filled with digital camera equipmen and the other carry-on is filled with medications - we don' take big carry-ons like other people - so I guess I can't buy one and sneak it on the airplane.

[iluvcruzin]

Laptop equates to work in my book. As someone in the MIS profession it's something I've had to take on business trips and home from work often. If I really need a PC I'll use the ship ones for the internet. I have enough storage on the flashcards for the digital camera that I don't need to download the pictures and if they are lost - we always take a 35mm as a backup. I have enough stuff to lug a Laptop would be an un-necessary item for me.

[andydee]

Ours is staying put; on board downloads are not that exprnsive

[Slinkiecat]

I can do without on a quickie (less than a week) cruise, but no way on a longer one. Those days at sea are made for emailing family, checking on credit card accounts, and posting all the digital photos.

slinkie

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

I would not be without my Fuji S7000 digital camera and Dell Inspiron 5150 laptop. Combined with a Linksys Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter for WiFi internet connection I can upload and post trip photos to our web blog at least every other day during a 15-17 day cruise. Most email is unnecessary, but welcomed from family and friends while we are at sea.

I am used to having satellite uplink even while on the road in our camper with a MotoSat Datastrom two-way mobile .74 meter dish.

Georgehttp://messages.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[jhannah]

No way! That's what I'm cruising to get away from! Besides, by the time my cruise is over, I don't have a lap left to put one on! ;)

[glrounds]

I'd be a lost puppy without my laptop (fish out of water, woman without her purse, etc.) :D

As others I can download the 100s of pics I take, mess with them, crop them, etc. and make sure to get "replacements" if I don't get that pic just the way I wanted.

I have duplicate information on my laptop for every cliente, every operation, and every take-off, proposal, and contract in effect. Although I cruise to get away from "the biz", am always just a few key strokes away from anyone in the event of an emergency on a jobsite or at home. (knocking on wood)

Actually, unlike many posters, I would be honored and flattered that a client would find my counsel so valuable as to "bother" me on a cruise by contacting me, either on my cell or online. This has only happened once, however.

While cruising on the ELATION several years ago, I just left the laptop on the desk. Once asked my steward, Elise, for more pillows in big letters on the screen of my laptop. When I returned I found 8 pillows on my bed with a funny face made out of towels and wash cloths. She was fantastic. :D

[Sierrachik]

Laptop is a must for me as a small business owner. While I have no intention of spending all my time on it, this is the balance I need in order to take the time for a vacation. In addition to the business, I also manage several websites that I would need my laptop for should any problems arise with any of them. I may or may not download my pics to it, just depends on how many I take :)

[GregInCharlotte]

...and since I always take my wife I always take my notebook.

She took 5,874 (yep) pictures on our Baltic cruise. One of the nice things about a cruise is the unpack once and settle-in part of being in the same 'hotel' for many nights. As we unpack, I set-up the notebook and it takes just a few minutes a day to transfer all of our digital pcitures to the notebook.

TIP: Because I always use (of course!) rechargeable batteries I carry a 99cent 6 ft extension cord, the kind with a three way plug on one end. It takes up virtually no space in my suitcase but makes it easy to hookup my recharger and notebook.

[akeka]

I'll be taking a laptop for the first time in October. There are primarily two reasons for this change:

1. They have wireless access in some of the common areas which is much more efficient as detailed by Revneal

2. The cruise is for 15 nights. I just don't want to be out of touch for that long. I have a son that's stationed in Japan and I look forward to his emails

[Aloha_Jackie]

I plan to take our laptop (wireless) for our next 3-4 cruises. We can watch DVDs and email and type travelogues, at a minimum to download chips/video and even though we have 6-8 chips, it will be worthwhile (and comforting) to save an extra copy on CD or hard drive. Now thats one more thing I need to ask Rev Greg about....I guess I will have tons of time to work on my review...maybe I will win the t-shirt!?!

[sdbvjdc]

We are thinking of taking our laptop on the Statendam soon and wonder if there are connections with ethernet cord or only phone cord?

