In the many cruise Facebook groups, whenever someone posts a question about internet connectivity they get flooded with people talking about how you should lock your phone away and simply relax. That's sort of a battle between people who want cruising to be an escape from reality — like it was in the days before remote internet connectivity — and people who consider their phones an essential part of their existence.
In reality, some people want to stay connected on their cruise in order to keep in touch with their kids, ailing family members, or their office. The improving nature of cruise connectivity, with both Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) -) and Royal Caribbean adding Elon Musk's Starlink internet service, makes keeping in touch while on a cruise easier.
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That has opened cruising up to more people. Not everyone has the option of going away for 3, 4, 7, or even more days without being able to check in with home and, in many cases work. Having serviceable internet has made it possible to work from a cruise ship.
Not everyone wants to do that but with more workers going remote and many people owning their own businesses, improved internet at sea has allowed people to cruise who can't simply not work for the week. Cruise ships, however, generally don't offer dedicated space for people to work.
Some people simply work in their cabins, but internet quality can vary greatly depending on where you are on the ship. Other cruisers who need to get some work done flock to common spaces, where the internet signal may be better but nothing is optimized for work.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival both offer cafes and other spaces with tables and chairs, but neither offers a dedicated workspace with outlets, charging cables, and other business amenities.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald, however, has at least opened the door to his cruise line considering becoming more supportive of remote work.
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What it's like to work on a Carnival or Royal Caribbean cruise ship
As a frequent cruiser with a work-from-anywhere remote job, every cruise involves me doing at least some work. Just a few years ago, way back in 2018, that was a very frustrating proposition. Connections were spotty at best and even sending an email was challenging on sea days when everyone with an internet package tried to connect.
Starlink has improved that dramatically. While Royal Caribbean and Carnival internet still falls way behind even the worst home connections, it's perfectly functional.
I have been able to watch multi-person online video meetings and even speak (albeit with my camera off). Phone calls and one-on-one meetings with video on are generally no problem and basic web surfing, while noticably slower, works fine.
Connection speeds (or the ability to connect at all) does vary greatly based on room location. On a recent weekend cruise on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, my room, in a corner at the front of the ship had very limited internet signal.
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On the Royal Promenade on the fifth floor or the Crown Lounge on the 14th, my internet was much better and I was fully able to work. That's not unique to Royal Caribbean, and it's why some Carnival customers are lobbying for dedicated work space.
Carnival considers onboard business centers
Neither Royal Caribbean nor Carnival dedicates any space for passengers who need to work while on their ships. One commenter on Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald's page raised the issue:
Unfortunately, I'll need to work a few hours each day on my upcoming Vista cruise. I understand from my travel agent that Carnival does not have a business center. With 70% of Americans working remotely and working on vacation too, Carnival should provide a business center on EVERY ship. Charging stations. Printers. Special internet packages for workers. Dropped the ball here Carnival.
And, while that 70% number is higher than the reality (there's no government statistic on remote work), the number of people working remotely at least part-time is likely over 40%. It's certainly enough for Heald (and Carnival management) to consider the topic.
Perhaps we do need to have a think about this. Now I work when I am on board. I work in the dinning room or in one of the lounges or in my cabin but the allure of the bed usually means that I get sod all done there.
Perhaps we are in the mindset that people are too busy having Fun to work and that the purpose of vacation is to forget about work. Perhaps those ideas are not part of today’s world although I truly hope that is not the case.
Heald asked his followers whether the cruise line should add dedicated business centers to its ships. Over, 2,300 people commented and many of them supported the idea.
"Yes. I work remotely which could be anywhere. It would be nice to support those of us who can have a floating office," posted Laura Smith Thatcher.
That was the overall sentiment, but some people seem to think that accommodating others and adapting to changing realities, which would create more customers for Carnival, would be a bad thing.
"I don’t think they are needed. Choose a vacation that fits with what you’re doing. Don’t demand a company change to accommodate you, if you’re supposed to be working," Shirlene Boehm Amoss wrote.
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Melissa Jordan shared why accommodating remote work could be a benefit to Carnival.
"I would definitely use it. I often work while on vacation. That’s what allows me to take several vacations a year. In fact, I’m on Celebration in less two weeks and will be working a little," she shared.
