The crew deserves free internet

[rhblake]

Providing unlimited internet minutes to the crew of at least 1000+ would probably make the internet go so slow that it would be useless for all. Maybe providing a limited amount of minutes (say 30 minutes per month) might work but still it will have an enormous impact on the internet speed.

[Rob the Cruiser]

Providing unlimited internet minutes to the crew of at least 1000+ would probably make the internet go so slow that it would be useless for all. Maybe providing a limited amount of minutes (say 30 minutes per month) might work but still it will have an enormous impact on the internet speed.

 

Spot on. And contrary to another post it WOULD cost Celebrity plenty for the additional infrastructure required to provide the expanded access. Ultimately, the passengers would pick up the cost. No thank-you.

.

[cle-guy]

:eek:

 

Celebrity, this cost you nothing!!!!:eek: Why can't they get internet time when they have their breaks...:confused: I would definitely give up my internet card to them. I love the Free internet for employees for the holidays idea! What about it?:mad::);)

 

Cost NOTHING?

 

Do you think those satellites in the sky are free?

 

They get billed by usage by the communications provider, and likely X receives some sort of % commission of the sale, with the bulk of the internet fees going to that provider for installing and maintaining the equipment, and launching the satellites into the sky.

 

The secondary cost would be unhappy passengers who find an already slow internet experience grind to a halt with 1000 people getting free access.

 

Do the right thing don't just give up your free internet minutes, go ahead and buy a package and give the crew member your log in particulars. The charge will just appear on your SeaPass account.

[Lsimon]

It would be nice if we could give internet minutes to the crew as extra tips as well as cash not instead.

 

Cash is king! By giving the staff the normal, or additional, cash tips you are giving them internet if that's their spending priority and also allowing them to make the decision if they prefer, or need, to use the money for other things.

[davekathy]

Cost NOTHING?

 

Do you think those satellites in the sky are free?

 

They get billed by usage by the communications provider, and likely X receives some sort of % commission of the sale, with the bulk of the internet fees going to that provider for installing and maintaining the equipment, and launching the satellites into the sky.

 

The secondary cost would be unhappy passengers who find an already slow internet experience grind to a halt with 1000 people getting free access.

 

Do the right thing don't just give up your free internet minutes, go ahead and buy a package and give the crew member your log in particulars. The charge will just appear on your SeaPass account.

 

I agree and the best recommendation to those who feel the crew should have free internet access.

[Lsimon]

...Do the right thing don't just give up your free internet minutes, go ahead and buy a package and give the crew member your log in particulars. The charge will just appear on your SeaPass account.

 

I believe I've read some place, although I can't point out where, that the amounts the crew pays for communication (internet and cell phone on board) is significantly lower than the price charged to passengers. This is borne out in post#20 by AlanAllyn although I'd guess his info about crew of the Allure probably isn't the same for Celebrity crew. If this is true then giving the crew a good old tip of extra cash would make a lot more sense then buying an internet package at passenger rates, and would provide more internet minutes per dollar.

 

Personally, I'd also be hesitant to give the staff access to an unrestricted internet account that is ultimately billed to my account. Sooner or later someone would run into a situation where their staff gave the info to a trusted friend, who gave it to another friend.... ...and then found additional charges on their bill beyond what they intended to give.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Lsimon

[cle-guy]

I believe I've read some place, although I can't point out where, that the amounts the crew pays for communication (internet and cell phone on board) is significantly lower than the price charged to passengers. This is borne out in post#20 by AlanAllyn although I'd guess his info about crew of the Allure probably isn't the same for Celebrity crew. If this is true then giving the crew a good old tip of extra cash would make a lot more sense then buying an internet package at passenger rates, and would provide more internet minutes per dollar.

 

Personally, I'd also be hesitant to give the staff access to an unrestricted internet account that is ultimately billed to my account. Sooner or later someone would run into a situation where their staff gave the info to a trusted friend, who gave it to another friend.... ...and then found additional charges on their bill beyond what they intended to give.

 

I fully agree. I'm sure they get some sort of deal. My point is for people to "put their money where their mouth is" and not just want to give out free stuff they got for free if the issue is so important.

 

Cash is always best, as you said prior, let them choose how and when they want to spend the money. May be plenty of crew too who have no computers or internet at home so giving a perk of free internet is of no use to them, whereas a cash for a calling card is.

