iPhone on Freedom & WIFI Costs

[Erinl]

Have a couple of questions about WiFi...searched for other threads about this but no specific answer. So here goes...

I recently got an iPhone and would like to use it's internet radio while on the Freedom. I do not need to use the phone itself or any other option-just internet & iTunes. My question is, does the Freedon have WiFi and if so, how do you get charged for it? Does anyone know the rate they charge per min or hour?

 

Thanks!

Erin

[mistergq]

its a per minute charge. You can be charged per minute or buy a lump of minutes (at a slight discount).

 

You need to make sure you turn the radio for the phone off so you don't get hit with international cell phone download rates while you are on the boat. I forgot to turn off the feature on my blackberry to auto turn on at 6:00 AM and turn off at 11:00 PM. So for a couple of days, I got hit with international download charges for the data from emails downloaded to my blackberry.

[carzyboutcarnival]

I brought on my Ipod touch and recently switched to a Iphone. But in January when i had the touch i couldnt even get the page up to buy the WIFI! While i am on the Freedom in July i'll have to see!!

 

 

cbc

[tnt091605]

If you use your iphone internet radio on the ship it would cost a lot of money. If you use the ships wifi the cost is very significant and the connection can be slow. Here are the rates I found:

 

Can I access the internet while on board?

 

For those guests who want the option of staying connected to the rest of the world, we proudly offer access to the internet with our onboard Internet Café and wireless networks using the ships own satellite connection. The Internet Café is open 24-hours a day and features private terminals with the latest flat panel computer monitors.

 

The Internet is accessed via our C-band satellite system and utilizes state-of-the-art compression and acceleration technologies to deliver the best guest experience in the cruise industry. As a result, guests can feel right at home while surfing the internet at sea. Guests will have the ability to send and receive e-mail, chat online and access the full internet. Guests can also access their own e-mail account through AOL, Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc. Alternatively, guests will have the option to use their very own temporary e-mail account with our “Cruise E-mail”™.

 

We also offer wireless internet access across our entire fleet. Depending on the vessel, we have either limited wireless access in and around the shipboard internet café and select public areas or a complete “Bow2stern” wireless network. The “Bow2Stern” network allows our guests (and crew) to enjoy Internet access from literally anywhere on board, including all public areas, lounges, bars and pool decks, guest suites and cabins. To take full advantage of this feature, guests should bring their personal laptops along with them, as the number of laptops available for rent onboard is limited. In addition, this network supports the latest Wi-Fi enabled i-Phones, Palm Pilots and Blackberrys. These wireless deployments are available as follows:

Onboard Internet Café and “Bow2stern” Wi-Fi

 

Carnival Conquest

Carnival Destiny

Carnival Fantasy

Carnival Freedom

Carnival Imagination

Carnival Inspiration

Carnival Legend

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Miracle

Carnival Pride

Carnival Sensation

Carnival Spirit

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Triumph

Carnival Valor

Carnival Victory

Carnival Dream (September 2009)

Onboard Internet Café and Limited Wi-Fi (details of areas available in Internet Café)

 

Carnival Holiday

Carnival Ecstasy

Carnival Fascination

Carnival Elation

Carnival Paradise

Carnival Glory

 

Internet Café Price List :

To utilize the internet service, the below options are available. Please note that the internet pricing options are identical, whether an Internet Café terminal is utilized, or a laptop. All internet access charges will be billed directly to the guest's onboard “Sail & Sign” Account. In addition, when using a Café terminal, files can be downloaded as "read only" but cannot be saved, since a floppy disk cannot be inserted into the PC's. Users who bring their own laptop can read and save files without restriction.

 

An initial one-time Activation Fee of $3.95 applies to each user.

A basic time charge of $0.75 per minute (“Pay-As-You-Go”) is available. Minutes are rounded to the next full minute.

 

Discounted "Time Plans" offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a lower per-minute rate. These Time Plans do not have to be used in a single session and can be used anytime throughout the cruise until debarkation; No refund for unused minutes; Upgrading selected pricing option is not available. Plans are subject to change.

