INTERNET CAFE--what did you think?

[JLSE50]

What was your experience with the Internet Cafe on the MAGIC (or WONDER)? Is it worth the money? Do you pay by the cruise or by the day or by the hour? Is it hard to find an open computer? Any other observations or experiences? please share and THANKS in advance

Jan

 

[mmouse37]

On our 2/23/02 cruise we opted for the unlimited internet package which was $89.99, I think. We could use it anytime we wanted. Actually, I can't remember if they close it down after a certain hour or not. We got our money's worth out of it, though I do think it was on the expensive side to begin with.

I never had a problem getting an empty computer, but I did only try early in the am or late at night. During the day I had other things that I wanted to do. It is very simple to sign up and I never saw the computers "down" so to speak. At certain hours there is a computer "host" to help anyone with problems.

I am sure we will do the same for our 8/2/02 cruise.

MJ

 

[castawayfan]

We used it a lot, but only because we had to check in to work every day. I would say that it got to be pretty crowded in the early evening - like 7ish. We tended to go around 5 or 5:30 and it was not crowded. What I really, really, really (I mean really) disliked was the fact that they wanted my DH and I to each buy the unlimited use because its per person not stateroom. I just thought that was a total ripoff. The internt disney person on our ship was downright nasty about it. We did spend some "quality" time finding ways to avoid her knowing that we were both using the service. Otherwise, the hookup was pretty fast (I am used to broadband) and it allowed us to go on vacation while keeping in touch with work.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The Internet Cafe is open 24 hours a day until 10pm on the last night of the cruise.

Yes, it's expensive compared to what you pay for an Internet Service Provider at home, but it's a <b><i>lot</i></b> cheaper than making ship-to-shore phone calls if you need to keep in touch.

 

[rcostello1]

I agree with castaway fan's reply. The only time it was really busy was around dinner time when people were waiting for their seating to start. Otherwise it really wasn't a problem. And we too thought it was ridiculous to pay $89.99 per person instead of per stateroom. The internet person isn't there very much and certainly isn't there later in the evening, so that more or less solved the problem. We had relatives in the hospital so keeping in touch was very important but there is no one should have to pay double so the other person is allowed to type. Gimme a break!

 

[Mermaid02]

SeaShelley and I used the Internet Cafe in January quite a bit (we left our hubbies and kids home so we needed to be in touch!) We got the unlimited service for the 4 day cruise.... but I guess we were breaking the rules (I didn't know it though) because we used the same access.... it should be per stateroom not per person. I plan on the family cruising sometime in 2004 and NO WAY will I pay for dh.... myself and dd. How bogus!

 

[MrsG]

We were on the 7/6 Western and found the Internet Cafe constantly busy and we must have passed it about 10 times per day. They only have about 8 computers and usually there was a line to use them. We did not buy the package but went at 8AM one morning on a day where the first 5 mins was free. We have AOL and by the time we got through and sent 1 e-mail of about 5 lines, we were on 13 mins and it cost us a net of $6 and that was with 5 mins free. If you intend to use it, go for the unlimited package but you will have to check back occassionally for an unused computer.

 

[lespaul55]

I bought the unlimited service for the June 29th Magic cruise. Never had any hassle about only one person using it. And believe me, we had at least 5 out of our group using one account. Plus my teens even let other friends use it in Common Grounds. Of course, only one of us could use it at a time.

Had to wait only once to use the computers in the Internet Cafe and that was because a few of the computers were down. I logged on at least once daily. Maybe I just didn't go at the busy times???

Expensive but worth it for me, I made enough money to pay for one of our fares trading on my Etrade account!

Leslie

 

[jdm]

I bought the unlimited package for our Wonder cruise in Feb. Not being very computer savy, I couldn't believe how easy it was to get started.

We had my DN11 with us and my Sister was keeping an eye on our DD18 who was "home alone", so I wanted to be in daily touch. I always went down later in the evening (around 11pm) when the rest of the family was snug in there beds. There was never anyone in there and I found it very relaxing to type to sis about our day and the things we did, and read what my duaghter was up to at thome. Also, checked Dave's sight for the weather in our ports of call etc.

I knew not to expect what I would pay for internet service at home and all and all I thought it was a great deal!

Oh, and my DN did type to her Mom a couple of times on my account. I didn't realize it was "per person" either. Now that- I think is a bit much!

Jenn