Laptops on carnival????

[juneburke]

Here is my question, I am wanting to get a laptop and have read on here that they are nice to take on cruises so you can upload your pictures.etc.. the question is this... the laptop comes with a wireless card already in it. how will carnival know to charge me if i check my email? I don't know much about computers just the basic stuff how to turn them on and get to the Internet. I'm not an "IT" kind-of person. Can anyone help explain to me how and what i need to do to be able to use a laptop to check emails on a ship. OO and if you think it is really necessary to bring one with you in the first place.

 

:confused:

[Schlepporello]

First, I'm bringing mine on my cruise also. I found it priceless on my last cruise in allowing me to downlaod all of my photos and videos at the end of each day. On my next cruise, I'll be downloading my own and downloading for some friends as well. Mine also has the built-in wireless thing. You won't be able to "accidentally" access the internet. They have some sort of filtering system that will not allow you to gain internet access until you have paid for access. I don't know what the pricing is, but for what it's worth, I've heard there are also free internet cafes in each port.

[*Mach*]

Here is my question, I am wanting to get a laptop and have read on here that they are nice to take on cruises so you can upload your pictures.etc.. the question is this... the laptop comes with a wireless card already in it. how will carnival know to charge me if i check my email? I don't know much about computers just the basic stuff how to turn them on and get to the Internet. I'm not an "IT" kind-of person. Can anyone help explain to me how and what i need to do to be able to use a laptop to check emails on a ship. OO and if you think it is really necessary to bring one with you in the first place.

 

:confused:

 

Not a problem. You'll go to the internet café and set up your account.

 

There's a one time setup fee of $3.95. You can either purchase a block of minutes or go ala carte at $.75/min. You'll save money on the blocks of time.

 

For me, a laptop is necessary. I have to get my email and I enjoy dropping notes to the folks here at Cruise Critic from the ship.

 

Here's a link that will explain the pricing and such:

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/On_Board_Internet_Cafes.aspx

 

I would suggest connecting either early morning or late in the evening as the connect speeds are better then. Far from broadband that you enjoy at home but better.

[juneburke]

Thanks, I didn't know how it worked. but you have both been very helpful. I think i will bring mine I can always use it to watch a movie at night.

[coevan]

The first day, they will wave the $3.95 if you buy a package. We always rent movies for our laptop through Netflix. They are also convenient for airline delays. If you are going to email or surf at all buy the package, the speed is slow, so the minutes add up fast.

[Wennfred]

When you first open up your Internet Explore a Carnival WIFI webpage will open up. It will have some fields that you have to input some info like your name and cabin together. JDOE8265 J is your first initial and DOE would be your last name, 8265 is what ever cabin number you are in. Then for the password which is the next field it will ask you for your date of birth, should be something like 010107, Month 01, Day 01 and Year 07, it will have an example right next to the field to input the correct date of birth. After this you click on save or select and it will take you to a payment screen. You have 3 choices.

 

1. 100 minutes for $55.00

2. 250 minutes for $100.00

3. and pay as you use which is .75 per minute.

 

You select the payment plan and you log on.

 

Best way to conserve time is to type what ever you need typed in Wordpad, then log on and copy/paste what you wrote in Wordpad, send and log off.

 

Its best to keep those Email websites opened or what ever website you are browsing like the Airline etc. So that when you need to go back, all that is needed is to refresh the screen.

 

Shipboard WIFI is extremely slow since its sends its info via packets on Satellite so you need to have patients and wait for it to catch up.

 

Keep your laptop plugged in and on and set your screen saver to go off after 15 minutes of non-use.

 

Four last tips:

 

1. Ensure that your Pop-up is disabled because a small LOG OFF pop-up box will open so that you can click on that and log off the system when you need too.

 

2. Get your internet package on day 1 and get 5 minutes free.

 

3. Fill out the raffle for a free 250 minutes on day one.

 

4. Keep your eyes on the caper each day, they have 2 for 1 internet time usage during certain times during the cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred

[MonaCD]

Thanks for the infoFred. I'm taking my laptop for the first time and was wondering how it would work. I thought I would have to go to the Internet Cafe to get wireless access

 

It sounds like it's the same as when you set up an account on one of the ships computers only you have to have your laptop in a "Hot Zone".

[Wennfred]

Thanks for the infoFred. I'm taking my laptop for the first time and was wondering how it would work. I thought I would have to go to the Internet Cafe to get wireless access

 

It sounds like it's the same as when you set up an account on one of the ships computers only you have to have your laptop in a "Hot Zone".

 

Yep, same process as using their terminals, if you are in your cabin and the signal is weak, you can move over to the door or open the door, the signal is stronger out in the passage way as thats where the WIFI antennas are set. Best times to use shipboard WIFI is late at night or earily morning, there are less people on and the transmission is alot faster.

 

 

 

Fred

[MonaCD]

Yep, same process as using their terminals, if you are in your cabin and the signal is weak, you can move over to the door or open the door, the signal is stronger out in the passage way as thats where the WIFI antennas are set. Best times to use shipboard WIFI is late at night or earily morning, there are less people on and the transmission is alot faster.

Fred

 

LOL just had a vision of me in my jammies wandering the hallways on the Glory late at night, laptop in hand, trying to pick up a signal. Three more days!! Thanks again

[Wennfred]

LOL just had a vision of me in my jammies wandering the hallways on the Glory late at night, laptop in hand, trying to pick up a signal. Three more days!! Thanks again

 

Try walking around the ship with one of these gadgets to find a hotspot LOL

 

 

[truecruiser]

you won't even need to go to the internet cafe. well, i didn't need to. there shld be an info sheet in your cabin. sign in and follow the on screen instructions. it is very simple actually. i am not a computer guru at all, and found it very simple to set up.