Cruises 6 days in length and longer:

 

100 minutes for $55.00 ($0.55 per minute)

250 minutes for $100.00 ($0.40 per minute)

Cruises less than 6 days in length:

 

30 minutes for $16.50 ($0.55 per minute)

60 minutes for $24.00 ($0.40 per minute)

To rent a Wireless Network Card for a guest's personal laptop, the rate is $10.00 per day; Optional insurance is $3.00 per day. This allows guests to connect their laptops to the ship's wireless signal and is in addition to the Internet price plans.

 

If you use your internet connection you will be paying a very large bill when you get home. We turn our iphone to air plane mode and turn off international roaming. We just do not want a big shock when we get home.

[sam1148]

Download some podcasts and Audiobooks before you go.

 

If you like classics. http://librivox.org/ has public domain audio books of classics read by volunteers.

 

For SciFi. Starship sofa has free audiobooks. In fact all seven of the nebula nominations are offered there. http://www.starshipsofa.com/

 

 

Get a ipod dock and listen to them on speakers in your stateroom for bedtime stories. ;)

[pnjkeith]

Have a couple of questions about WiFi...searched for other threads about this but no specific answer. So here goes...

I recently got an iPhone and would like to use it's internet radio while on the Freedom. I do not need to use the phone itself or any other option-just internet & iTunes. My question is, does the Freedon have WiFi and if so, how do you get charged for it? Does anyone know the rate they charge per min or hour?

 

Thanks!

Erin

 

100 minutes for $50.00 when they go on sale after day 1. Check capers go to internet cafe. Normal cost is .75 cents a minute.

[FlaKrznNubie]

Have a couple of questions about WiFi...searched for other threads about this but no specific answer. So here goes...

I recently got an iPhone and would like to use it's internet radio while on the Freedom. I do not need to use the phone itself or any other option-just internet & iTunes. My question is, does the Freedon have WiFi and if so, how do you get charged for it? Does anyone know the rate they charge per min or hour?

 

Thanks!

Erin

 

I think it's 75 cents a minute. If you are gonna listen to radio, via Wifi, sounds like it's gonna get expensive.

 

Why not just load the iPod feature of your iPhone with a ton of music you like and use that ?

[ztacruisnmommy]

i just wanted to give a few tips so you dont have a heart attack from your wireless bill when you come back from your cruise.make sure you always have your phone off while not being used..(airplane mode may not always work) even though you might not be talking on it, you are still using the ships towers and can still get charged for roaming (even if someone leaves you a voicemail while your phone is on it still counts as roaming)also make sure to have the wifi off when not in use as well. have a safe and great cruise

[JCieslak]

I forgot to turn off the feature on my blackberry to auto turn on at 6:00 AM and turn off at 11:00 PM. So for a couple of days, I got hit with international download charges for the data from emails downloaded to my blackberry.

 

 

If you call your service provider ahead of time you might be surprised at how reasonable the rates are. I paid less then 5 bucks for an 8 day cruise for unlimited email and internet on my Blackberry. It was not reliable in Belize or Roatan, but the rest of the time it worked pretty good though not as fast as in the States.

[Erinl]

Thank you all for your replies! I am going to check w/ ATT to get their rates and also go to the Apple store to have them show me exactly what to do.

I will be using my iPod music as well but I also like the internet radio app (Pandora) that I have...all I have to do is type in a name of a band/musician/song & it's right there!

 

Thanks again!

Erin

[FlaKrznNubie]

Thank you all for your replies! I am going to check w/ ATT to get their rates and also go to the Apple store to have them show me exactly what to do.

I will be using my iPod music as well but I also like the internet radio app (Pandora) that I have...all I have to do is type in a name of a band/musician/song & it's right there!

 

Thanks again!

Erin

 

Just remember, Canival wifi is in addition to any AT&T charges..