Internet Package

[catugirl]

DH and I are thinking of booking 14 days on Eclipse, but we would have to be connected to the internet in in order to be gone so long. We were on Silhouette in Jan. (our first Celebrity cruise). We attempted to go to the computer area to sign up for an internet package about 1:00 PM on embarkation day. We waited in line for 45 minutes and never made it to the front of the line. Someone in line said we could just sit down at a computer there and set it up ourselves. We tried that but couldn't get it to work. There was one guy working in that area, and after 45 minutes he still didn't make it around to us to help us because no one else could get it to work either. We finally gave up and decided to be "disconnected" for the week. Does anyone have any suggestions? What would happen if we just logged on to our iPad without going to the computer area to sign up? Sorry we're so ignorant in this area.

 

I'm assuming you can either sign up for a wireless internet package and use your own device (iPad, laptop or iPhone) or a regular internet package and use the ship's computers. Am I understanding this correctly? Any guidance regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

[boston_scientist]

It may be significantly less expensive to enable the wireless data service on your cell phone through certain providers (such as Verizon).

[Gig103]

It may be significantly less expensive to enable the wireless data service on your cell phone through certain providers (such as Verizon).

 

This may be true in the ports, but probably not on board - the last number I was told was $20 per megabyte for 3G connectivity via the satellite/cellular connection.

 

I'm seriously internet addicted but avoid the packages on board and instead find hot-spots in town. I'm not sure about my 15-day on on the book.

[cruisestitch]

catugirl, sorry you had a bad experience. Going to the internet center on day 1 is always a mad crush -- a couple of days later it all settles down and they have time to help you.

 

You cannot just log onto your iPad -- you must first go to the internet center and set up an account. Then you can create a wireless log on and password and after that you can use your iPad. But first you do have to go in person to one of their computers to get the process started.

 

When you use your iPad, there are two things to be aware of. The first is to make sure that you know exactly how to log off the system. Just turning the iPad off won't do it. You need to have them show you what to do to log off. They will probably create a bookmark for you to use. If for any reason that log off procedure doesn't work, note how much time is being wasted and tell them -- they will restore those minutes.

 

Second, the most efficient use of minutes is to do the following:

 

log on

download new e-mail

immediately log off

read new e-mails and create replies while you are logged off

log back on

send your replies

log off immediately

 

Doing this, you'll save lots of time. The alternative, using their machines, is that you log on, then have to read your e-mails and type your replies, all while the clock is ticking. That will be slow and expensive.

 

Wait until they aren't too busy and someone there should be able to show you how to set up your accounts and how to set up the iPad -- don't get discouraged!

[boston_scientist]

Verizon's cruise ship package was $25 for 50 MB I believe

[Clydesmom7865]

DH and I are thinking of booking 14 days on Eclipse, but we would have to be connected to the internet in in order to be gone so long. We were on Silhouette in Jan. (our first Celebrity cruise). We attempted to go to the computer area to sign up for an internet package about 1:00 PM on embarkation day. We waited in line for 45 minutes and never made it to the front of the line. Someone in line said we could just sit down at a computer there and set it up ourselves. We tried that but couldn't get it to work. There was one guy working in that area, and after 45 minutes he still didn't make it around to us to help us because no one else could get it to work either. We finally gave up and decided to be "disconnected" for the week. Does anyone have any suggestions? What would happen if we just logged on to our iPad without going to the computer area to sign up? Sorry we're so ignorant in this area.

 

I'm assuming you can either sign up for a wireless internet package and use your own device (iPad, laptop or iPhone) or a regular internet package and use the ship's computers. Am I understanding this correctly? Any guidance regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

 

I was on the Eclipse and the line for the first few days was UNBELIEVABLY long. I asked if I was required to wait or if I could set up my own device: you can do that. You MUST do it in the following order or you will only experience frustration.

