Mesh Network Peer-to-Peer Messaging on Large Cruise Ships: A FireChat Experience on Oasis-Class Cruises

During my recent voyage on the Allure of the Seas, I had the opportunity to explore the capabilities of peer-to-peer messaging apps, particularly FireChat. My daughter and I downloaded WhatsApp for social messaging, and we utilized Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service for our cabin's internet needs. While we were able to communicate seamlessly using WhatsApp, the internet connectivity was spotty at best. This led to some interesting observations regarding the performance of peer-to-peer messaging apps on large cruise ships.

The Performance of WhatsApp on the Allure of the Seas

WhatsApp proved to be a reliable messaging app during our voyage. Both my daughter and I were able to communicate with our significant others back home in Minnesota, using WhatsApp with ease. The app was consistently available, even when the Wi-Fi connection was poor.

Challenges with Wi-Fi Connectivity

The Wi-Fi connectivity on the Allure of the Seas was quite inconsistent, leading to frequent issues with internet access. This was unlike previous cruises we had experienced, where purchasing an internet package was a necessity. The situation turned out to be quite challenging when using traditional internet-based messaging apps like WhatsApp. The "Unable to connect" message would appear as the ship's internet service went down, making it difficult to stay connected to the outside world.

An Introduction to FireChat

FireChat, a mesh network peer-to-peer messaging app, caught my attention as it seemed like a potential solution to the challenges we faced with traditional messaging apps. Meshtastic is one such similar app that operates under the same principles but integrates more seamlessly with hardware devices. In peer-to-peer messaging, nodes in the network can connect directly with each other and relay messages without the need for a central server. This means that even if one part of the network experiences an internet outage, messages can still be sent and received through the mesh network.

Initial Impressions and First Impressions of FireChat

Before using FireChat, I was curious about how well a peer-to-peer messaging app would perform on a large oasis-class cruise ship. The ship's architecture, with multiple areas and phases, posed a potential challenge. Each phase of the ship represents a different central hub and additional Wi-Fi nodes could greatly improve connectivity, making it ideal for peer-to-peer networks.

Once we downloaded the FireChat app, we discovered that pairing nodes in the network could indeed solve the issue of spotty Wi-Fi. FireChat allows for nodes in the network to connect directly to each other, even without a central server. This made communication possible even when some parts of the ship experienced internet outages. While FireChat can be used for chat and sharing, it's worth noting that the app is primarily designed for text-based messaging and may not be suitable for file sharing or media.

FireChat operates similarly to Meshtastic and other mesh network apps. These apps are particularly useful in situations where traditional internet connectivity is unreliable, such as on cruise ships or during outdoor events. The ability to send messages directly from one device to another without relying on a central server makes FireChat a robust and viable alternative for peer-to-peer communication on large cruise ships.

Conclusion: How Well Does FireChat Work on Large Cruise Ships?

Our experience with FireChat on the Allure of the Seas demonstrated that peer-to-peer networking can indeed be a reliable solution for communication on large cruise ships. When the main internet infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable, FireChat provided a way for passengers to maintain communication through direct device-to-device messaging. However, it's important to note that while mesh network apps like FireChat and Meshtastic are useful, they are primarily designed for basic text messaging and may not offer all the features of traditional messaging apps.

In conclusion, while Voom internet on the Allure of the Seas experienced spotty connectivity, using FireChat as an alternative proved to be a successful workaround for maintaining consistent communication. For those traveling on large cruise ships, peer-to-peer messaging apps offer a promising solution to the challenges of maintaining consistent communication in areas with poor internet infrastructure.