No more major television stations

[bUU]

I work for a legislator (before you start, I’m Canadian...) and we get this argument all the time.

 

Seriously? Legislators in Canada equate the importance of education and healthcare to the importance of watching sports on television "all the time"?

 

 

 

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[CajunCruiseDreamer]

Seriously? Legislators in Canada equate the importance of education and healthcare to the importance of watching sports on television "all the time"?

 

 

 

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The comment was about “subsidizing” and the arguments for and against, not about TV.

 

 

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[bUU]

The comment was about “subsidizing” and the arguments for and against, not about TV.

No. The comment was trying to rationalize subsidizing watching sports on television using arguments for subsidizing education and healthcare.

 

It was an absurd attempt at rationalization.

 

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[CajunCruiseDreamer]

No. The comment was trying to rationalize subsidizing watching sports on television using arguments for subsidizing education and healthcare.

 

It was an absurd attempt at rationalization.

 

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Either way you wish to look at it, the change has happened and not much can be done besides complain.

 

 

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[Nic6318]

The internet is NOT sufficient to stream I have sling box so essentially I am watching my Directv from home. However the best speed you will get is 1-2 M<b, about half the speed of your cell phone. Instead of everyone post on here and preaching to the choir, write Carnival Guest Services and complain

 

 

Hi

 

From what I have been told on their boards, the people who sail with RCL can get faster speeds than home. They are able to stream anything they want.

 

As I said before, this means that when choosing a cruise and one cruise line doesn't offer something that somebody thinks is important you just need to look at which competitor does. This would include television stations, as well. I know it is easier to just complain, but it won't likely get you what you want. Just talk with your money.

 

hope this helps

[jimbo5544]

And you got this info were?

 

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I would like to see that as well. I seriously doubt this decision was based upon retaining crew.

 

 

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[bUU]

Either way you wish to look at it, the change has happened and not much can be done besides complain.

Complain and learn... learn how things are changing so that we can be prepared and adapt when we're faced with future changes.

[AmishGuy91]

On the Freedom now and we still get the major networks

[sparks1093]

We all used to subsidize this before the price increase. Then the price for re-broadcasting went up significantly enough that CCL had to make a business decision- keep the current package and raise cruise fares or drop some of the channels and keep the cruise fares the same. Using whatever methodology they have available to them they determined that in cabin TV use is not that high, so a small percentage of passengers would be negatively impacted by dropping those channels and keeping the cruise fares the same. At some point CCL may be able to offer passengers the option of paying for the channels that were eliminated. In the mean time the people that care are up at arms and the people that don't care still don't care. I think that about sums it up.

[nealstuber]

The key is that only the people who want that have to pay for it, rather than the rest of us all having to subsidize it for them.

 

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I disagree with the notion that anything available to all but only used by some is a subsidy. Up until recently all of us had the option to watch these channels even if we chose not to. Some people skip breakfast, it does not mean they are subsidizing breakfast eaters.

 

Generally speaking, we’re not big TV watchers on cruises, but one princess cruise we had bad weather the whole week, our luck very cold in the casino, the scheduled activities not our thing, so we did watch. It was nice that the option was there when we wanted it.

 

I don’t think anybody does everything that’s listed for free in the fun times. We probably hit less 25% of the activities on any given cruise. That does not mean we’re subsidizing the other 75%. We’re just paying for something we choose not to take advantage of. Some of the things, we’ve seen and done many times before, and others don’t appeal to us now but may some day.

 

One of the nice things about going on bigger ships is there are so many different things going on, you can’t possibly do them all. We look forward to hitting them next time.

 

Back to the issue at hand, I don’t think any of us know how much Carnival was paying for rebroadcasting these 4 stations in to all cabins. And none of us know if these saving are going to other activities, keeping prices low or improving the bottom line. What DW and I care about is that there is a decent selection of free activities.

 

 

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[stevefrisco]

I disagree with the notion that anything available to all but only used by some is a subsidy. Up until recently all of us had the option to watch these channels even if we chose not to. Some people skip breakfast, it does not mean they are subsidizing breakfast eaters.

 

Generally speaking, we’re not big TV watchers on cruises, but one princess cruise we had bad weather the whole week, our luck very cold in the casino, the scheduled activities not our thing, so we did watch. It was nice that the option was there when we wanted it.

 

I don’t think anybody does everything that’s listed for free in the fun times. We probably hit less 25% of the activities on any given cruise. That does not mean we’re subsidizing the other 75%. We’re just paying for something we choose not to take advantage of. Some of the things, we’ve seen and done many times before, and others don’t appeal to us now but may some day.

