Optional extras available to purchase on a cruise can really add up.
From drink packages and specialty dining to spa services and shore excursions, add-ons that you can purchase to make your cruise vacation feel more all-inclusive can also make it much more expensive.
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Some of these optional extras seem like cruise essentials to some passengers, but their costs can make cruisers reconsider what’s really a vacation necessity. Cruise add-ons are things that enhance your vacation experience, whether making it more indulgent and luxurious or more relaxing and comfortable, but they aren’t necessarily things you need.
However, there is one cruise add-on that some would debate is a must-have because it’s become such an integral part of everyday life — WiFi.
When first-time cruisers find out that WiFi is something you have to pay extra for on most cruise ships, many start to wonder if it’s really a must. With prices for the cheapest WiFi plan available on Carnival Cruise Line ships starting at $18.70 per passenger per day, passengers are often on the fence about whether it’s necessary to add the extra on to their cruise.
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Carnival’s Hub app is free to use.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival cruisers share experiences with, and without, WiFi
“Is it possible to get away without a WiFi plan?” user QueenofHearts018 recently asked in the Carnival Cruise Fans community on Reddit.
“I’m considering a cruise in July, and to save money to not get WiFi, but are there ways to communicate through the app or something so if the members of my party need to contact each other we can?” QueenofHearts018 continued. “Is it hard to not have WiFi while on a cruise, or is it kind of nice to go without? Also, I can’t find the pricing for it, how much does it typically add to the cost?”
A number of passengers assured QueenofHearts018 that WiFi is not a cruise essential if you don’t need to work or check in with anyone at home. Some reported that not having access to it actually enhances their cruise experience.
“Being mostly off my phone for a week makes my whole vacation better,” wrote kaitlinaterry.
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Other passengers agreed.
“Being unconnected is the best part of cruising to me,” wrote Commercial-Place6793.
For some passengers, Carnival’s WiFi plans haven’t been reliable enough to justify the expense.
“Honestly, the Wi-Fi for me has always been a waste of money,” wrote thatfloridachick. “It’s always so slow, unless you’re using it super early first thing in the morning.”
Other passengers shared how they find ways to connect in ports of call, whether through their cell phone plans or public WiFi options, instead of purchasing onboard WiFi.
“I never buy the wifi. If you need to check in on anything, whether it’s family or the news, every port has some sort of free wifi,” noted CallMeSkii.
Passengers use a Carnival app feature to message others on board
Many Carnival cruisers also get by with the help of an onboard chat option available in the Carnival HUB app. The onboard messaging feature costs $5 per passenger for the voyage and offers Carnival cruisers a way to communicate with family and friends who are also on board the ship.
“There’s a messaging part in the hub. It’s $5 for the entire cruise. Works fine,” commented Chance-Cow8166.
Not everyone agrees that the messaging feature works fine though.
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“I wouldn’t say it works fine. It works….sometimes,” replied gofordrew. “It’s cheap though and generally enough to communicate.”
Several passengers reported that they’ve experienced an issue with the HUB app not notifying them of new messages.
“The app would NOT notify me for messages though,” wrote mentally_ill_ofc. “I made sure I had everything turned on and it never would. I was constantly having to check the app in case.”
While the app feature may have flaws, the fact that it offers a low-cost way to communicate with your traveling party on board makes it an attractive option for many Carnival passengers.
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