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Norwegian Cruise Line

Sharing internet with a travel router

By Grimix , October 2, 2023 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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RocketMan275

9 minutes ago, Grimix said: I’m on the Encore right now and thought I’d share a tip (might have been shared before) for giving your whole cabin internet. I’m using my wireless travel router to share my connection (we upgraded to the FAS+ so have 2 unlimited) to the cabin with the same SSID (network name) we have at home. So the kids are able to log in without my credentials and do their homework on their chromebooks. It’s not hard to do, but if you’re not tech savvy it might be (I write software for a living…) Just thought I’d throw it out there for those who know how to use a travel router that it does work! I’m using a tp-link AC750 I’ve had for several years. Only around $40 on Amazon.

So, are you paying for all the internet you're using?

He's still using one device, so yup - paying for every cent he's using.

It just happens that device can rebroadcast another SSID.

I do the same and GL iNet routers are the best for this.

Yeap, originally bought it because I got tired of calling hotel IT numbers to get my Apple TV whitelisted. (They finally allowed it to connect to captive networks.) The internet still sucks on board. I can’t use enough internet bits to get my moneys worth either way. 🙂

cruiser2015

41 minutes ago, Grimix said: I’m on the Encore right now and thought I’d share a tip (might have been shared before) for giving your whole cabin internet. I’m using my wireless travel router to share my connection (we upgraded to the FAS+ so have 2 unlimited) to the cabin with the same SSID (network name) we have at home. So the kids are able to log in without my credentials and do their homework on their chromebooks. It’s not hard to do, but if you’re not tech savvy it might be (I write software for a living…) Just thought I’d throw it out there for those who know how to use a travel router that it does work! I’m using a tp-link AC750 I’ve had for several years. Only around $40 on Amazon.

NCL supposedly is allowing on user device at a time per registered user.

How does the setup with your router impact that? Is the router the "device" or the actual laptop/phone?

If the ship reads each device, then you can only use one at a time anyway (unless you purchase a multi-device (2) plan).

5 minutes ago, cruiser2015 said: How does the setup with your router impact that? Is the router the "device" or the actual laptop/phone?

In this case, the router is the 'device' connected, NCL only sees the MAC (hardware address) of 1 device.

Your other device(s) tethered to that they are unable to see.

Often use it to Chromecast at hotels, or in this case, only need to buy one full-premium internet subscription. Keep in mind they don't reach well, so this is something that really helps with in the room.

How's your allocated speed/output with TP-Link ... that's on my bottom shelf these days. Run that with Open DD-WRT should get you better results, hopefully. EdiMax BR-6258n was my go to then, more capable and features rich but still hopelessly sluggish over satellite at sea. But, you can't override the narrow bandwidth and dynamic caching imposed by EMC's server, I could be wrong or missing the latest tweaks - please, do share.

P.S. I would love to see some benchmark results over speedtest dot net running these configurations onboard/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09N72FMH5/

This is my go to, GL.iNet has always been solid. Right now 39.90 with a 10% coupon, under 40 bucks all in with tax.

I'll be on the Getaway and Breakway next year, so we'll have a pretty good amount to test with Starlink on board.

For newbies setting this up, you essentially plug it in, look for its SSID, connect to the device, then go to it's homepage at https://192.168.8.1/ and scan for NCL or whatever other Wifi you want to repeat.

Once you captive portal authenticate, you'll be good. Connect your Chromecast, etc. to the device's WiFi name.

EDIT: Also, if your ship still has EMC, use this in tandem with a VPN provider. It works flawlessly. No weird caching.

24 minutes ago, cpqq said: In this case, the router is the 'device' connected, NCL only sees the MAC (hardware address) of 1 device. Your other device(s) tethered to that they are unable to see. Often use it to Chromecast at hotels, or in this case, only need to buy one full-premium internet subscription. Keep in mind they don't reach well, so this is something that really helps with in the room.

