Cruise Vacations:Ten Travel Tips for Staying ConnectedWe live in a 24/7 world and staying connected when you're on a cruise vacation is essential for most people these days. The problem is that many people believe they can use their phones and computers overseas the same way they do at home, but you can't. In fact, there are Five Things You Need to Know About Using Your Cell Phone Overseas which we cover under Cell Phones Abroad . If you’re like me, you can’t afford to be disconnected from your business or family when you travel and my Blackberry has been an absolute godsend (especially internationally). There's a lot you need to know before you leave for your cruise that will not only help you stay connected, but also save you big bucks when it comes to using your cell phone, Blackberry, or iPhone on cruise vacations.  2. Find out how much your smart phone charges will be for emails and internet access BEFORE you travel. Did you know that you can pre-negotiate a package plan prior to leaving on your cruise vacation? Call your mobile phone company and ask to speak to customer service to find out what plans your mobile phone company has that would benefit you while you're away (special texting plans, network connections, etc.). Most companies will let you temporarily switch to these plans for the duration of your trip, but don’t forget to call them when you return to verify they've reinstated your prior plan. I use Verizon and they've always been very accommodating and helpful in arranging this for my international trips.
4. Using your mobile phone abroad can cost up to $3.50 per minute. When you call your wireless service provider, check your service plan and find out what additional roaming or network charges you may incur if you use your mobile phone while you're on your cruise ship vacation. 5. Find out what technology will be available to you on your cruise ship BEFORE you sail. If you need to stay in touch with family or the office while you're away, make sure you contact the cruise line to determine what internet access will be available to you.
7. Bring your laptop or netbook if you need to edit and send documents. If you need to create, edit or send documents while you’re away, then you need to bring your own laptop or netbook since most cruise ship internet cafes do not allow you to connect a flash drive through a USB port. There are generally about a dozen “hot spots” throughout the ship where you can use the on board internet service. 
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