WiFi on the ships

[mbrcoupe]

My wife and I are going on our second cruise in August on HAL Veedam does anyone know if there is WiFi signals in the rooms or just around the computer area?

[sail7seas]

The whole ship is WiFi but the signals are better in some places than others. The closer your cabin is to a cone, the better it will be.

 

[Doh15]

What is the cost for wifi?

[sail7seas]

There are two packages:

 

100 minutes for $55 plus one time start up charge of $3.95.

250 minutes for $100 plus same start up charge.

 

You can opt to pay by the minute and I think the rate is 75 cents per minute.

 

Service can be quite slow especially if lots of people are on line at the same time.

 

 

[Adoremus]

I used the wifi for over 400 minutes on the eurodam in February. It worked better than I expected. Definately would sign up again! just used my laptops wireless connection.

[sppunk]

Note Hamilton has a few free wifi options. Since the ship doesn't move it doesn't make sense to me to pay those fees.

[sail7seas]

Sometimes people pay for convenience....... for being able to use their devices in their cabins without going out looking for free Wifi.

 

At other times, it may be more suitable to them to go out.

 

[Doh15]

There are two packages:

 

100 minutes for $55 plus one time start up charge of $3.95.

250 minutes for $100 plus same start up charge.

 

You can opt to pay by the minute and I think the rate is 75 cents per minute.

 

Service can be quite slow especially if lots of people are on line at the same time.

 

 

 

 

Thanks. Can a person/family share a package across different devices?

[Crew News]

Thanks. Can a person/family share a package across different devices?

 

Sure. Just need to use the correct password.

[English_in_Spain]

Thanks. Can a person/family share a package across different devices?

 

Sure. Just need to use the correct password.

 

It will not allow two people to use an account at the same time. It will say you are already logged in.

 

Apart from that you can use your account on any device, including the computers in the internet area. They have no way of knowing who is actually using the account.

 

It is best to avoid the obviously busy times like around breakfast time. Sea days are generally busy most of the day. As an early riser, I check emails etc very early in the morning before most people are up.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

On Embarkation Day -- check with the Internet manager to see if there is a special for that day only. Sometimes they will give you 10 extra minutes for the 100 minute package and 20 extra minutes for the 250 minute package.

And sometimes there will be specials during the cruise as well. Check you daily Explorer program for these.

AND remember to log off properly -- you will be given a code to do that -- otherwise you will eat up your minutes.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I used the wifi for over 400 minutes on the eurodam in February. It worked better than I expected. Definately would sign up again! just used my laptops wireless connection.

 

Eurodam has been testing a new program.

I haven't heard of it being started on any of the other ships yet.

[Mike91711]

I recently received this response for HAL regarding WIFI onboard...

 

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding on board Internet services on our Holland America Line ships. We are pleased to offer the following information outlined below.

 

Each Holland America Line ship offers high speed Internet access in the on board Internet Café. The Internet Café is open 24 hours throughout the cruise, and also features Wireless Internet service. The Internet Cafe computer terminals give desktop access to the Internet, AOL Chat, Yahoo Chat, Cruise email, and Real One Player. Multiple windows and applications can be opened and used at one time.

 

Pricing below is subject to change without prior notice. Please inquire on board in the Internet Café for current prices.

 

One time Activation Fee of $3.95 applies to each user.

Basic time charge $0.75 per minute, pay as you go, or purchase a Discounted Time Plan.

250 minutes for $100.00, $0.40 per minute.

100 minutes for $55.00, $0.55 per minute.

Time Plan minutes can be used anytime throughout the cruise, and can be shared with fellow travelers.

 

Cruise email service is offered as a convenience should passengers not have their own email address or be unable to access their own email domain. This application is just like any other email domain and can be used the same way. Every passenger is given a Cruise email account that will be activated as the café opens for each new cruise. There is an additional cost of $3.95 to send Cruise email, in addition to the basic time charges. There is no additional charge, only time charges apply, to receive any incoming cruise email messages.

 

Printing is available at $0.50 per page.

 

Guests may use their laptop computer to connect to the wireless internet service on board. Each Holland America Line vessel offers Wireless Internet service throughout the ship. Use your own laptop or rent one from the Internet Café, limited supply of laptops and wireless card available for rent on board. Wireless cards must support the 802.11b wireless protocol.

 

iPhones and most other wireless enabled devices (iPod Touch, RIM Blackberry Bold, laptop) will work with the Wi-Fi on board the ships. There is no need to attach a wireless card since those devices already have the wireless element built in.

