Cruising with Kindle

[corkyb]

I am looking for some information on what I will be able to do with my kindle while on a cruise in the Carribean in a few weeks.  I have both the KK and the Kindle Touch.  Both have wifi AND 3G.  Will I be able to use my 3G without being charged while on the cruise?  If so, will I be able to check my email from either kindle while using the 3G?  I assume I will have to turn off wifi or be charged, is that accurate?  I'm trying to find an inexpensive way to check my email.  I've never checked email from a kindle. Do you just use the web and do web based email?  Is it a real pain?  Will it work with the Touch since it has less of a real browser? 

Thanks for help from anyone with cruising info.

[Linjeakel]

I think if the cruise doesn't advertise free wi-fi as part of the package then yes, it's likely you'd have to pay for it, though it might be quite reasonable. Ask!

As for your 3G, you will be able to use it, but how good the reception is will depend on where you are at the time. I wouldn't count on it being available everywhere, or being a good connection.

Most of us find using the browser on the e-ink Kindles quite cumbersome - in fact, apart from trying it out when I first got my K2 in Aug 2009 I've never used it. Never even opened the browser on my K3! Having said that, there are people who use it regularly and are happy with it. If you want to know how easy it will be to use the browser for your email, give it a go before you leave. Particularly try it while you're out of wi-fi range and relying on the 3G to give you a realistic idea of how well it will work.

Edit: I notice you said you have to 'turn off the wi-fi' or be charged. The Kindle's wireless system - Whispernet - is both wi-fi and 3G. You can't turn off one or the other. They're either both on or off. The Kindle will look for any wi-fi connections it 'knows' and use those first, or if none are available, will go to the 3G. If you don't deliberately connect your Kindle to the ship's (or any other) wi-fi network, the Kindle will ignore it, so you can leave your wireless switched on and it will default to the 3G connection. Once you have connected to a particular wi-fi network at least once, the Kindle will use it when in range, unless you tell it to ignore it.


 

[Ann in Arlington]

To add to what Linda said:  The Touch will not allow general web access via 3G. Only WiFi.  So using that device, you'll either have to use the ship's WiFi, if available, or forgo any Web access via 3G.  That means no email, etc.  The Keyboard Kindle should be able to use 3G even for web access, but, as Linda says, there's no telling how good a signal there'll be when you're not in port.  And I'd agree that it's quite cumbersome.  Would drive me batty to use it for any but 'emergency' communication.

And I strongly second the suggestion to check it out before you go. . .some folks haven't had good luck connecting to their webmail even when the signal is fairly strong.

[Kathy]

I took my K3 3g on a short cruise last summer and was not able to access the WiFi without paying and was never able to get much of a 3G signal on my iPhone or K3. I tried using the WiFi on my cellphone but never could get connected. They had several computers that you could use to email, but you did have to pay for it. I also went to Europe in September with my K3, iPhone and iPad and had problems getting connected to any WiFi with all 3. The only place I was able to access Wifi was at 2 of the hotels we stayed at. As for the 3G on the Kindle it never connected to the 3G in Europe. I was trying to connect to use my K3 for email, but that was just to slow and frustrating.

[valleycat1]

I agree with the others than trying to use a Kindle for internet use is a real pain.  I'd add that one of the joys of cruising, IMO, is getting away from email, telephoning, and internet browsing.  A Kindle is a great convenience instead of lugging a lot of books, but unless I'm taking a long cruise (longer than a week), I enjoy the break.

[Alice Coyl]

From my experience with WiFi on ships, I found it very expensive and very unreliable. You have to buy a package or pay by the minute and sometimes that is $.75 per minute including your connection time. We took a cruise from San Diego to Acapulco and was only able to get reliable WiFi connections on shore. The ship's system was attached to satellite and when the satellite wasn't available neither was the WiFi or TV. I took my computer ashore and went to internet cafes or sat in the local parks and picked up free WiFi but none were secure. Most businesses would give me access to their secure WiFi for the price of a beer. I used most of my package on the ship just signing in and waiting for connection. Even the ship's computers were slow and sometime not usable.

However, when we were taking a cruise to the Antarctic we had free internet although we were limited to 15 minutes at a time using the ship's computers. It was fast, good connections, and never a problem with "the satellite isn't working" that we received along the Mexican coast. Here we were hundreds of miles from land and great internet connections.

So, I wouldn't plan on counting on getting emails aboard ship unless you really need them. I would never use a land computer in a internet cafe to pick up my mail or send it. Same with the ship's computers. I once used a ship's computer and found the person who used it before me had not signed off and their email was available to read. I didn't read the emails but signed them off. You have to be so careful so use your own computer.

I don't think the Kindle (any version) is good for emails. Take a little netbook which is easy enough to slip into a bag and an a/c adaptor that is 120/240. And...most of all...have a good cruise.

[corkyb]

Thanks everyone.  Whenever i have tried using the browser on my k3, I Have hated it.  I guess I wll just bring my touch or baby K and be done with it.  I was not planning on bringing ipad or Fire either though.  Any good reason to bring them with me?

[KayakerNC]

Thanks everyone.  Whenever i have tried using the browser on my k3, I Have hated it.  I guess I wll just bring my touch or baby K and be done with it.  I was not planning on bringing ipad or Fire either though.  Any good reason to bring them with me?

Well, they will probably fit comfortably in your cabin/stateroom safe and keep your car keys company.

[rlkubi]

We are actually leaving on a cruise on Friday and I always bring my Kindle.  I never use it to get on the internet though - too slow.  I have a HTC Evo and if needed get on that way.  But for a week I can not get on email .  I always have books on my Kindle so no need to connect to either 3G or Wifi.  Watch the 3G if you are using the ships network - it's expensive!

