NCL Free wifi 150 minutes question

[mking8288]

32 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Are you certain the prices are the same? I've never upgraded prior to the cruise, usually wait until day 2/3 but I thought I'd been told that if you upgrade prior to the cruise, you do not get the FAS discount/credit?

When you upgrade prior to embarking on a NCL cruise, the discount is really being credited then & there with the included free WiFi minutes (150 or 300 minutes for longer cruises) and not a Latitudes discount - as they are NOT (never was) stackable.  Would like to use our Latitudes Diamond discount first and then do the onboard upgrade too, except that's not how NCL's billing system is set-up for charging WiFi usage.  Latitudes discount is against non-discounted pricing (without FAS promo offers, i.e. if you opt for Sailaway Rate as a solo cruiser)

 

If you log into your confirmed booking, your "discounted" rate pre-cruise is calculated based on $30 p/p p/d times x number of full days cruising, less the value for the 150 minutes or 300 minutes trade-up allowance ... there is zero, no additional discounting for being Platinum, Sapphire or Diamond.  

 

P.S.  Standby for a few minutes ... let me pull up from my recent screenshots to illustrate how & what you will see, the prices and it really is NOT as complicated as it read ... no worst than doing ATM banking transactions these days.  

 

 

 

 

  Basic daily unlimited WiFi is $30 per day for cruises of 11 days or shorter, $25 per day for cruises of 12 days or longer.   Upgrading from 150 minutes is credited with $100 against the "cost" of the plan and 300 minutes credited with $145 against the cost for the plan.   Unlimited "Premium" WiFi is $10 higher per day, but, it does NOT give you better or "faster" inTERnet speed on NCL.  

 

Edited July 21 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Additional comments - refer to illustrations above ... 

Always pre-install the NCL App (free) on your iPhone or Android smartphone pre-cruise and make sure it's current & up-to-date with the latest security & OS patches, etc.  Turn off any un-necessary & non-critical background refresh, uploads and data feeds, as they will 100% slow your device's overall response & resulting in timeouts, freezes & odds for crashes.  

 

If you feel you are disciplined enough to "meter" those 300 (150 x 2) or 600 (300 x 2) FAS minutes, be sure to fully logged out & check the "Usage Meter" for minutes used & remaining; and, if there is an extended idle period where you signed out but the system kept you "connected" for whatever reasons - go see the iCafe manager ASAP for a review, and a one-time minutes credit/adjustment to give back "most" of the minutes in question.  

 

Even with 17 FAS WiFi minutes remaining, it was still possible to click on the pop-up offer (from the App) to upgrade to the unlimited WiFi plans at the offered prices, no further discount will be given - WYSIWYG.

 

For our recent 15 days TA crossing on NCL, the lowest rate was based on 10 days based on $25 per day = $250, less a $145 trade-up credit ... with the net adjusted charge/cost of $105 only - not bad. 

 

Timed plan for 250 minutes was $125 ... and zero discount or savings.  

 

Disclaimers:  these prices are subject to change without notice from NCL.  Prices are different for a typical 5 to 8 days cruise and fairly certain (not 95% sure, OK) that you can convert or upgrade to the unlimited plan for 5 days ... or $30 x 5 = $150 in total, less $100 trade-up resulting credit.  That's a net cost of just $50 for the remaining days onboard.  Otherwise, buying 100 minutes to use last minute will cost $75.   

 

Do your own math -  6 days or $30 x 6 = $180 less $100 trade-up for a net cost of only $80.  If you have any kind of non-refundable OBC, this is almost a no-brainer to just do it.  

[julig22]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

  Basic daily unlimited WiFi is $30 per day for cruises of 11 days or shorter, $25 per day for cruises of 12 days or longer.   Upgrading from 150 minutes is credited with $100 against the "cost" of the plan and 300 minutes credited with $145 against the cost for the plan.

Thanks - that breakdown seems to work out, answers my question. Recently I got a $145 credit when I upgraded on day 2 on a 12 day cruise. On my upcoming cruise, the price to upgrade now does include the FAS credit but obviously not the reduced pricing I'll get for waiting a day or two - or my OBC.

[Cruise Crazy Family]

18 hours ago, mking8288 said:

@Cruise Crazy Family @vswan and others - FYI   (as a # of us are pointing out & stating here)

NCL's satellite WiFi inTRAnet and inTERnet users here since 1999-2000 dating back to the RJ-45 a/k/a ethernet wired days where it was pure sluggish.  We SELDOM opt to "upgrade" or "buy" NCL's WiFi package on Day 1 as it's mostly a waste unless the "users" must/need to stay connected at all times while on a cruise & enjoying vacation at sea (typically sailing on a weekend if it's a 5, 6, 7 or 8 nights sailing) - especially when NCL ships are now remaining docked until later in the afternoon and/or not sailing until the (early) evening hours, while most passengers are either in the (Haven) MDR or going thru the MDR, Garden Cafe (buffet) or what not until probably past 7:30 to 9 PM while - probably, likely, possible - to still pickup a cellular signal from one's home carrier sailing out to international waters in open seas.  