 

First you create an internet account. After creating it you have the opportunity to purchase an internet package or pay by the minute only. The package applies whether you log on in the internet room on their computer or on your own computer via wireless. Once you do that then you create a separate WIRELESS account. The log in and password can be the same but you must create a separate wireless account for your own wireless device. I did not even have my tablet with me but it worked. Once you have the wireless account you merely have to log in. Where most people get tripped up is that they don't create the accounts in that order. No internet account: means no wireless. If they only create the internet but no wireless they don't understand why they can't get on. If you aren't comfortable computer wise that you can get your wireless device on bring it with you and test the access before leaving.

 

The easiest way to set up for a personal wireless device is to first search for available wireless networks. You will find two: the Celebrity secured network for ship business which you cannot access and the open unsecure network for passenger use. Connect to that network. This will NOT incur charges it only connects your device to the server. Charges do not start until you log in. Once connected to the network then launch your browser. DO NOT launch the browser until on the network! When your browser launches it should re-direct to the Celebrity log in page regardless of what your home page is. Then you log in using your wireless account you created. It will leave you with a pop up window to tell you how long you have been on and what the charge is. You can use this to log off and stop the charges. Once you are out and the charges stopped close all browsers and put it on airplane mode to ensure it doesn't connect to do a software download or something else!

 

The BIGGEST cause of failure of a personal device is that it isn't connected to the network first. If you get an error saying page unavailable or like it, go back and ensure you are ON the network. Then your account log in page should appear.

 

When I went to the computer room to check email one day because I didn't want to go all the way to my state room the staff was GONE. Not one person. I answered one guy's question and helped him set up which led to a FLOOD of request for help. I stayed and helped as best I could and most people were polite with my limited knowledge but attempt to help them. Until one loud angry woman informed me "she had been waiting a while and I was ignoring her. She was going to report me." I laughed and told her go ahead, I am a passenger like you and I was helping to be kind to my frustrated fellow passengers, EXCEPT her. The look of shock on her face was priceless. It amazes me how some people feel rude is the way to START conversations. I apologized when I couldn't stay any longer due to an activity I wanted to participate in. I kind of felt bad leaving because there were several people begging me to stay longer but I just couldn't.

 

You can set up your own device most people just don't like leaving their comfort zone to do it or aren't computer savvy like my Dad wasn't. One way to ensure that your device does log off is to go to airplane mode when finished. The wireless is designed to auto log out once you disconnect from the wi-fi. I left my table or lap top on airplane mode unless I needed wi-fi and had no trouble managing my package.

[cadburysmom]

Clydesmom,

 

Thank you for your post. Having only used the ship's computers before, I have been worried about incurring high internet fees on my upcoming transatlantic and your explanation of how to log in only to download and send emails using my ipad will save me a small fortune.

 

Thanks again :)

[Anubi]

Clydesmom

 

Thanks for the explaination, it was very helpful.

I hear you about keeping quiet about knowing things. DH and I were talking one night in the Internet Cafe on one of the Princess ships and the person next to us starting shooting questions at me and heads perked up thinking that someone was here who knew something! I finished what I was doing and got out of there pronto. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Hlitner]

It all gets quite interesting when trying to help folks. Bottom line is that you must first set up your account in the computer room and you can purchase a package (which is still pretty expensive per minute). It is then possible to complete the process to use the WiFi by connecting to the system in your own cabin. You must use the keyboard (it is usually in the desk drawer) and you log on to your account (that you created in the computer room) and then you can initiate the WiFi part of their system. At that point you can then use the ship's WiFi from any of your devices. The problem with this entire system is that Celebrity has created such a complex procedure that nearly everyone needs the assistance of their computer staff...and that is not always such an easy thing during the first couple of days.

 

Hank

[Tommy3putts]

okay now I'm confused. Are you saying you must go to the icafe (or what ever its called) to set up an account first or can you do it on your device. BTW I travel with an iPad and iPhone. Can you have multiple devices on one account (user name and password)?

[Wine-O]

okay now I'm confused. Are you saying you must go to the icafe (or what ever its called) to set up an account first or can you do it on your device. BTW I travel with an iPad and iPhone. Can you have multiple devices on one account (user name and password)?