 

sign up on first day if they are running a promo for free add'l minutes to do so.

[truecruiser]

Yep, same process as using their terminals, if you are in your cabin and the signal is weak, you can move over to the door or open the door, the signal is stronger out in the passage way as thats where the WIFI antennas are set. Best times to use shipboard WIFI is late at night or earily morning, there are less people on and the transmission is alot faster.

 

 

 

Fred

 

i had no problems getting a signal in my cabin.

[MonaCD]

Try walking around the ship with one of these gadgets to find a hotspot LOL

 

 

 

hmm I don't think it will fit in my suitcase. I'm bring a GPS receiver, it might not help me find a signal but will be handy to navigate the ship. LOL

[Wennfred]

hmm I don't think it will fit in my suitcase. I'm bring a GPS receiver, it might not help me find a signal but will be handy to navigate the ship. LOL

 

I use a Garmin 76C GPS receiver, I have it programmed to take me to the buffet over on Lido Deck :D

 

Fred

[MonaCD]

I use a Garmin 76C GPS receiver, I have it programmed to take me to the buffet over on Lido Deck :D

 

Fred

 

I have a Garmin Venture CX, a small handheld I use for geocaching, was planning on maybe finding a couple caches on the Islands. But now that you mention it, I'll be sure to set the waypoints for all important ship locations, buffet, casino and all bars.

[Wennfred]

I have a Garmin Venture CX, a small handheld I use for geocaching.

 

I hope you know about this website called Cruise GeoCaching: http://www.geocachingcruises.com/PortsOfCallInfo.htm

 

You can check this website out as it list all cruise ports and GeoCaching locations very close to the Cruise Terminal. If you have the time you can find some really nice stuff in Belize etc. They even have them underwater for divers at these ports :D

 

 

 

Fred

[truecruiser]

why are you 2 talking about this? wi-fi is available bow to stern. even in cabins.

 

why are you going through all of these complicated steps????:confused:

[Wennfred]

why are you 2 talking about this? wi-fi is available bow to stern. even in cabins.

 

why are you going through all of these complicated steps????:confused:

 

Good WIFI is available like on ships that was built with it from day one like on the Valor, all other ships had to have their antennas, amplifiers equipment put in after the fact so there are alot of Cold spots around the ship. On the Valor WIFI was strong everywhere, even in the bathroom, while on the Spirit the WIFI is there but weak all over.

 

 

Fred

[truecruiser]

Good WIFI is available like on ships that was built with it from day one like on the Valor, all other ships had to have their antennas, amplifiers equipment put in after the fact so there are alot of Cold spots around the ship. On the Valor WIFI was strong everywhere, even in the bathroom, while on the Spirit the WIFI is there but weak all over.

 

 

Fred

 

ahhhhhhh. i was on liberty. good all over.

[Wennfred]

ahhhhhhh. i was on liberty. good all over.

 

Yep, anything after the Valor had WIFI built into the walls. Hope Freedom is good also.

 

 

Fred

[MonaCD]

I hope you know about this website called Cruise GeoCaching: http://www.geocachingcruises.com/PortsOfCallInfo.htm

 

You can check this website out as it list all cruise ports and GeoCaching locations very close to the Cruise Terminal. If you have the time you can find some really nice stuff in Belize etc. They even have them underwater for divers at these ports :D

 

Fred

 

I wasn't familiar with this site, I had just checked out the ports in geocaching.com, this one will be useful. I'm doing the eastern itinerary so won't be hitting Belize this trip.

[Wennfred]

I wasn't familiar with this site, I had just checked out the ports in geocaching.com, this one will be useful. I'm doing the eastern itinerary so won't be hitting Belize this trip.

 

This one is geared for Cruiseships passengers.

 

Click on the link above, had to change it and then click on Eastern itinerary then click on the actual map for their locations.

 

 

Fred

[DarthGrady]

Just FYI for those not taking laptops or those too cheap to buy Carnival's internet (like me!):

 

Most of the ports have low cost (relative to the ship that is) internet cafes set up. The locals have gotten wise and put them very close to the piers. We got off the Glory at St. Thomas and there was a cafe set up in a building nearby. I think it was like 10 or 15 dollars for hours of usage time; and its generally faster than Carnival's wi-fi.

 

Happy cruising,,,,,and surfing,,,,and cruising some more........

[Daisydog7]

I am not understanding the use of Netflix on your laptop in your room to rent a movie. Wouldn't this be awfully expensive on Carnival's internet time? Or is it done another way?

[BellaWood]

LOL just had a vision of me in my jammies wandering the hallways on the Glory late at night, laptop in hand, trying to pick up a signal. Three more days!! Thanks again

 

I wondered the halls in my jammies/sweats on our recent cruise on the Glory. When I signed up for internet access the guy in the info area said deck 8 is about the only deck without access. Guess what deck we were on????

 

One time though I did get a weak signal from the balcony but that was on the first day. Usually I had to go down one deck and I'd hang out by the elevator to send a quick email.

 

I'd go to the cigar bar most of the time for more lengthy internet usage but I tell ya in the evening (10-Midnight) it was SLOW, SLOW, SLOW.