Wifi, when is it cheapest?

[turtle tavern]

I am planning on buying the streaming package. Is it cheaper to prepurchase or buy on the 2nd day? It is showing prepurchase price of $84.93. I know I should unplug but I will have to do a little work and hubby likes to watch videos during his down time.

[don't-use-real-name]

Do you have that Free at Sea package with internet time ?

The first couple of days on board - you can visit the Internet Cafe and convert that

time against one of the standard packages. The Cafe manager can help you with this.

-OR-

Setup your on board account and you can do it there also.

I think that with 250 minutes (4hours10minutes) the conversion to unlimited is about $85.

 

Best if you are really into the internet to have the unlimited plan as - - -

If you fail to log off at any time 250 minutes (4hours10minutes) is gone in a poof and 

with the grace of the Cafe manager you may get a 1 time reset of what was left of your time.

 

Internet some can't live with it and some can't live without it ! 

[Zoe506]

I was able to upgrade to unlimited on the mobile app for only $50. This was about a week before the cruise. My brother tried to do it a couple days before and it wouldn’t let him.

[zqvol]

Price is usually thesame if you are getting an unlimited package which used to be available pre cruise or only on the first two days. If booking precruise it has to be about 72 hours before sailing, as things are cut off after that until you are on board.

[mking8288]

The advantage of doing the upgrade onboard is that you do not have to prepaid, you can apply or ask for help (if not given) any Latitude discounts (15% or 20%, etc. based on your tier level) and the net amount payable can be offset by any OBC or nonrefundable credits posted to your account ... instead of paying ahead & out of pocket by being charged against your credit/debit card.

 

The base unlimited WiFi rate is $29.99 per day (24 hours) x 7 days - less a $125 credit if you received a 250 minutes allowance under the "old" Free At Seas bundle, that's about $85 net.  If you skip this on Day 1 and signup at 12:01 am "overnight" on Day 2 while at sea - you will be charged or paying for 6 nights only, subtract your $125 credit and your net cost is $54.94 to be exact - further lowered with a Latitude discount (15% for Platinum, I believe) - now, it's only $46.70 only ... not $85, almost half off.  

 

For those that lock their mobile devices and/or don't want, need or feel like getting paid WiFi - their choice and to each his/her own - roughly at $8 per day, it's less than the cost/price for a drink per day.  

And, you can try and check out the WiFi first to see whether it's usable for you first, before deciding to convert or upgrade or not.  The "premium" streaming WiFi package is priced $5 higher per day - but, mixed feedback from end users on whether it's needed or not, usable or just as sluggish when there is a surge in demand, i.e. when everyone is onboard on a sea day surfing for whatever.  

 

[purplebird]

On 1/19/2022 at 9:53 PM, mking8288 said:

The advantage of doing the upgrade onboard is that you do not have to prepaid, you can apply or ask for help (if not given) any Latitude discounts (15% or 20%, etc. based on your tier level) and the net amount payable can be offset by any OBC or nonrefundable credits posted to your account ... instead of paying ahead & out of pocket by being charged against your credit/debit card.

 

The base unlimited WiFi rate is $29.99 per day (24 hours) x 7 days - less a $125 credit if you received a 250 minutes allowance under the "old" Free At Seas bundle, that's about $85 net.  If you skip this on Day 1 and signup at 12:01 am "overnight" on Day 2 while at sea - you will be charged or paying for 6 nights only, subtract your $125 credit and your net cost is $54.94 to be exact - further lowered with a Latitude discount (15% for Platinum, I believe) - now, it's only $46.70 only ... not $85, almost half off.  

 

For those that lock their mobile devices and/or don't want, need or feel like getting paid WiFi - their choice and to each his/her own - roughly at $8 per day, it's less than the cost/price for a drink per day.  

And, you can try and check out the WiFi first to see whether it's usable for you first, before deciding to convert or upgrade or not.  The "premium" streaming WiFi package is priced $5 higher per day - but, mixed feedback from end users on whether it's needed or not, usable or just as sluggish when there is a surge in demand, i.e. when everyone is onboard on a sea day surfing for whatever.  

 

To use your 250 mins as a credit against an unlimited package, can you only do this if you upgrade onboard? Is it done automatically on your account or do you need to request it? 

[don't-use-real-name]

1 hour ago, purplebird said:

To use your 250 mins as a credit against an unlimited package, can you only do this if you upgrade onboard? Is it done automatically on your account or do you need to request it? 

