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travelers07

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Everything posted by travelers07

  1. On Rotterdam now. As has been reported, currently using Equinix. I have been on ships using StarLink and you could definitely see StarLink when using SpeedSmart to test the Wi-Fi speed. Concerning streaming- I had to upgrade to Premium to use calling. First you turn on Wi-Fi and then your vpn. I use PIA and it works fine. Netflix, YouTube TV working with vpn turned on. Apple+ works without the vpn. Amazon does not work with vpn but some shows are available. Talked to concierge in Lounge. She stated that StarLink is being installed on HAL ships during dry docks. They are all looking forward to having it.
  2. On board Rotterdam now and agree with WriterOnDeck. I did upgrade to Premium and can even stream with no problem. As she said, remember to turn off vpn before you log in again. Also using PIA.
  3. Stayed at Premier Inn West Quay 2 weeks ago. Covered in fabric/ construction materials due to removal of flammable exterior. Room was extremely dark- some might be fine with that but I was not. Most recent stay at Moxy was in April- several other times also. Hotel is basic but the staff are very pleasant and helpful. Tried to move here 2 weeks ago but they were fully booked. Location for both- next door to each other- is great. There is a good convenience store in front of the Premier Inn. The mall across the street has lots of restaurants and shopping. Easy to get an Uber to the ship.
  4. Still on the Island and StarLink working well. Have been able to stream tv and use Wi-Fi calling. WhatsApp is very popular in Europe since it uses less bandwidth and most businesses have it. If you don’t have it, set it up before you leave home. Anyone at home needs to set it up to communicate with you. StarLink worked well even in Honningsvag. Today we were in Tallinn and all is good. We did not go to Iceland or Greenland. The speed just now was 2.95 download and 12 upload. Does not sound that good but sure is better than any previous cruise. I do use PIA vpn when I stream some tv channels and it is also working well.
  5. Yes! We are just west of Honningsvag now and I am so surprised at the service. Numbers may not be great but if it works, that is all that counts!
  6. Ship time 8am on a sea day. It is now 11:30am and still working fine- even from my balcony.
  7. On Island right now. StarLink became active June 12 so this the first cruise. I have found the speed amazing for a cruise ship. Download is 3.66 and Upload is 4.8. Doesn’t sound great but we are in northern Norway and it is 8:15 in the morning. The surprising part is that I have been streaming tv news with a vpn and there is no problem. We lost the tv channels (off and on) a couple of days ago but using my subscription for YouTube TV and a vpn, I have access to all the channels I have at home. And surprisingly, they have been strong. We have been in 2 fjords with snow capped mountains and Wi-Fi is still good! The crew is very happy too and several have said they noticed a big difference. Websites, email, and photos seem fine. Nothing is terribly fast but certainly useable. And I am happy- and no, I do not like to disconnect while on vacation. To each her own.
  8. Good morning from Tromso! Beautiful blue skies and we are just arriving. They tell us there is a shuttle to the Radisson downtown for $20 all day so I will do that in a bit. StarLink is amazing! Speed is not impressive in my app but I have been streaming the news with no drops. I happened to meet the head of finance last night at the Captain’s party. I asked about the missing news channels and she said they were surprised and upset about it too. She said they have told shoreside to fix it, but then she laughed so I don’t think it will change. Anyway, they are aware some passengers would like the news back. This is my first time on Island so still getting used to the layout. Crew is all very good but have heard a couple rumblings about being understaffed. Probably just the usual stuff. Everything seems good to me!
  9. As I posted earlier, I am on Island Princess with StarLink. We were deep in a fjord in Norway today and lost live tv. But I had Wi-Fi with my PIA vpn all day. Heading further north now so hoping for the best. We were north of Bergen today surrounded by tall mountains in Olden.
  10. OP here. Thanks to all who supplied factual info on the current channels offered on Princess ships. That is very helpful for my meeting today. I dislike being told “because shoreside said so.” As I originally said, this is my problem and I was not seeking opinions. Cruise Critic has helped me so much over the years and I have always tried to be positive and helpful to other cruisers. I don’t want to overshare but please understand this was not about the political divisions around now. Safe travels to all!
  11. Yes, that is what I am doing. But I sure would like to know what Princess has planned for the future. I have other cruises booked and StarLink may not work everywhere. Right now, it is not about getting the news as much as the noise/anxiety help. My problem- hoping it gets better.
  12. Thanks Charles but I have done European, Australian, Canadian cruises in the past year and all have had both those channels. CNN was dropped by both cruise lines a few years ago when they changed their satellite and raised the price- per tech people on Princess.
