Upgrade credit for unused Internet minutes on a promotional package

[dtechteacher]

Hi Everyone! This is my first time cruising and posting on this very valuable forum. I have been reading many posts, and are grateful for the posters & editors to provide this information to us. The question I have, after speaking with a pleasant NCL services rep has to do with NCL issuing a credit for my 250 minute Internet package (which if I were to purchase would be 105 dollars) towards the unlimited wifi package (current price of 178 dollars) -- According to the information given to me, this has never been done (to the recollection of this service rep). She did state that if I purchased the package outright (and not part of a promotion) then I could apply the cost of the package towards my upgrade. Just double checking with the folks on this forum -- does that jive with what you know? Or should I go further to obtain the credit? Any advice is truly appreciated. 

Thank you again for reading this newbie's first posting. Looking forward to giving back, our cruise, on the Escape, is set to leave NYC on 3/31. Hopefully, if it lists, it will list the other way, LOL!

[MikeBTN]

You can upgrade to the unlimited internet package on board for $85. If you wait until Day 2 AND DO NOT USE ANY OF YOUR FREE MINUTES the cost drops to $55, I believe.

[roger001]

And, you can do this on your device yourself when you board...somehow...that I've forgotten.  However, I usually screw up my internet stuff and just get the internet manager to do it for me, insuring it does go unlimited.  He/she can also then put a log in and log out icon on your devices for you.  Makes it easier than typing it. The internet manager though is usually pretty busy on that first day or so.  You WiFi package can only be used on one device at a time.  One has to log off before the other can be logged on.  

[Mike_DeA]

When you go online on your phone or at the Internet Cafe, you will be given the option of upgrading to the unlimited once you select your "250 minute package" after logging in.  And as MikeBTN noted, it's about $85 to upgrade to unlimited.  I hadn't heard that it drops to $55 the next day like Mike said if you haven't used any minutes yet, but that's something to consider if it works for you.

[don't-use-real-name]

If you are not in a rush to communicate - see the Internet Café manager on the second day and do the conversion.

Have him set up the easy logon-logoff icons and of course use them - but with an unlimited plan there is no worry

about running out of time.

There are three plans - find out which one is best for your needs - LINK to the three plans:

 

https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/internet-packages

 

Which ever one you select the free 250 minutes is best converted on the 2nd cruise day best value savings.

12 minutes ago, Mike_DeA said:

When you go online on your phone or at the Internet Cafe, you will be given the option of upgrading to the unlimited once you select your "250 minute package" after logging in.  And as MikeBTN noted, it's about $85 to upgrade to unlimited.  I hadn't heard that it drops to $55 the next day like Mike said if you haven't used any minutes yet, but that's something to consider if it works for you.

 

 And as MikeBTN noted, it's about $85 to upgrade to unlimited.  I hadn't heard that it drops to $55 the next day

YES the price drops since on a 7 day cruise you are not using 1/7th of the package if done on the 2nd cruise day.

Must establish an internet account by day 2 - no further reductions.

Any additional perk promotional free minutes (other than the 250 minutes) burn those on the first day to just get started.

 

Depending on how busy the IC manager is try and check in the first day to get things into focus. 

 

[dtechteacher]

Thank you very much for your speedy and informative answers. Looks like the best thing to do is to avoid itchy fingers on Day One for the Internet, seek out the Internet Manager in the Cafe whenever I see an open opportunity to upgrade to the unlimited wifi. I will let everyone know how I make out! Also, I plan on taking pictures and notes of our trip (it is a whole family trip with all my grandchildren & kids). Your help on this issue is so appreciated. 

[don't-use-real-name]

14 minutes ago, dtechteacher said:

Thank you very much for your speedy and informative answers. Looks like the best thing to do is to avoid itchy fingers on Day One for the Internet, seek out the Internet Manager in the Cafe whenever I see an open opportunity to upgrade to the unlimited wifi. I will let everyone know how I make out! Also, I plan on taking pictures and notes of our trip (it is a whole family trip with all my grandchildren & kids). Your help on this issue is so appreciated. 

 

If you are going to be taking pictures and sending them back to the folks at home (rubbing in your good fortune to be

having a respite from work weather or whatever) you may need to upgrade to one of those packages that give you

launch speed instead of the basic telegraph text emails. One of the things to discuss with the IC manager.

That is why there are 3 plans - something for everyone.

