No Free Internet Like Royal Caribbean?

[casaloma]

Color me stupid. I didn't see any coupon in my RCCL cabin. However, I got on the net every night for 10 minutes or so and was pleasantly surprised at how fast it was.

[Pam in CA]

Color me stupid. I didn't see any coupon in my RCCL cabin. However, I got on the net every night for 10 minutes or so and was pleasantly surprised at how fast it was.

Speed is dependent on a number of factors, no matter which cruiseline. Satellite, location of the ship within the satellite coverage, weather, how many people are using it onboard at the same time, and what they are doing. If people are downloading/uploading images or going to graphics-intensive websites, that slows the Internet down for everyone. So does using Skype or something similar. This makes it very hard, if not impossible, to accurately compare one ship's Internet speed with another.

[hansi]

And the Elite perks on Princess are fabulous, but you have to sail over 15 princess cruises to reach that status. They are some of the best on all the main stream cruise lines IMHO!

 

Would definitely agree with that!

[caribill]

From when we were on a RCCL cruise earlier this year:

 

Those at the minimum loyalty level (1-4 past RCCL cruises) receive a coupon book in the room. Some coupons I found useful ($5 of free 55 cents/minute Internet use; two for one milkshakes at Johnny Rockets, a free pull on a dedicated slot machine in the casino). Most are virtually useless ($75 bidding credit at the art auction of any work greater than $1000; purchase any bottle of wine and receive 10% off a second bottle of wine priced over $50).

[paul929207]

So does that mean the 120 minute package at $58.95 already includes the 20 "bonus" minutes as the Web site says? Or do you get another 20 minutes on top of the 120? Same with the 190 minute package ("includes 40 bonus minutes")? Thanks...we leave on Oct. 30 on Crown and as a "self-employed" business owner I unfortunately have to stay connected when I travel.

 

This will be our first Princess cruise...we cruised RCCL last summer to Alaska with a group of 8 and it was a great experience! I have heard good things about Princess from a friend who cruises them quite frequently.

The 120 minutes for $58.95 package available for purchase prior to the cruise includes the 20 bonus minutes. You will not get 20 minutes on top of that.

[NorCalifs]

When you pre-purchase online before boarding, the bonus minutes are included. If you purchase onboard, you get bonus minutes but only if you do so the first day. As with RCCL, there is never a guarantee that there will be Internet service or anything that approachs usable speed.

 

The 120 minutes for $58.95 package available for purchase prior to the cruise includes the 20 bonus minutes. You will not get 20 minutes on top of that.

 

So let me make sure I understand this...I get 120 minutes if I pre-purchase for the $58.95, but I get 140 minutes for $58.95 if I purchase the package on the ship the first day? And I understand about the speed...I just have to be able to download e-mails, log off, respond to those necessary, then log back on to send. Thanks everyone!! Two weeks!! I am soooo ready for a vacay!!

[Ula]

When you cruise Princess enough you get a good amount of free internet. RCI loves it coupon books. The majority we do not use. Princess has them, but honestly and this is my HMO. I coupon shop at home. I do not do that on vacation.

Not a big fan of RCI, they like to schedule your time. Another thing I hate when on vacation. Don't hate the line, may cruise it again. But right now does not work so well with how I define vacation.

[paul929207]

So let me make sure I understand this...I get 120 minutes if I pre-purchase for the $58.95, but I get 140 minutes for $58.95 if I purchase the package on the ship the first day? And I understand about the speed...I just have to be able to download e-mails, log off, respond to those necessary, then log back on to send. Thanks everyone!! Two weeks!! I am soooo ready for a vacay!!

No. On the ship, day 1, you get 110 minutes for $58.95. The pre-purchase is 120 minutes for the same price,

[hcat]

When can you purchase the internet package on line? Does it go to your charge card or on board acct after the cruise?

 

Seems this is what is also done with excursions as well- you can reserve ahead but do not pay. Seems you also cannot pre-book or pay for specialty restaurants either?

 

Not using a TA but thought everyone gets a chance to use a two for one coffee card coupon? True or not true??

 

how much is the self serve laundry? Coins or on bd acct?

 

Thanks...

