Rare little britain Posted August 14, 2022 #326 Share Posted August 14, 2022 4 hours ago, Merion_Mom said: I am only familiar with a few cruise lines, none of which has free internet. Which ones do? Viking Saga Virgin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted August 14, 2022 #327 Share Posted August 14, 2022 1 hour ago, little britain said: Viking Saga Virgin All lines with significantly higher fares, so the "free" internet isn't really free... 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted August 14, 2022 #328 Share Posted August 14, 2022 2 hours ago, little britain said: Viking Saga Virgin + Celebrity (albeit at a higher cost) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted August 14, 2022 #329 Share Posted August 14, 2022 8 hours ago, Reijo said: For the life of me, I don’t understand WHY internet is so expensive…and going up almost yearly. Some ships have FREE internet. I suppose it’s just a money maker for RCCL. More and more people work from ships and need the coverage….I just think it should be more affordable for a product that isn’t always that fast. Once Starlink goes on every ship, we won’t be able to afford it! First of all satellite internet is very expensive but Starlink has promised they will reduce marine internet operating costs by 70% but we'll only know once they continue to build out their constellation which is in its infancy. For their own small fleet of recovery vessels SpaceX was paying $165k per month for 1/3 the ships that Royal has at half the bandwidth that Royal uses. Based on that one could guess Royal pays just under a million a month on satellite internet. Prior to the shutdown Bayley suggested internet costs them "millions a month" so somewhere between one million a month and Bayley's "millions" is the actual number. No company can give away a million a month and eat it as a loss. It's going to get covered to maintain profitability and shareholder value. The solution would be to cover internet costs through increased base cruise fares. Like any that costs extra on a ship it could be included by increasing cruise fares. Drinks could be all inclusive (by increasing cruise fares). Daily service charges could be included (by increasing cruise fares). Internet could be included (by increasing cruise fares). In fact that is exactly what Celebrity does - their "Always In" fares include drinks, internet and gratuity by charging higher cruise fares. They even have premium versions with better drinks and more internet speeds with even higher fares. What about someone who doesn't drink alcohol? They are paying more on Celebrity so others get drinks included. What about someone who doesn't want the internet on a cruise? They are paying more on Celebrity so others get internet included. Anytime you enter the discussion of "it should be included" you force people who have no use for it to pay more so you can get it for "free" (not free). 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted August 14, 2022 #330 Share Posted August 14, 2022 30 minutes ago, twangster said: + Celebrity (albeit at a higher cost) I think it's part of free onboard for NCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted August 14, 2022 #331 Share Posted August 14, 2022 (edited) 17 minutes ago, twangster said: First of all satellite internet is very expensive but Starlink has promised they will reduce marine internet operating costs by 70% but we'll only know once they continue to build out their constellation which is in its infancy. For their own small fleet of recovery vessels SpaceX was paying $165k per month for 1/3 the ships that Royal has at half the bandwidth that Royal uses. Based on that one could guess Royal pays just under a million a month on satellite internet. Prior to the shutdown Bayley suggested internet costs them "millions a month" so somewhere between one million a month and Bayley's "millions" is the actual number. No company can give away a million a month and eat it as a loss. It's going to get covered to maintain profitability and shareholder value. The solution would be to cover internet costs through increased base cruise fares. Like any that costs extra on a ship it could be included by increasing cruise fares. Drinks could be all inclusive (by increasing cruise fares). Daily service charges could be included (by increasing cruise fares). Internet could be included (by increasing cruise fares). In fact that is exactly what Celebrity does - their "Always In" fares include drinks, internet and gratuity by charging higher cruise fares. They even have premium versions with better drinks and more internet speeds with even higher fares. What about someone who doesn't drink alcohol? They are paying more on Celebrity so others get drinks included. What about someone who doesn't want the internet on a cruise? They are paying more on Celebrity so others get internet included. Anytime you enter the discussion of "it should be included" you force people who have no use for it to pay more so you can get it for "free" (not free). I think they should charge for the FlowRider 🤣 Stand up only, though. The boogie board occupies the kids.😉 Edited August 14, 2022 by John&LaLa 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted August 14, 2022 #332 Share Posted August 14, 2022 10 minutes ago, John&LaLa said: I think it's part of free onboard for NCL Bucket 'o minutes on NCL. (I think) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Posted August 14, 2022 #333 Share Posted August 14, 2022 11 hours ago, John&LaLa said: That was a late adjustment to try and satisfy folks. I can't recall what they rebranded it as. The challenge there was it pushed you into a set schedule of restaurants Not much dynamic about that They trotted out Dynamic Dining Classic as a hybrid traditional seating option. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted August 14, 2022 #334 Share Posted August 14, 2022 17 minutes ago, Anton said: They trotted out Dynamic Dining Classic as a hybrid traditional seating option. Shame they couldn't make it work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted August 14, 2022 #335 Share Posted August 14, 2022 15 hours ago, John&LaLa said: When asked, I say we are from Miami inspecting the ship I tell them I am ship's navigator on break and ask...."Ummm...do you know which way the WJ is?