Internet Packages

We are traveling on the Caribbean Princess in two weeks and I was wondering if it is better to purchase an internet package up front or wait until we are on the ship? Thanks for any assistance you can give! :)

If you purchase up front, you get extra bonus minutes above what you get for purchasing on the first day. EM

Does anyone happen to know the cost for the internet packages?

All Princess ships have WIFI. In most cabins, the reception is good. Sometimes the cabin door needs to be propped open to obtain a strong enough signal.

Speed is basically that of dial-up and the internet may not be available at all times due to the ship's position

Using WIFI is the same cost as using the ship's computers in their Internet Cafe.

First there is a $3.95 initial sign up charge (once per cruise per user; free for platinum/elite passengers). Then 75 cents/minute unless you purchase a package. No refund for package minutes not used.

Packages:

100 minutes $69.00

200 minutes $99.00

400 minutes $159.00

600 minutes $199.00

1000 minutes (world cruise only) $249

If you sign up for a package the first day, there is usually some free bonus minutes. You can also pre-pay for a package at http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/communications/index.jsp and this will include more bonus minutes than you would get onboard. If you pre-pay, it will be priced to include the 3.95 initial sign-on fee.

The package minutes can be used on your own computer, on the ship's computers in the Internet Café and on any WIFI compatible devices that you have.

The first time you use the Internet onboard, there will be instructions on how to set up your account and select a password.

Please note that on your own computer you must sign out with an address of 1.1.1.1 or your minutes may continue to be counted down. Alternatively, you can use an address of logout.com .

If you sign up on board for a package, you do so either on your own laptop or one of the ship's computers in the Internet Cafe. Either way, you can do it without the need to interact with the Internet Cafe manager.

If you use the ship's Internet Café computers, you cannot open attachments to e-mails. Also, the ship's computers have no application software such as Excel or Word.

If you use your own computer, you will never be on a line waiting to use one of the ship's computers.

According to the patters from November on the CB they offered "Up to 40 minutes free" for signing up the first day. (From this thread, Thanks to eastoftheboston!)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1740671&page=2&highlight=patters

So if this offer still holds, you would have to prepurchase the "460 minute package" to get more bonus minutes than you could get the first day.

From the Princess web site today.

120 minutes

Item #6038 – $72.95

(Includes $69.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)

(Includes 20 bonus minutes for

prepurchasing an Internet time package.)

240 minutes

Item #6039 – $102.95

(Includes $99.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)

(Includes 40 bonus minutes for

prepurchasing an Internet time package.)

460 minutes

Item #6302 – $162.95

(Includes $159.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)

(Includes 60 bonus minutes for

prepurchasing an Internet time package.)

680 minutes

Item #6301 – $202.95

(Includes $199.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)

(Includes 80 bonus minutes for

prepurchasing an Internet time package.)

It also depends on the ship because we got a sweet deal on the Ruby, by purchasing the first day, 500 minutes for $118.

Will be on Emerald Princess going to the southern Carribean in 1 week.:D Has anyone had any experience with purchasing the internet package to use it with skype or facetime in your cabin? Is it worth it, or is the internet connection too slow to make either one of those programs work?:confused:

Any info will be appreciate it.

We are traveling on the Caribbean Princess in two weeks and I was wondering if it is better to purchase an internet package up front or wait until we are on the ship? Thanks for any assistance you can give! :)

This is off the OP question, but are you sailing with us on Feb. 23? If so, please join our Roll Call and plan to come to the Meet and Mingle Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. at Skywalkers. We'd love to hear from you.

Almost every port has a WIFI cafe near the dock and the costs are much less.:D

Pax et bonum,

Kevin

There are cruises whereby we wished Princess had offered an unlimited Internet package. Such is offered by Oceania @ $349. for a 14 day cruise which at first glance seemed surprisingly high but in needing it and taking it, we were delighted with the ease and comfort of using it without having to be concerned with time. As we say, such need is applicable only on certain cruises and under certain circumstances.

Will be on Emerald Princess going to the southern Carribean in 1 week.:D Has anyone had any experience with purchasing the internet package to use it with skype or facetime in your cabin? Is it worth it, or is the internet connection too slow to make either one of those programs work?:confused:

Any info will be appreciate it.

I had no problem Skyping with my son while on our cruise to Hawaii... While in the middle of the ocean, so you should be ok.

This is off the OP question, but are you sailing with us on Feb. 23? If so, please join our Roll Call and plan to come to the Meet and Mingle Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. at Skywalkers. We'd love to hear from you.

We are actually on the February 16th sailing or I would definately attend your meet and mingle.

Thanks to everyone for your replies! They have been most helpful. :)