Technology & Communication
Technology on the Ship
The MV Explorer is equipped with state-of-the-art technological services:
Computer Lab
The Computer Lab is available for academic use on a 24-hour basis. Each computer is configured with Windows XP, Microsoft Office XP, a DVD player, a CD burner, and USB ports. External floppy drives and Zip drives are available for loan. The lab is also equipped with several high volume Laser printers that are accessible from any of the computers inside the lab, as well as from individual laptops via wireless connection.
Onboard Wireless Network
The ship is equipped with a wireless network, which is accessible from most public areas on the ship.
Email Service and Internet Access
Participants can access web-based email accounts, such as Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail, etc. The technology fee charged to all students and lifelong learners provides 125 minutes of Internet access. Internet usage beyond 125 minutes will incur a charge on a per minute basis.
Onboard Intranet Resources
The onboard Intranet is used as a place for storing and sharing resources of academic utility to the entire shipboard community.
Telephone Service
Cabins are equipped with phones that enable around the clock ship-to-shore calling (both receiving incoming calls and placing outgoing calls). A phone card, available for purchase onboard, is required to make outgoing telephone calls.
Mobile Phone Service
The Institute for Shipboard Education, through an agreement with Wireless Maritime Systems (WMS), offers an advanced roaming network onboard the MV Explorer, allowing participants to make and receive calls and text messages using their own mobile phone. To use the WMS mobile network, participants must enable international roaming with their cell phone provider. Rates are determined by the cell phone provider and typically start at $2.50 per minute.
Communication to the Ship
Telephone Service
Family members and friends can call the ship 24 hours a day by dialing a toll-free number: 877-266-0986. Telephone number outside the U.S.: 872-335-3265. The caller will be asked to provide a credit card that will be charged approximately $3.95 per minute. An attendant at the Reception/Purser's desk will answer the call and connect the caller directly to the phone in the participant's cabin (note: charges initiate as soon as the attendant answers the call).
Callers are asked to be patient as there will be times when the ship cannot be reached by phone, fax or e-mail due to heavy usage or unavailable satellite signal. If contact to the ship cannot be made in the event of an emergency, calls should be placed to ISE, which has a 24 -hour phone answering service 800-854-0195.
Fax Service
Faxes can be sent from the ship as well as received. The Fax number of the ship is 954-538-6163 (this is a regular, U.S. based toll call for the caller). Fax accessibility will vary depending on the location of the ship. There is a $5 charge assessed to the participant's shipboard account for each page faxed/received.
Mail Service
Mail is delivered by the Port Agent and delivered to the Reception/Purser's desk. A volunteer group of participants assembles to sort the mail and affix cabin numbers. Mail is then delivered to each cabin by cabin stewards. Please note that mail received by the Port Agent after the MV Explorer leaves that port is not forwarded.
Please note that the Port Agent will deliver mail as it arrives while the ship is in port. Upon departure, any mail received will be forwarded to the next port in which mail can be received in time of the ship's arrival.
Emergency Notification System
Through the provider E2Campus, Semester at Sea offers an advanced Emergency Notification System that enables Semester at Sea to send notifications instantly via mobile phone text-messaging and/or via email. To participate, participants must register a mobile phone with international service.