I don't believe that it is automatic -

Two ways I know to do it -

Visit the Internet Cafe and have the manager/agent explain and do it for you

OR

Login to your on board account and follow the prompts to do - 

you of course need to establish an account and log in

 

If you don't need the full access to the internet that first day on board wait until the

2nd day and get a 1 day credit reduction on your account.

 

In any event until you have the unlimited plan remember to log-off least you have nothing

to barter with (250 minutes = 4 hours and 10 minutes - time is fleeting on board) ! LOL !

[phillygwm]

On 1/19/2022 at 8:53 AM, don't-use-real-name said:

Do you have that Free at Sea package with internet time ?

The first couple of days on board - you can visit the Internet Cafe and convert that

time against one of the standard packages. The Cafe manager can help you with this.

-OR-

Setup your on board account and you can do it there also.

I think that with 250 minutes (4hours10minutes) the conversion to unlimited is about $85.

I have the FAS 250 minute package.  

 

When I did a 7 day cruise last month, I purchased the Internet upgrade online before getting on the ship.  It was ~$85 for 7 days, or about $12/day.  I didn't go to the Internet Cafe etc.  I'm (hopefully) doing a 10 day in October and the upgrade is now $174.90 or $17.49/day.

 

I also happen to be Platinum, so I supposedly get 15% off that amount which brings it down to $148.87.  I'm still paying ~$2.50 more per day, even with the discount but if that's the biggest price gouge I experience I'll consider myself lucky 🙂

 

However, when I try to purchase it, my discount is not applied.  So it may just be that the 15% discount hasn't been put in place yet but it will be as we get closer.  Obviously no rush; I'll try as the date approaches.  Though hopefully it isn't something I need to do at the Internet Cafe because that can get crowded. 

 

But has anyone seen the cost of the upgrade change as the date approaches?  I haven't but I haven't really paid attention that closely.

 

On 1/19/2022 at 4:53 PM, mking8288 said:

The base unlimited WiFi rate is $29.99 per day (24 hours) x 7 days - less a $125 credit if you received a 250 minutes allowance under the "old" Free At Seas bundle, that's about $85 net.  If you skip this on Day 1 and signup at 12:01 am "overnight" on Day 2 while at sea - you will be charged or paying for 6 nights only, subtract your $125 credit and your net cost is $54.94 to be exact - further lowered with a Latitude discount (15% for Platinum, I believe) - now, it's only $46.70 only ... not $85, almost half off.  

This may be a dumb question but I assume if I don't initially purchase the upgrade, I would exhaust my 250 minutes.  Would I then be charged $29.99 (less 15% so $25.49) x remaining days on the cruise?

[phillygwm]

On 1/19/2022 at 4:53 PM, mking8288 said:

The base unlimited WiFi rate is $29.99 per day (24 hours) x 7 days - less a $125 credit

 

Sorry for quoting this in two different posts but I may have answered my own question based on this math. 🙂

 

For a 7 day cruise, unlimited would be $210 but they'll apply $125 credit for the 250 minutes against that so $85.

 

HOWEVER, on a 10 day cruise, it's still 250 minutes/$125.  That would be $299.90 less the same $125 as above.  So the upgrade is now $174.90.

 

I suppose the good news is it isn't an across-the-board price increase, as I'd assumed.  But the allowance doesn't increase with my additional days so the amount increases disproportionately.  That sucks but at least I understand.  And it isn't a huge incremental amount per day so no biggie.

 

Thank you @mking8288for giving me the underlying rationale.  Not sure I saw that explained anywhere on the NCL site.

 

Edited January 22, 2022 by phillygwm

[mking8288]

4 minutes ago, phillygwm said:

< snip > I may have answered my own question based on this math. 🙂  For a 7 day cruise, unlimited would be $210 but they'll apply $125 credit for the 250 minutes against that so $85.

 

HOWEVER, on a 10 day cruise ... still 250 minutes/$125 ... $299.90 less the same $125 as above.  ... upgrade is now $174.90 ... allowance doesn't increase with my additional days ... increases disproportionately ... isn't a huge incremental amount per day so no biggie.

