Keeping in touch while you're away

Communications on board your ship

In the early days of ocean-liner voyages passengers were cut off from contact with land for weeks (there are many who would argue that that was no bad thing).

Today, however, with the advent of satellites, there are many ways that you can keep in touch while on board your ship.

Today, however, with the advent of satellites, there are many ways that you can keep in touch while on board your ship. Most modern cruise liners have a telephone in every cabin. You can almost always use this to phone home (or anywhere else for that matter). This can be expensive (check your cruise company's rates) but invaluable for short voice messages if you can't wait for the next port of call.

Look for a computer centre (again, most ships now have such things). Here you can use a ready set-up computer to send emails and check whatever you want on the Internet. There is normally a charge for such services but these are usually reasonable - again check before you use the centre.

Not every cruise ship offers wi-fi access to their Internet systems but many of the larger ones now do. If such a service is offered it is usually available in certain lounges or bars on the ship. You can then take your own laptop (it must have a wi-fi card of course) and log on in comfort - perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea or your favourite tipple beside you. You'll need to pay for access of course, but the wi-fi route is very convenient and normally straight forward.

Some of the most modern cruise vessels allow you to send and receive emails from your own stateroom using the in-room TV and a keyboard (provided). There is a charge for this service of course but it is very convenient for brief messages.

You will also usually be able to use your own cell-phone (mobile) – as long as you have it set up for roaming – when the ship is docked in port.

BUT don't forget that you can still use the old-fashioned letter and postcard while on-board. You can write your letters and postcards and have them stamped and posted when you arrive at the next port. The Purser's Office or ship's receptionists will usually do this for you.

Letters are not only a great way to let people at home know of all the many experiences you are having but they also make great souvenirs. Who hasn't got a massive thrill from pulling an old letter from Rome or London or Madrid out of a dusty box in their loft complete with their foreign stamps and lengthy descriptions of the locals (emails are much less likely to survive and therefore much less likely to provide that sort of memory).

Almost every cruise ship now has its own daily newspaper - sometimes several of them - so you needn't be separated from what's happening around the world unless you really want to (in which case ask the stewards NOT to give you the paper).

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