Do you think that two end users could be on at the same time?

Would that work with the standard internet (premium gets pricy @ $380)?

We have the FAS 300 minutes each. I was planning to upgrade both to the (standard) unlimited. It's about $230 for each account. It would be good if I only had to upgrade one. $380 beats $460; but then I would need the router and have to deal with the setup - iffy proposition..

If you're looking to check email and a few websites, shouldn't be an issue. If one of you wants to surf Netflix... may want to get the premium plan and test the GL.iNet solution.

Buy one, hook up at house, connect to it's WiFi and browse to https://192.168.8.1. PW is on the device.

Once logged in, in repeater mode on the left side click 'Scan' - It will show all WiFi names. Choose your homes and enter the PW.

It'll be the same on NCL, except you need to pass through the captive portal once to register your router as the 'device'

22 minutes ago, cpqq said: If you're looking to check email and a few websites, shouldn't be an issue. If one of you wants to surf Netflix... may want to get the premium plan and test the GL.iNet solution. Buy one, hook up at house, connect to it's WiFi and browse to https://192.168.8.1. PW is on the device. Once logged in, in repeater mode on the left side click 'Scan' - It will show all WiFi names. Choose your homes and enter the PW. It'll be the same on NCL, except you need to pass through the captive portal once to register your router as the 'device'

No plans to do video.

After reading your directions, I see why you cautioned about being tech savvy.

I consider myself so, but in a minor way. I have not encountered some of the terms you used.

My secret weapon is my oldest daughter, who is a computer support tech. I'll check with her if I need help to set this up.

Thanks again. 😀

2 hours ago, Grimix said: I’m on the Encore right now and thought I’d share a tip (might have been shared before) for giving your whole cabin internet. I’m using my wireless travel router to share my connection (we upgraded to the FAS+ so have 2 unlimited) to the cabin with the same SSID (network name) we have at home. So the kids are able to log in without my credentials and do their homework on their chromebooks. It’s not hard to do, but if you’re not tech savvy it might be (I write software for a living…) Just thought I’d throw it out there for those who know how to use a travel router that it does work! I’m using a tp-link AC750 I’ve had for several years. Only around $40 on Amazon.

I really don't see any difference between using a router to share internet than using a drink package to share drinks.

23 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said: I really don't see any difference between using a router to share internet than using a drink package to share drinks.

Not necessarily, you are allowed to share internet with as many people as you want with only one sign on at a time. If someone leaves the cabin they have no internet since the router is using the sign on. The router is the one signed on using the internet regardless if those in the vicinity can access it. You can hotspot with your phone on land and it is perfectly legal.

The drink package is whole different type of purchase and can only be used by one person so yes, getting drinks for someone else without the package is a form of stealing but definitely not equal.

I am not technologically advanced so I couldn’t do this but I don’t see it as stealing.

53 minutes ago, RRSeeker said: Not necessarily, you are allowed to share internet with as many people as you want with only one sign on at a time. If someone leaves the cabin they have no internet since the router is using the sign on. The router is the one signed on using the internet regardless if those in the vicinity can access it. You can hotspot with your phone on land and it is perfectly legal. The drink package is whole different type of purchase and can only be used by one person so yes, getting drinks for someone else without the package is a form of stealing but definitely not equal. I am not technologically advanced so I couldn’t do this but I don’t see it as stealing.

If I understand you corrctly, one can share the internet as long as only one person at a time is using it?

Is that correct?

Yes, one device is accessing their internet. Multiple devices are accessing my device that is accessing their internet. Theirs terms and conditions are satisfied. They don’t disallow routers to be bright on board. Is it skirting the intent of their t&cs? Probably. I don’t think they’re losing any sleep about people doing this as it takes more sophistication than going up with someone’s card and ordering a drink.

I’m fine with it, if it goes against your moral compass I would encourage you to not do it. We all have our lines!