 

For a typical 7 nights cruise, just wait until midnight and at 00:01 hour (it's then Day 2 - and you will be charged for 6 days worth of WiFi upgrade).  Calculated on the following $30 per day for basic unlimited WiFi x 6 days = $180, less the $100 trade-up allowance - if one pax in the cabin has that 150 free WiFi minutes, for a net "cost" of only $80.  If you have any non-refundable OBC associated with the cabin or stateroom, this will reduce your cost to zero and further.  This is good if Day 2 is a full sea day, and you can go online at 00:02 during the overnight hours and stay connected until disembarkation.  

 

If you wait until Day 3, the (probable) applicable charge is for 5 days or $150, less $100 trade-up = "net" cost of $50 only - before any available OBC to offset it. 

 

As long as you have as little as 5 minutes worth of limited WiFi remaining, you can accept to the pop-up offer to upgrade on Day 2 or Day 3 ... the prices for the remaining days, I believe (not personally verified or confirmed, others that did - can help to confirm) doesn't go any lower.  But if NCL's system does allow you to buy the remaining 4 days, it's just $120 less the $100 trade-up, for a net of $20 ... LOL (then, just do it - for the price a "single" premium alcoholic drink onboard or about 3 Starbucks)  

 

The price offered online, pre-cruise is the same as the onboard price, where you can and only need to upgrade to unlimited WiFi for just one pax in the stateroom; and, you can used any available OBC instead of being charged immediately against your credit card.  Furthermore, the onboard process is fairly easy & simple, DIY and you do NOT have to stand in a long time to speak to the iCafe manager unless there is an issue or problem with the upgrade & charging transaction - and; you get to do trials & see how fast / slow the satellite WiFi broadband using Starlink is really like.  The fleet of NCL ships converting fully to Starlink should be completed by now, if not already.  

 

Informed sources (friends) that sail Princess, Carnival & other lines that also adopted Starlink technologies have found NCL's Starlink to be slower but on the whole, works for how it is configured - it isn't the fastest satellite communications at sea.  

Your posts are super helpful (even though I do not understand all the complexities). When using the app onboard, does it use the Wifi? Can I see the activities schedule, book for activities, dining, etc. without Wifi? What about messaging each other while on ship? We have the 150 min free Wifi. I am wondering if using the app uses these minute or not?

[mking8288]

11 minutes ago, Cruise Crazy Family said:

... When using the app onboard, does it use the Wifi? Can I see the activities schedule, book for activities, dining, etc. without Wifi? What about messaging each other while on ship? We have the 150 min free Wifi. I am wondering if using the app uses these minute or not?

Let me explain this in a simplistic or different way ... ship's WiFi has a 2 "stage" connection, the closed loop (InTRAnet) that's "internal" to the ship and its (computer) system servers & hardware, sort of behind the fences (firewalls) that restrict what you can and cannot do.  The open or outer loop (inTERnet) are your connections to websites and functions "external" to what you can access onboard to go elsewhere (i.e. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, Messenger, Skype and your email servers, CNBC, BBC News, etc. etc.) that you must "access" by signing into your personal "account" for use - this start and stop the "Usage Meter" up to your allocated 150 minutes per FAS passenger (if there is 2 of you, 300 minutes combined).

 

Everyone onboard can connect freely to the inTRAnet WiFi from the ship, you can access the deck maps, dining menus, reserve specialty dining and (where avaiable, depending on the ship & "events") shows, and tender tickets, etc. along with your Onboard Account charges, posted & updated daily.  You are within the closed loop and good at all times - and that includes NCL and CruiseCritic, and 3 to 4 other websites for "free".  

 

To check your email, read the entire SMS and/or MMS and go to check on your hotel & flight reservations/online check-in, reserve Uber in advance, etc. - you need to "unlock" or open the "gateway" to access the inTERnet, by logging in with your "credentials" and "password" - it's fairly self explanatory once you see the (sub) menu system via the App.  Follow the steps or instructions to properly sign out when you are done, to stop the clock or meter - it will show you the minutes "used" and what's remaining (if you upgrade to the unlimited usage, then it doesn't matter - you could stay connected the entire time ... )   

 

To message each other onboard the ship, the well know, openly "secret" backdoor among iPhone devices to text message each other directly has been blocked as of last month as reported by a number of CC'ers while onboard.  "Some" message "headers" might continue to slip thru, but you will NOT be able to see or read the full or rest of the messages - unless you signed into the iNTERnet.  

