BIG ANNOUNCMENT Cellular & Internet

[Kissimmee]

Just got off the phone and the Magic is scheduled to go live with ship-wide wireless INTERNET and (stateroom only) Cellular service May 12Th for the Transatlantic Crossing

Cellular service will include

Cingular / ATT
T-Mobile
Sprint

(She did not mention Verizon and I forgot to ask)

The rates will be whatever your specific carrier's international roaming rate is. Disney does not charge for this service. Their arraignment is directly with the Carriers.

Correction : It is not the Int. Roaming rate as I was told by the Disney Rep... each Carrier has a ship specific rate and you need to ask your carrier what that is for your phone. My T-Mobile seems to be $4.95/min on all ships.


It is important that you activate international roaming before you cruise as it may not be possible from on board for some carriers. i.e. the system won't even see your phone unless it is activated.

 

[goofyforlife]

I was looking at Cingular's website and they have a special cruise ship international roaming rate and list a bunch of ships.... Oh course Disney isn't there yet but probably would be added once the system is up.

The rate listed was $1.69 per minute... (yikes but cheaper than ship to shore rates)

 

[daipp]

This is excellent news !! I always take my phone on holidays with me as I like to keep in touch with work and family in the UK.

On the Southern Caribbean last year I remember struggling to have a conversation in Barbados docks as there was so much noise - now I can speak in the comfort of the ship.

David

 

[SamIAm21]

Wow, that's great news. I remember trying to make a call from my cell in 2003 in Cozumel. Cingular promised me it would work from there, but it didn't. Having the ability to get in contact with family or work is always a benefit. You can never tell what might happen.

 

[tvguy]

Thank goodness the cell phones are in stateroom only. Cell phones ringing around me all over the ship would be far more annoying that smokers.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Thank goodness the cell phones are in stateroom only. Cell phones ringing around me all over the ship would be far more annoying that smokers.

Here, Here!!

 

[eva]

Thank goodness the cell phones are in stateroom only. Cell phones ringing around me all over the ship would be far more annoying that smokers.

Couldn't agree more! Glad to hear that phones won't be going off all over the ship.

 

[misseulalie]

Important info!!!

Remember that if someone calls YOU and even if you don't pick it up; if it goes to voicemail you will still be charged. So leave your phones off, or warn EVERYONE not to call you.

 

[ReggieB]

Just want to clarify something. Does this mean from now on ANY Magic cruise you will be able to use wifi and cell phone, or is it just for the Med and crossings cruises? TIA

 

[Stephieann]

What about on the WONDER?

 

[cruisinluver]

I think I would rather have a group of teenagers all gathered round the Hookah on their balcony than listen to someone yap on their cellphone for hours on end.

"Can you hear me now?"

"Guess where I am calling you from?"

"No honey, my wife has no idea about you, stop being so paranoid!!!"

 

[winotracy]

This will be on the Magic starting with the Med crossing and continuing for future cruises. It will be on the Wonder later this summer.

 

[AhoyCaptainMickey]

great news. thanks for the update.

 

[LiserAnn]

Just got off the phone and the Magic is scheduled to go live with ship-wide wireless INTERNET and (stateroom only) Cellular service May 12Th for the Transatlantic Crossing

Any idea on what they'll be charging for the WIFI internet?

 

[Sandaneli]

Did I see somewhere that the cellphones will only work in the rooms? Hearing phones is not my idea of a relaxing time on a cruise. I love not having phones ring.

 

[auntsue1]

Just got off the phone and the Magic is scheduled to go live with ship-wide wireless INTERNET and (stateroom only) Cellular service May 12Th for the Transatlantic Crossing

Cellular service will include

Cingular / ATT
T-Mobile
Sprint

(She did not mention Verizon and I forgot to ask)

The rates will be whatever your specific carrier's international roaming rate is. Disney does not charge for this service. Their arraignment is directly with the Carriers.

Correction : It is not the Int. Roaming rate as I was told by the Disney Rep... each Carrier has a ship specific rate and you need to ask your carrier what that is for your phone. My T-Mobile seems to be $4.95/min on all ships.


It is important that you activate international roaming before you cruise as it may not be possible from on board for some carriers. i.e. the system won't even see your phone unless it is activated.

Wow!!! This is GREAT news! I'm glad about the cell phones. Don't care to hear them ringing all over the ship. Good point about leaving them off!

 

[Poconos to Disney]

I can't stand to hear cell phones going off when I'm not on Vacation!!!!

I was soo glad my DH phone didn't work the entire time we were gone , at least not until we got back near FL coast!!

It was peaceful!!! I guess peace no more!!

 

[Kissimmee]

Just want to clarify something. Does this mean from now on ANY Magic cruise you will be able to use wifi and cell phone, or is it just for the Med and crossings cruises? TIA

All future cruises I'm sure. I expect the Wonder is also converting or converted although that is just my guess.

 

[MyLove4Disney]

Sorry, but how do they make the wireless cell signal only work in the cabins, is there some signal descrambler once you step out side of your cabin?

 

[Kissimmee]

Sorry, but how do they make the wireless cell signal only work in the cabins, is there some signal descrambler once you step out side of your cabin?

The ship is essentially all metal so that each room is a Faraday Cage i.e. block all radio signals. I suspect they will work on verandas and there are likely to be spots on some decks where a signal will reach but the majority of the ship will be signal free.