Will be on Mariner Jan 06 to SA for 12 days. Any reason to take my own laptop or just use the ones on the ship? Thanks, circleboy

Hi circleboy,
We were on a portion of that cruise in 2004 and did fine without a laptop. However, the computer room stayed busy and I usually had to wait for a computer.

I think the answer depends on what you will do with the laptop. If you take lots of digital pictures and want to download onto your laptop, you might enjoy taking one. If you're computer dependent for business or financial purposes, you might like the convenience of a laptop. If you write or enjoy documenting your trip, a laptop makes it so much easier plus you can use it on the plane.

My next cruise is this weekend and I am taking a laptop. Made a poor purchase so I'm taking a HEAVY laptop. Next time I'm looking at the lightweight Sony's.

My laptop is the "heavy" variety, and I took if on about 4 cruises so I could download photos and have a slideshow everyday from the cabin. Then I bought a whatever that is supposed to store them, bad idea. Last cruise, I decided not to take it, but there was Todd in the computer room getting on line when I could not, because he brought his! Depending on the cruise, the computer room can be busy (on port intensive cruises), but if you bring yours, you will not have a problem

My laptop is really lightweight and wireless, and I think I'd take it just to be able to sign directly on to AOL. While I can/could get anywhere I wanted to go on the ship's computers, I missed being able to just click on a favorite instead of having to type the whole url in.

Good point, Pam! Who has url's memorized? Not me!

Pam...do they have wireless connections on all of the RSSC ships? I plan to take my laptop with wireless card...it would be great to be able to use it in the lounge across from the library - anyone know if that works on the Navigator? Better yet, it would be great to sign on from our suite.

What are the charges to go on line with you own computer?

TIA . . Peggy

Margo, I haven't seen anything about the Navigator having "hot spots"; you may have to be the Pioneer of our group. Please let me know, because I'll be on it in January.

Peggy, hopefully somebody else can come along and answer your question (like Todd or Marcie).

I found this information posted by Marc last February. Prices may have changed. These are prices for online time on RSSC's computers.

Margo: I paid $40 for 10 hrs on Voyager last week -

Thanks Joanna - sounds like they are the same as last fall! Did they offer the 20 hour (or more) rate?

Yes they did - and I think it was 40 hrs for $75

What is the charge to use your own computer? It was $15/day on the 2005 WC. has that been changed?

TIA . . Peggy

On 007 2 weeks ago it was $15 per day Peggy. They may have some type of package available on the WC, maybe a monthly rate?? I'll be anxious to hear. I'm curious what our SA trip on the Mariner will offer too.

That's what is was on the 2005 trip . . . .no package deals, no specials.

Thanks Marcie . . .Peggy

Yikes...that would be $630 for our 42 day cruise - that seems a little steep! But then again, not much more than a few drinks a day - glad I don't have to choose one or the other!

Margo, maybe you can use your charm and schmooze someone to give you a better deal (????????) If it works....LET THE REST OF US KNOW!

I sure think they should give a better rate to those of us on Looooooong cruises!

Marcie,

I agree!!

Peggy

I solved that problem by making myself a homepage on Yahoo. There I put links to my favorites, and I also use that to get emails from several email accounts.

I also add the weather forecasts onto the page of where I am going.
Sort of like One Stop Shopping.

Check it out at www.my.yahoo.com

Gil...that is a great suggestion! I think I'll work on that just in case there is no wifi.

I make up my own home page also.... www.smilinjack.com/start2

I have one for my friends.... www.smilinjack.com/start

And also my website ... www.smilinjack.com

My message board... www.smilinjack.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

jack

Jack - I love that start page you have for your friends. I may have to start using that myself. :)

Masaki

Jack, I checked out your message board, pretty cool!

Google also has a customizable home page now. It is nice because their aren't many graphics and it loads fast if you are on a slow connection. There is place for all your favorite links, favorite city weather and instant view of your Gmail inbox.

Karen...thanks for the tip. I'm not sure why, but I always find Google easier to use than Yahoo - tells you more about me than them I think!

THIS POST IS ACTUALLY FROM COUNT FLORIDA HE JUST LOGGED ON UNDER NGAIRES LOG IN.

Advice from the Mariner's Guru: If you use Outlook or Outlook Express, or a similiar program, or if you have a VPN set up, its better to bring your own. Otherwise there is no good reason to lug your own, execpt personal preference. The cost on Mariner is either (2 choices only) 35 cents a minute OR 100 minutes for $25 US - .25/minute. Expensive.

The Club.Com "hot spot" on Mariner is delightful - new coffee machines, comfortable seating, really nice. Read all about it in Ngaire's Sea Talk from the Mariner Singapore to Sydney thread right here on Luxury Cruise Talk!

The YL on board now - Theresa - is terrific, but she may be off to the World Tour on Voyager by then.

Thanks for the update Ngaire! Guess if I post SeaMails from SA trip, I won't be doing it in my PJ's like I did on WC (unless #902 has in cabin hook up)!