 

Assumption/calculations is correct, as I understood & seen it applied (against our friend's onboard account) on previous cruises we've taken - I don't recall if they're qualified or given any Latitude discounts (pre-Covid 2+ years ago).  If you wait until 12:01 am ship time on Day 2 to do the upgrade, you "should" only pay for 9 days, about $270 (rounded up) less $125 = $145 ... assuming no price changes; and, based on old/grandfathered Latitude/Free At Sea rules - it could well be different or cost more under the new Free At Sea terms & Latitude discounts, etc. (it remains to be seen/reported by others cruising this or next month, especially new bookings)   

 

Be nice with the iCafe manager as s/he has discretions, usually, in giving credits & adjustments, once onboard to see whether the Platinum/Sapphire, etc. discounts can be added or stacked on top of other WiFi "deals" to max out the reduction in net costs, won't hurt to ask & check, use the App to check first as the lines to ask can be long at the lobby desk (but, sailings with reduced occupancy will definitely help)  Once that's done - any non-refundable OBC issued and/or posted to your onboard account should be good to "offset" the billable charges.  That's our game plan going forward.  Good luck.

 

To those that don't feel this is useful or needed, rather keep their smart/iPhone/iPad/tablets shut down & locked in the mini-cafe, your choice & to each her/his own ... go ahead & hang out at the bar and enjoy your UBP, etc. No need to comment at all. 

[phillygwm]

1 minute ago, mking8288 said:

Be nice with the iCafe manager as s/he has discretions, usually, in giving credits & adjustments, once onboard to see whether the Platinum/Sapphire, etc. discounts can be added or stacked on top of other WiFi "deals" to max out the reduction in net costs, won't hurt to ask & check, 

---

To those that don't feel this is useful or needed, rather keep their smart/iPhone/iPad/tablets shut down & locked in the mini-cafe, your choice & to each her/his own ... go ahead & hang out at the bar and enjoy your UBP, etc. No need to comment at all. 

Interesting that the cafe manager has some leeway.  I assume at some point my Platinum discount will reflect at checkout.  If I can avoid the cafe, I will.

 

To your italicized point, I'm proof that it isn't an either/or proposition.  I don't post pics of my steak but I do of my drinks 🙂

 

[mking8288]

@phillygwm - BTW, if you have extra Platinum/+ minutes on top of that 250 minutes, go ahead and use them first (on Day 1) as they usually don't count those at all for extra discounting ... and even most of that 250 FAS minutes (also on Day 1) to see how "speedy" onboard and usable that hybrid satellite WiFi connection is fit your needs - before doing the upgrade after midnight (where data traffic is usually better & less congested for night owls like me)  Create a 2nd. log-in for the spouse/cabin mate if the other person has airtime minutes under their name(s) - use it.  

 

Typically on Day 1, sailaway is 3 or 4 p.m. - sometimes (and, not uncommon, especially these challenging times) to be later than 5 p.m. and by the time you finish a nice dinner or perhaps catch a show (if not cancelled) and get back to relax in the stateroom, it's already mid to late evening, perfectly fine to spend 30 minutes or an hour to catch up "live" going online.  Check and test whether SMS/text messaging (Google's RCS and/or iMessaging, etc.) and Facetime/Zoom works fine or not first (without the "steaming" option added.)  The key, to managing the use of the "not" unlimited free minutes or MB data (Breakaway only ...) is to always log-off or sign-out to stop the "meter" from continuing to run.  

[CruisingComumbus]

One thing about the premium / streaming upgrade: it's not just about speed.  The reason it's meant for "streaming" is that they can block Internet sites based on content or just the web address / application.  So if you want to get to certain sites, you might require the streaming / premium package just to access those sites regardless of the speed.  If all you want to do is check email or hit facebook it's probably not necessary.

[kenzie]

Please check the FAQ on latitude rewards - no discount is granted on any upgrade so as most have some free minutes included you will never be able to benefit from the useless discount that falsely advertise 

[HippoSail]

If guest 1 has the free 240 and upgraded to unlimited premium wifi, and I buy guest 2 the unlimited social - does it matter who uses which? I know it is per device, but can guess #2 have the upgraded package and guest #1 use the purchased package? I can't remember how we activate it onboard, and if it allows this.

[mking8288]

@HippoSail - unless NCL and/or their satellite partners made changes within the past year's restart, it shouldn't matter.  Each guest will create/use her/his own unique ID and password to log-in, associated with the accorded privileges - just a matter of sharing the ID's and passwords, the newest one (based on ID's & hardware MAC address) logging in will generate a system prompt to alert that someone else is already connected, and if one proceed, will disconnect & drop the other user.  

[HippoSail]

38 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

@HippoSail - unless NCL and/or their satellite partners made changes within the past year's restart, it shouldn't matter.  Each guest will create/use her/his own unique ID and password to log-in, associated with the accorded privileges - just a matter of sharing the ID's and passwords, the newest one (based on ID's & hardware MAC address) logging in will generate a system prompt to alert that someone else is already connected, and if one proceed, will disconnect & drop the other user.  