I assume that email transfers quickly but do photos take several minutes?
Are there any tricks to connection or "know before you go" tips?
I like the one about bringing an extention cord.
Thanks

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Statendm does not have a modem in the cabin. Only the Vista class ships have them.

You will have to check with the Internet person to determine where it will be best to use your laptop.

[cruznon]

I'm taking my laptop for the first time in Nov. The ususal reason: digital photos. I also like the idea some of you just gave me: keeping a cruise journal.

Neat idea!

[Kabana]

A laptop is very important to me, I am the Information Technology Director for a law firm. If I have to work it may as well be from the Lido deck pool :)(also very useful for torturing co workers with digital pics up loaded and emailed in real time of your cruise LOL).

[PrincessMelody]

My guy takes his laptop everywhere we go...even though I would rather he didn't. He has to take it because he must be able to log in to his network, since he is an IT manager.

[dakrewser]

A laptop is very important to me, I am the Information Technology Director for a law firm. If I have to work it may as well be from the Lido deck pool :)(also very useful for torturing co workers with digital pics up loaded and emailed in real time of your cruise LOL).
ooh... can I quote you?

:) -dave
Network World, Wired Windows (http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2003/1103kearns.html)

[Candy]

Our newest laptop is for Fantasy Football only. If we take the old one and it gets lost or stolen, it's not the end of the world. I took the old one to visit the Grands and it saved the trip! My new digital takes movies, and I used up the whole chip on the baptism ceremony. It took just a few minutes to unload the chip into the laptop, and off I was to take another couple hundred photos.

Next month we will be on Zuidy for the 3rd time, and, since both of my other reviews have many ship details, I'll use the (old) lap to record feelings and impressions that will escape me by the time we get home.

[lka1012]

I take my laptop also, but it is my personal laptop, not my work one. I use it to download pix from my camera, print pix to share (yes, I take my mini-photo printer also.) In addition I use it to trakc purchases for my customs form at the end of the voyage. I wrote a Access program to do this.

I have not used it to access the internet yet mainly because I don't want to have to lug it to Internet site. I also do not have wireless access on it also. My next voyage will be on the Volendam, so folks who do access via wireless, what do you think? Rev, the Zandam is a sister ship to the Volendam (I think), so what do you recommend. If I did install wireless, I could set up a mini-hub in my house. So hardware techies, what do you think. What can I say, that's hardware, I'm software.

[dakrewser]

I also do not have wireless access on it also. My next voyage will be on the Volendam, so folks who do access via wireless, what do you think? Rev, the Zandam is a sister ship to the Volendam (I think), so what do you recommend. If I did install wireless, I could set up a mini-hub in my house. So hardware techies, what do you think. What can I say, that's hardware, I'm software.For everything you want to know about SOHO (Small Office, Home Office) WiFi (Wireless) networking, see the resuorce page my colleagues at Network World have put together at http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/ I personnally am looking forward to stretching out in a recliner in the Crow's Nest on the Oosterdam, sipping the "drink of the day", watching the sea slip past and trying to actually do work on my laptop!

:) -dave

[Aloha_Jackie]

Hey Dave - you helped me out on the link thing before, maybe you can help again. I have a new laptop that is wireless - I trot it all over the house and really liked using it in bed while recovering from surgery.

When I get onboard HAL (wireless), what do I have to do? Do I need my router thingy or just that stick or what? sign me, Do-Do Brain

[GregInCharlotte]

Friends, having a notebook is one thing but I don NOT think they have in-room internet connection on NCL ships. Have you heard they have it? If so it will be CRAZY expensive. Holy moses! It will be like talking on the phone in your room. The internet area on the ship is fine for a quick (and I do mean quick, you're being chanregd by the minute) email to the office but login to your corporate net? No.

[dakrewser]

Hey Dave - you helped me out on the link thing before, maybe you can help again. I have a new laptop that is wireless - I trot it all over the house and really liked using it in bed while recovering from surgery.

