Unlimited Premium Wifi on Norwegian Epic - Worth It??

[Mrs. Dubya]

Traveling this summer on a Mediterranean cruise with my husband and our 14-year old son, and as much as I want him to soak in the culture, bask in all things architecturally marvelous on each excursion, maybe read a book or two...I am realistic 😆 Is the Premium Wifi Package worth it? I've seen mixed reviews, and for $360, I have reasonable expectations.  He's a big TikTok and YouTube fan, and will probably be using it most at night when we're back in our stateroom - TIA 🙂

[AtSeaAlways]

After a few weeks aboard the "plain" Wi-Fi + satellite Internet was OK and dependable.  Use some shareholder credit $ to help buy it once aboard.  Counting minutes and forgetting to log off is a source of stress.  You can borrow the login when he is asleep 🙂 

[Mrs. Dubya]

Thanks @AtSeaAlways! That'll save me some $$$ 🙂

[BirdTravels]

On 6/28/2023 at 8:59 AM, Mrs. Dubya said:

Traveling this summer on a Mediterranean cruise with my husband and our 14-year old son, and as much as I want him to soak in the culture, bask in all things architecturally marvelous on each excursion, maybe read a book or two...I am realistic 😆 Is the Premium Wifi Package worth it? I've seen mixed reviews, and for $360, I have reasonable expectations.  He's a big TikTok and YouTube fan, and will probably be using it most at night when we're back in our stateroom - TIA 🙂

It is satellite internet shared by 4500 of your new friends along with ship’s operations. We always have a premium internet plan, but we expect painfully slow to dead slow. Which is totally fine for our purposes  

[AtSeaAlways]

20 hours ago, Mrs. Dubya said:

Thanks @AtSeaAlways! That'll save me some $$$ 🙂

I forgot to add if it is streaming video- you probably should add the Premium package.  I'm not a video person- I was checking mail and looking up things to do on land.   I found Zoom worked on basic but did not test YouTube and the movie /streaming sites are filtered.   Some streaming entertainment content (sports, movies, TV) is not available outside the USA.

Edited June 30, 2023 by AtSeaAlways

[MoCruiseFan]

On 6/28/2023 at 8:59 AM, Mrs. Dubya said:

Traveling this summer on a Mediterranean cruise with my husband and our 14-year old son, and as much as I want him to soak in the culture, bask in all things architecturally marvelous on each excursion, maybe read a book or two...I am realistic 😆 Is the Premium Wifi Package worth it? I've seen mixed reviews, and for $360, I have reasonable expectations.  He's a big TikTok and YouTube fan, and will probably be using it most at night when we're back in our stateroom - TIA 🙂

 

Hi Tia, welcoem to NCL.  WiFi being "worth it" or not depends on a couple of things.  Among them is what "it" is that you are comapring the worth and whether or not you are going tp waste your entire crusie with your nose stuck in the internet.  Most folsk cruise to get away form that crap.  We never use up the FAS time we are given,  I run an intyernet business, but I have people who work for me who can handle things for a week while I am away.  Paying anything at all for internet whoel on a crusie is a complete waste of money and just inplug for a weekk.  No one NEEDS to ve inline while cruising.

[BundokSaint]

Totally different boat & itinerary, but I can tell on the Bliss to Alaska a couple of weeks ago none of the packages were worth it.

 

I had 150 free minutes with my booking but I barely touched those because everytime I logged on, the connection was dreadfully slow. Even if I used the internet cafe's computers. I can't imagine trying to watch YouTube or TikTok vids on that.

 

What we found more useful was the messaging feature on the My NCL app to communicate with each other on board (location, meet ups, etc.). It is extra ($9.95 per phone) as with every other add-on with Norwegian.

[cruiseny4life]

On 6/28/2023 at 8:59 AM, Mrs. Dubya said:

Traveling this summer on a Mediterranean cruise with my husband and our 14-year old son, and as much as I want him to soak in the culture, bask in all things architecturally marvelous on each excursion, maybe read a book or two...I am realistic 😆 Is the Premium Wifi Package worth it? I've seen mixed reviews, and for $360, I have reasonable expectations.  He's a big TikTok and YouTube fan, and will probably be using it most at night when we're back in our stateroom - TIA 🙂

I say get it! The streaming unlimited plan. Ms. TIA, also known as thanks in advance, we have cruised four times. On our last cruise neither of us upgraded. Our experience wasn't great using the WiFi minutes included in Free at Sea. Unlike some, we want to be connected to the outside world, so on future cruises I'll insist on at least one of us having the unlimited streaming package. 

 

I say streaming, because if he wants to watch shorts or videos on YouTube, he'll need the streaming package. TikTok should work fine without. But then, if you and your husband want to watch a movie on a streaming platform, at least you have it so you can. 

