When will WiFi be free on Celebrity?

[Charles4515]

 

 
Edge is its own beast, we loved it, but could see where some others wouldn't like it. I think we fit the high end age wise of their target market for that ship. I honestly am hesitant to try other Celebrity ships so we are sticking to E class and RCCL for now.

Edge as the latest can command higher fares until the next E class comes out. I have not been on Edge and can’t compare it with S class but having been on over 50 cruises on all the cruise lines I suggest giving S class a try. S class is by far my favorite class of ships.


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[mayleeman]

Maybe they should build wifi into the price, and offer to discount the price if you do NOT want it. Add, say, a hidden150 to the cruise price, and no one will know they are still making money by showing an offer of a discount of 100 for everyone not getting it.

[NLH Arizona]

12 minutes ago, mayleeman said:

Maybe they should build wifi into the price, and offer to discount the price if you do NOT want it. Add, say, a hidden150 to the cruise price, and no one will know they are still making money by showing an offer of a discount of 100 for everyone not getting it.

Wouldn't this be hard to administer on the ships and wouldn't it increase sharing, those that have it, sharing with those that don't?

[MizDemeanor]

7 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

Wouldn't this be hard to administer on the ships and wouldn't it increase sharing, those that have it, sharing with those that don't?

I don’t think the idea of credits are even feasible in the cruise world. 

 

With the all the people who want tips removed could you imagine the desk after days of good use with guests demanding refunds due to ‘slow service’ the whole time. 

 

Lets stick with the devil we know. Pay if you want it. 

Edited March 5, 2019 by MizDemeanor

[mayleeman]

My suggestion was (semi)tongue-in-cheek. But I don't see a problem. They are doing this now with nonrefundable deposits. It need not be administered any differently. Only one device logged on at a time so sharing is possible, just not simultaneously. 

[TWG_ag]

Since you are in the business I have a question for you. SpaceX and some other companies have announced plans to launch thousands of low orbit satellites a year over the next few years. So wouldn’t that increase capacity quite a lot? Is that real or are those plans a lot of hype?

 

Different technology brings unique problems. It does cost less to put something in low earth (300-1200 miles) versus Geosynchronous (22,200 miles)orbit, but it will take a few thousand to do what one does today, so the cost may not be cheaper and the transaction still needs ground stations, which do not exist in the ocean. On a positive note, the latency of low earth will be much better than Geo Sats, but still slower than terrestrial technology.  So most ocean routes would not have good coverage. Rural Nebraska will see a new option long before the southern Caribbean.  I would not expect a lot of change soon, especially on the routes that cruise ships travel. Just because Mr. Musk says it will work and happen, does not necessarily mean it will.

[WandHinTX]

This thread has got to be in competition for least informed argument on the whole website, and I'm disappointed in myself for having spent as much time as I did reading through it. I kept expecting one of these responses to bring this up, but....

 

RIGHT NOW, and for a while now, Celebrity offers the option of unlimited WiFi as an available, included perk on every state room classification ocean view and up. If you want it, you can have it. Included. Unlimited. Right. Now.

 

Quote from OP:  " OP was very clear and believes in 2019 WiFi should be treated like any other utility (Electrictity, Gas, Water, ) and should be considered an operating expense in running a hotel, cruise ship, resort, etc.  OP does not believe Wifi should be a profit center."

 

You do know that people have to pay for Electricity, Gas, Water. Right? And that the providers offer it at a "for profit" rate, right?

You do know that hotels, cruise ships, resorts, etc. operate in the "for profit" arena, right? Each and every single utility, you are paying for within your accommodation rate and/or attached fees. The more included, the higher the rates/fees. It's not complicated.

 

Also quote from OP: "there isn't generally available cellular service on a ship... "

 

Here is a screen shot of the available cellular service from AT&T available to purchase for cruises. I called Celebrity support within the last 2 weeks for clarification, it is confirmed that this allows the user to access the ships cell reception at the agreed to pricing. We'll probably pick up the $50 package just to be able to touch base if we need to, maybe send some pictures back home of the sights. 17 minutes of talk time pays for the package, plus texts/pictures (which would probably be around $1 per message without the package)

 

 

We are talking about vacation. MOST people take a vacation in an effort to take a break from the routine of daily living, including technology. See new sights, reconnect with a loved one, communicate on a level that is more difficult to find while stuck in the rat race of "real life". If you want access to your technology while you're on vacation, so be it. Pay up or pick that perk. If you want the rest of us that couldn't care less about staying "plugged in" while on vacation to supplement your access with an increased accommodation rate, then sorry not sorry.

