Does anyone have any experience using Skype from their own personal laptop on Voayger while outside the US to connect to laptops in the U.S.?

I am wondering if the slow satellite connection speeds severely affect the the service? Or if the ship's Internet system would block useage?

Before heading out on the World Cruise, I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience trying to get this to work.

For those who are not aware, Skype is a free Internet voice communications service when talking from computer to compture. With the correct equipment (Web cam) you can also send video. You can also conduct conference calls.

In the U.S., you can call free from a computer to any phone or wireless phone in the U.S. Next year this becomes a paid service ($14.95/yr if you sign up before the Jan. 31; $29.95 after).

Thanks,

Larry, hopefully Mr. Kimmi will pipe in as he was the one that showed me skype working from the Mariner while off Alaska. Didn't seem to have satellite problems at all.

I have used skyp exclusively from Tokyo to call back to states. So far it has been free to other skype computers and toll free numbers and $0.021 per minute to regular land lines. I guess I better check on the new price plans for next year.

I tried to use skype on Voyager in October and was told it was blocked due to bandwidth that it consumed.

Marc - If working off Alaska, it might have been because you were off the USA. I still don't think there will be a charge going from computer to computer no matter where the two computers are. And nice to know it's only $.021/min going from Japan computer to USA landline.

TallShip -- The bandwidth blocking (problem) would be a disappointment.

Larry:
I was on the Med cruise in October and was never able to get through. Just used old-fashioned email but will enjoy getting the hour of phonetime next year.
Tina

Larry, I think Peggy has used it on her World Cruises. Maybe she will reply here.

While do not know if it will work with the ships' internet connections (it does need a pretty fast connection), I do know that if you are out side of the US - even if you are registered as a US user - the international rates do apply.
But at about 2.1 cents per minute, it is still pretty cheap.

Doug

There are several on the WC that use it from all over the world. It must be pretty good but I wouldn't know.

Donna, you're correct, I did use it on the last World Cruise and it was fine - it felt like the old ship to shore phone called - there was a delay.

I really liked it. As some one said, if you're talking to someone who has Skype, it was free (except for the internet charge we used to have to pay). And even if you called some one's phone, it was only $.04/minute (plus the internet charge). I bought $10 phone time and the last time I looked I had something like $7 left and that was after using it for 3 months.

I don't know about this year . . if Tallships is correct, I'll be disappointed.

There is someone on the Voyager now who could ask Marco?

Assuming it is possible to use Skype, I'd get it - no question.

Peggy

Peggy --

Thanks...I have been using Skype here within the States and it's been great. Even if we get audio (with a delay) and no video it would still be a fun way to stay in touch with our family. I'll let folks know in a week or so via my journal.

There is a bit of a delay, but the price can't be beat! I talked to my sister yesterday (Tokyo to Colorado) for about 20 minutes and the charge was 38 cents! Can you imagine what that would have cost 15 - 20 years ago?

Larry,

I used Skype throughout the whole cruise - including mid ocean. I don't have a camera but my son does and I was able to see my granddaughter . . . .

We'll know if it is still available when we board . . . 9 days.

Happy New Year!

Peggy

Larry,

I asked Gil - in the Voyager thread - if he'd ask Marco about Skype.

Peggy

We used Skype in Sept/Oct on the Mariner from Alaska to Russia to Japan. It worked like a charm and you can't beat the price! I hope it works for you on Voyager!

Andrea

Thanks for everyone's inputs...looks like we are pretty much good to go...I'll let folks know if the video works as well. Coordinating time differences will be the challenge!

No Skype on board . .this from Marco. It uses too much bandwidth. Phooey

Peggy

That is a big disappointment. We're trying it for the first time on SeaDream and it's been a godsend. The connect speed, though, on this ship is much quicker than what we've experienced on Radisson.

Cheers, Anne

Anne....are you on the SeaDream now?