Prepay wifi, still eligible for 5* Mariner discount once onboard?

[zelker]

If I prepay for wifi now to get the 20% discount that shows on the website when I log in, if I go to Guest Services once onboard will they credit the $30 5* Mariner discount to our account?

[Gigi1977]

My experience- no.  You get the prepaid discount OR purchase onboard at a higher price and get the Mariner discount.  This was N Statendam in August.   Different ships/guest services might handle it differently.  The prepaid discount was better than the Mariner discount in my case.  

[richwmn]

My experience so far echos @Gigi1977, I have been unable to get the 5* discount after pre-purchase of internet.

 

[zelker]

20 minutes ago, richwmn said:

My experience so far echos @Gigi1977, I have been unable to get the 5* discount after pre-purchase of internet.

 

Thanks, Rich.  Do you concur that prepaying is a better deal than the 5* discount? (this is for an 11 night cruise) 

 

Hope all is well with you!  What's up next in your travels?  Barb

[iflyrc5]

I checked with ship services and no you do not get the discount if purchased pre-cruise.  If you are getting the premium onboard buy pre-cruise is a better deal unless you have lots of OBC that you won't be spending then buy wifi on the ship.  That is what we are doing in January on the Rotterdam

[zelker]

Does anyone have a current price list that includes Surf package pricing?

 

Is the Mariner discount prorated based on the price of the package one buys?

[richwmn]

The pre cruise purchase price was better than the 5* discount.

The 5* discount is $30 - doesn't matter what the cost of the package it

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Question, I want to say I read that someone had the regular WiFi package with HIA and waited till they were on board to upgrade to the Premium Wifi and in doing that they go their 5 Star $30 credit. Is that correct? I would definitely look to do that if that was the case in 2 weeks.

Thanks!!

[REOVA]

We did 11 day last month and HIA included standard wifi. The precruise discount is usually for premium wifi and priced the same as standard onboard. So the discount is usually better. However once onboard we got notified that premium was only $50 additional for the 11 days. They reduced it $30 for Mariners discount so the upgrade onboard after HIA was $20. The price for standard wifi in HIA was $111 so we paid $131 for premium wifi after all said and done. Not sure what they would say if you paid for wifi independently and then asked to upgrade but to me prepaid HIA shouldn't be any different that you preparing prior to boarding. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by REOVA

[zelker]

Following up to my original post - talked to Gary at Mariner Society this morning.  He said that yes, we can prepay for internet, then once onboard have Guest Services credit the $30 (Mariner 5*) discount to our onboard account.  

[Mtn2Sea]

36 minutes ago, zelker said:

Following up to my original post - talked to Gary at Mariner Society this morning.  He said that yes, we can prepay for internet, then once onboard have Guest Services credit the $30 (Mariner 5*) discount to our onboard account.  

I’m wondering if policy has changed.  Earlier this year I was told by Guest Services that I could not get the $30 credit because my prepaid price already included a discount.

[richwmn]

1 hour ago, zelker said:

Following up to my original post - talked to Gary at Mariner Society this morning.  He said that yes, we can prepay for internet, then once onboard have Guest Services credit the $30 (Mariner 5*) discount to our onboard account.  

 

23 minutes ago, Mtn2Sea said:

I’m wondering if policy has changed.  Earlier this year I was told by Guest Services that I could not get the $30 credit because my prepaid price already included a discount.

same thin I was told

[REOVA]

6 hours ago, zelker said:

Following up to my original post - talked to Gary at Mariner Society this morning.  He said that yes, we can prepay for internet, then once onboard have Guest Services credit the $30 (Mariner 5*) discount to our onboard account.  

Have him send you an email and bring that onboard. Things change once you board (or things get forgotten). 🤔 

[iflyrc5]

19 hours ago, Mtn2Sea said:

I’m wondering if policy has changed.  Earlier this year I was told by Guest Services that I could not get the $30 credit because my prepaid price already included a discount.

That is what I was told by guest services for our cruise in Oct 2023.  I would email guest services and they will provide an email response.

[TampaMike]

I am aboard Eurodam. I am 5 star and prepurchased Premium wifi. A 5 star credit was added to my onboard account but then reversed. So no you do not get both Prepaid benefits and then a Mariner credit atop of the prepaid  charge. Prepaid packages do seem to be the better value over the Mariner credit at the onboard rate. I cannot speak for a prepaid lower tier and onboard upgrade, you need to do the math.

 

Starlink is now on Eurodam. Overall connectivity is good, but still has room for improvement. Streaming has hiccups. I have an Android 13 phone and occasionally need to clear cache. With Android, the Airplane mode will block text and Wi-Fi calling. So I  leave Airplane mode off, but set network for NO DATA, Wi-Fi calling ON and Intl Roaming off.  This will keep your Android using wifi for all data and voice communication. It will also prevent your phone from using the ships cellular transponders $$$. What a surprise to have my phone ring while onboard with Caller ID.

 

I also use Nord VPN and can access bank, utility, home security cams / smart home and various apps with VPN active. However Navigator is not very stable. Periodically I have to close Navigator, momentarily disable VPN, relaunch Navigator then re-enable the VPN. I can watch TV programs on Pluto and home TV provider via their apps.

 

Also, I have experienced on recent cruises from FLL that onboard WiFi and Navigator are unstable on embarkation until the next day.  HAL should not charge or credit for these days.

 

Overall, not perfect, but works much better than wifi a few years ago.  It is not as seamless as they project for the top tier. But now I leave the laptop home.

[J&Dhighdesert]

I’m on a12 day cruise beginning December 22. The premium is $189.99 and the multi is $283.99.

Jo