 

Cheers,

W

 

 

Edited March 5, 2019 by WandHinTX

[Luvcrusn]

8 minutes ago, TWG_ag said:

Since you are in the business I have a question for you. SpaceX and some other companies have announced plans to launch thousands of low orbit satellites a year over the next few years. So wouldn’t that increase capacity quite a lot? Is that real or are those plans a lot of hype?

 

Different technology brings unique problems. It does cost less to put something in low earth (300-1200 miles) versus Geosynchronous (22,200 miles)orbit, but it will take a few thousand to do what one does today, so the cost may not be cheaper and the transaction still needs ground stations, which do not exist in the ocean. On a positive note, the latency of low earth will be much better than Geo Sats, but still slower than terrestrial technology.  So most ocean routes would not have good coverage. Rural Nebraska will see a new option long before the southern Caribbean.  I would not expect a lot of change soon, especially on the routes that cruise ships travel. Just because Mr. Musk says it will work and happen, does not necessarily mean it will.

I'm ashamed to say it but you lost me at Geosynchronous! Anyway speaking to those that said building WIFI into the price and a discount to those who don't want it will cause sharing, that already happens. DH and I have shared a 1 device package. We don't need to be logged in at the same time so it worked for us. And speaking to those who suggest free, the only time it's free is when it's offered as a free benefit to different levels of Captains Club in limited minutes parcels.

[WonderMan3]

34 minutes ago, WandHinTX said:

This thread has got to be in competition for least informed argument on the whole website, and I'm disappointed in myself for having spent as much time as I did reading through it. I kept expecting one of these responses to bring this up, but....

 

RIGHT NOW, and for a while now, Celebrity offers the option of unlimited WiFi as an available, included perk on every state room classification ocean view and up. If you want it, you can have it. Included. Unlimited. Right. Now.

 

Quote from OP:  " OP was very clear and believes in 2019 WiFi should be treated like any other utility (Electrictity, Gas, Water, ) and should be considered an operating expense in running a hotel, cruise ship, resort, etc.  OP does not believe Wifi should be a profit center."

 

You do know that people have to pay for Electricity, Gas, Water. Right? And that the providers offer it at a "for profit" rate, right?

You do know that hotels, cruise ships, resorts, etc. operate in the "for profit" arena, right? Each and every single utility, you are paying for within your accommodation rate and/or attached fees. The more included, the higher the rates/fees. It's not complicated.

 

Also quote from OP: "there isn't generally available cellular service on a ship... "

 

Here is a screen shot of the available cellular service from AT&T available to purchase for cruises. I called Celebrity support within the last 2 weeks for clarification, it is confirmed that this allows the user to access the ships cell reception at the agreed to pricing. We'll probably pick up the $50 package just to be able to touch base if we need to, maybe send some pictures back home of the sights. 17 minutes of talk time pays for the package, plus texts/pictures (which would probably be around $1 per message without the package)

 

 

We are talking about vacation. MOST people take a vacation in an effort to take a break from the routine of daily living, including technology. See new sights, reconnect with a loved one, communicate on a level that is more difficult to find while stuck in the rat race of "real life". If you want access to your technology while you're on vacation, so be it. Pay up or pick that perk. If you want the rest of us that couldn't care less about staying "plugged in" while on vacation to supplement your access with an increased accommodation rate, then sorry not sorry.

 

Cheers,

W

 

 

 

And there are many of us who don't feel that we should not have to supplement the cost of someone's exercise regimen by paying for the existence of a gym onboard that we will never ever use, or supplement the cost of someone's coffee addiction by paying for all the coffee machines throughout the ship that we will never ever use, and so on and so on with this silly argument.

 

We all deem certain things essential or non-essential. If you don't think internet is essential then that's fabulous for you but don't dismiss or make flip comments towards others who do. When it comes down to it the only thing that's really "essential" for a cruise experience is having a cabin and access to some sort of food and water. Anything above that is "non-essential" and we each will determine what we need or don't need to make it a positive cruise experience. For me, I need wifi, a casino, a pool, and a beverage package including premium alcohol. For others, they need a gym or a spa or forward observation deck or shows or a library, etc. The OP expressed wanting Wifi included. You can certainly express why you wouldn't want to have to pay for that by having it included but don't project your own needs onto others by designating what is essential or non-essential for someone else's cruise experience.

