Is texting from the ship possible?

[CT15]

Once again I turn to the Disboard brains!! Help me Disboard you're my only hope! I keep getting conflicting information. We are taking the western Caribbean cruise on the Magic soon, and I need to text home to check-in, but only a couple of times a day. What is my best option? I 'd like to be able to text on the days at sea too. Can this be done with out taking out a second mortgage?
I heard about Whats App- but that you need to buy the ships WiFi plan- but that you need to turn off data.. and it just got me very confused!! any help on this would be MUCH appreciated.
thanks!

 

[MamaBear58]

It totally depends upon how strong the WiFi, and, if you purchase an international plan from your provider, data, is on any given day in any given place. Other than the free 50 MG that you can get the first day,you will need to pay for the WiFi package because Disney's app isn't going to let you text home.

We had dead spots all over the Fantasy, including in our cabin. The Internet desk will tell you the best places on the ship to pick up the WiFi if you purchase it...it is by no means good all over the ship, which I find a little dishonest. In our case it was a huge issue because I couldn't check e-mails or surf the web from my own cabin. I don't know that I'd purchase it again.

 

[Patsydust]

Just got off cruise in Feb. Texting is possible. You can buy data plans on ship. You can pay for for increments of data or pay as you go. I started small because I needed to download a book! Ha ha, I was desperate! Then of course when I logged in I started getting all the texts from earlier in the week and updates and notifications and I was extremely worried it suck up all my data I just purchased, but it was fine. $19.99 let me take care of a great deal of business! So it's no sweat!

btw: The whole turning off the data etc has more to do with their app and texting on ship to fellow cruisers. I just turned the wifi on like usual and used the data. It was easy breezy for me, but I know different folks have different experiences. Tbh I had more difficulties with their on board app then I did regular wifi to connect to the world outside the ship! ;P

 

[cruisehopeful]

I texted by using my normal Tmobile plan. It was $5./per text.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You can text without buying the wifi package using something called Cellular at Sea...but it will cost you.

 

[plutolovr]

If you have I-Phones and wi-fi, you can do I-Message which uses the Wi-Fi and not cellular service.

 

[WalkersMom]

We used the Disney Cruise app and could text through that to other people who have the app. You don't get a notification but the app is great! It's a navigator on your phone and has all the daily stuff, character times, menus, etc.

 

[Jestocost]

The Disney Cruise app only works for texting others on the same ship who also are running the app. The plus is that it does not require a paid WiFi package or that you use your cellular service.

You do have three basic options for texting to those off of the ship:

1. Pay as you go (generally 50 cents per text for outgoing texts with free incoming texts) by using the ship-based Cellular at Sea service. You will have to be careful to have your settings right to avoid a bunch of other stuff being pushed to your phone (emails, app updates, etc.) as those are charged by the KB and can be quite expensive. You also can make phone calls using this service at around $2.99 per minute. If you are only going to make a few texts and don't have any needs for other data services this probably will be the cheapest option. I believe that this only works for actual text; you can't send photos or anything additional.
2. Purchase a package from your home cell phone provider that will allow you to make calls and use data, including texts, up to a certain limit. You'll need to check with your cell phone carrier for details.
3. Use the ship's WiFi to text without using cellular data services. If you sign up on the first day you get a 50 Mb starter package for free and if you only are sending a few texts that might be enough. If you need more data you can purchase it later. If everyone has iPhones, you can text away between the ship and the land using just WiFi and iMessage. If you have Android/Windows phones or a mix of iPhones and other phones you'll need a third-party texting app.

If you can make do by just texting in port there are usually places that offer free WiFi. Same issues outlined in #3 above would apply.

 

[CT15]

Thanks so much to all who have replied!! This is great _ I knew I could count on the Disboard folks to know!
Thanks So much!

 

[coloradocutie]

The Disney Cruise app only works for texting others on the same ship who also are running the app. The plus is that it does not require a paid WiFi package or that you use your cellular service.

You do have three basic options for texting to those off of the ship:

1. Pay as you go (generally 50 cents per text for outgoing texts with free incoming texts) by using the ship-based Cellular at Sea service. You will have to be careful to have your settings right to avoid a bunch of other stuff being pushed to your phone (emails, app updates, etc.) as those are charged by the KB and can be quite expensive. You also can make phone calls using this service at around $2.99 per minute. If you are only going to make a few texts and don't have any needs for other data services this probably will be the cheapest option. I believe that this only works for actual text; you can't send photos or anything additional.
2. Purchase a package from your home cell phone provider that will allow you to make calls and use data, including texts, up to a certain limit. You'll need to check with your cell phone carrier for details.
3. Use the ship's WiFi to text without using cellular data services. If you sign up on the first day you get a 50 Mb starter package for free and if you only are sending a few texts that might be enough. If you need more data you can purchase it later. If everyone has iPhones, you can text away between the ship and the land using just WiFi and iMessage. If you have Android/Windows phones or a mix of iPhones and other phones you'll need a third-party texting app.

If you can make do by just texting in port there are usually places that offer free WiFi. Same issues outlined in #3 above would apply.

Will these options work on a transatlantic cruise? (wonderful summary btw! Thanks!)

 

[bumbershoot]

If you have I-Phones and wi-fi, you can do I-Message which uses the Wi-Fi and not cellular service.

But that doesn't use the free wifi that the Navigator app uses, to be clear. It will be the paid wifi or you'll need to wait until you're in port and at a place with free wifi.

 

[cargo13]

DCL also provides 2 phones for onboard calls. Its very helpful when your kids are in the Club and your logistics start to change.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I always get the ship wifi and use iMessage for texting home if needed. Also if you want to make phone calls we use Skype and use it for voice calls only. It works great

I've found the Magic to have much better wifi than the fantasy or dream.

Also on our last cruise in jan to the southern carribbean every time I wrnt ashore verizon offered me a plan for 10 a day that covered texting, calling and data just like it would at home. So no extra charges for calls or texts and used my data plan limits. I found it very useful for 10.