DCL Fantasy Navigator s Finally Goes Hi-Tech

[RonMan2]

Thanks for the information. I've downloaded it for my Christmas cruise.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I don't know about the iOS version, but my android phone just got an update, and the app now has a countdown timer.

Cool!

 

[erionm]

I don't know about the iOS version, but my android phone just got an update, and the app now has a countdown timer.

Cool!

An update for the iOS version has not yet hit the Apple app store.

 

[taswira]

I don't know about the iOS version, but my android phone just got an update, and the app now has a countdown timer.

Cool!

I love it!

 

[minniemouse1]

Downloaded mine! Can't wait to use it. Showed it to DH and he said "its about time" but he wants it to work now so he can see what is happening on the fantasy today!

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

I'm afraid my phone plan's roaming will automatically kick in if I turn my phone on. How could you use this app without having that happen???

Turn the phone to airplane mode before you leave, shut it off and back on to see if airplane mode stays on. Then when you are at port switch it to airplane mode before you board or before you leave dock.

 

[soler]

Wow, this is really neat, thanks for posting!

 

[DIScover]

Downloaded mine! Can't wait to use it. Showed it to DH and he said "its about time" but he wants it to work now so he can see what is happening on the fantasy today!

Yeah, that would be nice to have access in real-time the ship's activities; but sadly, the app is an empty shell until you are able to have access to the DCL-GUEST Wi-Fi network which accessible only at the cruise terminal in P.C. and on the ship. Only then will it populate the navigator information.

I have no idea why the information is not made available to the public; especially since all the information is digital now. This is not unlike the WDW Mobile App, while it provides some functionality. However, some of the detail is only accessible once you are in close proximity to one of the WDW Parks or Resorts.

If I were to guess, (and I think I am a pretty good guesser) I would wager that the main reasons for limiting access to the rest of the "wish we were on a Disney Cruise right now population" is due to network and system performance; coupled with a touch of privacy, security and compliance.

DIScover

 

[bobyetman]

Yeah, that would be nice to have access in real-time the ship's activities; but sadly, the app is an empty shell until you are able to have access to the DCL-GUEST Wi-Fi network which accessible only at the cruise terminal in P.C. and on the ship. Only then will it populate the navigator information.

I have no idea why the information is not made available to the public; especially since all the information is digital now. This is not unlike the WDW Mobile App, while it provides some functionality. However, some of the detail is only accessible once you are in close proximity to one of the WDW Parks or Resorts.

If I were to guess, (and I think I am a pretty good guesser) I would wager that the main reasons for limiting access to the rest of the "wish we were on a Disney Cruise right now population" is due to network and system performance; coupled with a touch of privacy, security and compliance.

DIScover

I suspect the answer is much simpler than that. The app is designed to show the activities for a single ship/navigator at a time, which is info typically only available on the ship (at sea) when the navigators are published by the crew on the ship.

Now, could they re-work the app to push the navigators back to shore, and let us land-lubbers pick and choose which one we want to drool over? Yes, they surely could. But that's not the purpose of the app. The purpose is (1) make it easier for the guests on the ship, and (2) to save printing costs on the ship.

I would love to see DCL release PDFs of the Navigators for all the ships/cruises.

 

[tinkagem]

Awesome thread. Boarding the Magic in Sept 2015 for the 11 night transatlantic...cannot wait. Would love to see more screenshots....if anyone happens to board before me and wants to tickle the tastebuds of us Disney Dreamers

 

[DIScover]

Awesome thread. Boarding the Magic in Sept 2015 for the 11 night transatlantic...cannot wait. Would love to see more screenshots....if anyone happens to board before me and wants to tickle the tastebuds of us Disney Dreamers

Just returned from a quick 3-day get-a-way on the Dream. The app has not changed as far as look and feel; but I think the imagineers were listening (or reading my suggestions). The newest version of the app now includes text messaging over the ships wi-if (very very cool). We no longer needed to use the ships wave phones...let's face it typing letters and words using a 10-digit number key pad was a real pain.

When you download (or update to the latest version of) the app, there is a new icon in the upper right-hand corner that looks like a little chat symbol (balloon callout). With your mobile device you simply register your device by providing your name, and birthdate. Make sure it matches the ship's information...they are using this to ensure that you are you.

