I can only answer the wifi question...still have to pay. The smallest package was 45 min for 29.00. I think the 8 hr package was like 179.00. There are fun hub stations set up all over the boat. It's like Myspace for the current cruisers on the ship. Only walked thru Casino..didn't stop.
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Disney Wonder 04/02
Carnival Pride 12/02
Mariner of the Seas 03/04
Carnival Celebration 03/06
Carnival Fantasy 12/06
Carnival Fantasy 04/07
Carnival Glory 10/07
Carnival Fantasy Jan 2008
Carnival Fascination Oct 2008
Carnival Holiday April 2009
Carnival Dream Dec 2009
Carnival Triumph Jan 2010
Carnival Dream May 2010
Carnival Elation Jan 2011
Carnival Triumph May 2011
Carnival Fascination Feb 2012
Carnival Conquest 12/09/12
If you really need to keep in touch via internet you might still want to take your own laptop. I took my mini netbook on our Italy cruise in October (on the Dream) and while everyone on the ship was having problems with the ship's computers, mine worked great - anywhere on board. I also like having my own computer with me to download pictures and so I can type my messages in Word before logging on with Carnival's expensive minutes. Once I log on, I can either do an attachment to my pre-typed document or do a copy and paste to the email. I can also check my emails and, log off, type up a response, then log back on and paste or attach the response. This saves me a lot of on the clock minutes.
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Been there - done that:
2003 Holiday
2004 Fantasy
2005 Holiday, Sensation, Conquest,
2006 Conquest, Celebration, Holiday,
2007 Freedom Grand Med, Holiday
2008 Fantasy & Sensation,
2009 Fantasy, Holiday & Dream Grand Med
2010 Fantasy and B2B Elation
2011 Monarch of the Seas
2012 Booked - Breeze from Barcelona 12 days