purchase internet time

[bruceh]

We are leaving On Oct 24 on the Ruby Princess,how does one buy/book internet time before leaving on the cruise,as I understand it is cheaper to it ahead of time?

Thanks

Bruce

[Toto2Kansas]

Follow this link to the Princess gift section, it is all explained there: http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/communications/index.jsp

[paul929207]

It is not cheaper, but you get more bonus minutes by purchasing in advance.

[Passin Thru]

Nothing against Princess but their connection is slow, if you use a laptop you can download to a file and then read email. Also, every port has internet cafes. You can download anything on Princess site for free either way.

[Pam in CA]

Nothing against Princess but their connection is slow, if you use a laptop you can download to a file and then read email. Also, every port has internet cafes. You can download anything on Princess site for free either way.

Cruise ships use a communications satellite for Internet connections. There is limited bandwidth available and connection speed depends on many factors: where the ship is in relation to the satellite coverage area, the weather conditions, how many people are using the Internet, and what they are doing. If people are downloading/uploading photos or images, that slows it down for everyone. Likewise if they use Skype or a similar service. So yes, it's very slow in comparison to cable or digital networks, but it's not as if you can run a cable to a ship. It's faster when not as many people are using the Internet. I've found that during dinnertime, late at night or early in the morning are the best times but I'm always cognizant that the ship could be nearing the edge of the satellite coverage and connection speed could be very slow or non-existent.