Crystal Cruises Adds Free Wi-Fi to Repeat Passenger Perks

There are a lot of reasons why cruise passengers want or need to stay "connected" while at sea. Some need to check on family members at home and others have business obligations. Not everyone has the luxury to turn off their life when on a cruise vacation, but the cost of Internet use can add up to some significant dollar amounts. Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises recognizes that and has added a new perk to its All Inclusive onboardexperience: Free Wi-Fi for Crystal Society members, the line's "club" of repeat guests, beginning Fall 2014.

Effective with Crystal Serenity's Sept 19 New England/Canada sailing and Crystal Symphony's Oct 15 Panama Canal cruise, each Crystal Society guest will receive 60 minutes of complimentary internet access for every day of the cruise. For example, a 10-day cruise will offer 600 free minutes per person (or 1,200 free minutes per couple), a 12-day cruise offers 720 free minutes per person (or 1,440 free minutes per couple), a 14-day cruise offer 840 free minutes (or 1,680 free minutes per couple), etc. The time can be used any time throughout the voyage.

Society members can use the new complimentary access time wirelessly via iPad, iPhone, laptop, or other wireless device or on Crystal's own Computer University@Sea 27" dual-compatible iMac computers. A multi-million dollar Wi-Fi upgrade rolled out in recent months helps guests enjoy maximum onboard connectivity.

"We are continually refining our all-inclusive experience to offer an array of choices for our global guests. Since the majority of our guests are repeaters, we opted to expand our Crystal Society offerings to thank our loyal patrons," said Edie Bornstein, Crystal's president. "Whether they are on board for a second 10-day getaway or on their 20th time for an expansive 108-day World Cruise, travelers today appreciate staying plugged in. By adding this coveted perk to our All Inclusive experience, repeat cruisers in all stateroom and suite categories have one more reason to choose Crystal as their home base while traveling the world in the finest of luxury and ease."

The company has spent more than a year planning and installing improvements to the onboard internet experience, including:

-- Maximizing satellite bandwidth with the latest technology, allowing for more users and more content to stream simultaneously.
-- Expansion of Wi-Fi signal range throughout the ships, making wireless connection available everywhere on board, including all staterooms, public spaces, and outdoor decks.
-- The ability to access internet in areas that were previously unavailable, such as Japan.

All full revenue guests who have completed their first Crystal cruise automatically become Crystal Society members, and, thusly, can take advantage of this perk on all subsequent Crystal voyages. Guests wishing to purchase additional minutes for $.75 per minute can do so without an activation fee. Internet packages that reduce the per minute charge are also available.

So, what could be better? Make the perk available to all passengers, with a slightly less generous number of minutes for first-time Crystal cruisers.

Image Courtesy of Crystal Cruises