[mjfalk]

Just a quick note. If you are platinum or plus some managers will give you credit  for that 30 or 60 package. On my last Escape cruise I was credited $45 for it and $125 for 250 package. This was only about two months ago on a 14 day cruise. 

[don't-use-real-name]

2 hours ago, mjfalk said:

Just a quick note. If you are platinum or plus some managers will give you credit  for that 30 or 60 package. On my last Escape cruise I was credited $45 for it and $125 for 250 package. This was only about two months ago on a 14 day cruise. 

 

Recent DAWN cruise the IC manager fixed it so I used the Platinum minutes on the first day and then on the second

day did the 250 minute conversion to the unlimited plan. Neat too the icon log-in off although with the unlimited plan

it is not a real concern.

Something else to note the unlimited plan expires at noon the day the cruise ends - so you can tidy up any travel

arrangements - send any emails even though your on board account is closed.

 

Since the OP is a first time NCL cruiser the platinum minutes don't apply but the extra time post cruise could be of

value - learn how to game the system for your advantage.

Remember too when making port calls some Wi-Fi venues may have faster internet speed to transact message service.

Make sure you are logged off the NCL system to do this - not that it matters with the unlimited plans.

[dtechteacher]

Many thanks to all who read this! Many eyeballs on postings prompt thought-provoking discussions (if not on this topic, but perhaps another). I am very grateful to all who responded with these valuable tips -- I would not have known to do this without your help here on this forum.

[brer111]

Okay I am a long time cruiser but always just locked all my devices away. We are platinum are have never used our 30 minutes. And like stated the line is usually pretty long at the internet cafe so I have never really checked. But this cruise we have later this year I have my 30 each and the 250 package. Can you explain everything we can do with the package and if there is more benefits added besides being unlimited. Or exactly what can you do with those minutes? Thanks I appreciate the information for a better  understanding  so I can take advantage of the minutes and/or cost to upgrade. Our cruise is 9 days . Many thanks in advance.😎

[dtechteacher]

Hi to brer111 -- I can only speak for myself -- an avid internet reader who keeps (unfortunately) vampire hours due to some medication/health issues. I have a few online newspaper subscriptions (Washington Post and New York Times), and get routinely sucked into the world of Pinterest, while my husband is sleeping. I would run through those 250 minutes like water down the drain. I also plan on sharing my experiences on the Escape Cruise ship (as a first time cruiser) -- so I am sure that would eat away at my time too! Only you know what you would want available to you. These are just some of the things that I do with my Chromebook. Hope that helps.

[Turtles06]

This is a very helpful thread, as my PCC has told me that you cannot pay to "upgrade" the 250 minute package on board to the unlimited package if you gave gotten the 250 minute package "FREE" -- that is, if you chose it as one of the "freebies" in a Free at Sea promotion, such as the one going on right now.  He said you can upgrade any package to unlimited if you've paid for that package.

 

So I just want to be sure I'm understanding what folks have said above --- have you been able to pay to upgrade a FREE 250-internet package to the unlimited package once you were on board?

 

Thanks for any help on this!

 

[Mike_DeA]

10 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

This is a very helpful thread, as my PCC has told me that you cannot pay to "upgrade" the 250 minute package on board to the unlimited package if you gave gotten the 250 minute package "FREE" -- that is, if you chose it as one of the "freebies" in a Free at Sea promotion, such as the one going on right now.  He said you can upgrade any package to unlimited if you've paid for that package.

 

So I just want to be sure I'm understanding what folks have said above --- have you been able to pay to upgrade a FREE 250-internet package to the unlimited package once you were on board?

 

Thanks for any help on this!

 

Yes

[dshuns]

My family is going to have two rooms on an upcoming sailing and have chosen the 250 minutes Internet perk for each room.  Any idea if it's possible to combine the $125 X 2 value credit (from each package) towards credit for other Internet options such as the faster unlimited package, Social Media package(s), or even the $9.95 phone and messenger package?

[Casino Comp Chick]

8 hours ago, dshuns said:

My family is going to have two rooms on an upcoming sailing and have chosen the 250 minutes Internet perk for each room.  Any idea if it's possible to combine the $125 X 2 value credit (from each package) towards credit for other Internet options such as the faster unlimited package, Social Media package(s), or even the $9.95 phone and messenger package?

 

No you cannot combine packages from different cabins. They are separate folios so they cannot combine the 2 packages.