Onboard internet

[jjeffjb]

How is the internet onboard?  Is it included?  Thank you.

[jjeffjb]

I did find the answer in the FAQs:  limited Wi-Fi (speed and bandwidth are affected by vessel location and number of simultaneous users);

[kml246]

On our Antarctica cruise this year, Nan and I both received 1GB each for the eleven days. It's restricted to the initial device you first register and cannot be changed to another. It was slow, we didn't use it much, and we consumed about 950GB by the last day. You can ask at the reception desk how much you used.

 

You can buy more, but it's expensive - $350 for 5GB.

[Michael_A]

Here's an article that breaks down what 1GB of data can comprise in layman's terms... it really isn't much...

 

https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/networks/1407996/how-much-is-1gb-of-data

 

Yeah, Antarctica isn't known for high speed, 4-5G internet, and the closer you get to the poles the harder it is to connect. In actuality, I'm surprised there is any connection at all.

[kml246]

We didn't have any complaint about the internet speed, as we fully understand the difficulty of satellite internet the farther you get to the poles. It was the 1GB and tying it to one device that was restrictive. When the norm is unlimited, it's hard to adjust to metered, especially with so many background processes that run on devices. 

Edited February 19, 2023 by kml246

[agreene]

I just returned and it’s terrible.   The only thing you can do is basic messaging and email and the 1GB goes fast.  Prepare to pay extra.  

[VACruiser123]

I can confirm others here...just back and it is AWFUL! Half the trip it is just not available and when it is...it is painfully slow and the data allowance is eaten up in a flash - one strategy is to have one of the two go dark if possible for the trip and just use one device for the two provided packages. That is what we did.

 

EDIT - Do NOT think that you can "buy your way" into an acceptable internet environment...you can't because even when you do have availability it is way to slow and uneven to even attempt anything serious...do NOT go on this trip thinking you can carry on with essential business...it is very likely that you will not be able too...maybe, but maybe not. It is best to assume that this is a 9 day communication blackout trip with only the most basic of check ins.

Edited March 5, 2023 by VACruiser123

[skiingj]

Atlas does have new systems for internet. Unfortunately they hit a non-technical snag installing during this Antarctic season.

[scottsol]

17 hours ago, skiingj said:

Atlas does have new systems for internet. Unfortunately they hit a non-technical snag installing during this Antarctic season.

Can you give us more details?

[binky&jane]

Internet is not great! You can add in 1GB increments for $. Only plan to use internet for messaging or an Emergency! While you’ll want to share the beauty, waiting until you’re home or in Argentina worked for us.

 

Corey & Karen

[Moby Jones]

It's terrible. Really slow. Even for a cruise ship. Fortunately we're in port a lot so can use our phones. 

[mnocket]

There seems to be a stampede by many cruise lines to install Starlink.  I'm kind of surprised Atlas hasn't jumped on board.

Edited April 20, 2023 by mnocket

[kd9]

On 2/18/2023 at 10:32 PM, agreene said:

I just returned and it’s terrible.   The only thing you can do is basic messaging and email and the 1GB goes fast.  Prepare to pay extra.  

 

I know it's an old thread but I've got my pre-cruise package for Nov 6th's and complementary internet is 150 MB now for one device per stateroom and 250 MB for a suite.  So, compare to 1 GB, this will go much faster.  Make sure to prevent everything from doing background refresh/using wifi except email app and only turn on wifi to check email then turn off.

[JanR]

We sailed on the Atlas Traveler in the UK in October.  Ship internet is always going to be slow.  What really surprised us was the 1GB limit.  I get throttling down internet speeds unless you buy a streaming package, but at this price point and how long internet has been available on cruise ships, this was a total disappointment.

[kd9]

To update my own post, I just came back from a wonderful 14-day trip to South Georgia and Antarctica.  Even though the printed package that I've received said I get 150 MB per stateroom, in reality, after we board the ship World Navigator, my wife and I actually received an access code for 1 GB each.  We've turned off just about everything except necessary apps that we use to keep contact and only turn on wifi to do a quick refresh, reply email, etc. then turn off wifi.  I ran out of my data about 4 days before cruise ends.  Additional 1 GB is $80, so I didn't bother to buy it.

 

 

[JER/MPR]

Great to hear you had a wonderful trip.  We would love to hear details when you have settled in back home.  We board February and would love to hear how Atlas is doing this year.  Thank you for posting. 

[kd9]

Overall the cruise line is good and will definitely try to take another cruise with them, destination unknown, maybe greek isles or arctic.  Just don't have too much expectation so you won't be disappointed.  This company's cruise cost is lower than others after all.  🙂

 

Since this topic is for onboard internet, I'll write something about my trip in the roll call for World Navigator.

