Cruise lines under fire for high internet fees

Ocean-going cruise lines are facing growing criticism over the high charges they impose on passengers for internet access.

Despite the fact that many cruise companies pride themselves on offering an all-inclusive holiday experience, and with free internet becoming increasingly common in hotels, bars and even fast-food restaurants, research by Telegraph Travel has revealed that every major cruise line is still charging for internet and Wi-Fi access – with rates as high as £37.85 for a single hour's browsing.

More than 20 cruise lines were analysed in the study. Regent Seven Seas had the highest fees. The company charges a "pay as you go" rate of $0.95 (59p) per minute, or $57 (£35.40) an hour, in addition to a one-off "activation fee" of $3.95 (£2.45). Alternatively, passengers can opt for a $600 (£373) bill for 20 hours of browsing.

Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, NCL and P & O were also found to impose some of the highest fees. Celebrity charges passengers $24.95 (£15.50) for 38 minutes' access, or 41p per minute; Cunard charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $47.95 (£29.80) for two hours' access; NCL charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $55 (£34.20) for 100 minutes' usage. P & O charges 50p per minute or £35 for 100 minutes' access; its charge to send a single email is £2.50.

Four hours of internet browsing on an Azamara Cruises ship will cost holidaymakers $99.95 (£62) – marginally more expensive than on Carnival Cruise Lines, which charges $89 (£55) for the same amount of web time.

The cheapest pay-as-you-go access was 20p per minute, offered by Fred Olsen, while Paul Gauguin Cruises offers some of the best-value packages, with 250 minutes' access costing $0.25 (16p) per minute – although the line does charge an activation fee of £2.45.

Several Cruise clients commented on the issue via Telegraph Travel who undertook the research into internet charges onboard cruise ships to express frustration at the charges, with some criticising the speed and reliability of the internet access they have paid handsomely for.

"The cost of accessing the internet was so overpriced it wasn't worth it," said Geoff Hebden, 58, from Ipswich, who took a P & O cruise last year. "And yet small businesses, bars and cafés across the world offer it free – it's ridiculous."

Cruise lines defend their charges by citing the high cost of providing the service – internet access at sea is delivered using satellite communication, making it dearer than the same service on land.

"The cost of providing internet access from the middle of the ocean is expensive," said Graham Sadler, managing director of Regent Seven Seas. "As a luxury cruise brand we choose a fast speed, which may be reflected in the charges – but the quicker download speed means it may eventually become cheaper."

In contrast to ocean-going cruise lines, several river cruise companies – including Scenic Tours, Viking and AmaWaterways – do not charge for internet access.

Irish Ferries, which operates services between Ireland and the United Kingdom and France, does not charge, either, even though it uses satellite communication to provide the service.
A spokesman for the company said that it could not say how much it spent on providing passengers with the service, as it could not "separate out the cost of providing free Wi-Fi from [the cost of maintaining its existing] satellite equipment".

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Dover Cruise Port Welcomes Two Inaugural Visits

Dover Cruise Port welcomed inaugural visits from Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas and the Azamara Club cruise ships on May 11 and 12 respectively.

The Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, accommodating 2,500 passengers with all cabins allocated, arrived in Dover on its penultimate disembarkation call at Amsterdam the following day.  All tours for this cruise took place in Kent and Sussex.  Kate O’Hara, Head of Business Delivery at Dover Harbour Board, presented the Captain Henrik Sorensen with an inaugural plaque.

The following day saw the arrival of the Azamara Club, a 5-Star brand of Celebrity Cruises and part of the Royal Caribbean International group.

The ships in this group are smaller than many other cruise ships, measuring 180m in length offering room for just 710 passengers, and 390 crew. Their size gives them the advantage of being able to visit smaller harbours, giving experienced cruise guests an alternative cruise experience.  Arriving on the seventh day of an 11 day cruise, the voyage, which started in France included visits to the UK, Eire, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands, Belgium and Holland.  Clare Newman, Manager of Business Delivery at the Port of Dover presented Captain Jason Ikiadis with a plaque to commemorate the inaugural call.

Clare Newman, Manager of Business Delivery, said: “we were delighted to welcome both ships on their inaugural visits to Dover.  We have worked hard to develop the relationship with Royal Caribbean and are pleased with the increased number of calls that we have welcomed year on year.”

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