WiFi problems
Several comments have referred to the spotty WiFi on the Andorinha. No one to blame here as the ship will need to rely on cell type connection (not traditional WiFi). However whatever capacity it can get will be shared amongst all guests.
So look at your own domestic data plan and see what it charges for international roaming. If that’s OK with you then use that as whilst you’ll be accessing the same service, you won’t be sharing it with everyone else. (Plan A)
Alternatively think about signing for an online European plan using an eSIM. ( a digression here - A SIM (subscriber information module ) used to be a physical card that fitted into your phone. It’s like a passport, telling the cell tower who you are and what your number is. More recently phones have replaced the SIM with a eSIM, which is a software version of the SIM. The advantage of an eSIM is that you can have multiple ones on your phone. Your standard (US?) one, plus others you can buy - apologies to everyone who knows this already).
Here is one I use.
https://www.airalo.com/europe-esim
Not recommending specifically and have no connection but well reviewed and works for me.
Once you buy a data plan, download the eSIM to your phone, go to your settings and change data setting to the new eSIM when you arrive
WARNING. This will ensure your device uses the eSIM for all data (browsing, email, WhatsApp, FaceTime etc. ) BUT it won’t support non data activities like phone calls or phone to phone texting. If you need to make old fashioned phone calls stick with plan A
Hope this is helpful
Comments
Oh my goodness. This seems like more trouble than it’s worth for a mere 2 and a half week trip. One way or another, we’ve all become addicted to these devices. It’s amazing when observing how many heads are bent down looking at a phone especially when there is something to see. I have no idea what the long run effect of this will be socially in time to come. I understand that technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
Couldn't agree more. But just occasionally when you need it you need it!
Ourtravels, I agree in principle but we do use ours to help navigate to sights when we're on our own and to text each other if we happen to go off in different directions. Have never needed to call on tour and try to limit how much time spent on checking email or the news (UGH).
OurTravels - I agree with you. I can understand wanting to keep in touch with elderly parents or young children staying with relatives, but the proliferation of wearing phones as an appendage is, in my opinion, leading to the dumbing down of America.
I use my phone on holiday to take an occasional picture or to contact Tauck if I need to. I would never walk from table to table photographing fellow travelers without their permission for the sole purpose of adding to a scrapbook or video. Thankfully, that does not occur too often. I mentioned on a different thread how a tour director made an announcement during a river cruise orientation that guests were expected to follow a certain decorum when using their phones. I hope it started a trend.
Tauck have always said that cell phone use must not occur when the tour group is together. Occasionally it happens on the tour bus, the tour directors are never strong enough to say anything. I hate it, especially if the tour director is talking. Less annoying than when people just talk loudly when a tour director is giving out information.
I agree with all of you. Those are all the advantages you all mentioned of cell phone use that I’m referring to. I think it’s so rude and inappropriate when a person is speaking to someone on their phone to another person and I’m in ear-shot. There isn’t any cell phone etiquette.
I completely agree with the etiquette comments. I hadn't realized it might be such an issue. If so tour directors should be more assertive. My phone will be off on group tours. I was just thinking of private time on the boats.
My original post was just for FYI. I'm not advocating gluing your phone to your ear!
NDPhillips, hopefully your time on the boat will be minimal so that you get to see the country you are in. Because of the time difference, it can be difficult to make phone calls to the US anyway.
Enjoy your first Tauck tour,I hear that boat is one of the nicest.
FYI- most, if not all the Tauck/Scylla river boats utilize cell service (3G/4G/5G or European equivalent) for internet connection which they then route via on-board wifi to passengers. Any time the boat is in an area with poor cell reception, e.g. deep valleys on the Douro, the wifi access to the internet will be spotty and may not even be available. Also, remember, you are sharing the bandwidth with anyone or everyone on the boat so wifi service will be better late at night or early in the morning when fewer users are online.
Someday, if you are lucky, Scylla will outfit their river boats with StarLink which should improve service 1000%
Yep, the worst time to jump on the wifi and check you email is right when everyone is back from the day's excursion.
AlanS and Claudia - great feedback. However if you have your own data plan, you’re not competing with the rest of the boat. Again, I fully intend to minimize my online presence - but when you must you must…
I don’t understand about how having your own data plan does not compete with the rest of the boar. Is that true? I know if I have looked at my email on my iPad in the middle of the night, it is always good, but that is on the small ships, I’ve only taken one river cruise with Tauck and that is a while ago now.
Yes, but if your source of internet is 3G/4G/5G cell, you still must contend with geographics and coverage. From what I've seen and was surprised by, most of Europe does not have tall cell towers (like the US) and their cell antennas are often mounted on the corners of buildings, etc. in towns which have limited range, especially out in the countryside.
Good point. As a UK expat to the US I can sadly confirm that European cell coverage generally is a lot better than the US ( and cheaper as the EU limits cross border roaming charges). I know when my UK based kids go to Europe, they don’t even think about it. They pay what they pay as if at home.
I’ve not been on a river cruise before but if the coverage is (say) 50% then if you have your own plan you’re not competing with rest of the boat for that 50%. You have your own 50% cell service directly and not via the boats WiFi.
I can comment from experience regarding cell towers in Scandinavia, particularly Denmark. There are very strict regulations—esthetic and sustainability—that dictate cell apparatus not be obtrusive. Some of the newer buildings in København have cell structures that blend in seamlessly with the edifice.
I will never forget the cell tower disguised as a palm tree in Marrakesh!
Cell towers make more credible palm trees (and we've seen them in Morocco, as well), than pine trees (sort of OK) or deciduous (pretty lame).
Concur Portolan. We get the pine tree versions. They sort of blend in until you actually look closer.