Edited March 5, 2019 by WonderMan3

[mfs2k]

12 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

And there are many of us who don't feel that we should not have to supplement the cost of someone's exercise regimen by paying for the existence of a gym onboard that we will never ever use, or supplement the cost of someone's coffee addiction by paying for all the coffee machines throughout the ship that we will never ever use, and so on and so on with this silly argument.

 

We all deem certain things essential or non-essential. If you don't think internet is essential then that's fabulous for you but don't dismiss or make flip comments towards others who do. When it comes down to it the only thing that's really "essential" for a cruise experience is having a cabin and access to some sort of food and water. Anything above that is "non-essential" and we each will determine what we need or don't need to make it a positive cruise experience. For me, I need wifi, a casino, a pool, and a beverage package including premium alcohol. For others, they need a gym or a spa or forward observation deck or shows or a library, etc. The OP expressed wanting Wifi included. You can certainly express why you wouldn't want to have to pay for that by having it included but don't project your own needs onto others by designating what is essential or non-essential for someone else's cruise experience.

 

What he said.  

[mnocket]

2 hours ago, mfs2k said:

The main point I'm trying to make here is, in a changing demographic market, internet while not essential for everyone, (obvs from the responses)  is an essential service to most (not all) people under age 40 now. (at least they think it's essential.)

 

Come back to this spot in 2024 and we can see if I was correct.

 

 

 

You're right that internet service is viewed as essential to may people under age 40.  It's even viewed as essential by quite a few over that age as well.  Where I think you lose many people is your argument that because it is an essential service it should be free.

 

There are many many companies that make a lot of money by charging for essential services - even hospitality companies which I think is the focus of your argument.

 

Now will this change by 2024?  Maybe, maybe not.  As I said before it depends on competitive pressure and how it would affect the revenue stream.  If they are losing customers because of the internet charge, they will surely drop it - I think this is your basic argument.  This may happen in the future.  The push back you are getting by many is that in today's world there are many instances of hospitality companies charging for internet and other services.  Further, the trend lately has been for hospitality companies to find ever more ways to slip in additional fees.  I can't believe it but many casinos on the Vegas strip are now charging for parking!

 

All that said, I do expect that in the not too distant future internet access will be universally and seamlessly available wherever you are.  But one way or another you will still be paying for it.

[wpgcycler]

Not sure if it's been pointed out earlier but WiFi IS free - it's accessible by using the Celebrity app. Internet access on the other hand is either a pay as you go service or a chosen perk as part of one's fare.

 

In a perfect world, Celebrity would be an IT savvy business which recognizes the potential of providing accurate information and reliable access to products and services to users of the app. Arguably, shrewd and intelligent deployment of the technology could deliver efficiencies and generate revenues which could in turn pay for or at least subsidize universal internet access. As it stands, Celebrity can barely offer a functional website.

[BarbinMich]

On 3/4/2019 at 1:02 PM, mfs2k said:

 

They have you conned to believe $100 for 250 min of usage is reasonable.  That's outrageously expensive.  

We get a number of free minutes on Princess, which we've sailed on far more than on Celebrity.  So I assume one could say that those without that benefit are probably subsidizing long-time cruisers.  IMHO free internet minutes is one of the best perks for frequent cruisers even though I'm retired and don't use it that much.

[mfs2k]

I love constructive debate.

 

I can only read so many "Is Maker's Mark included in the Classic Beverage package?" posts.

or

"Tell me about Cabin 1325.  Is it noisy?

[bikerunner]

16 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

I love constructive debate.

 

I can only read so many "Is Maker's Mark included in the Classic Beverage package?" posts.

or

"Tell me about Cabin 1325.  Is it noisy?

Personably I want them to carry Blanton's at all the bars, I have found it at times but very rare bird indeed.   

[bEwAbG]

Is posting a picture of an ostrich with its head in the sand really conducive to "constructive debate?"  