Thanks, That is what I thought, but I couldn't remember from the last time. 

[blueslily]

I wonder if you all can help me with a price calculation. I booked a 7 day recently. Its for the 7 day sailing on Encore. The free at sea is onky listing 150 minutes. 😣  if i wanted to upgrade to unlimited, how much credit would I get for tge 150 minutes? And how much do yiu think the upgrade will cost? 

[ggTexasGal]

To see if I could find an answer for you, I logged into my account for a booking that has recently been made (done 1/18/22).

Free at Sea Internet total minutes changed recently (this month)!  Passenger 1 & 2 each receive 150 minutes.

If you would like to upgrade, you can do so when logged into your account.  Attached is a screen shot of the first two options that we have for upgrading.

[CWMixer]

Internet pricing has always seemed to be a variable: there has not been a set $/D cost on our cruises.

I don't know if that's based on itinerary/# of port vs sea days or not.

Here's the upgrade pricing (1 device) for our upcoming cruises:

 

[egurbi]

On 1/22/2022 at 1:16 PM, mking8288 said:

 

 

 

Be nice with the iCafe manager as s/he has discretions, usually, in giving credits & adjustments, once onboard to see whether the Platinum/Sapphire, etc. discounts can be added or stacked on top of other WiFi "deals" to max out the reduction in net costs, won't hurt to ask & check, use the App to check first as the lines to ask can be long at the lobby desk (but, sailings with reduced occupancy will definitely help) 

 

Alas, being nice doesn't work very well, at least on the Escape.   I was informed by the I Cafe Manager they would not "stack" a platinum tier discount on an upgrade from the free at sea promotion to an unlimited plan. This despite the face that when you actually do the upgrade yourself it reflects the Platinum discount in what you are going to be charged for the upgrade.  To be specific:

 

I upgraded from the free at sea 250 minutes to the basic unlimited wi fi plan on day 2. When doing it online, it reflected I would be charged $152 and change which reflects a 15 percent platinum discount from the retail  $179.94 charge ($29.99 times 6 days)..  It noted I would receive a $125 credit for my 250 minutes as well. Well, when the charge posted to my account, it was for $179.94 (I did receive the $125 credit for my 250 minute free at sea trade-in).  I was informed by the i-cafe manager that it was an "either/or" situation (which makes no sense, who would choose a $27 discount over a $125 credit and who would want both an unlimited plan AND a 250 minute plan in the same single account?)  

 

No amount of civil discussion worked -- i cafe manager conceded what I said wat accurate but said that  I was confused as to receiving "both" discounts (I don't see the 125 credit as a discount, but not worth arguing anymore, I'm on vacation).  Must have touched a nerve, however. Upon getting back to my stateroom, there was a message from Cruise Next desk reiterating no plat discount on upgrades using the free at sea promo, but they would let the home office know that there could be confusion when doing your own upgrade.  

 

It's $27 -- not a big deal -- but the fact that they charged me a price ($179) that differs from what I authorized online ($152) does stick a bit in my craw,. Caveat emptor.

[keep on cruisin]

On 1/19/2022 at 10:57 AM, Zoe506 said:

I was able to upgrade to unlimited on the mobile app for only $50. This was about a week before the cruise. My brother tried to do it a couple days before and it wouldn’t let him.

A friend of ours also had the price difference to only be $50 for a 7 day cruise, but we are at $84.  I am wondering if the difference may be they book through Casino's at see.

 

 

[andreadbc]

I have some questions as to how it works now that the minutes for Free At Sea are 150min for 2 guests. So the credit given if one passenger chooses to purchase the upgrade should be less, but you'd keep the login with the 150min for the second passenger.

 

Is the price given online to prepurchase the upgrade different to the price onboard (for the first day)? Would there be any advantage to doing this onboard? (credit applicable to a different plan? credit might be used for the plan for 2 devices?) 

[mking8288]

55 minutes ago, andreadbc said:

... Is the price given online to prepurchase the upgrade different to the price onboard (for the first day)? Would there be any advantage to doing this onboard? (credit applicable to a different plan? credit might be used for the plan for 2 devices?) 

The upgrade cost until this year for a 7 nights cruise was $85 after applying the 250 free minutes, now the upgrade cost is $110 after crediting 125 free minutes.  Platinum discount not valid and not stackable.  Advantage for doing this onboard is that you can use/apply any available (non-refundable ones, especially) OBC to offset that $110.  The remaining FAS 125 free minutes for passenger #2 can be used on another device (at the same time, gifted or shared, etc.)