When I get onboard HAL (wireless), what do I have to do? Do I need my router thingy or just that stick or what? sign me, Do-Do Brain
If you have a wireless card (the credit card sized thingy) you should bring that. But the router (the part you plug the cable into) isn't needed. The Digital Seas guy on board will help you get it all up and running.

-dave

[dakrewser]

Friends, having a notebook is one thing but I don NOT think they have in-room internet connection on NCL ships. Have you heard they have it? If so it will be CRAZY expensive. Holy moses! It will be like talking on the phone in your room. The internet area on the ship is fine for a quick (and I do mean quick, you're being chanregd by the minute) email to the office but login to your corporate net? No.Don't know about Norwegian Cruise Lines, but some HAL ships do offer in-room connections (via a phone data port) in suites. Connection time is a straight 50¢ per minute.

-dave

[Aloha_Jackie]

If you have a wireless card (the credit card sized thingy) you should bring that. But the router (the part you plug the cable into) isn't needed. The Digital Seas guy on board will help you get it all up and running.

-dave
DAVE - you da man! Gracias! Danka! Gratzi! Thanks! Mahalo!

[dakrewser]

DAVE - you da man! Gracias! Danka! Gratzi! Thanks! Mahalo!
Por nada, bitte, prego, you're welcome, aole pilikia!

(Been there, said that! :) )

-dave

[KenP]

What is the bandwidth (avg) for the wireless internet access?

Is there a smtp server?

I'm used to having unlimited access plan on Disney Magic so have used webmail and unlimited gotomypc , but with pay as you go on Holland America, plan on bringing laptop so I can do POP3 mail on Outlook Express. Please note I do not like reading email on a cruise, but I am run a small business and this is this is cheapest way to keep in touch and keep things going while I am having _FUN_.

...KP

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

Based on my last WiFi experience on the Statendam to Hawaii last February, the closer you are to the Atrium the better signal quality you will experience, hence higher connection speed.;)

Bandwidth will depend on the type of WiFi card or USB device you have. I used a Linksys Dual-Band A+G notebook card.:p

You will be accessing via the network's web based entry page for login purposes, once you enter your user ID and password you can use any web browser you choose to go to your web based email. If you do not have web based email service you need to contact your ISP (internet service provider) to inquire about their email service while you are away from your normal connection.;)

You can also setup a free email service such as JUNO that will let you retrieve POP3 type email into their web based interface to read and send email.:)

Keep in mind, there may be days when the ship's satellite receiver is located outside the normal footprint of the transmitting satellite and you will not have a internet connection.:eek:

George

[Orcrone]

I'd love to bring my digital camera and a laptop computer. Like others have said I could download the photos and keep a journal. DW goes to sleep much earlier than I do. If I try to go to bed as early as her I usually just toss and turn for a long time. So I wouldn't mind spending some time taking care of downloading pictures and keeping track of what we did, what we thought, etc. for a review.

Unforunately, I don't own a digital camera or a laptop, and don't plan on in the near future, so it will have to work. If I could borrow a laptop then I would probably spring for the camera.

In the meantime I'll have to rely on the film camera and my memory.

[dakrewser]

What is the bandwidth (avg) for the wireless internet access?

Is there a smtp server?
The bandwidth is limited by the satellite uplink more than anything. Closer to fast dialup than broadband, IMHO. I don't believe there's an SMTP server on board, but you should be able to connect to your normal SMTP server (make sure you have username/password info with you). Using an SMTP/POP3 client to download/upload messages while reading/writing offline will go a long way towards conserving connection minutes.

-dave

[RevNeal]

I had a heck of a time with this board while aboard the Zaandam earlier this month. I kept getting the notice that the board couldn't accept posts from my location. I had to open the "Reply to Thread" window and then post it FAST in order for it to work.

Also ... I got so curious I did a bandwidth check. When parked in San Diego, where we should have a good sat up/down link, the connection speed was rated at 128k. When cruising to Columbia (post Canal) it was 98k.

