PSA: WiFi can get you on the Internet, but it is not the Internet

[Deb]

Look no further than the DIS.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/currently-on-the-dream-7-24-8-2-questions.3970851/#post-66286251

https://www.disboards.com/threads/c...24-8-2-questions.3970851/page-2#post-66289491
https://www.disboards.com/threads/recent-wifi-experience-in-preferred-loops.3962542/

none of those posts are people seeing "free wifi" and not having internet access

 

[Whitemsys]

Haha, this is so true! It’s like when people think they’re getting free WiFi at hotels or on cruises, but it’s really just access to their system. It’s always a surprise when you need to pay extra!

 

[sam_gordon]

Haha, this is so true! It’s like when people think they’re getting free WiFi at hotels or on cruises, but it’s really just access to their system. It’s always a surprise when you need to pay extra!

And again, where is this happening? What company is advertising "Free Wifi" and then charging for internet access? If it's so pervasive, it should be easy to provide examples.

 

[easyas123]

Yes, I am a Bonvoy member so have free BASIC internet access. But there is a faster option for members.

So that IS internet access then.

I'm travel a fair bit for work, and whether I'm a rewards member at the hotel all I need to do is log in w/ my name & hotel room and yeah - it takes you to the hotel site but the rest of the internet is still there, just a page away.

My only cruise line experience is w/ Viking, and they had (somewhat spotty depending) internet that they don't charge for.

 

[soccerdad72]

Yes, I am a Bonvoy member so have free BASIC internet access. But there is a faster option for members.

Wait, you say you're a Bonvoy member, but then say there's a faster internet option for members?

 

[rajak73]

Wi-Fi Package​

150 Wi-Fi minutes. Fast Wi-Fi speeds powered by Starlink.

This is copied right off of NCL website on Norweigian Encore. I know where you are coming from with the technical aspect of Wi-Fi but their 150 minutes wi-fi minutes was internet. When you get on the ship, you change your phone to Airplane mode to access the ship stuff. Only thing with the 150 minutes was, when you were done with the internet, if you didn't log out the minutes would just keep running until they ran out.

 

[kdonnel]

And again, where is this happening? What company is advertising "Free Wifi" and then charging for internet access? If it's so pervasive, it should be easy to provide examples.

I believe you are talking to AI based on this users responses to other posts as well. I could be wrong and apologize to @Whitemsys if I am wrong.

 

[jimmymc]

Oooooh, colloquial vs formal definitions. Everyone has that one word or phrase they're sick of people using incorrectly.

While it's true that Wifi is technically a standard for wireless electronic communication, society has come to understand it as a way to connect wirelessly to the internet. So if a coffeeshop advertises Free Wifi, but you show up and it's only LAN access, 95% of people will be disappointed (and the last 5% will laugh at the absurdity of a coffeeshop setting up a network for customers but not bothering to connect it to the internet).

 

[georgina]

Wait, you say you're a Bonvoy member, but then say there's a faster internet option for members?

Maybe he is referring to the fact that as a Gold member I get free upgraded internet? There is still basic internet for everyone.

Interesting with the AI comment above! Practicing on us?

 

[bcla]

Sure. Nothing all that unusual. I bought a Wi-Fi box before I had decent internet. At the time I was paying for AOL dial-up internet, which was kind of wonky and basically had to be connected to a single computer where I couldn't connect it to my Wi-Fi box.

You can find a lot of places where they're using Wi-Fi that unencrypted and not password protected, but not connected to the internet. It's just a closed network. The devices themselves are probably encrypting their data. This is pretty common with point of sale networks, like restaurants where the servers and/or front of house are carrying tablets to order and/or assign tables.

 

[tvguy]

So that IS internet access then.

I'm travel a fair bit for work, and whether I'm a rewards member at the hotel all I need to do is log in w/ my name & hotel room and yeah - it takes you to the hotel site but the rest of the internet is still there, just a page away.

My only cruise line experience is w/ Viking, and they had (somewhat spotty depending) internet that they don't charge for.

Yes, the WiFi is the on ramp TO the Internet, but getting beyond the router may cost you money. Like a toll road.

 

[tvguy]

And again, where is this happening? What company is advertising "Free Wifi" and then charging for internet access? If it's so pervasive, it should be easy to provide examples.

