Devices on Deck: Taking Electronics on Your Cruise

There are always plenty of things to do on a cruise ship, but these days it is not just a case of packing a good book to read on board when you are at a loose end, there are also a whole host of electronic gadgets that may well come in useful too.

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Keeping in touch

When you are looking for your next cruise holiday by searching a site like this one, you might want to see what packages are available for keeping in touch by email, so you can keep up to date with events at home, and stay in touch if you need to.

Buying internet time on a cruise ship is generally going to be expensive compared to rates you might pay on land, but you do have to appreciate that the connection is made via a satellite link which is not going to be cheap, and it may also be quite slow as well.

If using the internet is still something we want to do while at sea despite the expense and speed issues, there are some ways that you can limit your costs. It is generally cheaper to buy a package of a set amount of time, rather than pay by the minute. You can also make the most of your minutes by trying to use your laptop to write your emails offline first, and then only go online long enough to upload your emails and send.

There is always the option of avoiding the on-board internet if you find it too expensive, by using an internet café when you dock and go ashore.

Gadgets to take

There are a number of gadgets that cruisers tend to regret not taking with them when they travel, and not packing them could even end up costing them money they could have avoided spending on the ship.

If you have some noise cancelling headphones, these can ensure you enjoy listening without any distractions, even when you are sitting around a busy poolside.

There is a tendency to use our phones as cameras these days but when you think of the stunning locations you are going to be visiting, then it makes sense to do them justice and get some really sharp pictures. So if you have a SLR Camera then it is worth taking with you as it will give you some stunning visual memories that a camera phone might struggle to emulate.

A favourite activity on holiday is reading, and a Kindle offers several advantages in that it is easier to read than an iPad in the sunshine, and if you finish a book, you can quickly download another one without leaving your seat.

Another thing worth considering taking is a set of walkie-talkies. Cruise ships are cavernous places where you could spend a long time tracking down someone you are holidaying with and the call charges for using your mobile are prohibitive. You can easily stay in touch with a set of walkie-talkies and avoid wasting time or getting stressed trying to catch up with each on-board.

When you are packing your suitcase ready for your next cruising adventure, don’t forget some of you favourite gadgets as you will probably be pleased you brought them when you are on-board.

Ryan Posa’s life aboard cruise ships indulges his love for travel. As the founder of Cruise Republic, he has enjoyed criss-crossing the Pacific and finding the best destinations in the world. Follow along with Ryan’s adventures at sea here on Twitter.