 

The other option to "unlimited" messages onboard among "registered" users (passengers) on that ship is to activate and paid for a one-time charge of $10 per device/per passenger - a "random" 5 or 6 digits extension is then assigned & associated with your "account" and you use that to contact others via that coded extension, individually or in sub/groups created yourself.  If there's 2 of you, $10 x 2 is your costs to do this, add $10 for each additional person in your group to communicate among yourself and to others, if and when you share your extension(s) with others - messaging among onboard users.  You cannot use this to text someone ashore and/or from home or from work, etc - message delivery is sometimes delayed and there's no pop-up alert of an "instant message".  

 

In-room voicemail is free, you can always use them - except, you have to return to the room to check for any messages ... remote retrieval is not an option.   I recalled in the earlier Haven days, there's a Nokia style candybar phone that's portable and one guest can take that along & it supposingly worked throughout the ship (only) - similar (identical ??) to the ones used by the officers & crews.  

[Cruise Crazy Family]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Let me explain this in a simplistic or different way ... ship's WiFi has a 2 "stage" connection, the closed loop (InTRAnet) that's "internal" to the ship and its (computer) system servers & hardware, sort of behind the fences (firewalls) that restrict what you can and cannot do.  The open or outer loop (inTERnet) are your connections to websites and functions "external" to what you can access onboard to go elsewhere (i.e. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, Messenger, Skype and your email servers, CNBC, BBC News, etc. etc.) that you must "access" by signing into your personal "account" for use - this start and stop the "Usage Meter" up to your allocated 150 minutes per FAS passenger (if there is 2 of you, 300 minutes combined).

 

Everyone onboard can connect freely to the inTRAnet WiFi from the ship, you can access the deck maps, dining menus, reserve specialty dining and (where avaiable, depending on the ship & "events") shows, and tender tickets, etc. along with your Onboard Account charges, posted & updated daily.  You are within the closed loop and good at all times - and that includes NCL and CruiseCritic, and 3 to 4 other websites for "free".  

 

To check your email, read the entire SMS and/or MMS and go to check on your hotel & flight reservations/online check-in, reserve Uber in advance, etc. - you need to "unlock" or open the "gateway" to access the inTERnet, by logging in with your "credentials" and "password" - it's fairly self explanatory once you see the (sub) menu system via the App.  Follow the steps or instructions to properly sign out when you are done, to stop the clock or meter - it will show you the minutes "used" and what's remaining (if you upgrade to the unlimited usage, then it doesn't matter - you could stay connected the entire time ... )   

 

To message each other onboard the ship, the well know, openly "secret" backdoor among iPhone devices to text message each other directly has been blocked as of last month as reported by a number of CC'ers while onboard.  "Some" message "headers" might continue to slip thru, but you will NOT be able to see or read the full or rest of the messages - unless you signed into the iNTERnet.  

 

The other option to "unlimited" messages onboard among "registered" users (passengers) on that ship is to activate and paid for a one-time charge of $10 per device/per passenger - a "random" 5 or 6 digits extension is then assigned & associated with your "account" and you use that to contact others via that coded extension, individually or in sub/groups created yourself.  If there's 2 of you, $10 x 2 is your costs to do this, add $10 for each additional person in your group to communicate among yourself and to others, if and when you share your extension(s) with others - messaging among onboard users.  You cannot use this to text someone ashore and/or from home or from work, etc - message delivery is sometimes delayed and there's no pop-up alert of an "instant message".  

 

In-room voicemail is free, you can always use them - except, you have to return to the room to check for any messages ... remote retrieval is not an option.   I recalled in the earlier Haven days, there's a Nokia style candybar phone that's portable and one guest can take that along & it supposingly worked throughout the ship (only) - similar (identical ??) to the ones used by the officers & crews.  

Thank you for this detailed response. Super helpful!!!

[redmomof4]

9 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

Everyone onboard can connect freely to the inTRAnet WiFi from the ship, you can access the deck maps, dining menus, reserve specialty dining and (where avaiable, depending on the ship & "events") shows, and tender tickets, etc. along with your Onboard Account charges, posted & updated daily.  You are within the closed loop and good at all times - and that includes NCL and CruiseCritic, and 3 to 4 other websites for "free". 

 

To message each other onboard the ship, the well know, openly "secret" backdoor among iPhone devices to text message each other directly has been blocked as of last month as reported by a number of CC'ers while onboard.  "Some" message "headers" might continue to slip thru, but you will NOT be able to see or read the full or rest of the messages - unless you signed into the iNTERnet.  

 

The other option to "unlimited" messages onboard among "registered" users (passengers) on that ship is to activate and paid for a one-time charge of $10 per device/per passenger - a "random" 5 or 6 digits extension is then assigned & associated with your "account" and you use that to contact others via that coded extension, individually or in sub/groups created yourself.  If there's 2 of you, $10 x 2 is your costs to do this, add $10 for each additional person in your group to communicate among yourself and to others, if and when you share your extension(s) with others - messaging among onboard users.  You cannot use this to text someone ashore and/or from home or from work, etc - message delivery is sometimes delayed and there's no pop-up alert of an "instant message".  

