Internet access whilst cruising along Queensland coast

[SunnyinDubai]

Hi All, we are looking at booking a cruise on Princess which goes along the Queensland coast and we are wondering whether our phones (and internet) will work on the ship or if we need to get the wifi on the ship. Has anyone had any experiences they can share? It will probably help us work out if we need to consider purchasing the Princess Plus package or if we can stick with an offer from a TA which does not have the Plus package. We only need internet for one device really. 

Thanks in advance. 

Edited February 7 by SunnyinDubai
Edited title

[yarramar]

If you have Telstra, according to their coverage map , you should be good.

[buchhalm]

Considering that Telstra can't supply a mobile phone or internet signal in Vaucluse or in a high-rise in the center of Melbourne, in literally spitting distance of Crown casino, I wouldn't hold my breath 

[Drumbeat16]

We recently cruised from Melbourne to Sydney and did not have internet access once we reached open waters (we are with Telstra).

[mum and son]

I think the answers to your question are "maybe" and "perhaps sometimes". I've heard reports of people over the years getting reception while standing on the top deck, facing due north, holding one foot off the ground and with one arm in the air 🤣.

 

But, seriously, I've been able to get a bit of access here or there, depending on how close the ship is to land and where we're heading. I recall once having quite good access late in the day before arriving back in Brisbane on a 7 day Qld coast cruise, but only up on a top deck. You certainly won't be able to rely on having it so, if it's needed for something important then definitely purchase it. The internet prices on Princess have just skyrocketed so, if you drink alcohol and coffee the Plus Package works out to be a pretty good deal.

[Dinosuitgirl]

I literally came here to ask the same question... I just need to check my emails and check in with my house sitter and property cameras... I planned to grab a telstra sim at the airport and hope for the best (it's not a big gamble) and then connect to ship wifi if needs must as a last resort 

[arxcards]

You are going to get bits of signal as you pass some of the regional centres up the coast, which works for SMS that will just drop into your phone during those moments you get a signal. You will need to be on an open deck, and reception is unreliable for calls.

Leaving Brisbane, you will pretty much have reception up to Noosa, then just blips off Fraser Island, Gladstone, Mackay till approaching Airlie Beach.

The following night, you will get a bit of reception off Townsville on your way to Cairns.

The next night to Port Douglas might have good reception, but some ships go outside the reef overnight to make water, and you will have nothing.

When you depart for Willis Island, you will be out to sea, and wont have reception for a couple of days.

 

If you have Global Roaming, make sure it is turned off, or you will connect to Cellular at Sea - far more expensive than paying for ship internet.

[SunnyinDubai]

Thanks everyone. I think that we may purchase the wifi package for the one device as we don't see the value in the plus package as presumably both of us will need to purchase it? 

[Ozwoody]

My experience doing a Qld Coast cruise from Brisbane not a lot of coverage.

As Geoff says be careful you don't have roaming on, very expensive.

 

We use our phone as our wi-fi link when in port for our tablet, works fine, ship internet these days is getting to expensive, and on local cruises its only a day or two to the next port mostly.

We can live with out it that long.😁

 

Others may need to take some Valium with them.🤣

[guy01]

4 hours ago, SunnyinDubai said:

Thanks everyone. I think that we may purchase the wifi package for the one device as we don't see the value in the plus package as presumably both of us will need to purchase it? 

Yes you would have to both purchase it