A new California law will force cruise lines to be more transparent about their prices, bolstering a Biden administration crusade against junk fees.
09.05.2024 - 16:09 / insider.com / Tony Fernandes / Cruises
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tony Fernandes, a 60-year-old founder and CEO of UEGroup based in San Francisco, about his experience working remotely on a cruise ship. It's been edited for length and clarity.
My wife and I are in the post-kid, post-pet phase of our lives. Our kids have gone off to college and we had a beloved dog and house rabbits that have passed away. After they passed, that really opened up a window for us to travel — and we did — but extended travel is new for us.
In November, I embarked on a trip where I spent several weeks leading my company from a cruise ship with my wife. We ultimately circumnavigated the globe on two different cruises and with air travel. Leaving California, we went through Europe, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.
It's been a cool experience. But I found that while working on the ship, you do need some discipline — especially on a 21-day cruise.
We didn't realize it, but when we upgraded our internet, it upgraded our drinks package. So, it turned out we could get bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne for free.
We had a couple of lunches and dinners where we enjoyed Champagne, but we also developed a rhythm where we had work time and playtime. It wasn't rigid — but there were times when my wife, who does finance at UEGroup, and I knew we had to get things done.
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Working can set you apart from people who are on vacation. That doesn't mean you can't work in your bathing suit or have a beer before you start your work, but it puts you on a slightly different footing than some of the other people on the cruise.
One thing I didn't realize prior to the trip was that the cruise ship had only one satellite connection shared by thousands of people. The internet was oppressively slow at times.
For our next long trip, I'm looking into getting a data satellite phone so I can put an antenna on my patio facing the right direction for the satellite. I've still got to figure it out, but there were times when it was really important for us to communicate, and we couldn't.
We're now very mistrustful of statements the cruise lines make about the quality of their internet. For example, we upgraded our Internet, but it turned out the cruise line's definition of upgrading was that we could have more than one device, not that there was any better speed or reliability. You've got to read the fine print about how they define an upgrade.
I would also recommend asking what kind of download and upload speeds to expect.
Internet access can be unpredictable even with research and planning ahead, so we had backup people for important meetings back at the office. If we weren't able to show up, there was someone prepared with the slide deck. I
A new California law will force cruise lines to be more transparent about their prices, bolstering a Biden administration crusade against junk fees.
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Hundreds of holidaymakers on board a P&O cruise ship have been taken ill with suspected cases of norovirus.
Every year, more than 20 million passengers take a cruise.
Riviera River Cruises has completed a refurbishment of MS Lord Byron, which has now kicked off its 2024 season on France’s Rhône River.
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The newest cruise ship in the MSC Cruises fleet sails Northern Europe itineraries for much of the year. There’s lots to see and do between port calls, so Euribia is a great choice for families, young couples, or groups of friends who don't mind a lively, pan-European onboard atmosphere.
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Take it!" shouted my mother, throwing me her backpack. "We can use the rope inside to get to shore."
A cruise port on Florida’s Space Coast is going bigger, planning to build a brand-new cruise terminal to meet demand.
If you're a traveler with limited mobility, a cruise can be a great way to see the world without having to worry as much about logistics. Because all major cruise lines must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, they must ensure ships are equipped with accessible accommodations.
Cunard has operated 249 ships throughout its 184 years in operation, including the famous Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2. But it's been 14 years since the cruise line has launched a new vessel — until now.