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted August 14, 2022 #336 Share Posted August 14, 2022 1 hour ago, brillohead said: All lines with significantly higher fares, so the "free" internet isn't really free... Yeah, that is for sure. My upcoming 3 week European river cruise on Viking is ....yeeeouch!! $$$ 😮 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted August 14, 2022 #337 Share Posted August 14, 2022 1 hour ago, twangster said: Anytime you enter the discussion of "it should be included" you force people who have no use for it to pay more so you can get it for "free" (not free). This, this, this! I don't want to cruise on a "drinks included" line because I don't drink booze much, so I don't get any real value out of an "included" drink package. Same with shore excursions -- I hate ship-sponsored tours with a passion! I have no problem paying for internet, because it is something that I want/need. But I don't want to pay extra for things I won't use. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ReneeFLL Posted August 14, 2022 #338 Share Posted August 14, 2022 15 hours ago, la_croisiere_s'amuse said: For once I'm glad to see a thread veer off topic ... when I saw the page count, I wondered how on earth people could argue for 13 pages over whether or not becoming Pinnacle is a worthwhile goal! 😉 That’s funny. Aren’t you the one that complains things are going off topic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky1987 Posted August 14, 2022 #339 Share Posted August 14, 2022 8 minutes ago, brillohead said: This, this, this! I don't want to cruise on a "drinks included" line because I don't drink booze much, so I don't get any real value out of an "included" drink package. Same with shore excursions -- I hate ship-sponsored tours with a passion! I have no problem paying for internet, because it is something that I want/need. But I don't want to pay extra for things I won't use. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The whiners are going to complain either way..."Fares are too high!!!" or "They're nickel and diming us!!!" 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted August 14, 2022 #340 Share Posted August 14, 2022 9 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said: That’s funny. Aren’t you the one that complains things are going off topic? He did qualify his statement 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted August 14, 2022 #341 Share Posted August 14, 2022 9 minutes ago, Husky1987 said: Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The whiners are going to complain either way..."Fares are too high!!!" or "They're nickel and diming us!!!" I never understood the nickel-and-diming complaints -- I always brag to everyone about how economical cruising is! Food, lodging, and entertainment are all included in your fare. You only pay extra for things if you want extra things! If they were charging you for hand soap and toilet paper and a napkin at dinner, then I would understand the nickel-and-dimers. But it's very easy to get on the ship and not spend an extra dime (if you've prepaid your gratuities) and still have a very enjoyable vacation. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly361 Posted August 14, 2022 #342 Share Posted August 14, 2022 71 Pins on the Mariner now 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted August 14, 2022 #343 Share Posted August 14, 2022 Speaking of including things we don't need....and since this is a thread about Pinnacles.... Everyone that books the World Cruise gets free drinks, free laundry, free internet (naturally included in the high price we paid). Ummm...Pinnacles already get that on any ship, any length. 😑 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted August 14, 2022 #344 Share Posted August 14, 2022 3 minutes ago, molly361 said: 71 Pins on the Mariner now OMG...that's a bunch for Mariner! 😮 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare little britain Posted August 14, 2022 #345 Share Posted August 14, 2022 1 hour ago, brillohead said: I never understood the nickel-and-diming complaints -- I always brag to everyone about how economical cruising is! Food, lodging, and entertainment are all included in your fare. You only pay extra for things if you want extra things! If they were charging you for hand soap and toilet paper and a napkin at dinner, then I would understand the nickel-and-dimers. But it's very easy to get on the ship and not spend an extra dime (if you've prepaid your gratuities) and still have a very enjoyable vacation. My last cruise bill was $1.50…. Tips for 7n solo $101.50 - $100 shareholder obc = $1.50 I’m not sure if I should be ashamed or not. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted August 14, 2022 #346 Share Posted August 14, 2022 3 hours ago, twangster said: + Celebrity (albeit at a higher cost) So that's NOT free. 😮 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted August 14, 2022 #347 Share Posted August 14, 2022 2 hours ago, ReneeFLL said: That’s funny. Aren’t you the one that complains things are going off topic? I think that was her point! 1 hour ago, John&LaLa said: He did qualify his statement 😉 She 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare orville99 Posted August 14, 2022 #348 Share Posted August 14, 2022 1 hour ago, molly361 said: 71 Pins on the Mariner now Wow. I think we topped out at about a dozen on each of our three July cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare orville99 Posted August 14, 2022 #349 Share Posted August 14, 2022 1 hour ago, island lady said: Speaking of including things we don't need....and since this is a thread about Pinnacles.... Everyone that books the World Cruise gets free drinks, free laundry, free internet (naturally included in the high price we paid). Ummm...Pinnacles already get that on any ship, any length. 😑 And by the time the cruise ends its fourth leg virtually every passenger on board for all four legs will be Pinnacle (or darned close).😇 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly361 Posted August 14, 2022 #350 Share Posted August 14, 2022 2 minutes ago, orville99 said: Wow. I think we topped out at about a dozen on each of our three July cruises. No suite lounge access and they have to make reservations for breakfast at Chops 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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