Internet access onboard cruise ships

In recent years internet access onboard cruise ships has improved greatly. Most of the world’s ships now offer a Wi-Fi service where guests can connect from the comfort of their own cabin or via various Wi-Fi hot spots throughout the ship

Although the connection is greatly improved these services still come with a sometimes nail biting charge. Is it really worth paying for the Wi-Fi onboard? Can we not live without the internet for just a few days out of the year?

Cruise.co.uk recently released findings of

Below are some of the rates available onboard for Wi-Fi access

Azamara Club Cruises - Fully wireless – From $0.61 per minute plus lower cost packages

Carnival Cruise Line – Ship wide wireless and designated internet café – From $0.75 per minute plus lower cost packages

Celebrity Cruises - No Wi-Fi but some cabin connection and Internet Café - Captains Club Elite 90 minutes free. From $0.75 per minute

Costa Cruises - Wi-Fi across all areas including cabins - From $0.50 per minute

Cunard Cruise Line - Internet Centre and Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas - Between two and eight hours free for Cunard loyalty members. From $0.75 per minute

Fred Olsen - Wi-Fi available around the library area - 25p per minute

Holland America Line - Wireless hotspots plus Internet café - $3.95 activation fee and then from $0.75 per minute

MSC Cruises - Various Wi-Fi hotspots around ship - Costs vary depending on data download

Norwegian Cruise Line - Various Wi-Fi hotspots around ship - Pay as you go from $0.75 per minute plus lower cost packages

P&O Cruises - Wi-Fi available on selective decks - Account activation £2.50, then 50p per minute

Princess Cruises - Wi-Fi available in staterooms and public areas, free access to suites. Platinum members minimum of 150 minutes free - Also pay as you go from $.75 per minute

Regent Seven Seas - Throughout the ship and most suites - ‘Nominal fee’ payable onboard

Royal Caribbean - Six designated hotspots which may vary from ship to ship - From $0.65 per minute plus low cost packages

Thomson Cruises- Wi-Fi available in certain areas - From 26p per minute

With the above mentioned will you be using the Wi-Fi services onboard?