How do I get internet on a cruise?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on many cruises with several cruise lines and they all have internet service and most now also have WiFi. But, the internet service is really expensive, about $50 to $60 and hour, and for WiFi there are "hot stops" on ships rather than the service being available in your cabin. Ships have an internet cafe but depending upon which cruise line and ship you go on some are nice places and other are just so-so.

All of the cruise lines generally offer packages which reduce the price of on line time to about $.50 cents a minute or less, but if you are talking about 2 or 3 kids and a lot of on line time you will spend BIG bucks.

A better option would be to find an internet cafe when you get to your port stops. I have done this all over the Caribbean and world. You can usually get internet service in these places for about $5. to $7. an hour.

Here's a sample of charges from Royal Caribbean:

Q: Is Internet access available from the ship?
A: Yes, depending on the ship there are two options for staying connected while onboard.

Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi)
There will be six designated *"Hot Spots" which vary from ship to ship.

The cost for Wi-Fi access through your own laptop is:
Base rate is $.55 per minute or choose from one of our prepaid packages:
$28.00 for 60 minutes
$38.00 for 90 minutes
$55.00 for 150 minutes

All prices are subject to change without notice.

This is from Norwegian:

All our ships are equipped with 24 hour Internet CafÃ©s. Give your friends and family back home your personalized email address (printed on your cruise ticket) and stay in touch throughout your cruise. Wireless internet (also known as WI-Fi) is also available throughout NCL's entire fleet.

All our ships are equipped with 24 hour Internet CafÃ©s hosted by MTN, and offer the following services.
Service Price

Terminal usage time

$0.75 per minute
Time Package Plan:
250 minutes for $100 ($0.40 per minute)
100 minutes for $55 ($0.55 per minute)
Pay as you go $0.75 per minute

$3.95 per email transmission (send only)
$0.99 offered in the staterooms only through the ITV television on the NCL Jewel, Pride of America and Pride of Hawaii

In Stateroom Access - currently available
on the Norwegian Sun, Pride of Aloha and
Pride of America.

Normal usage fee $0.75 per minute.
Dial up access: Diskettes for dial up network access and cable is $10 (available at reception desk - fee refundable when diskette is returned)

Wireless Internet Service for laptop usage

Time Package Plan:
250 minutes for $100 ($0.40 per minute)
100 minutes for $55 ($0.55 per minute)
Pay as you go $0.75 per minute
Wireless card - $10 per day (if required) Wireless card Insurance - $3.00 per day (optional)*

This is from Carnival:

Can I access the internet while on board?

For those guests who want the option of staying connected to the rest of the world, we proudly offer access to the internet in our onboard Internet CafÃ©s and wireless networks using the ships own satellite connection. The Internet CafÃ© is open 24-hours a day and features private terminals with the latest flat panel computer monitors.

Wireless internet access is available across our entire fleet. Depending on the vessel, we have either limited wireless access in and around the shipboard internet cafÃ© and select public areas or a complete "Bow2stern" wireless network. The complete "Bow2stern" wireless network is currently available on Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Victory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Splendor.

The "Bow2Stern" network allows our guests to enjoy Internet access from literally anywhere on board, including all public areas, lounges, bars and pool decks, guest suites and cabins. To take full advantage of this feature, guests should bring their personal laptops along with them, as the number of laptops available for rent onboard is limited. In addition, this network provides supports the latest Wi-Fi enabled iPhones, PalmPilots and Blackberrys.

Internet CafÃ© Price List

â€¢ An initial one-time Activation Fee of $3.95 applies to each user.
â€¢ A basic time charge of $0.75 per minute ("Pay-As-You-Go") is available. Minutes are rounded to the next full minute.

Cruises less than six days in length:
â€¢ 30 minutes for $16.50 ($0.55 per minute)
â€¢ 60 minutes for $24.00 ($0.40 per minute)

Cruises six days in length and longer:
â€¢ 100 minutes for $55.00 ($0.55 per minute)
â€¢ 250 minutes for $100.00 ($0.40 per minute) "

FINALLY, it has been my experience that cruise ships' internet service is slow and unpredictable, especially when the ship is moving and more so when the ship is rocking. My guess is its difficult to keep a steady satellite signal when the ship is moving and/or rocking. So find an internet cafe in a port; just ask the cabin steward and/or wait staff, they know where because they find and use them.

luludoodie

All the ships I have been on provide an "internet cafe" with access payable by buying a card which has an access code.

I guess if there are wifi facilities on the ship you are going on you pay for access in the same way.

I assume you thought you were going to get "free" access - think again on cruise ships - everything is chargeable at high rates, trying buying a glass of wine!

Mary L

Internet access is easily available on board most ships, but is very, very expensive! Unless you really need to send emergency e-mail, it is best to use internet when you are on shore and at an internet cafe. The ship's personnel all know where those places are since that is what they do.

Kyle S

You can get internet through out the cruise ship. I went on a princess cruise a few weeks ago and you can go on their website for free but if you try to go to google or someplace it doesnt let you.

l.m x

From my experience on board Royal Caribbean ships, you must go to the internet cafe on board the ship and it costs s**t loads - pay by the minute

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