 

Go all in. Get it! That's my advice. I think you should have low expectations though. There will likely be times when it doesn't work as you would want it to. There were times the internet didn't work on all four of our cruises. The three we purchased a package, it did work reasonably well though. Think back to the 90's, hearing that buzz sound when you'd get out of school and login to AOL with a free CD. 🙂

[laudergayle]

Never mind my interruption…🤣

Edited June 30, 2023 by laudergayle

[Mrs. Dubya]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I say get it! The streaming unlimited plan. Ms. TIA, also known as thanks in advance, we have cruised four times. On our last cruise neither of us upgraded. Our experience wasn't great using the WiFi minutes included in Free at Sea. Unlike some, we want to be connected to the outside world, so on future cruises I'll insist on at least one of us having the unlimited streaming package. 

 

I say streaming, because if he wants to watch shorts or videos on YouTube, he'll need the streaming package. TikTok should work fine without. But then, if you and your husband want to watch a movie on a streaming platform, at least you have it so you can. 

 

Go all in. Get it! That's my advice. I think you should have low expectations though. There will likely be times when it doesn't work as you would want it to. There were times the internet didn't work on all four of our cruises. The three we purchased a package, it did work reasonably well though. Think back to the 90's, hearing that buzz sound when you'd get out of school and login to AOL with a free CD. 🙂

I'll keep my expectations (and my son's) in check 😁 Thank you!!

[Mrs. Dubya]

4 hours ago, BundokSaint said:

Totally different boat & itinerary, but I can tell on the Bliss to Alaska a couple of weeks ago none of the packages were worth it.

 

I had 150 free minutes with my booking but I barely touched those because everytime I logged on, the connection was dreadfully slow. Even if I used the internet cafe's computers. I can't imagine trying to watch YouTube or TikTok vids on that.

 

What we found more useful was the messaging feature on the My NCL app to communicate with each other on board (location, meet ups, etc.). It is extra ($9.95 per phone) as with every other add-on with Norwegian.

This is helpful - I wasn't sure about the My NCL communication on the app - first time NCL'er.  Thank you! 

[Mrs. Dubya]

4 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

Hi Tia, welcoem to NCL.  WiFi being "worth it" or not depends on a couple of things.  Among them is what "it" is that you are comapring the worth and whether or not you are going tp waste your entire crusie with your nose stuck in the internet.  Most folsk cruise to get away form that crap.  We never use up the FAS time we are given,  I run an intyernet business, but I have people who work for me who can handle things for a week while I am away.  Paying anything at all for internet whoel on a crusie is a complete waste of money and just inplug for a weekk.  No one NEEDS to ve inline while cruising.

Noted - thank you for responding.

[laudergayle]

3 hours ago, laudergayle said:

Never mind my interruption…🤣

My interruption was because I thought the $360 was for multiple ppl.  Then I realized you were prob taking a 14 day cruise (that which I have not been able to take…yet🙁🙂).  If I were a parent of a 14 yo half child/adult…YES invest in the $360.

 

my fav story is when we took our 3 teenage boys on a mini-cruise in the early ‘90’s.  We gave each one a phone card to call home ONCE WE GOT TO THE BAHAMAS.  Well…on the first Sea Day, middle son met us before dinner to proclaim he had used entire 10 mins. calling his GF back in the states.  Problem being…he used the cabin phone!!  YIKES. Yeah…$250 ish later.  Still have the photo…and over time the memory is worth so much more than the expense.

[LGinPA]

On 6/28/2023 at 8:59 AM, Mrs. Dubya said:

Traveling this summer on a Mediterranean cruise with my husband and our 14-year old son, and as much as I want him to soak in the culture, bask in all things architecturally marvelous on each excursion, maybe read a book or two...I am realistic 😆 Is the Premium Wifi Package worth it? I've seen mixed reviews, and for $360, I have reasonable expectations.  He's a big TikTok and YouTube fan, and will probably be using it most at night when we're back in our stateroom - TIA 🙂

 

Mrs, D,

You may want to read the topic I just bumped to the top. It's titled  "Unadvertised Internet special..."  (or something like that).   

We would also like unlimited Premium on our 10-day cruise, but may wait until we see if they offer a discount on board.  We will be sailing next week on the Breakaway.  

[mking8288]

Our numbers with the basic unlimited plan, onboard the Epic not long ago, paid for most of it using nonrefundable OBC. Worked for our needs and it will vary, video streaming is bandwidth limited to 480p for the premium plan, just don't expect 95% + uptime at sea. 

 

Worth it or not, that's your own call. Casino players blow those in a few hands easily at the table games & don't even blink. 

[Mrs. Dubya]

On 6/30/2023 at 7:15 PM, laudergayle said:

My interruption was because I thought the $360 was for multiple ppl.  Then I realized you were prob taking a 14 day cruise (that which I have not been able to take…yet🙁🙂).  If I were a parent of a 14 yo half child/adult…YES invest in the $360.

 

my fav story is when we took our 3 teenage boys on a mini-cruise in the early ‘90’s.  We gave each one a phone card to call home ONCE WE GOT TO THE BAHAMAS.  Well…on the first Sea Day, middle son met us before dinner to proclaim he had used entire 10 mins. calling his GF back in the states.  Problem being…he used the cabin phone!!  YIKES. Yeah…$250 ish later.  Still have the photo…and over time the memory is worth so much more than the expense.