3 minutes ago, Grimix said: Yes, one device is accessing their internet. Multiple devices are accessing my device that is accessing their internet. Theirs terms and conditions are satisfied. They don’t disallow routers to be bright on board. Is it skirting the intent of their t&cs? Probably. I don’t think they’re losing any sleep about people doing this as it takes more sophistication than going up with someone’s card and ordering a drink. I’m fine with it, if it goes against your moral compass I would encourage you to not do it. We all have our lines!

I think some are using semantics to defend stealing.

If you want two or more to simulaneously access the internet, pay for two or more. Otherwise it's just like sharing a drink package.

And I disagree. That’s why we have lawyers. That aren’t specific enough about their rules and do not preclude the use of routers. Therefore it is their failure to correctly write their terms and conditions. People probably shouldn’t use iMessage to communicate with their families. NCL clearly wants people to pay 9.95 per device to communicate with each other. That is basically stealing from them as well.

18 hours ago, Grimix said: I’m on the Encore right now and thought I’d share a tip (might have been shared before) for giving your whole cabin internet. I’m using my wireless travel router to share my connection (we upgraded to the FAS+ so have 2 unlimited) to the cabin with the same SSID (network name) we have at home. So the kids are able to log in without my credentials and do their homework on their chromebooks. It’s not hard to do, but if you’re not tech savvy it might be (I write software for a living…) Just thought I’d throw it out there for those who know how to use a travel router that it does work! I’m using a tp-link AC750 I’ve had for several years. Only around $40 on Amazon.

Thanks for the tip! I'm just trying to figure out how to do this. What is the benefit of this over just using your phone or laptop as a hotspot for the others in the cabin to use?

ChiefMateJRK

Would making your iPhone a hotspot accomplish the same thing?

18 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: Would making your iPhone a hotspot accomplish the same thing?

I did that on the Getaway in January. I used my iPhone as a hotspot, to long of a story by I had to get on the internet using both my iphone and MacBook and the hotspot worked. I was told it would not but it did

fastpitchdad

21 hours ago, Grimix said: Yeap, originally bought it because I got tired of calling hotel IT numbers to get my Apple TV whitelisted. (They finally allowed it to connect to captive networks.) The internet still sucks on board. I can’t use enough internet bits to get my moneys worth either way. 🙂

You could have just cloned the MAC address 😉

On 10/2/2023 at 5:41 PM, RocketMan275 said: I really don't see any difference between using a router to share internet than using a drink package to share drinks.

warning: gross and disgusting explanation follows. Stop reading. To make your sharing analogy more precise, this would be if you drank the drink to be shared and then mama bird regurgitated it into the person’s mouth who didn’t have the drink package. Hmmm would that violate the terms of the drink package?

21 minutes ago, blutfort said: would that violate the terms of the drink package?

Stealing is stealing.

Cruising Lynne

On 10/2/2023 at 7:15 PM, Grimix said: Yes, one device is accessing their internet. Multiple devices are accessing my device that is accessing their internet. Theirs terms and conditions are satisfied. They don’t disallow routers to be bright on board. Is it skirting the intent of their t&cs? Probably. I don’t think they’re losing any sleep about people doing this as it takes more sophistication than going up with someone’s card and ordering a drink. I’m fine with it, if it goes against your moral compass I would encourage you to not do it. We all have our lines!

If I do not have unlimited internet, how goes it count the minutes? Do they start ticking down once the first device that isn't the router logs on?

I am not that tech savvy, but my husband is. We usually take turns going on line when we are cruising, but it would be better if we could go on line at the same time. Sometimes we just want to quickly check a few things before bed at night or before venturing out for the day.

26 minutes ago, Cruising Lynne said: If I do not have unlimited internet, how goes it count the minutes? Do they start ticking down once the first device that isn't the router logs on?

It counts based on when you've logged into the internet. If you're using a router to allow more than one device to connect through only one internet plan then the device acting as the router signing into the internet starts the clock.