Internet on Cruises

[renz20003]

Most cruises nowadays don't have data caps except for Disney Cruises still.

I went on a carnival cruise in 2015 and they had a cap. It's actually refreshing to disconnect for a week though.

 

[Sonikku]

The very idea of leaving frosty northern NY for a cruise is like a fantasy to me. I could scarcely imagine wanting to watch Netflix on one if I ever had such an opportunity.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Personally I rather disconnect when I'm on vacation. I still bring my phone and do bring solar panels and other electronics when I go camping but it's more of a "fun to have" thing. I barely use it and could live without it. The phone acts more as a camera than a phone for when I'm going somewhere I don't want to lug my DSLR around, I keep the phone in me in case I see a bear or something.

 

[pcslookout]

You all are not true internet geeks then. Sorry.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I still want to take a selfie with a bear one day. But I always chicken out when I see one and don't want to turn my back on it.

 

[KMFJD]

youtube, netflix and other streaming services where prohibited or blocked on Holland America cruises, then again you'd probably be paying close to $50-$60 an hour for the internet even if could stream...

 

[cbrunny]

Netflix lets you download some original tv shows now.

yeah but it isn't going anywhere. just watch it when you get back.

 

[Rubycon]

Some of us need decent internet for more mundane reasons - like managing a law firm while at sea. Clients and judges don't really care where you are - if you're not responding to their needs, they're not particularly happy. Sucks... but you gotta do what you gotta do.

The OP was inquiring about CDN access which certainly isn't necessary for those needing to keep in touch back home.

Internet plans typically are billed by minutes, i.e. time spent logged on to the gateway which allows surfing. Some plans are by data buckets. Some can be unlimited. Speed varies of course. The fastest systems provide close to 600mbps throughput to the entire ship and at times of low utilization it's quite fast. Inmarsat-B systems during peak times will seem like the days of using spaghetti proxy on a K56 flex modem in an office of a dozen users while two were forwarding AVIs of the dancing baby through their AOL accounts!

 

[MongGrel]

Most cruise ships used to have first run movies in your room that where currently brand new in the theaters in the past from my experience unless that has changed.

Huge screens up on the pool deck were popular not long ago, just drinking a beer and eating off the buffet, I doubt it has changed.

http://www.princess.com/cruise-tips-vacation-ideas/video/onboard-experience/muts.html

A bucket of beer from the bar and just kicking back the upper deck in the open eating seafood like at an old drive in is kinda fun.

Internet on a cruise is probably necessary for some for E-Mail, but I wouldn't use it to stream Netflix.

I remember going up the the radio room with a pretty high level Rep decades ago and many people were wanting to try getting a Buccs game on live in one of the bars coming back into Miami.

Was hard trying to find a good sat link, I imagine that has improved over time.

 

[Crono]

The OP was inquiring about CDN access which certainly isn't necessary for those needing to keep in touch back home.

Internet plans typically are billed by minutes, i.e. time spent logged on to the gateway which allows surfing. Some plans are by data buckets. Some can be unlimited. Speed varies of course. The fastest systems provide close to 600mbps throughput to the entire ship and at times of low utilization it's quite fast. Inmarsat-B systems during peak times will seem like the days of using spaghetti proxy on a K56 flex modem in an office of a dozen users while two were forwarding AVIs of the dancing baby through their AOL accounts!

I assume unlimited plans are astronomically expensive?

You need to do a podcast, Ship Talk with Rubycon

 

[Rubycon]

MUTS is a Princess exclusive although others are following suit.
The biggest issue is sound. The line arrays are LOUD so everyone can hear dialogue and other sound - while underway with wind.
When in port, complaints are not uncommon from other vessels.
Even worse, some lines (name sounds like carnivore) like to blast karaoke though same system - while in port!

I assume unlimited plans are astronomically expensive?

You need to do a podcast, Ship Talk with Rubycon

Depends on ship but can cost $250 on a seven day voyage.

I do have a youtube channel and may put some stuff up there. The new system supports livestream but I don't think they'd like that.

 

[MongGrel]

Even worse, some lines (name sounds like carnivore) like to blast karaoke though same system - while in port!

Um, yeah, know those guys a bit also

Have been on RC more than any myself over time.

 

[John Connor]

I still want to take a selfie with a bear one day. But I always chicken out when I see one and don't want to turn my back on it.

Never do that! There have been so many stupid people killed trying to take a selfie with wildlife it's ridiculous.

 

[Rubycon]

Never do that! There have been so many stupid people killed trying to take a selfie with wildlife it's ridiculous.

In Russia the bear will steal your phone and take a bear selfie of himself eating you!

 

[ponyo]

I was on Regal Princess and the internet package was pretty limited and expensive. The ship staterooms did have good video on demand system with about 100-200 movies available. And any MUTS showing was available the next day on VOD so you could watch it in comfort in your room. We had two 42" TVs in our suite so my daughter and I watched different movies at the same time and the VOD worked great.

 

[John Connor]

In Russia the bear will steal your phone and take a bear selfie of himself eating you!

Wouldn't doubt it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

In Russia the bear will steal your phone and take a bear selfie of himself eating you!

In Canada they do the same, but they say sorry after.

 

[Crono]

In Canada they do the same, but they say sorry after.

Is it too late now to say soorry?
While I'm taking a bite out of your body

 

[rh71]

Never do that! There have been so many stupid people killed trying to take a selfie with wildlife it's ridiculous.

Well they are dumb. Have someone else take the picture for you, and then you only need to run faster than your friend.

 

[pcslookout]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/voom

http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2...offering-new-high-speed-internet-tiered-plans

$9.99 to $41.99 a day unlimited depending on how many devices you want connected and if you want streaming ability.

 

[BudAshes]

Cruises are really only for the elderly or maybe with people with young kids. Otherwise I would stay away and save your money for a real vacation where you aren't trapped on the boat for 95% of the time.

 

[ViRGE]

I just found out internet on some cruise ships is actually decent.

Told you so.

Cruises are really only for the elderly or maybe with people with young kids. Otherwise I would stay away and save your money for a real vacation where you aren't trapped on the boat for 95% of the time.

Poppycock. Cruising with other adults is fantastic. Unlike the old folks you actually have the energy to go do the fun stuff, and unlike the people with kids you don't have to let your vacation play second-fiddle to child care.

 

[MongGrel]

Cruises are really only for the elderly or maybe with people with young kids. Otherwise I would stay away and save your money for a real vacation where you aren't trapped on the boat for 95% of the time.

If you think that you are not doing it right.

Have you actually even been on one ?

Different cruise lines promote different experiences, you are not on the ship 95% of the time, unless you are doing a trans Atlantic or something, and even the majority of the time you are on the ship it is for shows, hanging out in clubs, or sleeping while on the way to the next port.

 

[dullard]

If you think that you are not doing it right.

Have you actually even been on one ?

The better question to ask is, have you ever been in a port city when the throngs of cruise passengers leave (or before they arrive)? It is night and day better as everyone flocks back to the ships (after being at their destination for a brief moment) and you now have a dream destination all to yourself for the next ~20 hours.

 

[KMFJD]

I've been on a couple of cruises so far, i enjoyed the ones that have almost daily ports of call and hated the ones that mainly stayed at sea. The food on the cruises was amazing though, was so nice to order a couple of filet mignons for dinner.