lightning fast internet available yet?

[littlelulu01]

NCL announced in May the upgrade to all ships in June, available on all ships in July, 2016. Was this plan simply scrapped or just running late? Anyone experience this new Speednet on any ship yet? Sounds like Breakaway has better internet than the other ships in the fleet but that was the case before this upgrade announcement. We are sailing on the Jade soon and hoping they didn't scrap their plans. Here's what they have on their website:

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to Deliver High Speed WiFi Across the Company's Three Brands

 

Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ guests to benefit from quadrupled bandwidth and ground breaking technology from EMC that significantly enhances shipboard WiFi experience

 

Miami - May 05, 2016

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (or "the Company") (NASDAQ: NCLH) announced today it will quadruple the current bandwidth across its Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleets in the coming months to meet the rising internet expectations of cruise guests. The quadrupling of bandwidth is part of a long term strategic agreement with EMC to significantly enhance the internet experience onboard all 23 ships in the Company's fleet.

 

To support the new WiFi network, multi-million dollar bandwidth and performance-boosting technology upgrades will be installed fleet-wide before the end of June, including new state of the art satellite dishes, and EMC's patented SpeedNet program. The SpeedNet program delivers popular websites at speeds that mimic high-speed fiber optic networks, similar to those available in homes and offices. The WiFi experience is further enhanced by the recent deployment of high speed shoreside connectivity in key ports of call.

 

"With the addition of new hardware, combined with the significant increase in satellite bandwidth, shoreside connectivity and EMC's SpeedNet, we have moved beyond the decade old problem of slow data speeds from satellite to deliver a much more efficient and faster internet experience for our guests," said Ross Henderson, vice president, onboard revenue, at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. "Our guests can consume content, post to social media, and stay in touch with family and friends on the ships' network just as they are used to on land," Henderson continued.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings selected EMC based on its priority software, maritime experience, and unparalleled network coverage to provide the highest quality of experience and satisfaction to cruise guests.

 

"This is testament to our giant leaps forward in the cruise sector, thanks to our patented, purpose-built and differentiated products, and our unmatched worldwide support," said Brent Horwitz, president of cruise and ferry services, EMC.

 

Guests on all Norwegian, Oceania and Regent ships can expect to experience the new, lightning-fast WiFi powered by SpeedNet by July 2016.

 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises guests enjoy complimentary WiFi, as part of the line's most inclusive luxury cruise experience. Oceania Cruise guests sailing under the current OLife Choice promotion and Norwegian Cruise Line guests who selected free WiFi as part of the company's Free at Sea promotion will also enjoy the new internet experience on their cruise. For those purchasing a plan, per minute packages as well as unlimited access packages are available for pre-book or onboard

[Love my butler]

Did you say lightning fast internet? On NCL?

 

 

Hahahahhahahahahahahahaha.

 

Not in our lifetime.

[tjosh7]

I too am curious about this.........another broken NCL promise........with absolutley no word from NCL management.......

[mking8288]

Haha, :D :eek: :p :rolleyes: - LOL, what's that again ... keep waiting, blame EMC, pass the bucks to the orbiting satellites, waiting for the contractors, etc. etc.

 

Well, since our last cruise in late May on the Breakaway, our Google Fi network's international data roaming speed has gone 10X to 20X faster, previously at 3G speed in the Caribbeans including Bermuda, to 4G and almost LTE speed, with no price increases - $10 per GB, same as domestic/home rates - that's 1,000 MB worth of data. The same data over satellite was priced at $129 on the Breakaway, at slower but reasonable & usable speed over 5 GHz band (2.4 GHz being more commone & more congested) - fortunately, we had that Choice250 "Free" package as part of the promotion, so we got 1 GB worth of data to use when we registered & activated - ended up using less than 2 GB worth of data on the timer as we shared/used 2 stateroom's allowance.

 

BA has switched out the Cisco routers/hotspots to NEC between 2015 and 2016 and from what I looked at ... should be an easier upgrade. For other ships in the fleet, might take a while - patience is a virture, don't hold your breath.

 

Someone sailing soon on the Jade wishing ... don't bet on it anytime soon. Isn't she not scheduled for dry docking until Spring 2017.

[littlelulu01]

NCL's announcement in May, see it above, didn't say anything about needing to wait for dry dock for any of the 23 ships in the fleet. Then again it did say it would be available on ALL 23 ships in the fleet in July, which doesn't seem to have happened. I know NCL describes it as, "Lightening fast wifi," and that Speednet mimicked the internet that guests experience at home and office. I know that may be a stretch but it seems odd NCL would announce, and have on their own website that this was going to be installed in June and available in July. I could see perhaps some issues delaying a little but you would think it would be almost there? Either that or just plain old scrapped?

