Know Before You Go: How to Stay Connected on Your Memorial Day Weekend Cruise
21 Mayo 2024 - 11:49AM
Approaching what AAA anticipates to be the second most-traveled
U.S. Memorial Day Weekend in 20 years, cruising also is expected to
be the fastest-growing tourism sector, according to the Cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA). The Summer of 2024 no doubt
will fuel that cruising growth. With this exciting forecast,
staying connected on a cruise is a key consideration. Travelers
will be seeking the balance of adventure with the need to stay in
touch on social media, with family and friends, as well as with
work requirements.
In preparation for this burgeoning summer travel season,
cruisers can equip themselves with the following essential
knowledge to stay connected:
1. **Assess Your Anticipated Mobile Device Usage**: You
should determine whether you will be a moderate mobile
device user during your cruise or a heavy user. You will be
a moderate user if you plan to conduct voice and video calls; to
text; to engage in light social media, emailing, and internet
browsing, as well as secure data transactions such as mobile
banking. Or you may expect heavy usage, with hours of social media,
emailing, and internet browsing; streaming; or downloading large
files.
2. **Explore Cellular Services for Moderate Usage**: For
moderate usage, leveraging your home cellular provider's service
through the Cellular at Sea network can provide convenient
connectivity in staterooms and public spaces aboard ships. With
affordable and reliable plans, cruisers can stay connected thanks
to more than 400 partner cellular providers with service on 200
ships. Cellular at Sea becomes available when your ship gets 12
nautical miles from shore (after about an hour). You will receive a
text message from your home provider with detailed rates, allowing
you to opt in or out of the offer. Opting in will allow you to use
your phone as normal, with slight nuances such as needing
international country codes to place phone calls. Keep Airplane
Mode turned off for Cellular at Sea to allow calls, texts, and data
services to work. You also will need to enable International
Roaming before setting sail. Your cellular provider will charge you
following your cruise in your next billing cycle. To avoid unwanted
roaming charges, close out apps not in use, and turn off
auto-updates on apps, location services, and auto fetch on
email.
3. **Opt for a Wi-Fi Package for Heavy Usage**: Heavy
mobile device users requiring robust internet access for email,
browsing, and social media; streaming; and downloading large files
should subscribe to cruise line Wi-Fi packages. These packages
cater to various heavy online usage needs, and ensure seamless
connectivity throughout the voyage. You should subscribe to a
package that allows you to access the internet for a set fee.
Consider one that suits your needs for the most bandwidth-intensive
applications.
4. **Combine Cellular and Wi-Fi**: If you anticipate
spending a lot of time on the internet but also need your phone for
clients, babysitters, bosses, or family to reach you, consider
utilizing both cellular services for your phone and Wi-Fi for your
laptop. Research that WMS conducted among cruisers in 2023
indicated that guests who utilize both services report higher
satisfaction with their onboard communication experience.
By following these guidelines, and staying informed about new
packages and promotions, cruisers can enjoy a fulfilling voyage
staying connected with family and friends while remaining available
for important personal and/or work updates. Cruisers can visit
Cellular at Sea, as well as their cruise operator’s web site, for
more information on offerings.
About WMS
WMS is the premier global provider of wireless connectivity
services connecting people and business…anywhere. WMS pioneered the
first wireless network on a cruise ship 20 years ago. It remains
the trusted strategic partner for connectivity in the most
challenging and hard-to-reach places, for passengers, crew, and
onboard operations, delivering best in class technology, service,
and revenue growth for its clients. Passengers and crew of cruise
and ferry lines rely on its hundreds of networks, its unmatched
engineering expertise, its global roaming partners, and its leading
customer support to connect…anywhere. For more information, please
visit https://wmsatsea.com.
- Cellular at Sea
- Cellular at Sea is key for cruisers wanting to stay in touch
with family, friends, work.
Liz DeCastro
WMS
+1-954-235-4782
liz.decastro@wmsatsea.com