I could actually get a periodic signal in my cabin from the hotspots in the atrium. Had I been a few cabins closer I might have been able to actually surf from the cabin (I was 3343, J category inside on lower prom deck). The best connection spot for me was in the Explorer's Lounge, where I could rest in the comfy chairs with my laptop on my lap and my feet up on the window ledge and a coke by my elbow. It also afforded wonderful views :) My second-best spot for connection was in the Atrium on the lower prom deck. I used those desks they keep there, for they had plugs under them that I could get power from. Several people asked me if I was the future cruise consultant (we didn't have one aboard for the cruise) ... I told them no, but that I'd be happy to take their money anyway!!!! :D

[Lovebirds]

Several people asked me if I was the future cruise consultant (we didn't have one aboard for the cruise) ... I told them no, but that I'd be happy to take their money anyway!!!! :D
Should have told them that your specialty is helping them plan for their final journey.;)

[Aloha_Jackie]

thanks again Rev Greg - I printed out your tips for reception in certain locations - appreciate it - it will come in handy at Thanksgiving

[NicoleCQ]

Ours is staying put; on board downloads are not that exprnsive


Does anyone know how much these onboard downloads cost? . . . I receive coupons for free internet (about 30 minutes) . . . is there an additional charge to insert a memory stick full of pics to upload to a website? . . . .

Nicole

[dakrewser]

Does anyone know how much these onboard downloads cost? . . . I receive coupons for free internet (about 30 minutes) . . . is there an additional charge to insert a memory stick full of pics to upload to a website? . . . .

Nicole
Upload or download, it doesn't matter - it's all the saem minutes :rolleyes:

See http://www.mtnsat.com/ds_kbyg_hal.htm for all the details.

[Krazy Kruizers]

When we got from our Statendam cruise, I also posted the prices.

HAL doesn't give a break to anyone!

[KenM]

I really laughed when I read some of the answers.

I use a computer all the time..

When I go on vacation, I leave my laptop, my pagers behind.

I tell my employees. I hired you to make decisions. Do it...

I really relax on a cruise. I don't think about work.....I think about my bride of 35 years....
It is called "recharge the batteries"

I normally schedule my most complex activities after I return and I am sure that others are grateful.

[lipoppop]

I bought the DW a laptop for Xmas. She has always wanted to take one on our cruises. Now I think I will be able to talk her into an extra cruise next year.

[alvin]

I was just reading this thread and the pros and cons of taking my laptop with me. I'll be going to Hawaii on the Statendam this February. Is there Internet access in the staterooms? If so, I might consider my laptop. I usually use the Internet Cafe on the ship and yes, it gets crowded and noisy. Any one know what the Cafe costs for the 15 day cruise and/or the Cafe. This will be my first trip on HAL in two years. Thanks, Al

[Bonnie&Rob]

I've taken my laptop on my last few vacations. It's the best way military families have to keep in touch with their soldiers. If bad things were happening in Afghanistan while my son was there, I could always rely on one of the soldiers getting word back to us that everyone was OK.

Thank God for technology!

[RuthC]

Is there Internet access in the staterooms?Last I remember no Internet access in the cabins, but there are hotspots away from the Internet center.

Any one know what the Cafe costs for the 15 day cruise and/or the Cafe.Basic rate is $3.95 to sign up, plus choice of plans. The plans are a flat $0.75/minute, $55 for 100 minutes, or $100 for 250 minutes. These are for use of the Internet center itself and can be renewed.
I believe there are similar rates when you use a laptop.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Only the Vista class ships have the modum outlets in the cabins.

Statendam - sorry - computers can not be used in the stateroom.

[Kabana]

ooh... can I quote you?

:) -dave
Network World, Wired Windows (http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2003/1103kearns.html)

feel free to quote me in your next article ;) my IT co-workers took one of the pics I emailed them of me in the Lido hot tub, printed it, wrote "fix it yourself" and taped it to my office chair for all to see!