Internet prices

[jtl513]

:o

Do I add 7 or 8 years since joining in 2006?

Neither. That figure is updated every year.

 

The teacher of the iPad class is 2 years younger, however. ;)

.

Edited May 26, 2014 by jtl513

[Sam.Seattle]

Neither. That figure is updated every year.

 

The teacher of the iPad class is 2 years younger, however. ;)

.

Well, I am impressed!

1) That she is keeping current

2) ipad class is excellent.

3) I assumed that on this site, the age posting would be a stagant field.

 

I probably should have said "some" of the older crowd.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I wish they would fix it by now..

[Lizzie68]

Seattle Sam - what are the librarian questions?

[kazu]

All I know is that there were significant issues on the Maasdam internet for the first few days. One of our ipad users on the roll call was having issues.

 

While he is an "older' gentleman he certainly is techie, has posted pics on cruise critic and has helped me out a number of times.

 

The "librarian" didn't have two sweet clues. He had to wait to see the tech guy who does those 'one on one' times.

 

So, you can throw out the ideas that the 'old' people (I refuse to define old) don't know how to use the equipment - most do.

 

However, HAL has some serious quirks with it's new system that would cause anyone issues.

 

Heck, I couldn't log in for two days and while I am not the most savvy tech person in the world, I do have the wherewithal to log in and post.

 

What was nice was when it worked you could use it anywhere.

 

What wouldn't be nice would be to pay an unlimited fee on a 30 day cruise. No way, no how.

 

Nor to buy hourly rates and be charged activation fees over and over and over.

 

No way, no how.

 

I walked off the Maasdam with over 70 minutes left. Not because I didn't want to use them - because I couldn't.

 

Rather than try to charge more for the usage, I recommend they fix it first and then we can talk price.

 

Vent over.

[cruz chic]

I just love when companies have new and improved things. Might be a good idea for hal to test it before the release it. As far as an activation fee is concerned they better not be .charging every time. That would be beyond stupid.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Nor to buy hourly rates and be charged activation fees over and over and over.

 

.

 

I was not charged activation fees on the Zuiderdam with its new rates - hourly, daily, and cruise. And I just looked at my bill from the Amsterdam which we were on the previous 4 days and found not charged an activation fee on the old rate system. So perhaps that is one charge that is being eliminated.

[jtl513]

(I refuse to define old)

I define it as 10 years older than me ... always! ;)

[cruz chic]

I was not charged activation fees on the Zuiderdam with its new rates - hourly, daily, and cruise. And I just looked at my bill from the Amsterdam which we were on the previous 4 days and found not charged an activation fee on the old rate system. So perhaps that is one charge that is being eliminated.

 

I simply don't understand that charge. They don't charge it on Princess.

[POA1]

I simply don't understand that charge. They don't charge it on Princess.

 

It's the fee that they charge you so that they can can set up an Internet account to which they can charge additional fees. I'm surprised that there's not a fee to link your Internet account to your room account.

 

What about a login screen display convenience surcharge? How about fee for using the logoff screen?

[Lizzie68]

It's the fee that they charge you so that they can can set up an Internet account to which they can charge additional fees. I'm surprised that there's not a fee to link your Internet account to your room account.

 

What about a login screen display convenience surcharge? How about fee for using the logoff screen?

 

Please stop giving them ideas!!!:eek:

[POA1]

Q: Why is there a $3.95 Internet activation fee? I'm pretty sure that the Internet was active when I left home.

 

A: Your Holland America Internet Account has been personally selected from our vast collection of Internet Access Accounts by highly trained professionals wearing sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.

A team of 50 employees inspected your Internet Account and polished it to make sure it was in the best possible condition before activating it. Our world-renowned packing specialist lit a locally sourced artisanal candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your account into the finest gold-plated shipping box that money can buy.

 

We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the airport where the entire city of Seattle waved "Bon Voyage!" to your Internet Access Account, on its way to you, in our private Holland America Internet Account delivery helicopter. (Did you ever notice the really big letter H in a circle on the deck of the ship? That's where the HAL-o-copter lands when it delivers your account.)