[OV8]

Haha, :D :eek: :p :rolleyes: - LOL, what's that again ... keep waiting, blame EMC, pass the bucks to the orbiting satellites, waiting for the contractors, etc. etc.

 

Well, since our last cruise in late May on the Breakaway, our Google Fi network's international data roaming speed has gone 10X to 20X faster, previously at 3G speed in the Caribbeans including Bermuda, to 4G and almost LTE speed, with no price increases - $10 per GB, same as domestic/home rates - that's 1,000 MB worth of data. The same data over satellite was priced at $129 on the Breakaway, at slower but reasonable & usable speed over 5 GHz band (2.4 GHz being more commone & more congested) - fortunately, we had that Choice250 "Free" package as part of the promotion, so we got 1 GB worth of data to use when we registered & activated - ended up using less than 2 GB worth of data on the timer as we shared/used 2 stateroom's allowance.

 

BA has switched out the Cisco routers/hotspots to NEC between 2015 and 2016 and from what I looked at ... should be an easier upgrade. For other ships in the fleet, might take a while - patience is a virture, don't hold your breath.

 

Someone sailing soon on the Jade wishing ... don't bet on it anytime soon. Isn't she not scheduled for dry docking until Spring 2017.

 

I wasn't aware Project Fi was available on board a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean??

[mking8288]

I wasn't aware Project Fi was available on board a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean??

Perhaps it's not clear, that's not what I wrote or intend to, with respect to Fi at sea - it is not, referring to availability on the islands, including Bermuda (and, of course, Mexico & Canada ... where we are heading this Fall to see foilage, Asia last year when we did fly-n-stay escorted tours)

 

On the Breakaway, we used ship's WiFi package (which has the "faster" speed within the fleet) - we allocated about 4 hours of "airtime" minutes daily while at sea (since we didn't need it while docked/on land) but in practice, used about 6 hours worth a day, one device at a time & that was plentiful.

 

The setup was conditionally call-forwarding using Google Voice (both calls & SMS/text) to our Nexus devices, and to an unlocked iPhone 5S with Fi's data only Sim. All "other" calls go directly to our lines' VM and they're transcribed & received as email for screening, once we enabled our devices. While on the ship, we use Hangouts to screen SMS, emails & make free outgoing calls (if necessary) - it's a somewhat elaborate & complicate setup but very functional, with another backup global travel # that roam on AT&T on the ship for true emergency calls at higher cellular rates (about $2.50 USD per minute). That's essentially VoIP or WiFi calling for the average person and worked well - with compatible hardware - and it doesn't need lots of bandwidth, just like Skype - which we can also use.

 

There's no need for unlimited access, given our needs & that of our friend's - 4 to 6 hours of daily access is more than enough to check emails & review messages 2 or 3X daily.

 

Keep in mind that I would only recommend this setup for someone sailing on the Breakaway, other ships - based on everything I've read, seen or know (nieces/other relatives been on the Getaway & Pearl ... not working well or at all) - a combo of ship's WiFi and cellular in the ports. T-Mobile's Simple Choice Plan with int'l roaming data at 2G is painfully slow and on par with ship's satellite speed, since it's throttled.

[OV8]

Perhaps it's not clear, that's not what I wrote or intend to, with respect to Fi at sea - it is not, referring to availability on the islands, including Bermuda (and, of course, Mexico & Canada ... where we are heading this Fall to see foilage, Asia last year when we did fly-n-stay escorted tours)

 

Ahhh -- - sorry I misinterpreted what you wrote about PFi.

 

 

On the Breakaway, we used ship's WiFi package (which has the "faster" speed within the fleet) - we allocated about 4 hours of "airtime" minutes daily while at sea (since we didn't need it while docked/on land) but in practice, used about 6 hours worth a day, one device at a time & that was plentiful.

 

The setup was conditionally call-forwarding using Google Voice (both calls & SMS/text) to our Nexus devices, and to an unlocked iPhone 5S with Fi's data only Sim. All "other" calls go directly to our lines' VM and they're transcribed & received as email for screening, once we enabled our devices. While on the ship, we use Hangouts to screen SMS, emails & make free outgoing calls (if necessary) - it's a somewhat elaborate & complicate setup but very functional, with another backup global travel # that roam on AT&T on the ship for true emergency calls at higher cellular rates (about $2.50 USD per minute). That's essentially VoIP or WiFi calling for the average person and worked well - with compatible hardware - and it doesn't need lots of bandwidth, just like Skype - which we can also use.

 

I also use Google Voice & Hangouts via my N6P & my wife's iPhone

But I always thought you had to use a land based WiFi network or else how would they figure out how to charge you?