When you successfully register, other members of your party (assigned to your state room) will appear with indicators on whether your party members have registered or not. If they have successfully registered, the party listing will have a label "available to chat".

The chat works almost identically to the I-device chat application. You may also provide other guest outside your stateroom the ability to chat by providing them a unique 6 or 7 digit registration number. This feature is very handy when parties span across multiple staterooms, and when you make new friends while on board.

On of the neat tricks I learned to use with the app is texting my DW an activity and time... Just like the i-Device chat application, whn time was texted, the time was underlined which would allow for the link to create a calendar entry on the mobile device... Although not as seamless as providing a link on an activity page to create a calendar entry (one of my suggestions --at the end of my original post (this post) for those that live by the mobile devices calendar capabilities (think alarms and reminders) this was a nice work-around.

For parties that allow their party members under 12 use of their own mobile devices, special permission must be granted by the primary stateroom member. When a minor enters in their name and birthday --remember the app will reconcile the passenger information on the ships registry-- (sorry kids no fudging the date to bypass the age restriction) they will receive a message stating the app permission must be granted by the primary stateroom member. Fudging any portion of the name or age will receive a message that the passenger is not listed. My DD (9) wanted to use the chat with her DS. I tried to grant her permission, but I could not. Since my DW is listed as the head, once she registered for the app, the chat app asked her if she wanted to register our minor. This prevents older siblings from bypassing primary stateroom member permission.

I hope this update has provided some additional insight to the app's capabilities. I am looking forward to the imagineers future updates and hope they include some of my other suggestions. And, if anyone is cruising the 3-day on the Dream (Jan 16, 2015) or 7-day on the Fantasy (March 14, 2015)... I'll be happy to chat with you.

 

[NC DCL fans]

Thanks for the updates! The app was great last summer on the Fantasy. We can't wait to try the new chat function when we sail on the Fantasy this summer! If anyone can update us on how far the app has come on the Magic and Wonder, please do! We are really, really hoping the chat function will be on the Wonder for the Hawaii cruise September 2015!

 

[Coldflame]

Awesome thread. Boarding the Magic in Sept 2015 for the 11 night transatlantic...cannot wait. Would love to see more screenshots....if anyone happens to board before me and wants to tickle the tastebuds of us Disney Dreamers

We used it this cruise we disembarked today out of. It's definitely an improvement over the wave phones (for texting) but that, imo, also has the negative of having to carry your smart phone with you at all times increasing the risk of screen damage, water damage, sitting-on-it damage, loss, etc. And also, if you're the type that likes to "disconnect" and chillax while you're cruising having you smart device with you is just too much temptation to get on the net and check your email/social networks.

 

[SailorJen]

Just wondering if u can text in another language other than English.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

We used it this cruise we disembarked today out of. It's definitely an improvement over the wave phones (for texting) but that, imo, also has the negative of having to carry your smart phone with you at all times increasing the risk of screen damage, water damage, sitting-on-it damage, loss, etc. And also, if you're the type that likes to "disconnect" and chillax while you're cruising having you smart device with you is just too much temptation to get on the net and check your email/social networks.

A vacation for me is also a vacation from electronics: phones, computers, or anything besides enjoy each other's company

 

[scrappinginontario]

Another question about the chat feature. Can the staff in the Oceaneer's Club and Lab now send a text if they need you or do you still need to carry a wave phone in case they need to contact you?

 

[moremouse]

I might have missed it in reading, but does it show the ships time on it at whatever port you're at?

 

[KristiMc]

Another question about the chat feature. Can the staff in the Oceaneer's Club and Lab now send a text if they need you or do you still need to carry a wave phone in case they need to contact you?

I have read on other threads that you still have to use the Wave phone for communication from the Club/Lab.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I have read on other threads that you still have to use the Wave phone for communication from the Club/Lab.

Thanks KristiMc. Hopefully this is an upgrade that they make in the future!

 

[mcd2745]

I have read on other threads that you still have to use the Wave phone for communication from the Club/Lab.

Thanks KristiMc. Hopefully this is an upgrade that they make in the future!

You'd have to assume so. I think they would like to get rid of the wave phones (and any costs associated with them) as soon as possible.