According to Theresa, our Club.com manager on the Mariner, Skype and streaming video have been blocked on the entire fleet because they tie up too much bandwidth. She doesn't know if Corporate will feel the bandwith upgrades in drydock will be sufficient to unblock them. There have been many complaints and Theresa strongly suggests that guests put requests for Skype access in their comment cards. Even if you are on for only a 7 day cruise, add it to your comments until Regent provides enough bandwidth to handle it. Providing cell phone availability is better than satellite phone costs, but at $1.99 per minute (my cost on Cingular) it's significantly more expensive than the cost of Skype.
Jim

Thanks for the suggestion. Will do.

This could be a case of "be careful what you ask for." They could decide to free up some of that bandwidth by revamping the "free internet" perk for those who have earned it. I'd rather have free internet with no Skype than have to pay for internet but have access to Skype. Or, have internet cost more so that I can use Skype or streaming video. Just a thought.

I agree with Donna. Many of us get some free telephone time and can supplement with our cellphones. This is a profit area for them and access to Skype could take away more benefits to the whole. If they open up the bandwith it will cost them more to provide the free and they've already reduced benefits to the SSS members.

I agree Kathy. As you know I'm not a big internet user on a cruise (I try to get away from technology!), but if I were on a long cruise, I'd certainly want my laptop, my email and the internet. I'd leave the phonecalls for emergencies, although I must admit, I don't have any grandchildren or anything, it might be different if I did.

I guess I can understand bandwidth concerns about streaming video, but Skype really isn't much of a bandwidth hog. Perhaps there are additional/other financial incentives for Regent to restrict Skype?

george

Lack of sufficient satellite bandwidth capabilty is a serious drawback to Regent's luxury image.

Technology is a changing...from both ends,.by providers and consumers. Those companies that stay current and provide the services people come to expect will be the leaders.

One of the problems I believe that is occuring currently on Voyager is that many, many people have free Internet access and are this staying "on-line" 24/7...rahter than just signing on and off. Not knowing everything about how such systems work, but I beleive that hogs bandwidth and slows down the basic system. Which in turn causes Regent to cut off streaming services such as Skype.

Just being "logged-on" won't use any bandwidth. However, a lot of folks may start the download or upload of large files (like downloading a movie) and then go do other stuff. So the laptops can be using bandwidth even when unattended.

One interim solution for RSSC, until they get more bandwidth, would be to provide a free daily allotment of bytes transfered, then charge for any over that. That way people could do email or check stock quotes, etc., but they would be more selective on what large files they may up/download.

Ragnar "Geek" D.