Thread: How often do you use a smartphone on a cruise?

My phone is locked in the safe until the end of the cruise. I don't use any computer on board. When I was working I was always on the computer, not on vacation. I enjoy the cruises and the ports and at the end I call my family and friends and tell them all about it and find out what I missed. Now that I am retired, I still use the computer a lot and can use the time away. In fact I am starting next week as a volunteer teacher of SeniorNet, computer classes for seniors. One of the classes on social networks I will be recommending CLF to those seniors like me who like to cruise.

I have never had a phone, and do not use a computer when away from home.

Years ago, my hubby decided to try out using a computer on a Carnival cruise, and just briefly to see how it is to send an email (he sent it to his brother as he knew that email address...and his parents certainly didn't have a computer). That was the last time -- maybe when we're touring a ship, we might walk into the Internet Cafe, just to see what it looks like, but that's the extent. He works in IT for a major city so he's not going to bother with using a computer while on vacation.

Before a cruise, I'll put together an itinerary/contact sheet to pass out to my sister, his brother, and a couple of our neighbors, but fortunately we haven't heard from them nor do we want to. I finally bought a cell before our 2004 cruise, basically because we had such a complicated pre and post cruise set up (train trips, different hotels, rental cars, etc) and because my father-in-law was in decline (he held on until a few days after our return). My mother-in-law even told us not to worry as hubby already said his goodbye while his father could recognize him, and that there was nothing to be done on his part.

On our last cruise, one of my new friends was elite on Princess so she had some free Internet credit, and we went into the Cafe so she could check her email, check the news about her company (she works in PR so it helps her to keep current), and "friend" me on Facebook. When I got home, I "Accepted." She said the signal could be slow, especially if you didn't wait til the wee hours when there were fewer passengers trying to access the Internet. Plus, we were mainly in the middle of the Pacific.

To placate our teen, we did go to a mall with an Apple store when in Honolulu. I'm not an Apple fan, so it's very foreign (and hard) for me, but I did check my email. Of course, she was on Facebook. The next day when we were in Kauai, hubby and the girl found a store that had Internet service. About $6 for 15 minutes, I think. She did some quick FB-ing, and then I checked some more email and a quick FB check for the rest of the 15 minutes.

I finally did get my first smartphone this summer (still have my ancient cell til I coordinate using up my prepaid minutes and telling people the new number), but I basically just use it now for checking email when not at home, or otherwise checking something on the web. Haven't bought any apps yet. But because of the high cost of using a cell phone onboard, I would probably have it turned off while on board until we get off into a port where it's just the standard 10 cents a minute charge once I go past 100 minutes of talk (I get unlimited web and text, which is more helpful to me, as I hate talking on phones).

I wouldn't mind if phone service is blocked on board, except in cabins, as I wouldn't find it very relaxing if people are gabbing on a phone while out on deck or in a dining room, no matter the cost.

After our next cruise, we are Platinum so we can get an Internet credit, unless that changes in the meantime. But for our next cruise, our teen will want some sort of electronic device (DVD player, notebook computer w/Internet time).

I usually post a few pictures ("Wish you were here" messages when we are in US ports and I have free minutes. otherwise my phone is a smart calculator and contact manager.

Thank you. If they post, have them do a intro thread. We will be happy to invite them aboard.

I don't own a smart phone. Rarely even use the orfinary cell phone that I have.

I don't have a smart phone so that is not an issue. I carry my dumb phone only in US ports but rarely use it while on vacation. During our last cruise my wife borrowed her father's ipad to try it out. She did access the internet a couple times to check on her father while in US ports but mostly used the camera feature.

Due to the nature of my job, I try to check email every other day. Other than that, it stays in the safe.

I do have a cell phone, but it isn't considered as being "smart!" I very seldom use it. Usually only when meeting someone else at an airport or cruise terminal.

Once under-way, the phone is shut off and hidden away!

Further, I almost never go on line to check or send e-mails. Even though I've been retired for a dozen years or so, I still feel as though I'm on vacation when cruising. Therefore, "don't interfere with my 'downtime!'"

Family members are, of course, always given emergency contact information, but always with the caution that most means of contacting me aboard ship are expensive, and with the clear message that they better have a really, really urgent need to talk to me!

SWR

That is why the cell phone can be so handy. We were on a Caribbean cruise when my daughter in law had to contact us about our son. With stops in Puerto Rico and USVI, it was easy to stay in contact to be kept apprised on the issues. And since Verizon had coverage in those areas, it was only minutes, no long distance or ship charges.