Basic Voom? Is it still available?

[laurabelle1317]

We are sailing on the Independence of the Seas in December. I only see the Voom Surf + Stream. Is there still just a Voom Surf at the cheaper price without streaming? I thought I had seen it but now all I see is the one with streaming. 

[steverk]

The answer appears to  "kinda."

I had purchased surf previously. If I look in my previous orders, I see the order. If I click on the item, I find it.

However, if I go through the internet link, only surf and stream is available. 

On most of my sailings, surf and stream is actually cheaper this weekend.  Therefore,  I've been canceling surf and buying surf and stream. 

[tjcruisers]

With everything going Starlink, maybe no need to offer multiple packages

[Ampurp85]

The ships that have upgraded seems to only have one option available. 

[Adriana]

When I was on Anthem recently, they were both available. However, it did not have the updated internet yet. … Happy Thanksgiving!

[smokeybandit]

Surf and Stream is the only package available for Mariner over Christmas, which likely will have Starlink enabled by then (if it isn't already)

[PL8SWPR]

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Surf and Stream is the only package available for Mariner over Christmas, which likely will have Starlink enabled by then (if it isn't already)

 

Same for a 23 Jan sailing.  They actually had a Internet/DBP combo for $86 IIRC on a 4 night.  DBP alone was $78.

[Mike n Ky]

Rebooked on the Black Friday sale...Surf/Stream was the only available option for all three cruises in 2023.

[alaska mcleods]

Now I'm kinda curious/nervous for those of us that booked basic internet for upcoming cruises.  Our cruise is July 2023 on Radiance to Alaska and bought the basic internet for our family of 4.  It is still the cheaper price, even with the current sale.  Will we be upgraded at our sale date I wonder????

[twangster]

Basic voom still appears as on onboard plan that can be purchased on the ship so it's not like it's been completely eliminated... yet.

Prior to late 2019 it was rare to see Surf only in the cruise planner for purchase in advance.

While we ultimately don't know why Royal has reverted to old ways and removed Surf as an option to purchase pre-cruise it is plausible to think it is related to the Starlink migration.   If that is the case then Royal may be planning to overhaul their Voom portfolio and plans offered.  If that is the case no one here has any idea what they have in store for guests yet I wouldn't fear about any existing purchased Surf only plans until they announce their intentions.   

Alaska ship internet has always been very poor due to technical limitations and challenges with legacy satellite technology in the far North.  Many of us are eager to see what Alaska ship internet will be like in Alaska next year now that Starlink has coverage in Alaska for local residents on land.  We don't know yet.