[81Zoomie]

We are very excited about our upcoming circumnavigation of Svalbard cruise!  It was quite surprising to learn the included internet is limited to 1GB 😳, especially after hearing AOV Voyager has Starlink.  It is reported that all of Norway 🇳🇴, including Svalbard/Spitzbergen is a currently approved and activated Starlink area.  

 

It feels like a retro throwback to have to turn off/reset most apps and wifi on a device as @kd9 described, simply to read and reply to email and stretch rationed access. We haven’t metered wifi use on any cruise ship in a LONG time.  

 

We hope to upload and share pictures and video of beautiful scenery 🗻, amazing wildlife 🐋🐦🦭🐻‍❄️, and our AOV expedition and ship experiences.  Sometimes you have to swap devices online to download/upload pics.  Are you really limited to only one registered device versus one device at a time?  
 

I have read about how much time 1 GB provides, but have no idea how it will work in practice.  It’s rare to have limits these days.  And, minutes are certainly more easily understood than GBs.  I’m not planning to live online (No Zoom, Teams, Webex, Netflix, etc.) while on vacation, but on downtime between zodiac or shore visits, I hope to stay connected to friends, family, and manage household logistics.  After all, it’s not going to be pool weather around Svalbard 😎🌴❄️☃️🗻.  I would normally try to do a full cruise “LIVE from…” post on Cruise Critic to showcase this unique itinerary, however, the 1GB allowance might limit my ability to do this. YMMV.
 

IMHO, paying over and above for a reasonable quantity of included internet on what @AOV Communications  describes as a “refined luxury” experience, on a brand new ship with Starlink, seems odd in 2024.  Ponant began including unlimited wifi in 2018.  We had very good speed and connectivity in Antartica with Ponant in Jan 2019, prior to Starlink.  Seabourn, Silversea, and Linblad offer unlimited wifi as do most others. It would be great if AOV would consider updating their internet policies to meet or exceed the industry standard for luxury/expedition cruise lines.

[mnocket]

On 5/5/2024 at 10:01 AM, 81Zoomie said:

We are very excited about our upcoming circumnavigation of Svalbard cruise!  It was quite surprising to learn the included internet is limited to 1GB 😳, especially after hearing AOV Voyager has Starlink.  It is reported that all of Norway 🇳🇴, including Svalbard/Spitzbergen is a currently approved and activated Starlink area.  

 

It feels like a retro throwback to have to turn off/reset most apps and wifi on a device as @kd9 described, simply to read and reply to email and stretch rationed access. We haven’t metered wifi use on any cruise ship in a LONG time.  

 

We hope to upload and share pictures and video of beautiful scenery 🗻, amazing wildlife 🐋🐦🦭🐻‍❄️, and our AOV expedition and ship experiences.  Sometimes you have to swap devices online to download/upload pics.  Are you really limited to only one registered device versus one device at a time?  
 

I have read about how much time 1 GB provides, but have no idea how it will work in practice.  It’s rare to have limits these days.  And, minutes are certainly more easily understood than GBs.  I’m not planning to live online (No Zoom, Teams, Webex, Netflix, etc.) while on vacation, but on downtime between zodiac or shore visits, I hope to stay connected to friends, family, and manage household logistics.  After all, it’s not going to be pool weather around Svalbard 😎🌴❄️☃️🗻.  I would normally try to do a full cruise “LIVE from…” post on Cruise Critic to showcase this unique itinerary, however, the 1GB allowance might limit my ability to do this. YMMV.
 

IMHO, paying over and above for a reasonable quantity of included internet on what @AOV Communications  describes as a “refined luxury” experience, on a brand new ship with Starlink, seems odd in 2024.  Ponant began including unlimited wifi in 2018.  We had very good speed and connectivity in Antartica with Ponant in Jan 2019, prior to Starlink.  Seabourn, Silversea, and Linblad offer unlimited wifi as do most others. It would be great if AOV would consider updating their internet policies to meet or exceed the industry standard for luxury/expedition cruise lines.

The only justification I can see for AOV's internet restrictions, given the switch to Starlink, is perhaps that AOV frequents the polar regions and Starlink's bandwidth may be limited in those regions?  I don't know if that's true or not, but it kinda makes sense.  I guess the other reason for the restriction could be, that by offering free internet that is inadequate for many, AOV keeps alive their revenue stream for internet packages - while advertising "free internet".  

[kml246]

On 5/5/2024 at 12:01 PM, 81Zoomie said:

We are very excited about our upcoming circumnavigation of Svalbard cruise!  It was quite surprising to learn the included internet is limited to 1GB 😳, especially after hearing AOV Voyager has Starlink.  It is reported that all of Norway 🇳🇴, including Svalbard/Spitzbergen is a currently approved and activated Starlink area.  