 

1) can we still get tender tickets in the app? When? Right when we get on board? The day before? I’ve done it but cannot remember 

 

2) wait…we can get on cruise critic from the “intranet”?! 
 

3) so sad about the iMessage glitch being fixed! The NCL message app stinks 

 

[cruising with the family]

for the FAS minutes, can I use more than one device, if I use them at separate times?  I have a work phone and a personal phone...or do I have to use the same device each time I sign on?

Edited July 23 by cruising with the family

[DorothyB]

10 minutes ago, cruising with the family said:

for the FAS minutes, can I use more than one device, if I use them at separate times?  I have a work phone and a personal phone...or do I have to use the same device each time I sign on?

Yes, My most recent experience is with the unlimited upgrade and with that I could be on any one device at a time - and when I logged into a second device, I was given the option to kick off the first device without needing to go find it and logoff of it.

[mking8288]

@redmomof4 

 

1. From what I can remember, it's been a while since we had to deal with getting tender tickets - once onboard & connected to ship's WiFi inTRAnet, you should be able to start the hunt for tender tickets.  I'm sure you know that if booked a NCL shorex, your tour tickets served as tender ticket (follow any specific instructions about time/where to meet, etc. i.e. sometimes, "your" tour group from the ship will meet ashore while other times, in one of the lounge, dining room or theater & "escorted" thru the crew passage/elevators bypass to jump to front of the line for the next/first tender.    

 

If you have Latitudes status (Platinum or higher) you "should" get to skip the queue for a paper or digital tender ticket, and just show up whenever & join the line ... of course, YMMV. 

 

2.  Yes, you can read & even post on CC while connected to ship's inTRAnet onboard (just do not try to post pictures, nevermind even a short video clips as it will freeze & crash)  Best way, use your favorite browser to log into your CC account first - that way, you can read and post ... otherwise trying to sign in will be sluggish and/or slow, if not nearly impossible.  Stay connected to your CC account while on the ship, this way ... you can see any pop-up alerts or go to your roll call, etc. Otherwise, use 5 or 6 minutes of your "precious" FAS WiFi minutes, connect to the inTERnet and complete the CC sign-in, then sign-OUT of your FAS account to stop the "Usage Meter" and resume browsing CC.  

 

But, keep in mind you are on a cruise vacation and only hardcore CC addicts like yours truly stay connected most of the time, hahaha.  

 

3.  iPhone/iMessage loophole is a well-known one, NCL wasn't fooled but text messaging take up very little & limited bandwidth, so they didn't block or disallowed it over the years, with one eyes closed - now that someone in I.T. figured out the workaround to block those traffic "ports" - the free ride is over for some of us.  Keep in mind, especially on newer NCL ships, there are not hundreds, rather thousands of mobile / handheld / portable devices in use 24/7 by the crew & officers - they gotta do what they need to (although their data traffic are on hidden & secured SSiD)   NCL's messaging module at $10 per user ... what can one expect, the old saying "you get what you paid for"  

[mking8288]

@cruising with the family  As DorothyB commented, you can register and/or enroll as many devices as you desire, you connect to the inTERnet with one device at any given time only and you can share the log-on with others cruising with you and trust, and share access - the "newest" device that log into the account will see an alert or pop-up, and to click to disconnect the other device already online.  

 

Even with DW's FAS minutes, it's usual and common for 2 of us to have 3 to 4, sometimes 5 different smartphone/iPhone, iPad, Fire HD tablet and Chromebook or Linux notebook computer being associated with not just that FAS account, but also the unlimited account ... and play musical connections, logging in & out, switching & making the most usage out of what we got by sharing.  

[cruiseny4life]

10 hours ago, mking8288 said:

But, keep in mind you are on a cruise vacation and only hardcore CC addicts like yours truly stay connected most of the time, hahaha.  

Are you calling me an addict?!?!?! 

 

I still haven't figured out that free Cruise Critic workaround. I will never remember to sign in, the log out. 🙂

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Are you calling me an addict?!?!?! 

No, no, no ... unless you willingly wish to join a few others (and not going to "name" them or else I could get myself into more trouble) and myself that already self confessed.   

 

Meanwhile, waiting to see the rollout and details of the T-Mobile cellular-to-satellite messaging, that can be useful while at sea, at no extra cost.  Just sold my backup unlocked Samsung Galaxy S22+ online for a great price and upgraded to the more pocket-sized S24 as the "enhanced" trade-in or trade-up offer was just ridiculous - 7 years of software support & OS upgrade, etc.