🕒 Updated: November 24, 2024 | Published: October 25, 2024 | Written by: Joenid
Are you looking to combine remote work and vacation enjoyment on your next cruise ship trip? I’ve got a story to share that might change how you vacation. If you’ve promised your partner an unforgettable trip but can’t escape from your professional commitments, or if you’re a solo sailor looking for inspiration, let me take you on my journey.
If you know me, you probably know that I’ve loved sailing on Virgin Voyages cruises 🚢 for the past few years. Not only because of the delicious healthy meals and entertainment options but also because I’ve discovered I can manage my time to get work done while still fully enjoying the trip.
I’ll be honest about my experience, including how I organize my time, find the best spots for productivity, and share tips for working remotely on a cruise ship while still enjoying the vacation vibe.
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Pre-Trip: Essential Gears for Working Remotely on a Cruise Ship
I’m very practical and minimalist when it comes to packing. I always ensure to bring only what I know I’ll use, instead of packing unnecessary items that add extra weight to my luggage. The first thing I pack is my laptop and its charger (of course). I don’t usually pack a portable power bank because the cruise offers plenty of good spots to plug in and charge my laptop. However, if you plan to work longer hours or take your laptop off the ship, it’s a good idea to pack one.
I also pack a notebook and pen because I love brainstorming ideas on a blank page and disconnecting from technology. Another essential item is a pair of earphones, along with a USB drive to store photos taken during the trip from my phone.
Summary: Don’t forget to pack
- Laptop/Tablet
- Charger
- Mouse
- Microphone
- Camera
- USB memory stick (to transfer photos from mobile to laptop)
- Notebook
- Pen
- Kindle
- Noise-canceling headphone
- Universal Adapter
Organizing for a Cruise Trip
I love to share my cruise experiences and the healthy meal options available while cruising. To make the most of my time during the trip, I prepare drafts and a list of content ideas beforehand. This ensures I don’t miss any important topics I want to cover later in my blog.
Another pre-trip preparation is creating a list of keywords relevant to my niche to have them handy in case I find new ideas to develop content while traveling. Lastly, I make a list of experiences and places I want to capture with my camera during the trip. This step is crucial because I don’t want to return home only to realize I missed capturing something important.
Cruise-Friendly Wi-Fi Options
Virgin Voyages includes free basic unlimited Wi-Fi browsing, as well as an upgraded premium Wi-Fi package (for a fee). On my last trip, they offered a day pass for $30. (Note: The price for premium Wi-Fi has varied since my first sail and currently is limited to one device at a time).
Since achieving the status of Deep Blue Extra (Virgin Voyages’ Sailing Club), I’ve enjoyed access to exclusive benefits, including unlimited premium Wi-Fi.
Internet speed
I found that the basic Wi-Fi is good enough for checking emails, web browsing, social media, and messaging. However, the basic Wi-Fi does not support streaming. The premium Wi-Fi is better, but in some instances, I experienced a few issues watching streaming videos but overall, it does a good job.
Most of the time I used it to read and send emails, write Word documents, access my WordPress dashboard, and make changes to my blog and post content without any issues. I also witnessed several sailors having online video calls without any issue.
Virgin Voyages does not advertise any specific internet speed because they use satellite internet which is subject to weather, satellite availability, and location. I ran some speed tests from my cabin (Deck 12), while connected to the premium Wi-Fi (provided by Starlink). On average, the internet speed was 7.5 Mbps download and 3.0 Mbps upload. So, it will depend on how good a connection is available.
Essential Stores Onboard
On one of my sailing adventures, I forgot to bring my earphones and discovered that on High Street (The Ship Shop, Deck 6), you can find emergency gadgets like earphones, batteries, and phone chargers.
This store is so convenient because not only can you find technological gadgets, but you can also get feminine products, medications, motion sickness bands, sunscreen, and even intimate products if you forget them at home. Yes, my friend, you can even find vibrators and condoms!
Quiet Corners for Working Remotely on the Cruise Ship
What I love most about Virgin Voyages cruises is the variety of perfect places to find inspiration and get work done.
