Plan to disconnect, however... - The DIS Discussion Forums

NCConch · 01-20-2013, 10:26 AM

I plan to have my family of four disconnect for our quick 4-day cruise meaning no contact with the "real world" via phone or other electronic devices. However, what if the "real world" needs to contact us? Will there be number for them to call the ship as they would a hotel?

kcashner · 01-20-2013, 10:36 AM

Your documents will include a page of tear out perforated cards with the ship's emergency contact info printed on it. This is a ship to shore line that costs $7 per minute and they will need a credit card to use it.

I honestly do not give out this number. Many times, I don't even tell extended family that we are going on a cruise. Reality is that there is essentially nothing that could happen that I could do anything about while I was on the ship; I may as well enjoy my vacation stress free and hear about any "disasters" when I get home. The flip side of that is that I'm cruising with the family members that I could do something about. But then, each family situation is different.

lbgraves · 01-20-2013, 11:55 AM

We did the same thing even with family in poor health. We were going on the cruise to get away and destress from that. There was nothing that couldn't wait until we returned.

jdb in AZ · 01-20-2013, 12:09 PM

When my DMIL's mother was 106 yrs young, three of her "kids" decided to cruise europe. We did have an emergency contact number for them, but they figured if grandma passed on, the mortuary could keep her on ice til they got back. (She lived another three years.)

A few years ago DH and I were sailing out of Boston harbor to begin a ten-day cruise when our DD called our cell phone, having a meltdown over a minor fender bender, and actually wanted us to come home. um, hullo? DH told her to call her uncle and/or grandma. DD learned some coping skills. I was ready to throw the phone overboard.

On a cruise last fall, some people on board were from the New Jersey coast, which was being pummelled by Sandy. They decided not to call the neighbors to see if there was anything left. There really wasn't anything they could do til they got home, so they figured they might as well just enjoy their vacation (as best they could.)

I firmly believe that getting away from it all means getting away from it all.

cruisecrasher · 01-20-2013, 12:21 PM

The one exception is when DH and I cruise and leave our preschoolers with the grandparents. Then we leave them the contact info on the understanding she will only call if there is a real emergency.

NCConch · 01-20-2013, 01:14 PM

Thanks for all of the sage advice.

Meghatron · 01-20-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCConch

I plan to have my family of four disconnect for our quick 4-day cruise meaning no contact with the "real world" via phone or other electronic devices. However, what if the "real world" needs to contact us? Will there be number for them to call the ship as they would a hotel?

We left DD with my in-laws for our honeymoon. Gave them the emergency contact card. We found out after the fact that she had started vomiting before we'd even sailed, and they kept it to themselves so we wouldn't worry or try to cancel the trip. Having reared three kids, two of whom I respect a lot and the third I chose to marry, they were quite capable of handling a sick toddler for a week and frankly, that time alone was easily one of the best gifts they've ever given us.

Now we cruise specifically to disconnect.

SuperDry · 01-20-2013, 08:10 PM

Another option is text message. Set your cellphone's call forwarding so it goes directly to voice mail so it doesn't ring, then leave it on during your cruise. You'll receive text messages whether in port or at sea and can respond or ignore as you see fit. Best of all, it's incredibly cheap. With AT&T, if you have a text plan at home, it's completely free to receive texts on the cruise, even when at sea on the ship's system. That is, the total cost per received text is $0. I heard that Verizon charges $0.05/text. Now, sending a text will cost you $0.50, but you'd only do that in an emergency.

01-20-2013, 10:26 AM	#1
NCConch Earning My Ears Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Mooresville (Race City), NC Posts: 69	Plan to disconnect, however... I plan to have my family of four disconnect for our quick 4-day cruise meaning no contact with the "real world" via phone or other electronic devices. However, what if the "real world" needs to contact us? Will there be number for them to call the ship as they would a hotel? __________________ Dave (NCConch) Conklin

01-20-2013, 11:55 AM	#3
lbgraves Little Cinderella's Mommy The bad news is...they are driving me nuts!!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 44,820	We did the same thing even with family in poor health. We were going on the cruise to get away and destress from that. There was nothing that couldn't wait until we returned. __________________ Lisa Magic: E 11/15/2003, W 12/4/2004, E 12/10/2005, W 12/9/2006, EBPC 8/2008, W 1/8/2011 Wonder: 3N 1/11/2010, Alaska 7/26/11 Fantasy: MV 3/31/2012, E 3/23/2013

01-20-2013, 12:21 PM	#5
cruisecrasher Debt Free, Disney Bound Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 2,704	The one exception is when DH and I cruise and leave our preschoolers with the grandparents. Then we leave them the contact info on the understanding she will only call if there is a real emergency. __________________ Lorelei (Vegan); DH, Ben/KetchAggie (Omnivore); DS6, Chris (Gluten Free); DD4, Kylee (Dairy Free) Trip Report~Magic-al Texas Thanksgiving with the Mouse FE, Meetups, Rollcall for April 26 Magic Cruising to the Kingdom Y'all Come Back Now January 4, 2014 Wonder

01-20-2013, 01:14 PM	#6
NCConch Earning My Ears Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Mooresville (Race City), NC Posts: 69	Thanks Thanks for all of the sage advice. __________________ Dave (NCConch) Conklin

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01-20-2013, 10:36 AM	#2
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	Your documents will include a page of tear out perforated cards with the ship's emergency contact info printed on it. This is a ship to shore line that costs $7 per minute and they will need a credit card to use it. I honestly do not give out this number. Many times, I don't even tell extended family that we are going on a cruise. Reality is that there is essentially nothing that could happen that I could do anything about while I was on the ship; I may as well enjoy my vacation stress free and hear about any "disasters" when I get home. The flip side of that is that I'm cruising with the family members that I could do something about. But then, each family situation is different.

01-20-2013, 12:09 PM	#4
jdb in AZ It could end up curdled Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,351	When my DMIL's mother was 106 yrs young, three of her "kids" decided to cruise europe. We did have an emergency contact number for them, but they figured if grandma passed on, the mortuary could keep her on ice til they got back. (She lived another three years.) A few years ago DH and I were sailing out of Boston harbor to begin a ten-day cruise when our DD called our cell phone, having a meltdown over a minor fender bender, and actually wanted us to come home. um, hullo? DH told her to call her uncle and/or grandma. DD learned some coping skills. I was ready to throw the phone overboard. On a cruise last fall, some people on board were from the New Jersey coast, which was being pummelled by Sandy. They decided not to call the neighbors to see if there was anything left. There really wasn't anything they could do til they got home, so they figured they might as well just enjoy their vacation (as best they could.) I firmly believe that getting away from it all means getting away from it all.

01-20-2013, 08:10 PM	#8
SuperDry Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 70	Another option is text message. Set your cellphone's call forwarding so it goes directly to voice mail so it doesn't ring, then leave it on during your cruise. You'll receive text messages whether in port or at sea and can respond or ignore as you see fit. Best of all, it's incredibly cheap. With AT&T, if you have a text plan at home, it's completely free to receive texts on the cruise, even when at sea on the ship's system. That is, the total cost per received text is $0. I heard that Verizon charges $0.05/text. Now, sending a text will cost you $0.50, but you'd only do that in an emergency.