On board HAL or Princess, does anyone know what rates they charge for internet access if you are bringing your own laptop computer. Do both have wireless access? Looking at the Prinsendam on HAL or the Royal Princess. Thanks
Just on the Sun - internet access was at 35 cents a minute. We had our own lap top. On the Sun you had to go to the internet cafe or a specific deck for access.
Is it just me or have any of you thought to question why the internet access is so high? .35 min is 21.00 per hour. I don't mine paying a reasonable fee but what they are charging is way beyone that.
Originally posted by nco4242: Is it just me or have any of you thought to question why the internet access is so high? .35 min is 21.00 per hour. I don't mine paying a reasonable fee but what they are charging is way beyone that.
Like anything else, you're paying for the convenience of having satellite access while on a ship in the middle of an ocean/sea somewhere in the world. Just think of how boring it would be if all you could do on a ship in the middle of the ocean/sea would be to relax, read and eat.....
Originally posted by nco4242: Is it just me or have any of you thought to question why the internet access is so high? .35 min is 21.00 per hour. I don't mine paying a reasonable fee but what they are charging is way beyone that.
Because internet access is a revenue producer, just like why a Budweiser that costs you $1.50 at home costs you $3.50 on a ship. A side effect of internet fees being a little high is that it controls usage and therefore available bandwidth. RCCL had a unlimited use package for $100 on the Freedom Of The Seas. They found that so many people were using it that it slowed down access for everyone, and caused lots of complaints. So they ditched it for standard minute packages.
Hi all, Just want to thank those who answered. It helps. I know people will think I'm totally crazy, but I bring my laptop (from work...I know..yuk) on vacation. Terrible I know. But it really doesn't interfere with my family and my trip (because I'm a night owl and work at midnight) and it saves me time and a lot of headache after I return to work. The other plus, I can charge it to the company and do some surfing on line about the ports.
Is anyone familiar with IPass. I wonder if you can access to that on the ship??? Thanks again.
I work for a large insurance company, and I've used iPass sucessfully at many hot spots, even overseas. As long as you can access a site like Yahoo, Google, etc. iPass will work.
I agree that 35 cents a minute is high, but if it limits access and increases bandwith I think it's a good idea!
Find a friend with Platinum or Elite & have them swipe you in at the Internet Cafe with their card. It's done all the time & it doesn't cost them a thing other than the time to stop by & use their privileged card.
There's no RJ-45 port to plug into. If you don't have a wireless card, suggest buying one for about $20 before you go. Or, you can use the ship's computer stations. They're a bit restrictive as to what you can do on them (no cut/paste, no java, etc.), so a wireless card would be better. Same price, 50 cents per minute regardless of how you connect.
A Platinum card (5 cruises) will get you free internet access on Princess. All you need to do is flash your card to the officer. Princess has wireless access but I think only from the internet room. I have always used ship computers and enjoy the service daily checking my usual websites and sending and receiving email. This next trip, in March to Hawaii, I intend to bring my own laptop which is fitted for wireless because I intend to draft a daily diary which I want to bring home. Should be fun on those long sea days.
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Originally posted by culater: On board HAL or Princess, does anyone know what rates they charge for internet access if you are bringing your own laptop computer. Do both have wireless access? Looking at the Prinsendam on HAL or the Royal Princess. Thanks
... But isn't this a HAL thread?? I don't think Princess prices carry over to HAL ships. I was just on the Westerdam, and prices were 0.70/min on the "pay as you go" plan, and I bought a 200 minute plan for $120 (0.60/min). It wasn't until you got to the 400-700 minute plans that prices were as low as 0.50/min. Again... that's on Holland America.
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