There are many people that go on a cruise to avoid the stresses of the daily world and that includes not checking their email, looking at Facebook, or using the internet at all.  However, there are also many people that need to have some connection to the internet for many reasons such as work, checking on kids left at home, communicating with family members, or keeping up to date with happenings at home and elsewhere in the world. Most modern day cruise ships are equipped with internet access and wireless access that cruisers can use for a charge.  This blog post is dedicated to sharing tips, tricks, and information about purchasing and using internet on the cruise ship.


I.  Purchasing Internet Packages: Try To Get The Best Deal
       In order to get internet access on a cruise ship you will most likely have to pay for it.  Unless your cruise line is giving away internet minutes as a perk or part of a loyalty program, you will have to pay for it if you want to use it. 
       On the first day of a cruise, you should be on the lookout for internet deals or specials that the cruise line is running.  Some cruise lines offer package deals that include a certain number of minutes for a certain amount of money and/or a pay by the minute plan.  There are a few cruise lines that offer a one price fee for unlimited internet for the entire cruise. Compare available pricing plans and options before making a purchase.  Choose a package that suits your need and make sure you don't pay for more minutes that you plan on using. 
        If you are not finding any internet specials onboard you should ask a crew member in charge of the internet.  The worst answer you could receive is no or the ship doesn't offer internet deals.

II.   Don't Try To Get Internet On Your Cell Phone or Smart Phone 
        Your cell phone carrier will most likely charge you for data and applicable roaming rates if you try to get internet on your phone during the cruise. What may cost you a few cents at home may cost you hundreds of dollars on the cruise ship. If you buy a shipboard internet package and then try to connect to the wi-fi you paid for from your phone you should still be wary. Your cell phone company could still charge you for data and/or other hidden fees.  I suggest that you turn off your phone and use internet at the ship's internet cafe or on shipboard computers.

III.   Internet Access Is Not Necessarily Fast And Not Always Available
         The internet most cruise ships get is from a satellite.  Connection can be limited at times, slow at times, or not available at times.  When cruise ships go through mountainous terrains internet service can be disrupted because of the mountains. 

IV.   Don't Waste The Minutes You Purchase
          Make sure you are using your internet minutes that you purchased wisely.  Try to limit what you look to essential websites and avoid aimlessly surfing the internet. Make sure you log out when you are finished.  If you forget to log out of your internet account your minutes will keep running.  The cruise line could start charging you for going over your minutes.

        The way each cruise line runs and operates its internet programs varies.  Make sure you research all options that are available to you onboard your ship before making any purchase decisions.  Some cruise lines have fees in the fine print such as an activation fee or printing fee.  
         If you don't have anything to check while away from home you should consider not buying any internet minutes.  Enjoy your vacation, relax, and enjoy some time away from the internet (if you can).

Continental Breakfast Buffet Line
Location:  The continental breakfast buffet line is located near the back of "The Gathering" by a stairwell that leads to the upper floor of the lido buffet.

Food Served:  This buffet line serves a variety of different fruits and pastries each morning. 

Open Times:  This buffet line usually opens in the morning about 30-45 minutes before the main breakfast buffet lines open. The times that these lines open will vary by day. However, this buffet line is only serving breakfast pastries & fruits in the morning because at lunch this area serves desserts.

Regular Breakfast Buffet Lines
Location:  Throughout "The Gathering" you can find many different buffet lines that serve regular buffet foods.

Food Served:  The food served in these lines will vary by day, but will include foods such as scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, bacon, sausage (typically varies by day), potatoes (typically varies by day), grits, and oatmeal. French toast and pancakes are served, but usually on alternating days. Some foods such as the bacon and grits are served by a person behind the counter, but you may ask for as much as you would like.  There are other foods that are rotated in that I may have not included here.  


Open Times:  These buffet lines will open at different times each day.  Not all buffet serving lines in the lido buffet are utilized at the same time, but all lines that are serving regular breakfast foods will serve the same things.  Typically on a sea day the regular breakfast buffet lines open around 7:30am and on port days the time will be a little earlier. 

Note:    The Carnival Dream also has a coffee bar in the Ocean Plaza that serves specialty coffee and pastries, for an extra charge.

       There are many people that have never cruised before and face common fears about their cruise vacation. If you have never cruised before and have fears about your vacation you are not alone.  There are many people who may worry about the same things as you.  This blog post will give some common fears that many first time cruisers face and will give some information that will help reassure you about your vacation.

Fear #1:  There Will Be No  Food That I Will Like
         Many modern cruise ships have endless options of food and dining.  You will most likely find something that you will like to eat.  Many cruise ships have salad bars, pizzerias, delis, and other buffet lines that serve different foods.  Look around the buffet and try to find something that you think you will like.  If you try very hard and can still not find anything you like on your cruise ship you could then consider buying snacks in one of your ports of call.  However, most people can find many things that they like to eat while on their cruise vacation.

Fear #2:  Cruise Ships Are Cramped Because They Are Packed With People
        Many modern cruise ships are built to hold more cruise passengers, but they are also built much bigger.  Many of today's large cruise ships have multiple large public areas for passengers to keep passengers spread apart.  Most likely, not everyone on the ship will be using the public areas at once.  Many times in the day there will be cruisers that are in their cabin. On port of call days there will probably be many cruise passengers off the ship.  On sea days, there will be some people that sleep in and stay out late or get up early and go to bed early.  More than likely, you won't have to worry about sharing the public spaces on the ship with everyone at once.  

Fear #3:   The Ship Will Catch On Fire or Have An Engine Problem
         This fear has become more common in the past couple of years because of the media attention given to the Carnival Triumph, Carnival Splendor, and the Grandeur of the Seas fires. Think of all of the cruise ships that sail around the world daily and how often we hear of cruise ship fires.  The percentage of cruise ships that catch on fire or have an engine room problem is very low. 

Fear #4:   I Will Get Sick Because Cruise Ships Are Not Clean
          This fear has become more common after media attention given to cruise ships after some illness outbreaks. Everyone should keep in mind that illness is everywhere, including cruise ships.  Cruise ships in the United States are held to the CDC's standards and are inspected each year.  Cruise lines want to keep their ships clean and crew members are often sanitizing the ship.  If you are on your cruise you can wash your hands frequently and avoid sick people if you want to decrease your chances of getting sick. However, you should keep in mind that illness can happen anywhere and it is not always avoidable.