For all my trips on Virgin Voyages, I’ve chosen the Sea Terrace cabin, which I find super comfortable for me and my husband. The cabin comes with a desk and an ottoman, along with a small table that’s ideal for using a laptop. I often used the small table to check and work on my blog. The cabin also features a tablet that allows you to adjust the lighting colors and temperatures.
Now, my favorite part of the cabin where I found the most inspiration and enjoyed the perfect white noise of the waves—is the balcony. It has a red hammock that’s incredibly comfortable to lie in while typing a few lines on my blog or brainstorming ideas. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy quiet time.
Quiet places outside your cabin
If you’re looking for quiet areas there are plenty of cozy spots outside your cabin to choose from:
- The Galley (Deck 15 AFT)
- Sun Club Café (Deck 16)
- The Dock House (Deck 7)
- The Social Club (Deck 7)
- Draught Haus (Deck 7)
- Sip Lounge (Deck 7)
- The Grounds Club (Deck 7)
These spots are perfect for morning work, as they get too crowded to concentrate after 10:30 a.m. In several of these locations, I found electrical outlets to charge my laptop (American-style plugs and USB charging). These spaces were ideal for helping me stay focused and productive.
Quiet places at evening outside your cabin
If you’re more of an evening worker, I found these spots good to escape from the noise:
- The outdoor area near Lick Me ‘Til Ice Cream Shop (Deck 7)
- Get Lost: Future Voyage Sales (Deck 7)
- The Perch (Deck 17) — Note: This is the only area on the cruise where you can comfortably sunbathe topless.🌞
Balancing Working Remotely and Enjoying the Cruise Ship
Let’s be honest, you don’t want to spend your entire trip working, which is why pre-trip preparation is so important. Besides preparing my drafts and planning my content creation, I also schedule the activities I want to attend during the trip. The Virgin Voyages app shows you all the shows as soon as you board. I use the activities schedule to identify which I want to attend and how I can manage my work time while still enjoying the trip.
I’m a morning person, so I wake up early, go to Grounds Club Too to get a latte with oat milk, grab some breakfast at The Galley, and then head to my favorite quiet corner The Galley (Deck 15 AFT) to brainstorm ideas for my blog.
I usually work in the mornings when my mind is at its most productive. I reserve the rest of the day to enjoy live music and social club games. However, you can honestly work at any time of the day because there are plenty of quiet spots on the ship.
On sea days, I do another quick round of work in the evenings before heading to the restaurants and late-night parties. I check to make sure my blog and social media content have been posted successfully, or I take a moment to quickly plan future content. Since I want to enjoy my vacation with my husband, I use port days to disconnect from work and fully relax.
Full Remote Work on a Cruise Ship in Summer
The best part of teleworking is the option of exploring Virgin Voyages’ summer season pass. These passes allow you to sail for an entire month, typically from June to September. If you book within the 25 bookings per month of sailing, you will get special access to Richard’s Rooftop (only available for luxury suite sailors). It also includes premium unlimited Wi-Fi, two free specialty coffee drinks per day, and other benefits.
These passes are perfect for enjoying the flexibility of remote work, allowing us to be productive on sea days while fully enjoying the trip on port days and visiting other coastal cities without compromising our responsibilities.
Final Tips for Working Remotely from a Cruise Ship
Working remotely while on vacation? You can totally have the best of both worlds! Just remember to plan ahead for those tricky moments with low-quality Wi-Fi. Use the downtime to brainstorm your creativity on a blank piece of paper, polish your projects with offline Word or Excel documents, or dive into photo and video edits with offline tools.
Additionally, establish a schedule to manage your time wisely, balancing productivity with relaxation to enjoy the trip. Stick to your plan and choose quiet spots for maximum productivity and inspiration. Working while traveling puts my mind in optimum creative mode, resulting in my best content creations.
So, don’t be afraid to book that cruise trip while working! Have you been taking advantage of the telework era to travel the world?
Share your experiences in the comment box below; I want to hear from you.