[ElaineOK]

There are some very informative threads on using kindles on boards ships of different lines and in different ports, as well as, finding inexpensive internet cafes in various ports on the discussion boards at www.cruisecritic.com.

Elaine
Norman, OK

[Kathy]

Thanks everyone.  Whenever i have tried using the browser on my k3, I Have hated it.  I guess I wll just bring my touch or baby K and be done with it.  I was not planning on bringing ipad or Fire either though.  Any good reason to bring them with me?

I took my iPad and never used it. I couldn't connect to anything and it just sat the whole trip. I enjoyed my Kindle sitting by the pool and when we went to the beach. Other than that we were so busy having fun to even think about having Internet. It was a nice brake from the computer.  At first when I realized that I couldn't get email I had some withdrawal but it didn't last long. 

[Holly]

Took a cruise around Hawaii.  The cruise line advertised Internet availability and there was a few computers available for use.  The cost was prohibitive for recreational/casual use.  Cell phone charges were also either non existent  or very expensive unless you made a call from shore.  I would just load your kindle or iPad with books.  Enjoy your cruise!

[tamaraheiner]

I plan on taking my Kindle when we go to Mexico, but mostly just for reading. I agree w/ everyone else about the slowness of email and the browser. I'll be bringing my netbook for email.

[HappyGuy]

Never understood why anyone would pay all that money to go on a cruise, to get away, then worry about email. The idea of a cruise is to disconnect, not connect. If you're going to be worried about email, why not just save the money and stay home?  Just sayin'. YMMV.

[jbcohen]

I think as a general rule assume this is an extra. 

I think if the cruise doesn't advertise free wi-fi as part of the package then yes, it's likely you'd have to pay for it, though it might be quite reasonable. Ask!

As for your 3G, you will be able to use it, but how good the reception is will depend on where you are at the time. I wouldn't count on it being available everywhere, or being a good connection.

Most of us find using the browser on the e-ink Kindles quite cumbersome - in fact, apart from trying it out when I first got my K2 in Aug 2009 I've never used it. Never even opened the browser on my K3! Having said that, there are people who use it regularly and are happy with it. If you want to know how easy it will be to use the browser for your email, give it a go before you leave. Particularly try it while you're out of wi-fi range and relying on the 3G to give you a realistic idea of how well it will work.

Edit: I notice you said you have to 'turn off the wi-fi' or be charged. The Kindle's wireless system - Whispernet - is both wi-fi and 3G. You can't turn off one or the other. They're either both on or off. The Kindle will look for any wi-fi connections it 'knows' and use those first, or if none are available, will go to the 3G. If you don't deliberately connect your Kindle to the ship's (or any other) wi-fi network, the Kindle will ignore it, so you can leave your wireless switched on and it will default to the 3G connection. Once you have connected to a particular wi-fi network at least once, the Kindle will use it when in range, unless you tell it to ignore it.


 

[mooshie78]

Never understood why anyone would pay all that money to go on a cruise, to get away, then worry about email. The idea of a cruise is to disconnect, not connect. If you're going to be worried about email, why not just save the money and stay home?  Just sayin'. YMMV.

Well there's a difference between someone checking their e-mail repeatedly, and someone on vacation just checking once every day or two to make sure there's no crisis with work or family (if they left the kids behind etc.).  Some people have work or family situations that make it hard (if not impossible) to every be 100% out of touch for more than a day or two.

[TraceyC/FL]

Well there's a difference between someone checking their e-mail repeatedly, and someone on vacation just checking once every day or two to make sure there's no crisis with work or family (if they left the kids behind etc.).  Some people have work or family situations that make it hard (if not impossible) to every be 100% out of touch for more than a day or two.

My dad was unable to take a vacation without being available 24/7. Small family business... First it was a pager rented at the destination, then a Mac luggable came along, then phones could connect to that, every year it was an advancement and lighter baggage, right up until they sold the business.

But to assume everyone can unplug while on vacation is a pipe dream!

(heck even I used to have to take my Motorola flip phone and a laptop to the lake In case of issues, and trust me, they always dreamed up something dire that had to be fixed that day, but had been broken for months )

[Betsy the Quilter]

I kind of thought the point of taking a cruise was to take the cruise.  Seeing the places that the cruise goes and doing activities on board. (Eating, LOL!)  Which could include being plugged in if that's what people want.  If I ever take a cruise (still working on hubby), it wouldn't be to disconnect, it will be to have new experiences that I haven't had before. 

And part of travelling has always been sharing it with family back home.  Email and blog posts are the new post cards. 

I would take my Fire with me, though, because I can play games on it.

Betsy

[edit4ever]

OK- I am on my fourth or fifth cruise with my K3 3G and I have posted on this before - but am happy to summarize.

On board the ship - even while at sea - you will pick up the ship cell signal and be able to use the experimental browser.  Realize that this connection will be GPRS (2.5G) and therefore be pretty slow.  It is also transmitted over satellite, so you lose the connection every now and then and have to reload the page.  Here's the bonus - this is free!  I have been in the Caribbean, the Med and Alaska and it always worked.

In port you should get a much faster 3G signal and have no problem whatsoever.

Now the real secret to a good experience is building your mobile bookmarks before you go.  Do this when you have a wifi signal  Setup your email, facebook even kindleboards bookmarks with the mobile or wap versions of the websites.  I use hotmail and gmail and both work great.  In fact, I am posting this from the middle the Gulf of Mexico onboard the Carnival Conquest!

Now go and have a happy and connected cruise!!  Kindle rocks!

[dori chatelain]

My daughter went on a cruise to alaska this past summer and she called me one daya nd asked me to get on her computer into her B&N account and purchase a book for her because she tried for 2 days to hook her nook to the internet on the ship but it wouldn't work. something about the service.... but when she went ashore the book auto loaded a a wifi hotspot.