RichardSchwake

WIFI at sea has improved over what it used to be before Starlink. However, don't expect it to work as well as your Internet at home. Most cruise lines have APPs that inform you about what's happening on the ship. You'll probably need the MSC APP to connect to WIFI. I've had problems on past cruises getting the ship's APP loaded and working. There will likely be a technician on the ship who will assist with loading the APP and showing you how to connect to WIFI. A lot of passengers have APP and WIFI problems on ships and the line to get help is long on the first few days. I recommend asking at Guest Services about the technician and where he/she is located. Go early to avoid a long line. Here's some info from Google: The official MSC for Me app works alongside other digital channels onboard to ensure you have the information you need at your fingertips. Plus, the app is free and even on board you will not need to purchase any internet package in order to use it. More from Google: As of February 2024, two-thirds of MSC Cruises' ships have Starlink, including the MSC Divina. I suggest only buying a day or two or the minimum data package. If you like how it works, you can purchase more time. Good luck on using WIFI on your upcoming cruise. Let us know how it worked.

The only time my wife and I have gotten sick on a cruise was an upset stomach from drinking tap water in our hotel room in Athens, Greece. Neither of us have been to the Medical Station on a cruise ship. On a cruise this past spring a couple we had met both came down with light cases of COVID. They were quarantined for several days until they tested negative. The ship's medical personnel gave them some medication for COVID. The man later told me that he had to write a check to pay for the treatment and the drugs. Once he got home, he had to submit a claim to his travel insurance company for reimbursement. He was doubtful that the travel insurance would pay the entire claim as it was more than he expected. The lessons learned are: Purchase travel insurance for a cruise as you never know what may happen. Get vaccinated for the latest COVID and Flu strains before a cruise. Drink only bottled water when visiting a port. Wash your hands often.

My wife and I have booked several NCL cruises with the Free at Sea perks. The perks were one of the main reasons we booked with NCL. We like the "one flies free" with Free at Sea. We booked cruises to Europe where our combined airfare was half of what we'd pay with other cruise lines. We also liked the WIFI, Specialty Restaurant and tour discount perks. I've briefly compared Free at Sea with More at Sea perks and don't see much difference. We like that passengers who booked prior to Oct. 1, 2024, will get both their current Free At Sea benefits plus the new More At Sea beverage package at no additional cost. With the new Starlink satellite hookup, we expect improved Internet and email speeds.