My point is NOT what is advertised. It is that people are ASSUMING WiFi is Internet. SMH

 

[tvguy]

Wait, you say you're a Bonvoy member, but then say there's a faster internet option for members?

Anyone in the hotel can purchase the faster internet. Members get basic internet for free, non-members pay a fee.

 

[sam_gordon]

My point is NOT what is advertised. It is that people are ASSUMING WiFi is Internet. SMH

Because, for all intents and purposes, it IS.

 

[tvguy]

Oooooh, colloquial vs formal definitions. Everyone has that one word or phrase they're sick of people using incorrectly.

While it's true that Wifi is technically a standard for wireless electronic communication, society has come to understand it as a way to connect wirelessly to the internet. So if a coffeeshop advertises Free Wifi, but you show up and it's only LAN access, 95% of people will be disappointed (and the last 5% will laugh at the absurdity of a coffeeshop setting up a network for customers but not bothering to connect it to the internet).

Thank you. THAT is my point.

 

[tvguy]

Because, for all intents and purposes, it IS.

And people seem surprised when it isn't.........is the WHOLE point of my post. Not every gelatin dessert is Jello. Not every tissue is Kleenex, not matter how people refer to it.

 

[Deb]

Thank you. THAT is my point.

I think your point was hotels and cruiselines are advertising free wifi and people are being deceived. But no one has provided any evidence of that

 

[kdonnel]

And people seem surprised when it isn't.........is the WHOLE point of my post. Not every gelatin dessert is Jello. Not every tissue is Kleenex, not matter how people refer to it.

At this point as every day passes, fewer and fewer are surprised since the term wifi becomes more and more synonymous with internet access.

Being the most techy person in my family I often help family members with their problems or make recommendations. I try to adapt my terminology to match what they use as it makes the process so much simpler rather than trying to correct them and use the correct terms.

For example when helping my mom she would refer to her computer in general as the "hard drive". When helping her it was much simpler for me to just accept her use of the term and go with it.

I know that 99.9999999999% of the time when someone asks if there is wifi, they are really asking is there internet and though they might not say the words, they are also asking is it free and included. I respond accordingly.

I know that 99.9999999999% of the time when a business advertises wifi, they mean internet, and that there could be a fee or graduated tiers of access.

 

[tvguy]

I think your point was hotels and cruiselines are advertising free wifi and people are being deceived. But no one has provided any evidence of that

It was not, sorry you misunderstood.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm actually going to go a different route here since it appears there's a different scenario the OP is actually talking about.

If you're connected to a hotel's wifi or a ship's wifi you're on the internet practically speaking especially in today's age. But there can be limited functionality able to be used depending on the company. A hotel and a ship's system especially these days operates on the internet but they can limit what functionality you have unless you meet xyz qualifications.

So in this case this would be you'd be able to do mobile check-out for example but not able to serf webpages beyond the company's. A cruise line's app would work to order food but not to use functions outside of that that rely on internet access (or cellar data signal/access).

In this frame of mind you could understand why a company may advertise free wifi and it be accurate.

With the cruise line we do they have complimentary wifi for everyone. The wifi is connecting to the internet regardless it does however block certain features like streaming based on your login information as well as can block apps. On our 2023 cruise Google Chat was blocked but in 2025 after the cruise line switched to Starlink we noticed Google Chat was not blocked. If we are using cellar signal Google Chat was not blocked period. We think the switch to Starlink changed the blocking of Google Chat.

How this particular cruise line advertises this is by saying "Stay in touch with family and friends or take advantage of working remotely while you’re on board. Seabourn includes complimentary Wi‑Fi with unlimited minutes for all bookings so guests can access the internet throughout their voyage from anywhere on the ship."

Surf Wi‑Fi Package​

Allows 1 device per guest with unlimited minutes of access for general web browsing, email, and checking or posting to social media accounts.

Stream Wi‑Fi Package​

This upgraded package allows up to either 2 devices or a paid upgrade to 4 devices per guest with unlimited minutes of access to web services offered in the Surf package PLUS access to video streaming, internet telephony as well as VPN/cloud storage services.


Another one is when we flew zip air which offers free wifi but it works for just their mobile site allowing you to order food, watch limited shows/movies, order amenities, check the location of the plane, etc ***special note zip air does not have their own entertainment system so you have to use your own and you use the mobile version (not app) to connect to their system.