  13. OK- I know some will think live tv news is unimportant but to me, right now, it is necessary. I boarded Monday in Southampton and both channels are missing. I am told by passengers who have been on since Florida, doing a TA including Canada and Iceland, that the channels were there until Monday. Monday was also the day that Starlink was activated on this ship. Just got a callback from Guest Services who said that these channels have been removed from the Island for the next 5 months at least, or all of the season in Europe. He could not tell me if this is for other Princess ships also, or if the news channels will come back anytime. Please no politics! I know people may see this as unnecessary while cruising but this is something that means something to me, and on my 10 cruises in the last 2 years on Princess and HAL, both channels have been available. I have asked for a callback from someone with more info- this guy would only say this is what he was told by shoreside and there is no other info. Does anyone know if this includes other Princess ships? He said it did not have anything to do with the ship being in Norway. And he had no idea if other Princess ships are the same. Thanks for any answers- but please understand that this is something that matters to me, not politics related. Could it be Starlink?
  14. Currently on Island Princess. Mine is not a corporate vpn but it is well known- Private Internet Access or PIA. I have not been able to use it on other Princess ships, at least not reliably. But Island just changed to StarLink this week and my vpn is staying on very nicely. The speed does not seem too fast but I have been streaming the news live and it is working fine. Hope this doesn’t jinx it!
  15. Yes- full suite. There is no suite lounge except for Royal Class ships. I miss getting to know people in smaller groups.
  16. Thanks. Good so far but it may be a little crowded as the days get cooler and rainy. The entrance to lunch yesterday- a sea day- seemed pretty crowded outside the restaurant. Lots of people were on the last cruise too, which was a TA. Everyone seems pretty happy about everything.
  17. Just want to agree with the wonderful suite experience on the Sky. Was on the TA in March- yes, missed 2 of 3 ports due to storms. But the suite service was fantastic. My cabin was exactly across from the laundromat and it was no problem. In fact, I used the laundromat twice since it was easier than sending out. There was an extra concierge - he was also a concierge trainer on other ships. Josué was his name and he made us feel so special. He came up with several special events in the lounge and often asked for opinions of what people would like. Brought in live music, a wine and cheese night, and a tour of the full larger suite. At the happy hour, almost any drink was available. They brought in regular bartenders every evening. He also brought future cruise agents to the lounge and coordinated reservations for anyone who wanted. I am on the Island now- really missing the suite lounge!
  18. Boarded on Monday and still figuring out the layout. Crew seems positive and helpful. Question about the tv channels. Fox News and MSNBC are missing. People who were on last cruise say they were on the tv until this cruise 2 days ago. Just talked to front desk and the young man read me an email from the tv person (?) that the contract for those 2 channels has been cancelled. I have asked for a call with more info but we’ll see if I hear back. Any other ships have this issue? On the positive side- StarLink is here! Not terrible fast but I have streamed the news- on my small phone screen. 😊 Don’t know what will happen as we head farther north in Norway. If you have questions, just ask. I am onboard until July 12.
  19. Been there- tables are close together and had lots of chatting with others. The first was on a TA in Oct 2021. Several invited me to join them at other meals. Two couples who had just met each other suggested we get a set table for dinners in Club Orange for the balance of the cruise and that was wonderful. Made real friends and have sailed with them again. When I would arrive at Club Orange, I would look around and see if anyone looked familiar, or perhaps friendly, and requested to sit nearby. Staff was great. Don’t worry- people are so nice on cruise ships. My kids don’t understand but I have done 8 cruises in the year and a half since I lost my DH, and every cruise has helped me. So much better than being home alone. Hoping someday home will feel better but not yet. Good luck to you! Sue
  20. Just throwing this out- those of us traveling solo pay double. Yet we still got the $100 instead of $200. Fairer would have been compensation per cabin instead of per person since that is how they charge.
  21. No. There was a future cruise consultant present but only for chatting and answering general questions. No booking possibilities.
  22. Yes, disembarking in SH. However, we are arriving SH a day early due to bad weather and will be in port tomorrow and overnight with disembarkation Saturday. Passport control(?) coming onboard early tomorrow to Vista Lounge. Suite guests will meet in our lounge and be escorted off ship. We will see how it works but they have been trying to add more events onboard. Sangria night tonight!
  23. On Sky now. Got the same call 2 days before we sailed from Ft Lauderdale. I was suspicious too so did not attend. Shame on me! Reports from fellow suite guests said it was fantastic. There were several management staff and Sky crew there. The food was very fancy and tasty. They checked bags, booked onboard stuff, and had a great time. When they were ready, they were transported in a high end van straight to the terminal. They were then escorted through security and up to the gangway. Said they felt very special. Call was from a Princess number that I had stored on my phone. Was told it was a soft open and they are trying it out. People who attended confirmed this info. And the building where it is held has a large Princess logo out front.
  24. Used my VPN last month on Noordam in Australia/New Zealand. Internet was usable but slow without the VPN and slowed even more when I turned it on. But it did work when I needed it- just had to have lots of patience!
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