On Board Internet

Internet onboard the Sun princess

Internet on Board the Sun Princess

Internet Cafe

The Sun Princess has a comfortable if not expensive Internet Cafe. Printing facilities are also available in the cafe and it is attended by helpful staff.

WiFi in Staterooms

WiFi appears to be available in all staterooms on the Sup Princess. It is possible to buy a package of pre-paid hours. It is recommended that you should do this within 24 hours of boarding as specials are on offer at that time.

Connection is easy and can be done on-line in the privacy of your stateroom. It involves entering your stateroom number and your booking number as well as your name. The process is quick and easy and we used the internet just as at home with the exception that we downloaded and read and composed mail "off-line."

WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS

Princess Cruises offers Internet access from the onboard wireless network. To help you get started, please refer to the information below.

WIRELESS ACCESS LOCATIONS

Wireless service is available in public areas as well as your stateroom. Wireless access is subject to possible interference from walls and other obstacles. as well as the strength of your personal laptop's wireless card however we have heard on no problems

CONNECTING WIRELESSLY

Once you are in range of the wireless signal connect to the broadcasted network. SSID (Network name) is Sun-Princess.

Once connected, open your Internet browser and you will be directed to the account login page.

SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT

You can set up your account either from a computer in the Internet Cafe or from your own laptop. A one-time $3.95 fee is charged to your folio for account activation.

First login using your username and temporary password.

User name: Your first initial, last name & cabin number- all lowercase with no spaces. Example: John Davis in Cabin B230 would be jdavisb230.

Password: Your date of birth in 6-digit format: MMDDYY

Example: April 30th, 1965 would be 043065.

Then create your own password. Select a time plan, and get connected! Once you are logged in, a pop-up window (your logout button) will appear. Remember to disable your Pop-Up Blocker. This button can be minimized, but it should remain open until you are ready to end your session.

Please advise the Internet Manager in the event that you are unable to connect

INTERNET COSTS

The ship offered 5 time plans which are available via an on-screen selection, 24 hours a day:

Time Plan #1: 500 Minutes for AUD $175.00 ($0.35/minute)

Time Plan #2: 250 Minutes for AUD $100.00 ($0.40/minute)

Time Plan #3: 150 Minutes for AUD $75.00 ($0.50/minute)

Time Plan #4: 100 Minutes for AUD $55.00 ($0.55/minute)

Pay-As-You-Go at AUD $0.75/minute

An Activation Fee of AUD $3.95 applies also upon you first login only.

Time plan minutes can be used until you disembark the ship. Time plans are interchangeable between Internet Cafe terminals and personal laptops and can be topped up at any time. There is usually a special near the end of the cruise for additional minutes.

WIRELESS PRINTING

Wireless printing is available, and will print to the printer located in the Internet Cafe. Please refer to the on-screen instructions to install the printer on your laptop. Your onboard account will automatically be charged for all print jobs. No responsibly is accepted for printed pages that are not picked up immediately so you need to get to the Internet Cafe quickly if you have printed from your room, however it is possible to logon in the Internet cafe and print there and that saves the problem of trying to install printer drivers on your laptop.

The cost of printing is $0.50 per print job. We are not clear if this is per page or print job, will have to check this out next when on board.

DON'T FORGET TO LOG OUT!

To end your Internet session and discontinue billing, simply dick on the "Log Out" button in the pop-up window. If this "Log Out" button did not appear type the numbers 1.1.1.1 in your Browser's Address Bar and hit "Enter" on your keyboard to immediately end your Internet session.

If you DON'T LOGOUT your time will quickly disappear, a very expensive exercise.

SMTP SERVER & VPN ACCESS

Microsoft Outlook and other Mail client users may need to change the outgoing SMTP address to 216.226.195.66 or 172.31.0.2. The SMTP may not work with your service provider, in that case you should access your Webmail. VPN Access is limited. PPTP and IPSec type VPN s may not connect.

We have heard of people using Skype to make calls over the internet.

Internet Services on Disembarkation

New internet packages cease to be available from 10:30pm the evening before arrival Fremantle, also as does the pay as you go service. Existing time plan users can continue to use their remaining minutes right up until the time they disembark. This is no doubt because you account on your cruise card is being settled up for 10.30PM.

Princess Cruises make the following disclaimers for Internet Services on board ship

Princess Cruises is not responsible for any content transmitted over the Internet
It guarantee privacy or data security.
Ship Internet access is not guaranteed to be available at all times due to the nature of satellite communications, which are subject to disruption from weather and physical obstructions.
Internet access via satellite is significantly slower than high-speed connections on shore.
High bandwidth consuming applications such as voice over IP telephony, peer-to-peer file sharing and streaming media may be restricted onboard Princess vessel.
Princess Cruises reserves the right to filter content accessed via the ship's Internet services.

Mobile Phones and Stateroom Phones

Mobile Phones

Mobile Phones continue to work in the ship as "Micro Cells" are located throughout the ship. These are switched off when in port and adjacent to shore based cell stations due to the possibility of interference and your phone will work normally as per your plan. i.e. If you have an Australian mobile phone when in Australian Ports and close buy it will work just like you are ashore.

Data Services on Mobile Phones & Smartphones

Yes they will work - but BEWARE! If your mobile phone has a data service that checks your e-mail every few minutes, make sure you turn that service OFF or you could be in for a VERY big surprise!. We have heard of people who have been hit with huge bills (in the $1,000's). This is not just unique to cruise ships, but it can be worse as the connection is via expensive satellite as well. Use webmail, its much cheaper, and does not expose you to unnecessary risks and rip-offs.

Stateroom Phones

Telephones are installed in every stateroom and in public spaces throughout the ship. Calls internally within the ship are free. To call another stateroom required remembering the deck number and the cabin number, which can be a bit confusing as the ships decks are normally "named" not numbered, however after a few days most passengers can remember both the deck number and the deck name of fellow cruisers they may meet.

Calls can be made outside of the ship at anytime even to home however be beware they will cost you a bomb as they are via satellite. Family and friends at home can even dial your cabin on the ship, however once again you will pay!

Keeping in touch with your cruise companion

The Sun Princess is a very large ship and if you don't know where your cruise companion is it will take a LONG time to find them. This could involve several kilometres of walking and an hour or so of time!

We have heard (and used quite successfully) post it notes which we left in our stateroom telling our companion where we were. Others use "walkie talkies" as do the crew, although we think that is being a little "over the top. " Walkie talkies" are available for hire on the ship.