 

We hope you appreciate all the hard work and effort that went into bringing you your Internet account, and we think you'll agree that it's a steal at only $3.95. In commemoration of your new Internet Access Account, we have placed your picture on our wall as "Customer of the Year." We're all exhausted, but can't wait for you to log on and enjoy the blazing speeds!

In the extremely unlikely event that you have a problem with your account - lost minutes for instance - rest assured that this is unavoidable. Sometimes the turbulence from the helicopter blades causes minutes to blow overboard. If you encounter this extremely unlikely phenomenon, just consult your ship's Internet manager. He or she is available any time the helicopter is onboard. Just listen for the whup - whup - whup sound of the chopper's blades. When you hear them, please report to the ship's library. It's the room with the Scrabble tables and Eurotrash techno music blaring in the background.

[CaveDiving]

I believe two of the significant problems that occur when a ship offers unlimited internet are the pax who either sit on the phone by the hour calling home using Skype, Bobsled or some other internet telephone connection, or the ones who watch movies by the hour.

 

These folks use up most of the available bandwidth and don’t leave too much for the rest of us.

 

Until these problems can be handled, I’m afraid that unlimited internet may not be available.

 

Scott & Karen

[Hlitner]

I believe two of the significant problems that occur when a ship offers unlimited internet are the pax who either sit on the phone by the hour calling home using Skype, Bobsled or some other internet telephone connection, or the ones who watch movies by the hour.

 

These folks use up most of the available bandwidth and don’t leave too much for the rest of us.

 

Until these problems can be handled, I’m afraid that unlimited internet may not be available.

 

Scott & Karen

 

Funny you should mention this since its exactly what happened on Princess. Several years ago they gave unlimited internet to all their Platinum and Elites and it was a disaster. Some folks would spend their entire days in the internet room (this was before shipwide WiFi). So Princess changed the benefit to a time limited thing. This is almost laughable because DW and I recently received 1,000 free internet minutes on our 25 day cruise...as did all Elites. That amount of time does invite some abuse. On the other hand, our ship seemed to do a pretty decent job providing enough bandwidth to generally meet demand.

 

Hank

[jtl513]

I believe two of the significant problems that occur when a ship offers unlimited internet are the pax who either sit on the phone by the hour calling home using Skype, Bobsled or some other internet telephone connection, or the ones who watch movies by the hour.

We had one HAL cruise where two apparently rich teens spent hours playing on-line games. :mad:

.

Edited May 27, 2014 by jtl513

[cruz chic]

Q: Why is there a $3.95 Internet activation fee? I'm pretty sure that the Internet was active when I left home.

 

A: Your Holland America Internet Account has been personally selected from our vast collection of Internet Access Accounts by highly trained professionals wearing sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.

A team of 50 employees inspected your Internet Account and polished it to make sure it was in the best possible condition before activating it. Our world-renowned packing specialist lit a locally sourced artisanal candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your account into the finest gold-plated shipping box that money can buy.

 

We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the airport where the entire city of Seattle waved "Bon Voyage!" to your Internet Access Account, on its way to you, in our private Holland America Internet Account delivery helicopter. (Did you ever notice the really big letter H in a circle on the deck of the ship? That's where the HAL-o-copter lands when it delivers your account.)

 

We hope you appreciate all the hard work and effort that went into bringing you your Internet account, and we think you'll agree that it's a steal at only $3.95. In commemoration of your new Internet Access Account, we have placed your picture on our wall as "Customer of the Year." We're all exhausted, but can't wait for you to log on and enjoy the blazing speeds!

In the extremely unlikely event that you have a problem with your account - lost minutes for instance - rest assured that this is unavoidable. Sometimes the turbulence from the helicopter blades causes minutes to blow overboard. If you encounter this extremely unlikely phenomenon, just consult your ship's Internet manager. He or she is available any time the helicopter is onboard. Just listen for the whup - whup - whup sound of the chopper's blades. When you hear them, please report to the ship's library. It's the room with the Scrabble tables and Eurotrash techno music blaring in the background.