 

 

 

 

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Well put re: subsidies, like your breakfast example. Also, it blows my mind how some can imagine no eventuality where they may enjoy watching TV. Look at at the hurricanes we had this year, the weather isn’t always gucci and some activities can’t be held as a results. Some people just like to argue on here because it gives them an oppurtunity to use a thesaurus and/or be an internet intellectual.

[stevefrisco]

I would like to see that as well. I seriously doubt this decision was based upon retaining crew.

 

 

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Unfortunately, it seems very few decisions these days are being made based on retaining crew. You seem to talk to a lot of crew people too Jimbo, one thing that breaks my heart is to hear what a racquet internet is for crew members on board. They have the same connection options as guests and have to deal with the terrible functionality and high costs (though they may get a discount it’s still expensive). The difference between the situations is that unlike passengers, these folks are away from their parents, kids and significant others for months at a time and can’t always get off the ship in port for wifi. If CCL gave a darn about the crew, the internet would be a lot better. I don’t buy the package weekly and rarely do a daily package but I always complain about internet on the the crew’s behalf in my comments on post cruise surveys. Flame away if you folks think this is unethical; I don’t care!

[bUU]

We all used to subsidize this before the price increase. Then the price for re-broadcasting went up significantly enough that CCL had to make a business decision- keep the current package and raise cruise fares or drop some of the channels and keep the cruise fares the same. Using whatever methodology they have available to them they determined that in cabin TV use is not that high, so a small percentage of passengers would be negatively impacted by dropping those channels and keeping the cruise fares the same.

Precisely. Once something becomes a significant expense then it is time to consider whether non-users and light users should continue to subsidize significant users.

 

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[jimbo5544]

Unfortunately, it seems very few decisions these days are being made based on retaining crew. You seem to talk to a lot of crew people too Jimbo, one thing that breaks my heart is to hear what a racquet internet is for crew members on board. They have the same connection options as guests and have to deal with the terrible functionality and high costs (though they may get a discount it’s still expensive). The difference between the situations is that unlike passengers, these folks are away from their parents, kids and significant others for months at a time and can’t always get off the ship in port for wifi. If CCL gave a darn about the crew, the internet would be a lot better. I don’t buy the package weekly and rarely do a daily package but I always complain about internet on the the crew’s behalf in my comments on post cruise surveys. Flame away if you folks think this is unethical; I don’t care!

 

 

 

Disagreeing is not flaming, there is a difference. I would say the vast majority of crew members contact home at ports, not while on the ship. I also think it has always been that way and not just on Carnival. I have talked to many crew members and this subject comes up. Good point, I do not know how many have the ability to get off at ports, and I am sure it varies by port, but I would wager that it is hundreds (at each port).

 

During a behinds the scene tour (this was before they made it into an excursion, we were in the ships quarters and asked much the same questions you ask. I did not get the impression in the least that they felt short changed. In fact, in a discussion with someone who worked in the laundry (a job from hell from my perspective) he said he "talked" to home a couple times a week. We did not get into where that was from or which days.

 

The world in which they live is different from ours, that is for sure. I would estimate the vast majority of ship based employees are happy with their jobs, maybe our resident expert can chime in.

 

 

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[coevan]

I would like to see that as well. I seriously doubt this decision was based upon retaining crew.

 

 

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wondering the same thing, and I don't think he really knows what Slingbox is, of course it would work.

[BlerkOne]

Hi

 

From what I have been told on their boards, the people who sail with RCL can get faster speeds than home. They are able to stream anything they want.

 

As I said before, this means that when choosing a cruise and one cruise line doesn't offer something that somebody thinks is important you just need to look at which competitor does. This would include television stations, as well. I know it is easier to just complain, but it won't likely get you what you want. Just talk with your money.

 

hope this helps

 

Not at all my experience with Zoooooooooooooooooom or whatever it is called. It might be faster than dial up.

[BlerkOne]

Carnival Corp is rolling out (slowly) a new internet service and so far it is FAST! Princess is the first.

 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnival-corporation-will-deliver-best-wi-fi-in-cruise-industry-with-launch-of-medallionnet-300527272.html

[jimbo5544]

Carnival Corp is rolling out (slowly) a new internet service and so far it is FAST! Princess is the first.

 

 

 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnival-corporation-will-deliver-best-wi-fi-in-cruise-industry-with-launch-of-medallionnet-300527272.html

 

 

 

While it might be true (the speed, the rest of the medallion program leaves a bad taste in my mouth), there currently are zero plans in place to put this on any red funnel ship.

 

 

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[BlerkOne]

While it might be true (the speed, the rest of the medallion program leaves a bad taste in my mouth), there currently are zero plans in place to put this on any red funnel ship.

 

 

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I think there are plans for all Carnival ships, but perhaps no timetable. IMO, Carnival would be foolish not not equip Horizon from day 1, even if they don't announce it.

