Anyone know what Cruiseline offers the cheapest Internet access onboard or preferably in cabin?

What difference would that make? At best you may save a dollar to two. I have only seen Internet access in public areas on the ship. I am guessing that all the steel in the ship would make it difficult to get wireless into the cabins. But I wouldn't think that you would choice a cruise based on cheapest internet service.

The cruise line I cruise most often (and I'm assuming all cruise lines do this) offers free internet after x amount of cruising nights. It's part of their loyalty program just like the airlines offering free upgrades etc. It's a nice perk to get repeat passengers.

Also, on their ships there is wifi through out the entire ship so we bring our laptop for cabin convenience. I'm guessing most all of the cruiselines now have wifi or will shortly.

There is no cheap internet on a cruise.
Best bet is to use internet cafe when in ports. Use the hop on hop off method.
Down load email hop off write replies take care of business hop back on upload and be done. Ships net IMHE has been at dialup speeds.

I would need to work online (software development work, VPN access) for 3-4 hours per day so I guess cost is an issue?

Or perhaps it isn't? Is there a comparison available somewhere?

I just assumed that the Cruise companies were charging a dollar a minute or something amounting to that.