Laptop question

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nrichard

Guest
We will be on the Mariner of the Seas in October and I plan on bringing my laptop this time. My laptop has a wireless card installed.

Can someone tell me how much RCCL charges you to use your own laptop vs. their terminals on board? I do not see any rates in my cruise documents for this service.

Also, will I need anything else besides my wireless card to access their wi-fi?

Thanks,
Nancy
 
P

PH8

Guest
This should help..

Q: Is Internet access available from the ship?

A: Yes, depending on the ship there are two or even three options for staying connected while onboard.

Cyber Cabin
Unlimited Internet dial-up access from the privacy of your stateroom. A special kits is required - available at the Guest Relations Desk on a first come, first serve basis.

A kit is simply a box containing the following:
1. Telephone with a digital to analog converter
2. Telephone cables
3. Power supply
4. Instruction sheet

Note: Without the telephone, you will not be able to dial up via a laptop modem.

You will need the following:
Windows based operating system
Internal modem
dial-up Internet capabilities

The cost for a 7-night cruise is $100.00 USD for unlimited access.

Price is subject to change without notice.

Available onboard, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, *Brilliance of the Seas, *Radiance of the Seas *Jewel of the Seas, and *Serenade of the Seas.

*Kits are not required.


Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi)
There will be six designated *"Hot Spots" which vary from ship to ship.

To use our WI-FI access, you'll need:
A laptop
Windows operating system
802.11b Wireless networking capability

Guests who do not have a wireless ready laptop may obtain a wireless card at the Guest Relations desk.

Rental Fee of the card is as follows:
Card $10.00 per day or $50 per voyage - 7 nights and longer
Damage Insurance $2.00 per day
Lost/Damaged Card Fee $250.00

The cost for Wi-Fi access through your own laptop is:
Base rate is $.50 per minute or choose from one of our prepaid packages:
$25.00 for 60 minutes
$35.00 for 90 minutes
$50.00 for 150 minutes

These prices are in addition to the rental of the card for those guests who do not have a wireless ready laptop.

All prices are subject to change without notice.


The Internet Cafe/Workstation
These stations provide access to e-mail and the Internet, plus direct connections to favorite websites for stock, sports and entertainment updates. You can also send virtual postcards while at sea, and in ports-of-call worldwide. If you don't have an e-mail account, you can also establish one onboard.

The cost is $.50 per minute or you can choose a prepaid package:
$25.00 for 60 minutes
$35.00 for 90 minutes
$50.00 for 150 minutes

Available onboard all ships.
Prices are subject to change without notice.
 
N

nrichard

Guest


Hi PH8,

Thank you so much for all of that information. It certainly answered a lot of my questions, but I do have one more if you can help.

I have always found the Internet cafe work stations to be very slow. If I use my own laptop, will it help in the speed of transmission or will it be the same as the onboard workstations?

Thanks,
Nancy
 
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PH8

Guest
Gonna be about the same.........thats why the unlimited package is the best....

You can turn it on in your cabin and do other stuff(get dressed, have a drink,etc) while its loading....

Make sure though as soon as you get onboard,you go to the Pursers Desk and get one of the kits.......they dont have that many and they go pretty fast.......
 
N

nrichard

Guest
PH8,

If I have the wireless card and I decide to go with the WI-FI, I will not need anything else from Guest Relations correct?

Who do you see on board to sign up for that service?

You stated that there are "6" hot spots on the ship. I am assuming that you mean they must be located designated "public" areas, therefore you cannot use WI-FI from your cabin? You can only use the dial-up connection from your cabin?

Thanks again.
 
P

PH8

Guest
If you use only WiFI,you do not need anything from the Pursers Desk(as far as equipment),but you do go there to sign up for the WiFI.....

You MAY be able to get wifi in your cabin if you are above one of the public areas.......we had a promenade cabin above the public area with it..

I am not sure of all the spots,but I am asking around and will let you know.......some talk was most of the ships are totally wifi now.......not sure if the MA became one of those yet......

I'll be back when I hear more..
 
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reggae

Guest
A couple years back when we were on the Mariner, I was able to use the WiFi in our cabin (which was on deck 10). It would be nice if it was ship-wide now.

Also, the $100 unlimited charge is actually a good deal compared to Princess.

I was on a Princess cruise last spring, and the only place you can pick up WiFi is in the computer lounge. Pain in the butt, dragging your laptop down there to use it. Also the speed on Princess was sssooooooo slooooooow! Everyone was complaining. RCI speeds are like a rocket, compared to Princess!

On Princess, they had a sign in the lounge saying that beginning April, 07; the cost for internet was going up to 75 cents per minute....YIKES!!
 
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nrichard

Guest
Ph8,

My cabin is on Deck 10 AFT, right below the buffet area. I am hoping I can use it in my cabin!

Thanks
 
R

reggae

Guest
nrichard,

Please come back after your cruise, and let us know the latest scoop on the WiFi question. I'm going in November and will be bringing my laptop. Any new info will help.

Thanks!
 
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PH8

Guest
Ok,finally got an answer.......

The only ships wi-fi throughout are the Freedom Class. You can bet on a couple hot spots in the promenade, probably the Wig & Gavel and the cafe, business center, solarium, vicinity of purser's desk, library, cyber station and most likely Windjammer. The library, business center and cyber station are hot spots on all the ships.
 
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reggae

Guest
I was happy to be able to connect with WiFi in my cabin on the Mariner. But we were on Deck ten, so maybe close enough to a hot spot? Not sure.

I did feel that the Wifi speed was surprisingly good on RCI.

On Princess, it was slow as molasses, everyone was complaining.

I'm half-tempted to try my Vonage phone while at sea (through the computer) always wondered if that would work?
 
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reggae

Guest
Now that I think about it, yes, it was near the Windjammer, but not directly under.

I'll be on the Navigator in November, I will do some research on this then.
 
C

chucky7

Guest
How was your PR cabin, I cant decide between a balcony and the PR. I have been on 4 cruises always inside. all with Princess. The PR looks great, How was it, Please tell me all.
 
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