Princess is actually a big ripoff for non-platinum passengers. $21/hr!!!

You buy time on prepaid cards. Fortunately, our group had coupons for 50% off and I was the only one using them.

If you plan to the use the internet, then taking your own notebook is a necessity. You can download your email and any webpages you want to read, then log off of the pricey internet and read them at your leisure.

Internet was also available only in the atrium area, not in the rooms.

One of the nicest things about a cruise is being off of the internet and looking forward to that "news summary" which is generally slipped under your door in the early AM. Another nice thing is that it is a great way to wean yourself from the internet. You will hear about the important news. I shudder to think that there are those who would consider a ship or itinerary based on internet access

There are people that have work obligations that require them to stay abreast of what’s happening at their companies even when they are on holiday. The internet actually facilitates people being able to get away for 12-14 days that might not have had the opportunity otherwise.

While it would be great if we could all just drop everything and disappear for two weeks, a lot of us need to have open lines of communication if the situation necessitates.

Sam

What he said.

Speaking for me too, thanks.

internet access - Princess
 

Found service very slow. Quoted $0.35 per minute closer to $1.00 per minute when adjusted for slow speed.

Holland America (Westerdam) as of 4 August:

$3.95 to activate an account

250 minutes = $100 (40 cents)
100 minutes = $55 (55 cents)
pay-as-you-go = 75 cents

They obviously have specials - 10 free minutes here and there, but this is a good estimate.

Yes, it is very slow as reported by mshaikun.

Sam

Czrnival Prices
 

Hi,
Carnival Triumph NYC-Saint Johns NB and Halifax NS and return Internet Cafe pricing:

Wired using their computers which are locked up so you cannot connect a USB drive or card reader fo photo SD/CF etc.
Time Plan 1 $.40 pe rminute
60 minutes for $24
Time Plan 2 $.55 per minute
30 minutes for $16.50
Pay as you go $ .75 per minute

Wireless which only works in and around the Internet Cafe:
Time Plan 1
$.40 per minute
250 minutes for $100
Time Plan 2
$.55 per minute
100 minutes for $55
TIme Plan 3
$.75 per minute
33 minutes for $25

all plans have a $3.95 setup fee

frequent specials for double minutes in internet cafe if you buy them at a certain time of day or on first day of cruise. None of the specials apply to the wireless. Their sattilite is somehow affiliated with El Salvador such that your google searhcs come out in spanish unless you do something such as use google.ca or set preferences.

Plenty of open acess points while departing NYC and in port in Saint John.

The wireless connection on Princess was a lot faster than their internet cafe.

Even with a fast connection $.35 per minute is ridiculous.

It may be expensive but
 

I will be reading you all from the Grand Princess in the Med in just two weeks. It is nice to meet someone with Elite priviledges and they can let you use the internet for free. We also got a coupon book from our TA that gave use 50% off internet price.

No hope for the FT addicted.

Speed is even worse
 

Even worse than the cost (which I can pass on to my employer if business related) is the speed. Shipboard computer speen in the computer lounge on every line I have cruised is awful - makes dialup look like broadband. The service in the staterooms, even where ethernet ports are available, is virtually unusable.

I generally connect by cellular in port and forget about using it aboard ship. Let's not even talk about availability (last cruise was down 3 days out of 11).