The average cost for internet access on a cruise ship is $0.75 per minute. AND, that’s typically for dial-up speed. Watching an adorable cat video while at sea will cost you your next car payment.
We’re assuming most of our users will go into “Airplane Mode” as soon as the Muster Drill ends (Note: maritime international law prohibits watching cat videos during the Muster Drill). Now, you can continue to use Ship Mate while off the grid. Some things you can do with this update:
- Sit poolside and read up on your next port.
- While on a bar-stool, use your deck maps to find the nearest bathroom
- Record your daily activities in your daily schedule (iOS only right now)
To Use: as long as you’ve saved your upcoming cruise, it’ll be stored for offline use. You may see a “Saving for offline use” screen pop up. This will only happen once and then you’re forever ready to disconnect.
Please let us know what other offline functionality you’d like to see in the comments below! And, if you like what we’ve done, please take a minute to rate us in Apple App Store or in Google Play. We’re always really grateful to see users taking the time to review the app in those!
if this only happens once, what happens when you book another cruise and want to see it offline?
Sorry for the confusion, Rose. It saves your next upcoming cruise. As soon as you get back from Cruise #1, it’ll then save the info for Cruise #2 for offline use.
thanks! thank you for always improving your great app!
You’re very welcome, Rose! It’ll only get better from here 🙂
Can you text other passengers on same cruise for free in Airplane Mode?
Unfortunately, that’s not possible, Jennifer.
Talking to fellow passengers while cruising.
We’re working on that, Debi!
How’s this feature coming along? 🙂 We have a group of 14 going on a cruise in March and it would be wonderful to be able to communicate fun happenings to others in the group that are still sitting at the pool! lol
Wendy – you’re currently able to use a bunch of the app’s features while on board… unfortunately, texting is not yet one of them. Thanks!
Will we be able to down load pictures n such so our family at home can view them?
Sorry, Dorothy – uploading images requires network access, so we can’t quite do that yet.
The best way is to wait until you’re in port and find a free WiFi connection to send your pictures to your family.
Agreed, Cliff! You’re bound to find a Starbucks at port 🙂
Outstanding idea, I’ll look forward to using it from here on
Thanks Tom! Glad to hear!
One of the questions I want answered when traveling is “Where exactly am I?” You have this cute “ship location” feature. 12 days until departure and I know where the ship is right now. I put my phone on airplane mode like it will be when I’m on the ship and that goes away. Big disappointment. GPS doesn’t require network access does it?
GPS does require a network, Greg. But, we’re working on another tracking method. Stay tuned! Thanks for the feedback.
So, while onboard the DirectMsgs feature does not work to contact other passengers?
That’s correct – unfortunately, that’s not yet possible.
Great app , but would be huge if we can text between passengers, that’s the biggest concern I’m ready to pay for that feature , but great job thanks
thanks so much, Enzo! We’ll do our best to get that in there!
A group of us are going on a cruise next week. Is it yet possible to message each other while we are on board?
I am brand new to shipmate and not very tech savvy. How do I post a question?