[paul929207]

Excursion go to your onboard account. Internet packages that you pre-purchase are charged to your credit card

[skellis]

You cannot book specialty restaraunts or the Ultimate balcony dinners on line. The excursions you reserve are able to be cancelled if you change your mind, just don't leave it too late as they will deliver tickets and an excursion packet to your cabin and there are cancellation times and dates on them. It does however allow you a better chance of getting on excursions which are highly desirable as compared to booking on board.

 

Bring Purex laundry sheets (3 in 1) for soap and softener and plenty of quarters if you intend on doing laundry on board, and they do have ironing boards and irons.

 

The two for one coffee cards are in a special coupon book which comes from your travel agent not the Princess coupon book.

 

Prncess has great Pizza. Depending on the ship the International Cafe (not all ships have an IC) with lots of free goodies (gelato is the only thing charged for).

 

Tea is served every afternoon in a dining room with cookies, finger sandwiches, scones and live music. There is a sit down breackfast in one dining room every day, not like the semi buffet with chafing dishes on the Brilliance. Princess has 24 hour food, including Cafe Caribe next to the Horizon Court. Princess also has fresh water pools.

[Toto2Kansas]

When can you purchase the internet package on line? Does it go to your charge card or on board acct after the cruise?

 

Seems this is what is also done with excursions as well- you can reserve ahead but do not pay. Seems you also cannot pre-book or pay for specialty restaurants either?

 

Not using a TA but thought everyone gets a chance to use a two for one coffee card coupon? True or not true??

 

how much is the self serve laundry? Coins or on bd acct?

 

Thanks...

 

For the above question in bold, the answer is not true. Travel agents that are running the coupon book promotion are the ones that give out the coupons with the two for one coffee coupons. Booking direct with Princess will not get you one of these coupon books, they only come through certain TA's that are offering them.

And just a little FYI-Princess still allows travel agents to discount their prices, and not just with OBC but actually discount the price paid, and many also offer OBC on top of that. Always shop around before booking direct with Princess, there are some great discount TA's out there that can save you quite a bit. Good luck!

[NorCalifs]

And just a little FYI-Princess still allows travel agents to discount their prices, and not just with OBC but actually discount the price paid, and many also offer OBC on top of that. Always shop around before booking direct with Princess, there are some great discount TA's out there that can save you quite a bit. Good luck!

 

So true...we originally had our upcoming Crown Princess cruise booked through Delta Airlines at a discount to what Princess was offering on their Web site, complete with a $75 OBC. Then a few weeks later and a few weeks before final payment was due, Costco offered the same cruise at an even better discount and with the same OBC! We were able to cancel our Delta reservation (fully refundable deposit) and rebook at the lower rate with Costco! Pays to shop around!

[srpilo]

You cannot book specialty restaraunts or the Ultimate balcony dinners on line. The excursions you reserve are able to be cancelled if you change your mind, just don't leave it too late as they will deliver tickets and an excursion packet to your cabin and there are cancellation times and dates on them. It does however allow you a better chance of getting on excursions which are highly desirable as compared to booking on board.

 

Bring Purex laundry sheets (3 in 1) for soap and softener and plenty of quarters if you intend on doing laundry on board, and they do have ironing boards and irons.

 

The two for one coffee cards are in a special coupon book which comes from your travel agent not the Princess coupon book.

 

Prncess has great Pizza. Depending on the ship the International Cafe (not all ships have an IC) with lots of free goodies (gelato is the only thing charged for).

 

Tea is served every afternoon in a dining room with cookies, finger sandwiches, scones and live music. There is a sit down breackfast in one dining room every day, not like the semi buffet with chafing dishes on the Brilliance. Princess has 24 hour food, including Cafe Caribe next to the Horizon Court. Princess also has fresh water pools.

 

Remember also... Princess ships have WiFi coverage through out the entire ship, even the cabins :)

 

Srpilo

[Pam in CA]

how much is the self serve laundry? Coins or on bd?

It depends on the ship but most of the time, it's $1 per load for the washer, $1 per load for the dryer. The machines take coins and some people bring them with them but there is a change machine in the laundry room or you can get them from the Purser's Desk. You can buy detergent either in the laundry room or the ship's shop.

[caribill]

[quote name='hcat']When can you purchase the internet package on line? Does it go to your charge card or on board acct after the cruise?

[/quote]


It is charged to your charge card when you order it.