How to Contact the Office on a Cruise

In a perfect world, vacation time would be work-free. In reality, being on a cruise doesn't always allow you to forget the office completely. Keeping in touch with the office can be tricky business on a cruise, so here are some steps you can take.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Bring or rent a laptop, for less hassle down the line. Make sure that it is equipped for wireless networking. Many cruise ships allow passengers to hook up to a wireless network via satellite. This can cost a lot, though. Keep reading.

2. Set up a free email account before you head off with a service like Google or Hotmail. Don't use your regular email account for security reasons. Instruct your regular email account to forward messages to your temporary one. Give a heads-up to your co-workers.

3. Check your email from port, instead of on ship. The cost of using the Internet onboard is pretty shocking. Many ports have Internet cafes that won't require waiting in line, and they cost much less.

4. Grab a phone card before you head out. Make your calls when you hit the ports because it is less expensive and you likely can't use a phone card onboard.

5. Just in case, keep your cell phone. It probably won't work (there are all sorts of technical reasons why). Also, give contacts a satellite phone number to the ship for emergencies only.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the pre-boarding booklet that is mailed to you. This contains valuable information about communications and numbers to give to key contacts at the office.
• Standard ship-to-shore charges are about $6 per minute. The charge for getting calls on the ship's satellite phone might be a shocker, so it should only be for a true emergency.
• 900-numbers are usually available, but average $9 per minute.