Until now, equipping ships with high-speed wireless Internet
access hasn’t been a top priority for most cruise lines: after all, a cruise is
an opportunity to unplug from daily life and put away your laptops, smart
phones and other devices, right?
Actually, it’s not surprising that cruise travelers are
demanding better Wi-Fi: some really can’t get away for a cruise without the
ability to check in with work (hopefully, not too often) or with loved ones at
home.
Many ships already offer some wireless Internet access, but
the connections are often much slower than what you’re used to. But, some
cruise lines have announced plans to meet the demand for fast, stronger Wi-Fi.
For example, Royal Caribbean has equipped its Oasis and
Quantum Class ships with a high-speed Internet service that it calls Voom. The
service uses satellite internet technology that provides high-speed connections,
even in the middle of the ocean. Royal Caribbean doesn’t sayexactly how fast Voom is, but promises that, in addition to
checking email and using the Web, guests can connect with their offices via
VPN, stream music and movies, upload photos, and video chat with people back
home. Voom will expand to more Royal Caribbean ships in 2016.
Be aware that, at least for now, there is often an extra fee
for high-speed internet connections (satellite Internet technology is
expensive). Royal Caribbean’s Voom costs $15 per day for a multi-day package;
that gives you unlimited Internet access on one device, with a discount
available for a second device.
Beginning in October 2016, luxury line Regent Seven Seas
Cruises will offer free, unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi access to all passengers
on all of its ships. Regent Seven Seas already offers Wi-Fi throughout its
ships, but it’s currently free and unlimited only for occupants of
top-of-the-line suites; other passengers have a limited access and need to pay
for upgrades.
Upscale cruise lines Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises and
Crystal Cruises have also announced plans to expand the availability of free,
unlimited Wi-Fi. And, Viking Ocean Cruises’ new Viking Star already offers
complimentary and continuous Internet access on board.
If you can’t do without high-speed Internet access on your
next cruise, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert,
about which ships can provide you with the access you need.
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