The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) examined cruise lines this summer and found a number of them have introduced W-Fi and better technology to keep passengers connected while at sea.
CLIA’s findings uncovered that nearly all cruise lines now offer an Internet Cafe with pay-as-use options for guests, including on large carriers such as Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. WiFi is becoming more readily available, with cruise lines offering reasonable rates to connect. Disney Cruise Line, for example, charges per data usage rather than per minute usage with its Connect@Sea service. Other cruise ships are recognizing passenger desire to remain connected via social media and are now offering flat-fee rates for guests to access sites like Facebook and Twitter. Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, charges $5 for the service on half of its fleet.
As with hotels, more and more cruise lines are also providing free and discounted Internet and WiFi to loyalty members. Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society receives discounts on the Internet, while Silveursea’s members receive free unlimited WiFi. (Standard guests also receive one free hour of Wi-Fi per day.)
Says Thomas P. Ostebo, president and CEO of CLIA, “There are common misconceptions that WiFi capabilities on cruise ships are expensive, unreliable, or nonexistent. We are happy to dispel this myth and prove that connectivity and cruising are not mutually exclusive.”
–Lissa Poirot
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