 

It feels like a retro throwback to have to turn off/reset most apps and wifi on a device as @kd9 described, simply to read and reply to email and stretch rationed access. We haven’t metered wifi use on any cruise ship in a LONG time.  

 

We hope to upload and share pictures and video of beautiful scenery 🗻, amazing wildlife 🐋🐦🦭🐻‍❄️, and our AOV expedition and ship experiences.  Sometimes you have to swap devices online to download/upload pics.  Are you really limited to only one registered device versus one device at a time?  
 

I have read about how much time 1 GB provides, but have no idea how it will work in practice.  It’s rare to have limits these days.  And, minutes are certainly more easily understood than GBs.  I’m not planning to live online (No Zoom, Teams, Webex, Netflix, etc.) while on vacation, but on downtime between zodiac or shore visits, I hope to stay connected to friends, family, and manage household logistics.  After all, it’s not going to be pool weather around Svalbard 😎🌴❄️☃️🗻.  I would normally try to do a full cruise “LIVE from…” post on Cruise Critic to showcase this unique itinerary, however, the 1GB allowance might limit my ability to do this. YMMV.
 

IMHO, paying over and above for a reasonable quantity of included internet on what @AOV Communications  describes as a “refined luxury” experience, on a brand new ship with Starlink, seems odd in 2024.  Ponant began including unlimited wifi in 2018.  We had very good speed and connectivity in Antartica with Ponant in Jan 2019, prior to Starlink.  Seabourn, Silversea, and Linblad offer unlimited wifi as do most others. It would be great if AOV would consider updating their internet policies to meet or exceed the industry standard for luxury/expedition cruise lines.

 

It's my one irritation with AOV, but given how much less expensive their cruises are than the lines you mentioned, it's an irritation I can withstand. You can purchase an additional 5GB for $350, at least last time I was on board.

[81Zoomie]

36 minutes ago, kml246 said:

 

It's my one irritation with AOV, but given how much less expensive their cruises are than the lines you mentioned, it's an irritation I can withstand. You can purchase an additional 5GB for $350, at least last time I was on board.

 

My wish is for more transparency from AOV.  “Always Included” fails to mention wifi at all.  It’s conveniently omitted.  You have to comb through the FAQs to locate any information.  And, who actually knows how much 1GB (or 5 GB) of data is, or how fast you will use it?  Starlink is a game changer.  So perhaps, AOV could up their game when it comes to internet?
 

Don’t really want to open a cruise pricing discussion because there are some many variables.  However, at a quick glance, both Silversea and Seabourn offer Svalbard cruises this summer that are priced very comparable to our Atlas cruise.

[kml246]

5 hours ago, 81Zoomie said:

 

My wish is for more transparency from AOV.  “Always Included” fails to mention wifi at all.  It’s conveniently omitted.  You have to comb through the FAQs to locate any information.  And, who actually knows how much 1GB (or 5 GB) of data is, or how fast you will use it?  Starlink is a game changer.  So perhaps, AOV could up their game when it comes to internet?
 

Don’t really want to open a cruise pricing discussion because there are some many variables.  However, at a quick glance, both Silversea and Seabourn offer Svalbard cruises this summer that are priced very comparable to our Atlas cruise.

 

Turned off background services and checked at the front desk for how much data had been used. 

[skiingj]

I was recently on the Traveller and it worked great. 1GB included and it was at a decent speed.  I am a IT geek.  lol

[mlmdaisy]

It worked well for me on the Traveller, too.  Unfortunately it ran out, on both of our devices by the end of the second day.  My partner had hardly used it at all and I messaged back home maybe a dozen times.

 

The reception person suggested that something was running in the background to use up the data, and we should have turned off wifi when not in use.  If that's the case, I wish we were told that on day one.

 

We usually have the most basic, included wifi when cruising, and this has never happened to us before.  I wound up using the Verizon international plan when in port.  This was hardly a disaster, but the included internet use is widely promoted by Atlas and I assumed it was at least as good as what Oceania and Celebrity offer.

[JanR]

The internet is the most frustrating thing we have endured on our two Atlas cruises.  Not the speeds, which are fairly quick, but the package.  

 

The Starlink's Maritime package costs a cruise ship about $5000 a month.  For an Antarctica cruise, with just about 145 passengers, that's just $35 per person for just one cruise that month.  I get they are a company and need to make money, so add $100 to the bill for everyone and give passengers unlimited WIFI.  Despite a very minor cost addition, it would build more value to the line.  In areas where the bandwidth is limited (polar regions), then I get the need to throttle back bandwidth preventing streaming services.  But their idea of limiting their internet to 1GB is a throwback to the internet model used a decade or two ago.

 

Now, let me put in perspective what I just wrote above.  DW and my #1 issue with Atlas is the internet package.  When our biggest issue is the internet package, that's a pretty good indication of how good our experiences have been on the cruise line.