Friday, September 22, 2006

Making Ship-to-Shore Calls for Free with Skype

Day 3 aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner (Alaska to Russia to Japan).

We've been spending a fair amount of time here on Deck 6 at the Coffee Corner next to the library or in Stars (where there's consistent wireless Internet access). Victor mans the coffee machine and he's terrific. We enjoy talking with him about his home in the Philippines and what it's like to work on the Mariner.

We usually pop down here early in the morning to call home using our laptop and Skype software. We're so glad we installed this software before leaving home! With SkypeOut you can call any land line or cell phone anywhere in the world. You can also call any computer that also has the software installed.

We were able to call our family and friends for free every day during the cruise. This was a special promotion, however. As of 2007, Skype's rates to call from your laptop to a land line or cell phone appear to be 2.1 cents per minute (or less) for international calls. Calls from one Skype-outfitted computer to another are free.

To use Skype, simply download the software and follow the instructions. You should also buy a comfortable headset (the one you use with your current cell phone may work nicely).

When we made our calls, we sat in the Stars lounge so we wouldn't disturb other guests in the library or those enjoying their morning coffee. We were always the only people in the lounge and it was nice to chat with our friends and family while watching the world go by outside.

Photo by Leonard Hospidor

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