 

That being said, I don't doubt you had the ability to make GV calls while using the Escape's WiFi network while out at sea.

 

I of course, didn't try since I also suspected the satellite signal is not up to par from past experience with satellite WiFi.

 

Keep in mind that I would only recommend this setup for someone sailing on the Breakaway, other ships - based on everything I've read, seen or know (nieces/other relatives been on the Getaway & Pearl ... not working well or at all) - a combo of ship's WiFi and cellular in the ports. T-Mobile's Simple Choice Plan with int'l roaming data at 2G is painfully slow and on par with ship's satellite speed, since it's throttled.

 

When we got to AK & roaming, the calls were good on TMO network but the data was spotty at best in terms of consistent speeds.

 

In Victoria BC, the both data & calls were good but not on the first try/connection.

[cincychad]

Anyone familiar with Verizon's coverage on Getaway's western cruise, pricing for international data? If you get one of the wireless packages, do you have data limits as well as minute limits?

[luvtheships]

Anyone familiar with Verizon's coverage on Getaway's western cruise, pricing for international data? If you get one of the wireless packages, do you have data limits as well as minute limits?

 

 

Verizon does not have a cruise ship package any longer

 

You will have...pay as you go...while on the ship

 

And in the ports you can pay $10 a day unlimited use

 

Or $40 for a plan that offers 100 talk 100 text 100 mg

 

What you get from Verizon on land DOES NOT carry over on the ship

 

Of course you can find wifi on land

 

Or you can sign up for the ships wifi when at sea

[TheDougOut]

And in the ports you can pay $10 a day unlimited use

 

Could u provide more details on this. Are you referencing a port-based wifi service, or something through Verizon? Thanks!

 

(I'm curious what my options are through Verizon while on excursions, away from the immediate port area)

[Daghis]

Could u provide more details on this. Are you referencing a port-based wifi service, or something through Verizon? Thanks!

 

(I'm curious what my options are through Verizon while on excursions, away from the immediate port area)

That's "TravelPass" from Verizon Wireless which allows you to use your domestic rates in select international countries for $10/day. Canada and Mexico are only $2/day. You do have to sign up for TravelPass as it overrides the per-minute rates in included countries.

 

I used it in St. Maarten during my last trip. It was also available in Tortola, but not in the Bahamas (Nassau).

Edited August 6, 2016 by Daghis

[littlelulu01]

I wanted to report back after my cruise on the Jade September 24-October 8. I can confirm that the new Internet is available on the Jade and for the most part it works almost as fast as land speeds. We were able to wifi call and FaceTime video as well as do just about anything we could on land. We were very satisfied with the new service.

[mking8288]

Great news, noted. What were the pricing options (still time/minutes based and/or also MB data used basis) ?? What was the optional one-time activitation fees per device for the paid, extras using iConcierge App functions? TIA.

 

sent from Nexus 5X on Nougat 7.0 via Tapatalk, VPN secured

Edited October 12, 2016 by mking8288

[littlelulu01]

Great news, noted. What were the pricing options (still time/minutes based and/or also MB data used basis) ?? What was the optional one-time activitation fees per device for the paid, extras using iConcierge App functions? TIA.

 

sent from Nexus 5X on Nougat 7.0 via Tapatalk, VPN secured

 

Anyone can use the I concerige app and I don't think there is a charge for that. We were on a 14 night so 24.95/day unlimited. I had pre purchased and so didn't pay attention to any other time plans. As many devices as u want but only one at a time.

[UpstateCruiser1007]

The internet was faster than on our last cruise 5 years ago but it didn’t come close to what most of us are used to at home. We bought the unlimited plan and had difficulty signing on at times due to what we assumed were just too many people trying to access it at once (rough sea day). Still annoying though, considering the outrageous price that we paid for it.

 

The concierge app was $9.95 (if I remember correctly) per line if you want to use the messaging functions. The IMs were delayed so it was essentially useless most of the time.

[richard k]

We are on the Gem this week is it super fast no super slow no just slow.

[don't-use-real-name]

NCL Hi-Speed internet service ?

 

Pre communication the Pony Express and the Slow Boat from China

1. Morse code telegraphers key

2. Teletypewriter

3. Primitive dial up modem

4. DSL service

5. Cable/Satellite service

6. Fiber Optics

7. Whatever speed that can be obtained using a Satellite Phone

 

Rating NCL - - - intermittently somewhere an a scale between 3 and 4 or put more succinctly read the ships semaphores (flags) !

NCL can offer it at a discount or as a Promo but I will not pay anything for it.

I could put a message in a bottle and it would get there faster !

 

Put your phones away and use them while in port to achieve the best fastest signal data service from a land based source without petty fees and charges !