 

Yes, you have to do to the icafe, use one of their computers, swipe your seapass, logon to their system, select an internet package, create a username and password, then bookmark the Celebrity logon site on your personal device.

 

That way, there is wifi throughout the ship, including your stateroom. When you want to connect to the internet, you go on your personal device to the Celebrity logon site and log in. Once connected, it will track all your minutes. You have to make sure you log off when finished, or your minutes continue to track when you leave your device, thinking you are not using any air time. That's a big problem. Everytime I go to the icafe, there's always someone trying to get minutes reinstated to their account because they failed to log out properly.

 

FYI, and I didn't know this until my last cruise, you can use the free internet in the icafe if you just go to the Celebrity websites to look up cruises, etc. No costs/airtime/fees.

[Tommy3putts]

Thanks Wine-o

[TommyD3]

Another thing to do if you are using a PC based laptop is to disable your Google toolbar.

 

The Google toolbar tries to connect to the internet before you can login to the Celebrity network and causes the network to charge you by the minute (and bill your room) even if you have a package:mad:

[Lsimon]

Clydesmom7865 gave a good description of the process and while it sounds complicated it really isn't too bad.

 

Before you can use your wireless device (such as a laptop, iPad, or smart phone) you do need to set up a wireless account on one of the computers in the ship's computer lounge. After that one short session there you can do everything else you need on your wireless device.

 

The reason you have to do this on the ship's computer is because you will need a user ID and password tied to your seapass account so they can charge you. All you need to do in order to do this is to sit down at one of the ship's computers and click on the icon on the screen that says "wireless". You'll then be guided through the process which includes scanning your card and then selecting a user ID and password. There will be a little brochure in the computer lounge with information on this. Click here for an example

 

If you do not purchase a package, or haven't purchased one yet, then every time you log onto the internet from your wireless device or on the ship's computer you'll be asked if you want to purchase a package or if you'd just like to pay as you go at the $0.75/min rate.

[ghstudio]

Another thing to do if you are using a PC based laptop is to disable your Google toolbar.

 

The Google toolbar tries to connect to the internet before you can login to the Celebrity network and causes the network to charge you by the minute (and bill your room) even if you have a package:mad:

 

NO! until you log in to your account, nothing is billed to you...and actually nothing happens. You will not be charged for internet time unless you are signed on to the internet. Since you are not charged for data usage, only for time, the only reason to disable google toolbar is if it is effecting your performance. You will not incur any additional charges for it being active.

 

However, since you should be processing your mail as suggested above....offline, you really should not try to use the web browser..it is slow and your minutes will just tick away. On a recent cruise, I kept a blog here...and just to get to the celebrity forum and find the blog took five minutes...then add the posting time. It was painful, but we had the minutes so I did it. Believe me, you don't want to pay for web time on the ship....wait until you get to port and then have an internet orgy while sipping a coffee or beer off the ship.

[TomMMD]

okay now I'm confused. Are you saying you must go to the icafe (or what ever its called) to set up an account first or can you do it on your device. BTW I travel with an iPad and iPhone. Can you have multiple devices on one account (user name and password)?

 

You can have multiple devices on one account.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[cruisestitch]

You can have multiple devices on one account. However, you should only use one at a time. It causes bad effects when one user is logged onto an account with one device and their spouse/significant other/friend uses the same name and password on a different device at the same time. Not a good idea to try it.

[travelpeon]

Thanks for the signup instructions! If there are offers like extra minutes for signing up on departure day or a captain's club % off/minutes coupon, do they get applied automatically? Or should you write a note requesting the discounts for the IT staffer so they know to apply the perks to your account?

 

---- Slightly Off Topic ------

 

On a recent cruise, I kept a blog here...and just to get to the celebrity forum and find the blog took five minutes...then add the posting time. It was painful, but we had the minutes so I did it.

 

Blogger has a nice feature of posting via e-mail. http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=41452

 

It isn't as friendly for CC readers as posting on the forums directly, but you definitely could email to blogger for those who want to follow along live and then use wifi on land time to copy & paste posts into CC.

