cell phone service

[goofyrocks88]

Are u able to use your own cell phone service on the ship for emails, texts, or calls? Or does Disney just want you to use their service?

 

[lanejudy]

All cell phone service onboard the ship is through Cellular At Sea. Charges are something like $2.50 per minute for calls and $0.50 for texts (I'm sure someone will correct me if that's wrong). While docked in port, you may be able to pick up a local signal if you have international service. Charges based on your specific carrier and plan.

You may text onboard through the DCL Navigator app for free.
You may call onboard using the wavephones for free.
There is usually a 50MB data package offered on embarkation day for free, with other packages available for purchase.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• depends on where you are. On my Alaskan trip, I was able to get land signals in the Inside Passage and near ports.
• disable roaming or go to manual carrier selection to avoid Cellular at Sea
• Getting a wifi/internet package, we were able to keep in touch with smartphone messaging services (we used BBM).

 

[cedricandsophie]

Do not use email through your carriers assuming there is service along the way. Disable your data for rme wry thing. It's very expensive because you use lots of data. I know from bad experiences and 500 dollar mistake. Instead use onboard wifi for texting and email. And use Skype via wifi for calls. Costs pennies. Just download the Skype app before you leave and put a few dollars on your account for the calls. We do it all the time, without video, simply as a phone. Both on my iPhone and iPad. Works great