At sea at 180 day mark - tips?

[WishUponAStarryNight]

It looks like we'll be at sea on our 180 day mark for ADRs at WDW. I can ask my TA to make my reservations, but I'm a bit of a control freak. How well does the ship internet work? The WDW site isn't super reliable as it is and I'm afraid that being at sea will only complicate things further. Any thoughts on how to best go about making ADRs? There's no service on board to manage other Disney vacation matters, correct? Sure would be nice if there was! Thanks for your help.

 

[Marc D]

The reliability of the Internet depends on four factors :

1 -Where the ship is in the world (middle of the ocean vs bottom of a Norwegian fjords)
2- Access to the satellite
3- Number of people using the satellite feed at the time
4- The quality of the wifi signal

You can truly only control number 3 & 4. I find that some public spaces, like the Promenade Lounge on Wonder and Magic, often provide better signal than what you get inside your stateroom. Last time, my balcony seemed better than the room itself. Do some experimenting.

You do not mention mention where you'll be the day of, but if you are in the Bahamas or the Caribbean, location on the globe should not have an impact. In Alaska or Norway, it will since you are often sailing at the bottom of cliffs that block the signal.

About number 3, I imagine you'll want to be online at midnight ? If so, it should be one of the least busy time of the day.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

Thanks for your input! We'll be at sea, likely off the coast of the Carolinas or Georgia on our way to CC from NY so it sounds like the signal won't be an issue. ADRs open up at 6am, so it could be a time when folks are trying to take care of work-related tasks before the day starts, or it could be quiet. We'll see!

 

[jonslawiu]

At least on the Fantasy and Dream the internet was strong enough for me to remote in to my office (i know, sacrilege to work during a cruise). Typically one of the cafe's has great signal (Cove Cafe for me). Just make sure you buy the internet package ahead of time!

 

[Marc D]

ADRs open up at 6am, so it could be a time when folks are trying to take care of work-related tasks before the day starts, or it could be quiet. We'll see!

In my experience, 6AM on a sea day is QUIET time. I'm always up at that time to go to the gym or walk the upper decks and I often do not meet a single guest until at least 7 or 8 AM. Even Cabana's is quiet around 8AM on sea days. I can't imagine people are in their staterooms working on spreadsheets in bed...

 

[moosecrouse]

You'd have to purchase the Internet package to access WiFi. I'd personally have my TA or trusted friend or family do it for me. You'd be able to to call the day you're in PC to confirm everything. Imagine how frustrating it is to do it online when your home on multiply that by 10

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

One other thing that MIGHT work. Go to guest services and ask them if you can use their phone to call Disney. Their phone is not perfect, but it is more reliable than the wi-fi. They let me use their phone to call my credit card company; they may well let you use it to call their own sister company. Worth a try. Might be more reliable than the internet on the ship.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

You'd be able to to call the day you're in PC to confirm everything.

I was thinking that might work. And if there's anything that didn't come through, I'll be in WDW and might be able to work things out there.

 

[Dug720]

One other thing that MIGHT work. Go to guest services and ask them if you can use their phone to call Disney. Their phone is not perfect, but it is more reliable than the wi-fi. They let me use their phone to call my credit card company; they may well let you use it to call their own sister company. Worth a try. Might be more reliable than the internet on the ship.

Possible, but I would be very surprised. A credit card company that has blocked a card is one thing - DCL wants their money.

But I can just imagine if they let someone do that to make ADRs. Exactly what happened to dropping things off to be signed. They have limited phones and cannot be tying them up for people to make their ADRs.

 

[lanejudy]

You'd have to purchase the Internet package to access WiFi.

There should be free access to the WDW (any Disney owned) website from onboard. But free or on the wifi package, it could be slow or spotty depending on location and circumstances.

OP, I'd let the TA handle it for you. Or if you aren't trying for ADRs that might book up quickly (such as CRT), you could take your chances doing it after the cruise. Or try from onboard if it doesn't conflict with your cruise plans that day.

Enjoy your vacations!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I'd get the TA to do the ones that book quickly and the ones I have time to do, wait until I'm home. There are a lot of restaurants that you can wait to book. It's only a few that must be booked at 180. Just give her your options and the order, like: Book CRT first - this time or half hour either way from that, otherwise, this day and time. Then book BOG at this time.... etc.

Good luck.

 

[lumpyspace]

I used the MDE app and booked everything while sitting in the hallway at 3am on the Wonder (we were sailing out of San Diego). I used the free 50MB package and had just enough to get all of my dining booked. Having my card already linked to my MDE account helped immensely and allowed me to make my reservations quickly.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

I used the MDE app and booked everything while sitting in the hallway at 3am on the Wonder (we were sailing out of San Diego). I used the free 50MB package and had just enough to get all of my dining booked. Having my card already linked to my MDE account helped immensely and allowed me to make my reservations quickly.

Good to know! Very helpful.