[TulipBee]

I was on the Eclipse and the line for the first few days was UNBELIEVABLY long. I asked if I was required to wait or if I could set up my own device: you can do that. You MUST do it in the following order or you will only experience frustration.

 

 

I'm getting a bit jittery thinking about the fact that it may take me days to get online once I get onboard - but this was a great thread and all the steps will be printed out and taken with me, so thank you :)

 

p.s. I was on a 14 day land tour once and had helped one fellow traveller with their smart phone. That afternoon on the bus there was a steady stream of people quietly coming over to ask for help with tech things (apparently being the 'token young person' can be a curse!). Got bought quite a few drinks that night at dinner though - karma always rewards those that help others :D

[Clydesmom7865]

Happy to help. If any part of the process fails simply check the steps and it should self correct. What is a shame is that Celebrity doesn't create a laminated sheet that can be by each computer explaining how to do this or something you can take with you.

 

I think some of the confusion is because as of a couple years ago you could just direct connect to wireless and set up the account in your stateroom. Now you must set up internet first then wireless for it to work AND you have to go to the computer room to do it. Had they announced that change that would have helped too.

 

If there are more questions post em. I will check back to see if I can help. :D

[Clydesmom7865]

okay now I'm confused. Are you saying you must go to the icafe (or what ever its called) to set up an account first or can you do it on your device. BTW I travel with an iPad and iPhone. Can you have multiple devices on one account (user name and password)?

 

You now have to go to the iCafe to set up the accounts first. In order to set it up you have to swipe your sign and sail card twice. Once for internet then once for wireless set up.

 

Doesn't matter how many devices you want to use: they can all use the same log in. I would use the laptop in the cabin but my tablet at breakfast in the buffet. No problems. However, it was just me. I do agree you need to make sure that you aren't logged on with your phone and a spouse is trying to use the laptop with the same log in at the same time. That will create problems.

[cruisestitch]

Travelpeon, if there is an embarkation day special, it will get applied automatically if you buy a qualifying package.

 

If you have a coupon, give it at least three days after you turn it in and then check your on board account. You should see the full purchase price, and then a refund corresponding to the coupon's offer. If you don't see the coupon credit by day four, go to the I lounge and tell someone there.

[Lsimon]

Thanks for the signup instructions! If there are offers like extra minutes for signing up on departure day or a captain's club % off/minutes coupon, do they get applied automatically? Or should you write a note requesting the discounts for the IT staffer so they know to apply the perks to your account?...

You'll need to talk to someone to get the special or discount applied. For the Elite Captain's Club coupon (90 minuites free) all you have to do is to sign onto the internet to get to the page where you have to either buy a package or agree to the per minute rate. There you need to buy to a 90 minute package (or a larger package to get the value of the 90 min package applied). Then you can sign off immediately if you don't need to go online there. But you have to fill out the back of the coupon to one of the staff in the computer room at that time. You are charged for the package and then they'll process a credit for the $50 value of the coupon after they verify you bought the package but the credit won't appear for a day or two. If they are busy you can do all this on your own and just hand them the coupon on the way out. I'm not familiar with the processing of the other discounts but I imagine they work the same way and need human processing.

[TommyD3]

NO! until you log in to your account, nothing is billed to you...and actually nothing happens. You will not be charged for internet time unless you are signed on to the internet. Since you are not charged for data usage, only for time, the only reason to disable google toolbar is if it is effecting your performance. You will not incur any additional charges for it being active.

 

I REALLY hate it when people tell me I dont know what i am talking about. I have been on 80 cruises (not points) on Celebrity and REALLY do know what i am talking about.

 

Yes you do not get charges for time if you do not log on.

 

The problem is that if you are using Google toolbar you will frequently get extra charges if you are using a package. This would be like periodically being charged for drinks if you had a drink package. This has happened to me MANY times. Now I leave Google toolbar disabled on my laptop (all the time) and I have not had these extra charges since.

 

Just trying to help:)

[Tommy3putts]

You can have multiple devices on one account.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

Thanks for the response