[Moviela]

I would like to see that as well. I seriously doubt this decision was based upon retaining crew.

 

Hi Jim,

 

A French company called SES is the service provider for CCL and has enough birds of various types to cover most of the world with broadband internet. They already deliver TV signals for most broadcasters of any significance. Here is the pitch ship owners receive from SES:

 

Experiencing Always-on Broadband

 

"In this connected world, consumers want to keep in touch with their family, friends and social networks – even while island hopping in the Caribbean. And having connectivity for crewmembers is fast becoming an essential hiring tool for cruise ships, superyachts, and commercial vessels. Our Maritime solution provides super-fast, always-on connectivity for streaming movies, live broadcast events, internet video and voice calling, and augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences. With satellites in multiple orbits transmitting in multiple bands, our global data network and communications solutions for maritime provide broadband connectivity to vessels of every size in any body of water or port in the world.

Whether your vessel is exploring the Amazon, repositioning to the Mediterranean, or bringing goods across the Pacific, our satellites provide high-quality on-board experiences to increase guest satisfaction and daily revenue, improve operational efficiency, and improve crew welfare for better staff retention."

I invite you attention to the last paragraph pitching daily revenue and better staff retention. The daily revenue comes from broadband usage by guests, and live streaming from ESPN, Hulu, ABC, Fox, NBC, and CBS.

Of course Carnival will control the source of copyrighted elements and some streaming sources like SlingBox will be excluded.

 

Regards,

Ric

[Thorncroft]

Unfortunately, it seems very few decisions these days are being made based on retaining crew. You seem to talk to a lot of crew people too Jimbo, one thing that breaks my heart is to hear what a racquet internet is for crew members on board. They have the same connection options as guests and have to deal with the terrible functionality and high costs (though they may get a discount it’s still expensive). The difference between the situations is that unlike passengers, these folks are away from their parents, kids and significant others for months at a time and can’t always get off the ship in port for wifi. If CCL gave a darn about the crew, the internet would be a lot better. I don’t buy the package weekly and rarely do a daily package but I always complain about internet on the the crew’s behalf in my comments on post cruise surveys. Flame away if you folks think this is unethical; I don’t care!

 

When Carnival was sailing from Mobile the previous time, the city built a small warehouse next to the terminal for Carnival to use and it's equipped with a crew lounge that has computers and wifi for them to use while in port.

[jimbo5544]

Hi Jim,

 

A French company called SES is the service provider for CCL and has enough birds of various types to cover most of the world with broadband internet. They already deliver TV signals for most broadcasters of any significance. Here is the pitch ship owners receive from SES:

 

Experiencing Always-on Broadband

 

"In this connected world, consumers want to keep in touch with their family, friends and social networks – even while island hopping in the Caribbean. And having connectivity for crewmembers is fast becoming an essential hiring tool for cruise ships, superyachts, and commercial vessels. Our Maritime solution provides super-fast, always-on connectivity for streaming movies, live broadcast events, internet video and voice calling, and augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences. With satellites in multiple orbits transmitting in multiple bands, our global data network and communications solutions for maritime provide broadband connectivity to vessels of every size in any body of water or port in the world.

Whether your vessel is exploring the Amazon, repositioning to the Mediterranean, or bringing goods across the Pacific, our satellites provide high-quality on-board experiences to increase guest satisfaction and daily revenue, improve operational efficiency, and improve crew welfare for better staff retention."

I invite you attention to the last paragraph pitching daily revenue and better staff retention. The daily revenue comes from broadband usage by guests, and live streaming from ESPN, Hulu, ABC, Fox, NBC, and CBS.

Of course Carnival will control the source of copyrighted elements and some streaming sources like SlingBox will be excluded.

 

Regards,

Ric

 

 

 

Nice post, I hope the SES plan comes to pass and also hope that as another poster stated, it is even on the Horizon. I should have been more specific on my reply. I was really replying to the Ocean Medallion program for the like Disney and Royal wrist bands where they have the ability to track your whereabouts across ship, open doors and act as a sign and sail card. When I asked some big whigs on "that" deployment on a CCL ship, I was told there are no plans at this time (granted a couple months old), and that the initial focus was Princess and then HAL.

 

 

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[Moviela]

wondering the same thing, and I don't think he really knows what Slingbox is, of course it would work.

 

Sorry, but I do know SlingBox, and of course it will deliver a gray screen and no audio over "hospitality networks."

[jimbo5544]

Those gray screen movies are pretty boring even with audio....

 

 

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[coevan]

not true, I tried it, took forever to connect and sometimes got a clear picture for a few seconds and then it would go to "reconnecting" so if I had more Mb's I could have connected.