Crystal Cruises Will Introduce Free WiFi

Starting in fall 2014, Crystal Cruises will introduce free Wi-Fi for Crystal Society members. The new service will become effective with Crystal Serenity’s New England/Canada sailing on Sept. 19 and Crystal Symphony’s Panama Canal cruise on Oct. 15.

Each Crystal Society guest will receive 60 minutes of complimentary Internet access for each 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 will provide 720 free minutes per person or 1,440 free minutes per couple, and a 14-day cruise will offer 840 free minutes or 1,680 free minutes per couple. The minutes can be used at any time throughout the voyage.

“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.”

Society members can use the new complimentary access time wirelessly via iPad, iPhone, laptop or other wireless device or within Crystal’s own Computer University@Sea, which has 27” dual-compatible iMac computers.

A multi-million dollar Wi-Fi upgrade rolled out in recent months helps guests enjoy maximum onboard connectivity. The company said it's spent more than a year planning and installing improvements which include: 

• Maximizing satellite bandwidth with the latest technology, which allows more users and also more content to stream simultaneously.
• Expanding Wi-Fi signal range throughout the ships, making wireless connection available everywhere onboard including all staterooms, public spaces, and outdoor decks.
• Adding Internet accessibility in areas 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.

Crystal Cruises is an ultra-luxury line that provides highly inclusive five to 100+ day cruise and cruise-land itineraries to Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, South America, Antarctica, the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. It also offers a World Cruise.

For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.