[sr4mjc]

I do think the package pricing needs to be adjusted to a reflect at least rates per day. The 10 night cruise internet package should not be the same price as a 13 night. I'm already feeling like it's too expensive (in comparison to say RCCL's surf package) and that just adds salt to the wound to know I am paying the same as a cruise which is 3 nights longer. 

Edited March 6, 2019 by sr4mjc

[The_Big_M]

13 hours ago, mfs2k said:

 

It's not comparable.   

This is about what lodging/vacation sites choose to charge additionally to their guests.  GUESTS is the operative word.  We are their GUESTS.  Do you charge your guests in your home for your WiFi?   

 

Most hotels around the world have stopped charging guests for Wifi.  

 

"GUESTS"?

 

Do you charge guests who visit you at your home?

 

We're actually passengers, or customers. Not guests in the true meaning of the word.

[The_Big_M]

10 hours ago, mnocket said:

You're right that internet service is viewed as essential to may people under age 40.  It's even viewed as essential by quite a few over that age as well.  Where I think you lose many people is your argument that because it is an essential service it should be free.

 

There are many many companies that make a lot of money by charging for essential services - even hospitality companies which I think is the focus of your argument.

 

 

I think I should start a thread on the Hilton forums. Food is clearly essential. Cruise ships include it. So when is Hilton going to include it in their offerings, since it's both essential and gives them competitive benefits???

[grandgeezer]

They can do with the internet like they did the other extras, add a couple hundred dollars to the cruise fare and call it free.

[yorky]

Hey it’s more than I want to pay so I take a break from being glued to my iPad which I take as a positive. In Orlando last year I noticed so many people living their holiday through their phone rather than just enjoying the holiday, my nephew did it just walking round the theme park with his head in his phone. Young people actually texting on water rides. Some people need wi fi for short periods for a good reason but for the vast majority these days it’s an addiction.

[mfs2k]

8 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

 

"GUESTS"?

 

Do you charge guests who visit you at your home?

 

We're actually passengers, or customers. Not guests in the true meaning of the word.

 

You are welcome to see yourself as a customer or passenger but that seems bleak to me. 

 

The way I see it, If im taking a bus to Milwaukee I’m a passenger. If I’m spending $5-$10,000 on a Celebrity cruise vacation I consider myself a guest on the cruise ship.  I’m pretty certain every Executive, Officer, Manager and Crew member is trained to treat us as guests as well. In fact the Celebrity job title of the officer overseeing guests is Hotel Director. 

 

So, no. I’m not a “passenger.”

 

[hcat]

Sounds like you have a few  unrealistic expectations of what you'll be getting on X...esp in a non suite Accomodation.

 

It may be better than your Carnival sailings but  hope you will not be disappointed.

 

You'll have to pay for certain items if you want them if not included in AQ class or your booking package choices.

 

Restaurants, stores, hotels, or cruise lines may call someone a guest but they are indeed a revenue source....or paying customer!

Edited March 6, 2019 by hcat

[mfs2k]

I’m not sure what you’re talking about. 

 

When I stay at a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons hotel I have to pay for everything but I’m still treated like a guest. That’s what service in the hospitality industry is all about.

 

If I’m treated by the crew on Equinox as a “customer” and not as a guest I won’t return to Celebrity.

 

Is that what I can expect?  

 

And NO. I am NOT suggesting Celebrity is a 5 Diamond cruise line comparable to Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons but even at 3-4 diamond properties I’m treated like a guest. 

Edited March 6, 2019 by mfs2k

[The_Big_M]

46 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

You are welcome to see yourself as a customer or passenger but that seems bleak to me. 

 

The way I see it, If im taking a bus to Milwaukee I’m a passenger. If I’m spending $5-$10,000 on a Celebrity cruise vacation I consider myself a guest on the cruise ship.  I’m pretty certain every Executive, Officer, Manager and Crew member is trained to treat us as guests as well. In fact the Celebrity job title of the officer overseeing guests is Hotel Director. 

 

So, no. I’m not a “passenger.”

 

 

If you're paying them many thousands of dollars, they're happy to call you any relevant complimentary name you want.

 

But your analogy on letting guests in your home use wifi so why shouldn't they onboard completely fails - unless you really do charge "GUESTS" to your home similar dollars to stay there...

 

The difference is "Guests" in your home really are guests. Unlike onboard, where you are paying customers.