Best way to communicate with home when on the ship

[mrsgthatsme]

Normally, cruising is all about unplugging for me, but this trip, we will be leaving our dog with a petsitter for the first time. I would like to be able to communicate with her periodically throughout the trip just to ease my mind that he is doing ok. What is the best/easiest way to communicate while on the ship? I don't think our petsitter has an iPhone so I don't think iMessage will be an option. I have heard some people mention WhatsApp? Would I need to pay for wifi in order to use this? Would it work while at sea, or only at ports? Is this the best option or are there other good options that you have used? Thanks!

 

[happycamper47]

WhatsApp works with out buying the wifi package so does "I"message. You both need WhatsApp on your phones. Most phone carriers have a $10/day package that lets you use your phone while in port for calls and messages. Verizon's is TravelPass.

 

[mrsgthatsme]

WhatsApp works with out buying the wifi package so does "I"message. You both need WhatsApp on your phones. Most phone carriers have a $10/day package that lets you use your phone while in port for calls and messages. Verizon's is TravelPass.

Thank you for the information! So we would need to pre purchase the travelpass package prior to cruising to use WhatsApp? Can it be used while at sea or just at port?

 

[erionm]

Thank you for the information! So we would need to pre purchase the travelpass package prior to cruising to use WhatsApp? Can it be used while at sea or just at port?

The Travel Pass will only work while the ship in docked in a foreign port. It needs to be added to each line on your cell plan that you want it for and you will only be charged on days you actually use your cell phone to make a call or use data while in a foreign country. The Travel Pass also works while docked at Castaway Cay.

While the ship is at sea, you can use WhatApp on the ships WiFi without needing to purchase a WiFi package.

 

[tvguy]

For quick checkins we have always just used the phone in the stateroom. Current rate is $6.95 minute. Our calls are a minute or two so it's cheaper than any of the internet packages.

 

[Disneygirlxo91]

WhatsApp worked on our last cruise iMessage went out after a day.

 

[onesam319]

I have never needed to contact anyone at home while at sea, but two options are good when you just get the free internet that they offer on the first day. It's not much data, but should be enough to use your email app or Facebook Messenger app to communicate with someone at home.

 

[sethschroeder]

For quick checkins we have always just used the phone in the stateroom. Current rate is $6.95 minute. Our calls are a minute or two so it's cheaper than any of the internet packages.

$10/day now for unlimited base internet is the way to go.

 

[tvguy]

$10/day now for unlimited base internet is the way to go.

Depends on your needs I guess.

 

[sethschroeder]

Depends on your needs I guess.

You said it's a min or two for your call.

That's $7-$14/call.

Flip side you can have internet for $10/day.

Now on internet side if there are further questions or and issue there is no further charge. If you phone call has an issue to discuss and it goes to 5 mins that's another $21.

Regarding a possible wifi call not sure if anyone has tested this or not as part of any of the Disney wifi since their pricing changes.

 

[mmouse37]

Are they still offering the free 50 mb the first day? I thought that went away with the new internet plans.....and is the new plan on all the ships now?

MJ

 

[Carohs]

Check with your phone carrier. My Verizon plan includes calls in Canada and Mexico. Data is included also but limited in Canada. Verizon also offers a pricey roaming plan for out at sea.

 

[tvguy]

You said it's a min or two for your call.

That's $7-$14/call.

Flip side you can have internet for $10/day.

Now on internet side if there are further questions or and issue there is no further charge. If you phone call has an issue to discuss and it goes to 5 mins that's another $21.

Regarding a possible wifi call not sure if anyone has tested this or not as part of any of the Disney wifi since their pricing changes.

Can you just buy the internet for a single day? But I prefer phone calls over an email or text exchange anyway*.
I haven't cruised since October 2019, so haven't had to deal with the transition to apps on ships. My phone stays in the safe in the stateroom during my cruises.
My mom was a frequent cruiser and she had a rule......"don't contact me while I am away on a cruise. I don't care who died, or if the house burned down, I will deal with it when I get home. Nothing I can do about it now". Except for the one cruise back in 1988 where we left our 18 month old son home with Grandma, we have never needed to, or wanted to contact anyone at home.

*I think my preference for phone calls, and my ability to make brief calls goes back to when cell phones were new, and every phone plan charged per minute for calls. 25 cents during the day, 15 cents 7 pm to 7 am. My mom always knew when I was calling from my cell phone........"On our way mom, bye:" was a typical call. No chit chat, LOL. And at work in those days we used to have to log every cell phone call, and why it was necessary. But we had two way radios still, and those were free.

 

[sethschroeder]

Can you just buy the internet for a single day? But I prefer phone calls over an email or text exchange anyway*.

Yes I believe you can.

If I wanted to do phone I would do it in port with the travel pass via cell service.

Would have to check with others but wifi calling might even work not sure.

 

[dina444444]

You said it's a min or two for your call.

That's $7-$14/call.

Flip side you can have internet for $10/day.

Now on internet side if there are further questions or and issue there is no further charge. If you phone call has an issue to discuss and it goes to 5 mins that's another $21.

Regarding a possible wifi call not sure if anyone has tested this or not as part of any of the Disney wifi since their pricing changes.

I was on the wish this past week and made phone calls with both regular Wi-Fi calling and using what’s app.

I paid for the mid tier internet that is $20/day.

 

[sethschroeder]

I was on the wish this past week and made phone calls with both regular Wi-Fi calling and using what’s app.

I paid for the mid tier internet that is $20/day.

Perfect wonder how the low tier works but it's good to know it works.

 

[teach22180]

I know this is a 2 year old thread, but I'm about to get on the Magic for my first cruise with wifi. Can you buy it on the app before you get on board? Thanks. I cannot find it anywhere!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I know this is a 2 year old thread, but I'm about to get on the Magic for my first cruise with wifi. Can you buy it on the app before you get on board? Thanks. I cannot find it anywhere!

I think it isn't available until you get to the port where you can actually access their wi-fi.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

On the Disney Cruise line app there is a menu that gives you all the details.
May only jive and give you the info once you are on board the ship.

DCL WIFI is notoriously expensive and poor quality so if their is something urgent at home family can call DCL for a message to be sent.

 

[dina444444]

I know this is a 2 year old thread, but I'm about to get on the Magic for my first cruise with wifi. Can you buy it on the app before you get on board? Thanks. I cannot find it anywhere!

You can only buy on the app once you are on board.

On the Disney Cruise line app there is a menu that gives you all the details.
May only jive and give you the info once you are on board the ship.

DCL WIFI is notoriously expensive and poor quality so if their is something urgent at home family can call DCL for a message to be sent.

The new wifi is at a day rate not by the mbs and it works well enough to check social media, emails, make phone calls etc.