 

Behave :D:p. The next thing you know Hal will be using this as the reason for the charge;).

[cruz chic]

Funny you should mention this since its exactly what happened on Princess. Several years ago they gave unlimited internet to all their Platinum and Elites and it was a disaster. Some folks would spend their entire days in the internet room (this was before shipwide WiFi). So Princess changed the benefit to a time limited thing. This is almost laughable because DW and I recently received 1,000 free internet minutes on our 25 day cruise...as did all Elites. That amount of time does invite some abuse. On the other hand, our ship seemed to do a pretty decent job providing enough bandwidth to generally meet demand.

 

Hank

 

Do elites get more? I thought you didn't get any more then the platinum level?

[frankc98376]

I believe two of the significant problems that occur when a ship offers unlimited internet are the pax who either sit on the phone by the hour calling home using Skype, Bobsled or some other internet telephone connection, or the ones who watch movies by the hour.

 

These folks use up most of the available bandwidth and don’t leave too much for the rest of us.

 

Until these problems can be handled, I’m afraid that unlimited internet may not be available.

 

Scott & Karen

 

With the speeds I saw on Zuiderdam (particularly upload speeds) it would likely take 10 minutes to say Hello on Skype. Then the call would be dropped every minute or so.

Watching a movie would be more of a narrated slide show with the narration out of sync with the slides.:D

[Sam.Seattle]

With the speeds I saw on Zuiderdam (particularly upload speeds) it would likely take 10 minutes to say Hello on Skype. Then the call would be dropped every minute or so.

Watching a movie would be more of a narrated slide show with the narration out of sync with the slides.:D

I am pretty sure Skype is blocked because of the large bandwidth. We have been able to stay connected and chat online efficiently via FB Messenger.

 

I recently tired "Facetime" on RCL with very limited success.

 

It has been years since I was able to skype on a ship.

 

Frank, did you actually connect with Skype?

Edited May 27, 2014 by Sam.Seattle

[frankc98376]

I am pretty sure Skype is blocked because of the large bandwidth. We have been able to stay connected and chat online efficiently via FB Messenger.

 

I recently tired "Facetime" on RCL with very limited success.

 

It has been years since I was able to skype on a ship.

 

Frank, did you actually connect with Skype?

 

I had enough challenge connecting to the Internet many times- didn't even think of trying Skype. I know at the speeds I was seeing would never work though

[janmcn]

I've learned to buy the fewest minutes first (even though it may be more costly per minute) just to see how that particular ship's internet access seems to be…then, if needed get more later. I've found that finding places in port (and using just my iPhone wifi) will allow me to do my needed catchup with family and friends. No posting photos, etc. to FB until home (not a good thing anyway for security) so I'll continue using this method until HAL shapes up the 'net packages/speed. My typical "login/logout" time from the time the timer began to my end (just downloading/uploading emails that were pre done) was typically 8 minutes average.

[POA1]

Your biggest problem with services like Skype or Facetime isn't going to be bandwidth. It's latency. Simply put, there's an enormous delay between the time the packets leave the ship and the time they get to the satellite. You also have the other side of the transmission, satellite to ground station, which has it's own latency problem.

 

This is right off of Skype's support site:

 

Skype does not recommend the use of satellite internet links or mobile internet connections for Skype Connect due to extreme latency associated with these types of connection which can severely impact voice quality.

 

SOURCE: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10288/

 

Satellite latency is almost always 20x the latency you experience with terrestrial Internet service. Bear in mind that the 20x figure is for fixed ground stations. The rocking, rolling, moving ship should have higher latencies.

 

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/02/satellite-internet-faster-than-advertised-but-latency-still-awful/

 

Now I'm sure someone is going to post that they or someone they know used Skype all the time from a ship.... ;)

[RuthC]

Q: Why is there a $3.95 Internet activation fee? I'm pretty sure that the Internet was active when I left home.

