lcds1 Posted August 15, 2009 #1 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I want to be able connect back to my studio at home and make sure classes are going ok....We will be on Ruby Princess....I am just a gold member (one more to go til plat!)- Is there a package to buy to use internet in your cabin? Or is the access still pretty slow and skype phone calls wouldnt work? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayCalif-Ariz R Us Posted August 15, 2009 #2 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I have tried Skype on three ships now, the Caribbean, The Emerald, and the Tahatian and I could not get it to log on. Maybe they have it blocked. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomica Posted August 15, 2009 #3 Share Posted August 15, 2009 The internet onboard most ships is far too slow to use Skype with any sort of reliablility. I wouldn't even consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Lew- Posted August 15, 2009 #4 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I was able to use Skype on my iPhone on the Grand last winter. I used Fring which is a Skype client as Skype did not have an iPhone app at the time. I was told by the crew member in the Internet Cafe that Skype was block and I would not bet able to use it. That was true in the area around the Internet Cafe and all around the atrium. However, I was able to connect and make a phone call over wifi while in my cabin. There are a number of wireless networks onboard; you just need to find the right one. There was quite a delay in the audio reaching the person I was speaking with. I suggest you tell the people you intend to call that if they answer the phone and there seems to be nobody on the other end, it's you! Sound quality was good...you just have to wait for the delay. Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted August 15, 2009 #5 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Is there a package to buy to use internet in your cabin? Or is the access still pretty slow The packages you can buy in the Internet Cafe can also be used in your cabin (if signal is available). Access will still be slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles4515 Posted August 15, 2009 #6 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I have tried Skype on three ships now, the Caribbean, The Emerald, and the Tahatian and I could not get it to log on. Maybe they have it blocked. Alan Not sure how they would block it since Skype uses a random port each connection. More likely it is a bandwidth and slow connection issue. I have not had any luck yet either but I had an almost. I heard the phone ringing before it became garbled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 15, 2009 #7 Share Posted August 15, 2009 We were not able to use skype on the star recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigGuy25 Posted August 16, 2009 #8 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I just got back from the Ruby two weeks ago and had no problems using Skype ... both audio AND video ... using my Dell Mini in our cabin and out on the balcony! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisislou Posted August 16, 2009 #9 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I used Magic Jack on both Emerald and Ruby and it worked great. On Ruby I could use it from my room on Lido deck - on Elerald I had to go out in an open space. It was just like talking on a regulare phone for both sides - Love my Magic jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdngrl Posted August 16, 2009 #10 Share Posted August 16, 2009 skype worked for me in my cabin on the grand last november in the med. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairstars Posted August 16, 2009 #11 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Hi Everyone, The manager of the internet cafe on the Diamond told us, rather sheepishly, that Skype to phone lines is blocked to make you use their celular network. We could use Skype to Skype via computer but not Skype to a land based phone or cell. Happy cruising Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-salt Posted August 18, 2009 #12 Share Posted August 18, 2009 I tried to use my magicJack phone on the Coral Princess in Alaska in July and found it was blocked by Princess. After two Pincess cruises, I have not a single other complaint, but blocking VOIP phones is low class, considering the outrageous cell or ship-to-shore rates. It's not like the internet access is free (to most). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisedoctor Posted August 24, 2009 #13 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I used Magic Jack on both Emerald and Ruby and it worked great. On Ruby I could use it from my room on Lido deck - on Elerald I had to go out in an open space.It was just like talking on a regulare phone for both sides - Love my Magic jack What did you use for a telephone. Did you unplug the stateroom phone and plug that into the MagicJack? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earljr Posted August 24, 2009 #14 Share Posted August 24, 2009 DW was successful using Skype on our recent Royal cruise to South Am. She used it in the pool area and had great pix but as previously mentioned there was many problems with sound. Yet she was able to communicate, but with delays and weird sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-salt Posted August 27, 2009 #15 Share Posted August 27, 2009 What did you use for a telephone. Did you unplug the stateroom phone and plug that into the MagicJack? Thanks! I brought the phone I normally use with magicJack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suezieq Posted September 24, 2009 #16 Share Posted September 24, 2009 For those gamers...or those with kids..lol...u can use a psp(way smaller than any laptop)..2 use Skype..going 2 try on my upcoming trip on the Ruby :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinChris Posted September 24, 2009 #17 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Great - one more great thing to look forward to out on my balcony or by the pool...people skyping.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjack22 Posted September 24, 2009 #18 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Using Skype eats up a lot of bandwidth. There is only so much to go around on a ship. When you do this you slow everyone else down. Same with uploading or sending pictures from the ship unless you have resized them to not be such hogs. And as mentioned Skype doesn't work all that well. Please be considerate of others trying to use the Internet and don't Skype, and don't send huge picture files. We thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scmexico Posted September 24, 2009 #19 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I used skype on the Grand Princess last week with no problem, We even used video with fair results. the voice was fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted September 24, 2009 #20 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Using Skype eats up a lot of bandwidth. There is only so much to go around on a ship. When you do this you slow everyone else down. Same with uploading or sending pictures from the ship unless you have resized them to not be such hogs. And as mentioned Skype doesn't work all that well. Please be considerate of others trying to use the Internet and don't Skype, and don't send huge picture files. We thank you! Very good point. I understand that sometimes you need to be able to reach home but if by using Skype or other bandwidth hogs someone who also needs to reach home and is using, and paying for, the Internet, it's not really fair. Not only do they have difficulty with a slow connection but you're costing everyone else money because it's taking more minutes for them than usual. I'm sure you don't care about that, but that's the result and the reality. Your best bet is to use your cell phone when in port rather than hog the ship's Internet. Or, use the Internet. And, using a phone in a public area with others around is just plain rude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted September 24, 2009 #21 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Great - one more great thing to look forward to out on my balcony or by the pool...people skyping.:( No problem I would just talk louder than them. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbypiggy Posted September 24, 2009 #22 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Can someone please tell me what are the choices of internet packages available on the Grand? I would like to purchase the minimum "minutes" package. If I don't purchase a package, what is the cost per minute of usage? I read Princess offers bonus minutes when you purchase a package, is it only offer on the first day of the cruise? Thank you in advance for your help.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted September 24, 2009 #23 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Can someone please tell me what are the choices of internet packages available on the Grand? I would like to purchase the minimum "minutes" package. If I don't purchase a package, what is the cost per minute of usage? I read Princess offers bonus minutes when you purchase a package, is it only offer on the first day of the cruise? Thank you in advance for your help.:) Cost is 5 cents per minute, or youcan buy a package: $55 = 100 minutes $75 = 150 $100 = 250 $175 = 500 All are plus $3.95 sign up charge. If you sign up the frst day you usually get 10 to 40 bonus minutes depending on the package you buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbypiggy Posted September 24, 2009 #24 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Cost is 5 cents per minute, or youcan buy a package:$55 = 100 minutes $75 = 150 $100 = 250 $175 = 500 All are plus $3.95 sign up charge. If you sign up the frst day you usually get 10 to 40 bonus minutes depending on the package you buy. Thank you Paul. Did you mean to say 55 cents/minute? Or actually only 5 cents/minute? If I decide not to purchase a package, and lets say just use the internet for maybe 3 minutes to do one super short e-mail, I still need to pay the $3.95 sign up charge? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted September 24, 2009 #25 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Sorry, the base price is 75 cents per minute. I am not sure if they charge the setup fee if you just pay by the minute. Also, the internet connecton is via satelite and very slow - think dial-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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