[Arctic Fox]

Depending on your cruise itinerary, most ports of call have free wi-fi somewhere, and most cruise lines offer wi-fi by the day rather than having to buy for the whole cruise, so there are work-arounds

[EastCoastDawg]

Originally Posted by bikeman

I will not be booking any more cruises with those two cruise lines, and will book with the other four mentioned above who seem to care about their passengers well being, I suggest all of you who have medical issues to do the same...

It does seem rather drastic to choose your cruise line based on free wi-fi, but each to his own

[retiredguy123]

Personally, I think wifi should be free on all cruises. That is just one of the many reasons that I would never go on a cruise.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Lol, not a pacemaker wearer, I take it. Knowing whether or not your heart has slipped into arrhythmia is pretty critical to the wearer. Think stroke. Perhaps the Dr. posting will verify this assertion.

Happy to, but it can be complicated. Apparently the OP has a pacemaker/defibrillator combination device. Whether or not it is an A-V sequential pacemaker probably doesn't matter in this context. The question is what type of monitoring is being done. In the "good old days", the patient would use a landline and a phone cradle type of device so we could check once a month. The patient was also given a magnet to hold over the pacemaker to turn it off (temporarily) so we could see the underlying rhythm. The main reason for checking is to determine battery status. There are specific electrocardiographic criteria to determine if the battery is failing---usually there are at least 8 and sometimes 12 batteries in a pacemaker that fail sequentially so there is plenty of time to be aware of a problem and deal with it.

Now, checking a device's status is usually done every 3-6 months. But the devices are sophisticated and may be linked to a phone app which will record an unusual event and transmit it to the physician, hence the desire to have continuous wi-fi. But if the patient has exhibited stability over a period of time, being away from wi-fi for a week or two is probably not too risky. And if it is, it's worth paying for the wi-fi. Which gets us back to where we started---not so much if wi-fi is needed, but who should pay for it.

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Personally, I think wifi should be free on all cruises. That is just one of the many reasons that I would never go on a cruise.

Apparently, some people have tried to "smuggle" their portable Starlink units onto Cruise Ships.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Happy to, but it can be complicated. Apparently the OP has a pacemaker/defibrillator combination device. Whether or not it is an A-V sequential pacemaker probably doesn't matter in this context. The question is what type of monitoring is being done. In the "good old days", the patient would use a landline and a phone cradle type of device so we could check once a month. The patient was also given a magnet to hold over the pacemaker to turn it off (temporarily) so we could see the underlying rhythm. The main reason for checking is to determine battery status. There are specific electrocardiographic criteria to determine if the battery is failing---usually there are at least 8 and sometimes 12 batteries in a pacemaker that fail sequentially so there is plenty of time to be aware of a problem and deal with it.

Now, checking a device's status is usually done every 3-6 months. But the devices are sophisticated and may be linked to a phone app which will record an unusual event and transmit it to the physician, hence the desire to have continuous wi-fi. But if the patient has exhibited stability over a period of time, being away from wi-fi for a week or two is probably not too risky. And if it is, it's worth paying for the wi-fi. Which gets us back to where we started---not so much if wi-fi is needed, but who should pay for it.

It's right up there with wheelchair ramps, most people don't need them so those that do should pay for them. (Playing the devil's advocate..)

[biker1]

In general, on cruises, there is no such thing as "free". There can be "no additional cost" but nothing is free. The cruises we go on include Wi-Fi. I am under no illusion that it is free. They also include all gratuities and a drink package. None of those are "free". I just don't see a separate line item for them. However, sometimes you might see a promotion with "free Wi-Fi". These are high margin items. Better cruise lines just don't nickel and dime you for these things.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Personally, I think wifi should be free on all cruises. That is just one of the many reasons that I would never go on a cruise.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by biker1

In general, on cruises, there is no such thing as "free". There can be "no additional cost" but nothing is free. The cruises we go on include Wi-Fi. I am under no illusion that it is free. They also include all gratuities and a drink package. None of those are "free". I just don't see a separate line item for them. However, sometimes you might see a promotion with "free Wi-Fi". These are high margin items. Better cruise lines just don't nickel and dime you for these things.

If it is mandatory, it is not a gratuity, it is a service fee. A gratuity is a voluntary payment.

I could write a book on why I will never go on a cruise.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by biker1

In general, on cruises, there is no such thing as "free". There can be "no additional cost" but nothing is free.

Mrs Fox is forever pointing out that certain cruise lines offer free drinks/wi-fi/grats...and I am forever pointing out that they are charging an additional $200 per day for those freebies.

We mainly cruise Holland-America Line and get discounted wi-fi and half-price wine packages. Building up loyalty with a cruise line pays off (assuming that you like that line).

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by bikeman

I'm on a fixed retirement income and any little discount becomes very important to me...

Maybe they think anyone who can afford multiple cruises can pay for their own internet.

Here's a quick summary from a Google search:

"No, the ADA does not explicitly require cruise lines to provide free or complimentary internet access for medical devices. However, cruise lines are bound by the ADA on sailings departing from U.S. ports, and policies regarding medical internet vary by operator:

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Aces4

It's right up there with wheelchair ramps, most people don't need them so those that do should pay for them. (Playing the devil's advocate..)

You mean like a toll-gate? Or would SunPass work?

[Topspinmo]

If I had serious health problems international cruise ship I would avoid like the plague. IMO nothing worse than being dumped off in 3rd world country with serious health emergency. And yes IMO (and i can have one) Caribbean islands 3rd world.

[biker1]

Yes, everything has a price. I think there might be a slow shift to the "all inclusive" model of pricing for all cruise lines. This has pretty much happened for many of the higher end cruise lines.

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Mrs Fox is forever pointing out that certain cruise lines offer free drinks/wi-fi/grats...and I am forever pointing out that they are charging an additional $200 per day for those freebies.

We mainly cruise Holland-America Line and get discounted wi-fi and half-price wine packages. Building up loyalty with a cruise line pays off (assuming that you like that line).

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

If I had serious health problems international cruise ship I would avoid like the plague. IMO nothing worse than being dumps off in 3rd world country with serious health emergency.

Plus, it is almost never covered by Medicare.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by Caymus

Plus, it is almost never covered by Medicare.

That's why smart cruisers buy travel insurance.