Cutequail Posted August 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I do not understand paying for wifi. What ways will you use it? first time cruiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted August 2, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 2, 2017 There was a time when going on a cruise meant no wifi, no cellphone signal, no telephones in the cabin, and no television. The only ways to stay connected with the world would be a daily printed sheet of world news headlines, and if you absolutely needed to contact someone ashore, you'd head to the ship's radio room to place a (very expensive) call. Needless to say, things have changed and most people want all of the means of communication listed above. As much as I would like to go back to that level of blissful "disconnect", I like to at least have access to wifi in order to stay in touch, specially if our elementary school aged kids are not traveling with us. Also, to periodically check my email for any important communication. I don't spend more than 15 minutes a day using the wifi, but I'm glad that it's available in case I do need it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted August 2, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I do not understand paying for wifi. What ways will you use it? first time cruiser. Email, text messages, voice calls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted August 2, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 2, 2017 We use wifi to keep in touch with family back home using VoIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perditax Posted August 2, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Welcome to Cruise Critic. I use it for the same things I use it for at home. For example, listening to music on Spotify. (I hope we're moving past the "I don't understand why people can't unplug on vacation" era, but probably not quite yet. I don't understand why people have to spend their cruise highly intoxicated, but it's their time, money and bodies and they can do what they like, so I don't bust into the drink packages threads and criticize them.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cairyn Posted August 2, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Online school. My 1st grader and brandy new K are both seasoned cruisers. They don't miss a day of school! Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted August 2, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I write a blog on every cruise and also pay my bills online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samantha1904 Posted August 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Even though I'm a grown woman, I plan to check in with my family throughout the cruise because they are prone to paranoia and will assume something terrible has happened if they don't hear from me. Lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted August 2, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Work. We have our own business and have to keep in touch. If we couldn't, we'd never go in vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted August 2, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 2, 2017 The last few years we have had to stay connected due to elderly parents, although we mostly just posted once a day and read any posts sent to us. Unfortunately for us, all kinds of disasters have happened at home while we were on cruises, including two grandparents dying, multiple hospitalizations of elderly parents, etc. etc. I think we are jinxed.:o We are down to one parent now (91), but she broke her hip last year when we were cruising so I guess we'd better still check in every day. PS: my husband does like to keep up on various sports teams. Otherwise, we are not of the 'always have to be connected generation'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted August 2, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 2, 2017 You cruise to get away from it all. So don't pay for the expensive WiFi package Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkschles Posted August 2, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 2, 2017 It's helpful to be able to use your phone to message other people in your travel party to touch base about where you are, when to meet up, etc. It's much easier than relying on dry erase boards on your cabin door :) You can message (text) over wifi without worrying about roaming or using data. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted August 2, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 2, 2017 It's helpful to be able to use your phone to message other people in your travel party to touch base about where you are, when to meet up, etc. It's much easier than relying on dry erase boards on your cabin door :) You can message (text) over wifi without worrying about roaming or using data. Sent from my iPhone using Forums But just for that, is it worth paying the exorbitant WiFi charges? It's better to plan each person's full days schedule the previous night from the daily bulletin. So everyone knows where each person is. Some activities will be common. And all meet up for meals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted August 2, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 2, 2017 The major reason why we use it is to access the internet and check things like our credit card on line statements (watching for fraud) and to access e-mail to communicate with others. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare babs135 Posted August 2, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 2, 2017 The major reason why we use it is to access the internet and check things like our credit card on line statements (watching for fraud) and to access e-mail to communicate with others. Keith Exactly the same reason we use the internet. Never use it to play games, but if towards the end of the cruise there is some time left over I might log into Cruise Critic to see if I've missed anything :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMHCruiseCouple Posted August 2, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Princess provides free minutes based upon loyalty level combined with length of the cruise cruise. I use my free minutes to place VoIP calls to check on family. Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted August 2, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 2, 2017 We find the minutes e get as repeat customers with Princess are enough, so we do not buy any Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolady68 Posted August 2, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 2, 2017 The Wi-Fi on the cruise ship if you need any type of text messages especially with Verizon you want it only charges when you return I kept my phone on airplane mode and as long as I have been to the Royal Caribbean WiFi there was no charges at all I was also able to connect with Facebook Messenger and also use the Skype option as well again it's a small piece to pay for not coming back with a lot of thought Sent from my SM-T377V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perditax Posted August 2, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 2, 2017 You cruise to get away from it all. So don't pay for the expensive WiFi package Different people have different definitions of what they're "getting away" from. It's fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted August 2, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I do not understand paying for wifi. What ways will you use it? first time cruiser. same reasons you pay for it at home. if those reasons are considered necessary/vital, you will pay for them on board. if not, you won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted August 2, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 2, 2017 same reasons you pay for it at home. if those reasons are considered necessary/vital, you will pay for them on board. if not, you won't. That is the right answer [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted August 2, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I do not understand paying for wifi. What ways will you use it? first time cruiser.It is a question we need to ask ourselves (i.e., myself and my spouse). My spouse, especially, feels compelled to be accessible to work via email because of the critical nature of the work my spouse does. For myself, I am under the impression that sharing parts of my cruise with others (family on social media, and here on Cruise Critic) while I'm on the cruise would somehow enhance my experience. In addition, we like to check on the security cameras in our home (because we often can catch a view of our pets) and at the very least check our security system to verify that our house sitter is visiting each day for the agree-on amount of time, rather than something having come up unexpectedly and our pets being left alone too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisercl Posted August 2, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 2, 2017 You cruise to get away from it all. So don't pay for the expensive WiFi package It is free for me so no expense. Use it to touch base with family when on long cruises all over the world. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted August 2, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 2, 2017 primary cause for the confusion is the term WiFi what folks are really paying for is INTERNET ACCESS. WiFi or a wireless connection is just the portion from your device to the ship's interface to the internet which is happening via a maritime satellite system ..... and in general time on a maritime satellite system is EXPENSIVE and not nearly as 'robust' as even the most limited DSL or cable system in your house. It is not unusual for response and capacity to be more like dialup systems of old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted August 2, 2017 #25 Share Posted August 2, 2017 We do not buy internet on board. Too slow, too expensive and we really have no need for it. We do use our ipads on shore though. We are retired so no job requirements. Despite being in the IT business for my career we are not in any way married or joined at the hip to on board internet. We can live without it for a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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