Ha! That is a great memory! 😆 Thank you for the giggle!

[Mrs. Dubya]

On 7/1/2023 at 9:19 AM, mking8288 said:

Our numbers with the basic unlimited plan, onboard the Epic not long ago, paid for most of it using nonrefundable OBC. Worked for our needs and it will vary, video streaming is bandwidth limited to 480p for the premium plan, just don't expect 95% + uptime at sea. 

 

Worth it or not, that's your own call. Casino players blow those in a few hands easily at the table games & don't even blink. 

Yikes!! Very helpful though, thank you.  This is about what I expected...we'll try the old trick we did when he was 3 and try to wear him out!

[vartanarsen]

On 6/30/2023 at 3:39 PM, BundokSaint said:

Totally different boat & itinerary, but I can tell on the Bliss to Alaska a couple of weeks ago none of the packages were worth it.

 

I had 150 free minutes with my booking but I barely touched those because everytime I logged on, the connection was dreadfully slow. Even if I used the internet cafe's computers. I can't imagine trying to watch YouTube or TikTok vids on that.

 

What we found more useful was the messaging feature on the My NCL app to communicate with each other on board (location, meet ups, etc.). It is extra ($9.95 per phone) as with every other add-on with Norwegian.

No need to pay $10 or sign into minutes to use built in iMessage , but everyone in your party needs to have iMessage . If you are Android then yes $10 is good 

[blackwing]

My teenaged kids are both addicted to Tik Tok and You Tube, they waste so much time watching these stupid videos.  Before we went on the cruise, I told them that each person gets 150 minutes of internet to do whatever they want - check email, play games, try and watch things.  When the 150 is done, they will have no more internet.

 

My kids learned to do other things on our cruise.  They downloaded free games to play on their phones before we left that did not require wifi or internet.  Still spent time on their phones but they weren't constantly watching Tik Toks.

 

I guess it depends on how addicted your son is and whether he is willing to listen to you.  My kids complained about not getting the unlimited internet and the option I gave them was that they could either come on the cruise and have 150 minutes, or they could stay home with grandparents and wifi.  They both chose to come on the cruise.

[cruiseny4life]

22 minutes ago, blackwing said:

My teenaged kids are both addicted to Tik Tok and You Tube, they waste so much time watching these stupid videos.  Before we went on the cruise, I told them that each person gets 150 minutes of internet to do whatever they want - check email, play games, try and watch things.  When the 150 is done, they will have no more internet.

Sub Insta Reels for Tik Tok and you just described me! Oh, and my addiction to Cruise Critic. I must post lives! I did try the 150 minutes on one cruise and it just didn't work that well. I'm glad your kids found work arounds to still be on their phones. I truly don't understand older generations and the whole "screen time" is bad. Did TV screen time kill you? 

 

I suppose if given a choice, I'd choose the cruise and fuddy duddy parents who just don't understand the need for internet and staying in touch with friends (you know, relationships). 

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, vartanarsen said:

No need to pay $10 or sign into minutes to use built in iMessage , but everyone in your party needs to have iMessage . If you are Android then yes $10 is good 

You realize that you are replying to and picking a fight with a post made 9 month's ago????

[MoCruiseFan]

5 hours ago, blackwing said:

My teenaged kids are both addicted to Tik Tok and You Tube, they waste so much time watching these stupid videos.  Before we went on the cruise, I told them that each person gets 150 minutes of internet to do whatever they want - check email, play games, try and watch things.  When the 150 is done, they will have no more internet.

 

My kids learned to do other things on our cruise.  They downloaded free games to play on their phones before we left that did not require wifi or internet.  Still spent time on their phones but they weren't constantly watching Tik Toks.

 

I guess it depends on how addicted your son is TO whether he is willing to listen to you.  My kids complained about not getting the unlimited internet and the option I gave them was that they could either come on the cruise and have 150 minutes, or they could stay home with grandparents and wifi.  They both chose to come on the cruise.

 

You actually permit your kids to use that spy ware Tik Tok?  No good parent who cares about tehir kids safety shodl do that.  Use of that app is not very wise.  All of their personal data and usage habits are being tracked by unfriendly parties.  BTW I fixed your post for you.  See the underlining.

[Distinctive-Destinations]

1 hour ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

You actually permit your kids to use that spy ware Tik Tok?  No good parent who cares about tehir kids safety shodl do that.  Use of that app is not very wise.  All of their personal data and usage habits are being tracked by unfriendly parties.  BTW I fixed your post for you.  See the underlining.

Maybe fix your own train wreck post first?

[erisajd]

If you want streaming you have to pay for a streaming package which is several hundred above the unlimited internet package . . . . 

[zqvol]

8 hours ago, erisajd said:

If you want streaming you have to pay for a streaming package which is several hundred above the unlimited internet package . . . . 

It’s not several hundred above the unlimited, it’s less than $150 more than unlimited for a week.