Effective immediately, every stateroom and penthouse accommodation aboard the Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony is configured for dial-up Internet access via the rental of an onboard laptop computer.
This added convenience complements the around-the-clock cyber service available in the dedicated computer lab and other public areas, which offer more than 25 Compaq workstations, more computers per guest than any other cruise line. For in-stateroom use, guests may rent laptops for $5 per day, on which they can work with Microsoft Windows, create and read e-mail, and connect to the Internet. In addition to group instruction on every cruise, private tutoring is also available.
Computer University@Sea debuted in 1997, when Crystal Cruises became the first line to offer regularly scheduled computer instruction and e-mail capabilities. Due to the program`s overwhelming popularity, Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony added dedicated computer labs to each ship and the program was soon offered on all sailings. Depending on the length of the cruise, there are three to nine instructors teaching curricula ranging from Microsoft Windows and e-mail classes to more advanced subjects such as mastering spreadsheets and manipulating digital images. Crystal Cruises remains the only cruise line to offer computer instruction on every cruise. By 1999, Crystal Cruises increased private e-mail transmissions from once daily to four times a day, and began printing a personal e-mail address on each guest`s cruise ticket, which enables a traveller to leave personal contact information with family, friends and business associates before setting sail. Today, with the real time Internet connection, e-mails are sent instantly from Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony.
In 2000, several computers in Crystal`s Computer University@Sea labs were configured for Internet access to enable cruise guests to not only explore cyberspace, but also to send or retrieve e-mail instantly via their own Internet e-mail system or Internet service provider, including MSN, Yahoo, Earthlink and America Online. Guests also retain the option of sending/receiving e-mail through the ships` e-mail service.
Computer University@Sea charges depend on the guest`s service preference. Guests accessing their Internet-based e-mail or exploring cyberspace are charged $1.25 a minute, with a 10-minute minimum. As an alternative, e-mails sent or received via a guest`s personal shipboard e-mail address provided by Crystal Cruises cost $3 each. For both services, there is a nominal one-time set-up fee of $5. Printing, workshops and group instruction are complimentary.
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