[ducklite]

American soldiers serving in Afghanistan have to pay for their Internet as well. I could never shake the thought that my daughter was a under paid soldier paying for Internet service to keep in touch with her family.

 

My nephew had free Internet while he was stationed in Afghanistan. Maybe it depended on exactly where they were deployed.

Edited November 10, 2014 by ducklite

[travelpeon]

I agree that cash is the primary form of reward. It will allow that crew member to feed people at home.

 

Most crew members have access to a cellular phone for cheaper land based cell calls + international calling card or callback service. They also have access to crew sim cards as well which offer rates lower than passengers. If I pick up a prepaid sim card and it isn't registered to a specific identify (some countries require passports and addresses) then I'd be happy to pass it on to a crew member or pick up an extra.

 

Lastly, for the holidays, I try to keep in mind that the crew is multicultural and not all cultures or religion have a major holiday in December. The crew knows when Thanksgiving is for Americans and Canadians. I'd bet most also know the dates for Easter, Rosh Hashanah, Lunar New Year, and various countries Independence days. I feel like the least I can do is to check for significant holidays on http://www.officeholidays.com/index.php and if their home country is into footie and/or cricket if there is a major match going on (and I don't even like sports, but many of the crew members are probably anxious to get off shift to check the score) :) Yes, I put money where my mouth is and tip a bit extra during my holidays but also feel acknowledging that people come from different places is an important part of travel.

Edited November 11, 2014 by travelpeon

[fleckle]

Most crew members have access to a cellular phone for cheaper land based cell calls + international calling card or callback service. They also have access to crew sim cards as well which offer rates lower than passengers.

Good point! Also, many crew members skype with their families and friends back home and know the best places to get free (or low cost) internet connections at the various ports.

A standard saying on cruise ships is that if you want to know where the best place is for wi-fi access at each port, just ask the crew.

 

This is similar to the messages that people used to post on cruise forums about buying telephone calling cards as gifts for crew members.

It would be pointed out that the crew members could buy the cards for less than we would pay, and they could get the specific type of card that would be most beneficial to them for the locations they wanted to call

 

So it was much better just to give them the money that we would pay for the card, since they themselves could get much better value for the same price.

 

 

I first learned that crew prices for internet access on cruise ships are lower than passenger prices long ago when I was trying to log into the ship's wi-fi in the internet lounge and somehow got connected to the crew system instead of the passenger system.

 

It was quite an eye opener.

I don't recall what the rates were, but remember that they were much lower than what we were paying.

 

[NLH Arizona]

Cost NOTHING?

 

Do you think those satellites in the sky are free?

 

They get billed by usage by the communications provider, and likely X receives some sort of % commission of the sale, with the bulk of the internet fees going to that provider for installing and maintaining the equipment, and launching the satellites into the sky.

 

The secondary cost would be unhappy passengers who find an already slow internet experience grind to a halt with 1000 people getting free access.

 

Do the right thing don't just give up your free internet minutes, go ahead and buy a package and give the crew member your log in particulars. The charge will just appear on your SeaPass account.

+1.

 

Also, for those that think the crew should get free internet minutes and want to give the crew internet minutes. Why not ask what the internet costs them per minute and pony up an additional tip (over and above what you would have given) for some minutes to some of the crew members. You would be doing something you feel is right and some of the crew would not have to pay for their internet usage. Seems like a win win for everyone, doesn't it.

[DYKWIA]

A cabin attendant on Eclipse told me they get no discount on internet and phone rates. He went on to say that time ashore at a port with free internet nearby is very precious.

[DirtyDawg]

OK I'm Canadian, and so by definition I must be some sort of Socialist. But this idea that Celebrity should just give its crews free internet is the ultimate in Socialism which this quasi socialist takes offence with. Socialists love to be do-gooders which by itself is a wonderful thing. But ,and it's a big BUT, Socialists want to do these good deeds with other people's money, which in this case is Celebrity's ,RCL's (the corporate parent) and ultimately RCL shareholders' money.

 

If you feel strongly that the cruise line is not providing enough benefits to their crews please feel free to buy internet access for them yourself, as others have suggested, or leave a bigger tip, or take your business to companies who treat their employees better. Another suggestion is for you buy RCL's stock and become a shareholder. Then you can advocate the company and your fellow shareholders to change the policies and accept the extra costs associated with this, because, as a shareholder, now those extra costs will be coming out of your pocket.