 

A: Your Holland America Internet Account has been personally selected from our vast collection of Internet Access Accounts by highly trained professionals wearing sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.

A team of 50 employees inspected your Internet Account and polished it to make sure it was in the best possible condition before activating it. Our world-renowned packing specialist lit a locally sourced artisanal candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your account into the finest gold-plated shipping box that money can buy.

 

We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the airport where the entire city of Seattle waved "Bon Voyage!" to your Internet Access Account, on its way to you, in our private Holland America Internet Account delivery helicopter. (Did you ever notice the really big letter H in a circle on the deck of the ship? That's where the HAL-o-copter lands when it delivers your account.)

 

We hope you appreciate all the hard work and effort that went into bringing you your Internet account, and we think you'll agree that it's a steal at only $3.95. In commemoration of your new Internet Access Account, we have placed your picture on our wall as "Customer of the Year." We're all exhausted, but can't wait for you to log on and enjoy the blazing speeds!

In the extremely unlikely event that you have a problem with your account - lost minutes for instance - rest assured that this is unavoidable. Sometimes the turbulence from the helicopter blades causes minutes to blow overboard. If you encounter this extremely unlikely phenomenon, just consult your ship's Internet manager. He or she is available any time the helicopter is onboard. Just listen for the whup - whup - whup sound of the chopper's blades. When you hear them, please report to the ship's library. It's the room with the Scrabble tables and Eurotrash techno music blaring in the background.

 

It's always a good day when it starts out with a belly laugh.

Thanks in advance for my good day. :D

[Hlitner]

Do elites get more? I thought you didn't get any more then the platinum level?

 

Since we have been Elite for years, we truly have not kept up with the Platinum benefit. They might have received the same amount. We were doing a 14 day-12 day back to back and they simply gave each of us 500 min. Platinum's used to get the same and not sure if that has changed. Our cruise had about 800 Elites on the crossing (or so we were told) which dropped to about 400 on the British Isle segment. Of course we could take a 200 day HAL cruise and would still qualify for zero minutes. As we previously mentioned, we could cruise nearly any mass market line (and some higher end lines) and get lots of free internet. It is only HAL who is stingy with benefits.

 

Hank

Edited May 27, 2014 by Hlitner

[mor mor]

Q: Why is there a $3.95 Internet activation fee? I'm pretty sure that the Internet was active when I left home.

 

A: Your Holland America Internet Account has been personally selected from our vast collection of Internet Access Accounts by highly trained professionals wearing sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.

A team of 50 employees inspected your Internet Account and polished it to make sure it was in the best possible condition before activating it. Our world-renowned packing specialist lit a locally sourced artisanal candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your account into the finest gold-plated shipping box that money can buy.

 

We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the airport where the entire city of Seattle waved "Bon Voyage!" to your Internet Access Account, on its way to you, in our private Holland America Internet Account delivery helicopter. (Did you ever notice the really big letter H in a circle on the deck of the ship? That's where the HAL-o-copter lands when it delivers your account.)

 

We hope you appreciate all the hard work and effort that went into bringing you your Internet account, and we think you'll agree that it's a steal at only $3.95. In commemoration of your new Internet Access Account, we have placed your picture on our wall as "Customer of the Year." We're all exhausted, but can't wait for you to log on and enjoy the blazing speeds!

In the extremely unlikely event that you have a problem with your account - lost minutes for instance - rest assured that this is unavoidable. Sometimes the turbulence from the helicopter blades causes minutes to blow overboard. If you encounter this extremely unlikely phenomenon, just consult your ship's Internet manager. He or she is available any time the helicopter is onboard. Just listen for the whup - whup - whup sound of the chopper's blades. When you hear them, please report to the ship's library. It's the room with the Scrabble tables and Eurotrash techno music blaring in the background.

It took a while to stop laughing so I could type. I really hope HAL management reads this -