Help understanding internet, beverage, dining packages

[chloes nana]

On 9/10/2019 at 1:44 PM, RuthC said:

That's what I said. The Premium package can be purchased in advance, and yes, it does cost less that way. 
But none of the other packages can be purchased in advance, and they cost less than the Premium package. If you don't need the Premium package, then it costs less to wait and purchase what you do need on board. 

Do you need to buy a package for each guest, if you both may need to be on the internet at the same time or will one package cover us both?

[kazu]

7 hours ago, chloes nana said:

Do you need to buy a package for each guest, if you both may need to be on the internet at the same time or will one package cover us both?

 

If you buy one package, you can both use it but not at the same time.  Only one device can be logged in.

 

If you both need to use internet at the same time, then you will need to buy 2 packages.

 

There are some tech savvy people who have figured out how to work hot spots with devices and may know a way around it but for most of us, being on the internet at the same time = buying 2 packages.

[Vineyard View]

On 9/9/2019 at 11:27 AM, kwb101 said:

The sheet we got Tuesday on Zuiderdam has these descriptions:

• Social: "Access the most popular social websites and applications." Daily download limit is about 200Mb.
• Surf: "Surf your  sites including email, news, sports and more. " Daily download limit is 300Mb.
• Premium: "Supports audio/video calling and streaming". Daily download limit is 500Mb, probably not enough to stream one hour of HD video.
• Good luck!

Can you text and email with the social plan?  

We have a 24 day trip - so would we need to pay for 25 days based on the chart shared?

We only have 4 sea days, so we are really wondering how much sense it makes to buy the whole package, vs downloading WhatsApp for texting and using land based internet while in port. 

[kazu]

45 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

Can you text and email with the social plan?  

 

You need the Surf plan (middle one) to email.

[DeeniEncinitas]

12 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

You need the Surf plan (middle one) to email.

Hi Jacqui!

we had this plan on our SA cruise last year!  It was ok but for a few days heading towards Lima it was awful and HAL was kind enough to give us some ship board credit I think it was $50.00 to say sorry! 

But the plan was great up to that point and 

returning  home 👍.

Denise😊

[oceanmom]

7 hours ago, kazu said:

There are some tech savvy people who have figured out how to work hot spots with devices and may know a way around it but for most of us, being on the internet at the same time = buying 2 packages.

 

We did the tech savvy thing with a mobile hotspot last month and it worked great--except it had a limited range so was really only useful by two people in close proximity, but that was fine for us sitting in the cabin/cabana. About $25 for the hotspot and $15 for a case. We have it now connected in our house as a signal booster.

 

TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router - WiFi Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Mobile in Pocket(TL-WR802N)

 

[Vineyard View]

Thank you for your responses - good to know that the social plan does not allow emailing - and that WhatsApp works well when at sea for texting. The last few cruises we sailed included internet so knowing this ahead is very useful