Edited November 11, 2014 by DirtyDawg

[Lsimon]

A cabin attendant on Eclipse told me they get no discount on internet and phone rates. He went on to say that time ashore at a port with free internet nearby is very precious.

 

Here is a web site that purports to show the internet rate for cruise ship crew members, including Celebrity. I have no idea if this is accurate or not: http://crew-center.com/internet-prices-crew-cruise-ship

[mferranti]

OK I'm Canadian, and so by definition I must be some sort of Socialist. But this idea that Celebrity should just give its crews free internet is the ultimate in Socialism which this quasi socialist takes offence with. Socialists love to be do-gooders which by itself is a wonderful thing. But ,and it's a big BUT, Socialists want to do these good deeds with other people's money, which in this case is Celebrity's ,RCL's (the corporate parent) and ultimately RCL shareholders' money.

 

If you feel strongly that the cruise line is not providing enough benefits to their crews please feel free to buy internet access for them yourself, as others have suggested, or leave a bigger tip, or take your business to companies who treat their employees better. Another suggestion is for you buy RCL's stock and become a shareholder. Then you can advocate the company and your fellow shareholders to change the policies and accept the extra costs associated with this, because, as a shareholder, now those extra costs will be coming out of your pocket.

Where's that darn Like button? :D

[ducklite]

Another thing to note--all major and some minor ports have a Seafarer's Center (often faith based but welcomes all faiths). They offer van shuttle service between the port and their facility as well as to a local major store (Wal-Mart/K-Mart/Tesco/Carrefor/etc.). At the facility there is free Internet, often free or very low cost phone calls, counseling, referral to legal and medical services, clothing, hot meals, and some offer mail boxes where crew can receive mail.

 

They are open to crew on both cargo ships and cruise ships, and are a vital link between the ship and community/home for the crew members. They all operate 100% on donations, and are happy to accept them from the public.

 

http://www.seafarerswelfare.org.uk/seafarers-centre-directory

[kampinguru]

So if I wanted to let a crew member use my 90 minutes of internet access while I am on a cruise, how would I do this? Would they log in using my name and room number to get access? Would that give them any other access to my account?

[cle-guy]

So if I wanted to let a crew member use my 90 minutes of internet access while I am on a cruise, how would I do this? Would they log in using my name and room number to get access? Would that give them any other access to my account?

 

You'd swipe your sea pass and set up the account in the computer lab like normal. You just make up any login and password you want. But if they go over 90 minutes, then charges will start to apply and be billed to your account. So it's really not the best idea to try and do it.

[blindrid]

The real issue here is bandwidth....most everyone complains about how slow internet is from the ship now. Allowing the crew free access would compound the current speed problem.

 

Celebrity is upgrading their internet connectivity from the ships, but even then, bandwidth will be restricted because folks will want to facetime, skype, etc.

 

The only real bandwidth solution would be for each ship to have one or more long fiber optic cable(s) attached :)

 

I knew someone would come with a solution:rolleyes:.

 

The technical issues make it virtually impossible for lines to provide. Again, short of fiber :).

 

That and the employees probably prefer faster net than the ship's anyway.

[Wj420]

We all have our opinionns and that's what this board is about. The crew are not

Like hotel employees that go home each evening. They are not us servicemen, who do have free internet. They are people who are away from their family and friends for months and months.

 

Employee benefits is what this is about. This is one I'd love celebrity to offer. Just saying!

[caladezi]

We all have our opinionns and that's what this board is about. The crew are not

Like hotel employees that go home each evening. They are not us servicemen, who do have free internet. They are people who are away from their family and friends for months and months.

 

Employee benefits is what this is about. This is one I'd love celebrity to offer. Just saying!

 

They are also not being held captive. You can not judge what crew should be given by your standards. They are more than happy to have the jobs that they have and in almost all cases those jobs are far better than what they could have had if they had stayed home. If we were to equate your reasoning, we should give the crew suites since they are on board all of the time and then have them all join in with us at meals and entertainment. If you really feel so strongly that the crew should get more, then give more yourself in the form on additional money for them to use as they wish, but do not demand more from those who feel differently to satisfy your agenda.