 

Please note that while mobile wireless devices can be used on the vessels, a number of applications are not supported (e.g., Java). Once a user switches on their phone, a login screen will appear and the user will be required to login to use the wireless onboard. The guest should be able to set up their account for billing for the minutes they use directly online using their own device. Once logged on, they can begin emailing or surfing the web. If the user needs to know if they have wireless capabilities on their phone then they can check in their applications or go to settings and a wireless icon or name will be supplied. If they have any difficulties, they should see the Internet Café Manager on board.

 

Wireless service is available in most public lounges around the ship. Service is not available in guest staterooms.

 

250 minutes for $100.00, $0.40 per minute.

100 minutes for $55.00, $0.55 per minute.

33 minutes for $25.00, $0.75 per minute.

Laptop Rental $20 per day, optional insurance $10 per day.

Wireless Card Rental $10 per day, optional insurance $5 per day.

 

Wireless access point locations on board the ships are as follows.

 

Ryndam explorations café, Atrium area decks 6, 7, 8, Vermeer Lounge, Lido Deck Pool.

 

Holland America Line's Vista Class ships, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam, offer in cabin dial up internet access for those guests traveling with their own laptop computer. Connection is by phone cord at 56K modem dial-up speed. Phone cords and additional software, if needed, are available on board the ship. Dial up internet access is $0.50 per minute, flat rate charge. Time plans or advertised internet café specials do not apply to in cabin dial up service.

 

Please note that internet café and wireless time plans are not interchangeable between systems. Wireless time plans cannot be used on internet café terminals and internet café time plans cannot be used on the wireless system.

[sapper1]

The public library in Hamilton has free wi-fi and it is only a five minute stroll from the ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sail7seas]

Mike,

Thanks for posting the Internet info you received.

 

I notice they doubled the price per page of printing. It used to be 25 cents per page and is now 50 cents. That could add up fast if one has to print many pages.

Sometimes DH receives a business document he needs to review. That might be a place they could give a small Four Star Mariner benefit. ;) :)

 

[bobpell]

Bring a netbook or laptop and do your emails in port

ask any crew member where the nearesr wifi hotspot or internet cafe is near the ship and you can keep in touch

Some hotspots are free but if you have to pay it will be a lot cheaper than on the ship

bobpell

[Typhoon1]

If you're using an Ipad, WiFi connectivity is not the greatest anywhere on the ship.

[Adoremus]

I thought I heard something about better wi fi on the Eurodam. Does anyone know if this is True and are they going to roll it out to all ships?

[CaveDiving]

This past winter when Stein Kruse was on the Amsterdam, he indicated that HAL was looking into an additional system to get web signals into the ships.

 

He was referring to picking up terrestrial telephone type signals from land, to replace the satellite signal, when the ship was within a certain distance from shore. I do not remember how far that was.

 

He did indicate that the system could possibly be used throughout most of the Caribbean and for virtually the entire Alaska run.

 

No commitment was offered on time but one or two years away was a possibility.

 

Lets hope so.

 

Scott & Karen

[rwams]

Just off the Westerdam, the Neptune Lounge told me that during dry dock that they changed the WiFi. I noticed that it was much faster than a year ago. Price was still 100 minutes for $55.00.

[TiogaCruiser]

how does the subscriber know how many minutes they have used?

[kazu]

how does the subscriber know how many minutes they have used?

 

When you log in - it tells you how many minutes are left and when you log out - it shows you what you have left - so you always know how much time remains in your plan.:)

[ohcsim123]

Since the Library in Hamilton is said to provide free WiFi, I'm inclined to go that route to keep in touch with my business and customers.

 

Does anyone "know the ropes" regarding the Library WiFi?

 

Is the signal only inside or can you fine a seat outside and nearby?

How do you sign-on? Need a password?

Is the service slow and crowded?

 

I'm an early riser and would have no problem going over there at the crack of dawn. Is the service 24/7?

 

Thanks to all in advance for any tips or personal experience!

 

John

[catl331]

Is the signal only inside or can you fine a seat outside and nearby?

How do you sign-on? Need a password?

Is the service slow and crowded?

DH did not try to take his netbook there, but I have heard that you can get a signal outside on benches that are designated, and that it is not available at night. I have never heard anyone mention the need to get a password or have any trouble getting on.

[IslandThyme]

I just want to add that contrary to the info given directly by HAL, we absolutely did have wi-fi in our cabin on Ryndam last October, and we used it all the time. It depends on how close your cabin is to a repeater, as far as I know.