Lack of cell use an issue for anyone?

[Stefani P.]

I just came back from DW with my 23 yo daughter.
She flipped out anytime she didn't have cell service.
We are booked on a cruise next year. I'm worrying that taking her may be a bad idea now.
Anyone have kids that are upset about not using phones?

 

[dcassetta]

I just came back from DW with my 23 yo daughter.
She flipped out anytime she didn't have cell service.
We are booked on a cruise next year. I'm worrying that taking her may be a bad idea now.
Anyone have kids that are upset about not using phones?

You can take me. I like that my phone does not work at sea!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

It can be an adjustment for sure. But I think most people find that they adjust pretty quickly. There is a lot to do on the ship and the time goes by pretty quickly. Unlike DW, service won't be cutting in and out, which can actually make it easier to stop missing it. Plus, before they know it they will be back at the airport and can "catch up" on what they missed, but by then they may be more interested in looking back at all the great stuff they just did.

Also, there are plenty of things you can still do with your phone. Take pictures, write up trip reports, use the Navigator to plan upcoming activities on the ship, or check out tomorrow's menu. Or send messages to other people you know on the ship so that you can meet up and do things together. We were a group of 9 and we chatted back and forth quite a bit about ideas of what to do, and mixing and matching in different groups to try different things.

I'd say it seems worse than it actually turns out to be, so the less they can think about it ahead of time, the better off they will be.

You have to work pretty hard to be upset on a cruise.

 

[MelSpees]

I frankly think it's a good thing. Being able to disconnect is something everyone should learn. I would think a great trip on a cruise would more than make up for it.

 

[gotomu212]

She’s 23 so she’s not a kid. All of the approaches I would use for kids wouldn’t really apply to an adult. Just tell her hey we won’t have any coverage on the cruise is that going to be okay for you and then don’t worry about how she reacts.

 

[Stefani P.]

You can take me. I like that my phone does not work at sea!

Right!? I look forward to unplugging and relaxing.

 

[Stefani P.]

She’s 23 so she’s not a kid. All of the approaches I would use for kids wouldn’t really apply to an adult. Just tell her hey we won’t have any coverage on the cruise is that going to be okay for you and then don’t worry about how she reacts.

Kid as in, someone you birthed. My kid. My child. Whatever.
That was my meaning.

 

[Stefani P.]

It can be an adjustment for sure. But I think most people find that they adjust pretty quickly. There is a lot to do on the ship and the time goes by pretty quickly. Unlike DW, service won't be cutting in and out, which can actually make it easier to stop missing it. Plus, before they know it they will be back at the airport and can "catch up" on what they missed, but by then they may be more interested in looking back at all the great stuff they just did.

Also, there are plenty of things you can still do with your phone. Take pictures, write up trip reports, use the Navigator to plan upcoming activities on the ship, or check out tomorrow's menu. Or send messages to other people you know on the ship so that you can meet up and do things together. We were a group of 9 and we chatted back and forth quite a bit about ideas of what to do, and mixing and matching in different groups to try different things.

I'd say it seems worse than it actually turns out to be, so the less they can think about it ahead of time, the better off they will be.

You have to work pretty hard to be upset on a cruise.

Thank you!!

 

[FigmentSpark]

As long as her work doesn't require her to stay connected, just remind her that cell phone bills in international waters (or any waters) are really expensive. After that, it's her choice to use or not. You can also quote her the wifi pricing so she can decide if she'd like to keep in touch with whomever in that way (email, texts, social media apps, etc). But, I would suggest you make the caveat that she is responsible for her own charges, not you, as they will appear on the bill. (I'm assuming you're footing the bills, which may not be the case.)

 

[Stefani P.]

As long as her work doesn't require her to stay connected, just remind her that cell phone bills in international waters (or any waters) are really expensive. After that, it's her choice to use or not. You can also quote her the wifi pricing so she can decide if she'd like to keep in touch with whomever in that way (email, texts, social media apps, etc). But, I would suggest you make the caveat that she is responsible for her own charges, not you, as they will appear on the bill. (I'm assuming you're footing the bills, which may not be the case.)

Wonderful idea!
And you assumed correctly, I am footing the bill

 

[DietCokeMommy]

I think there's a difference between going to DW and experiencing dead zones, and going on a cruise with no service. You go into a cruise knowing that there's mostly no internet. But you'd expect wherever you are on land to have access to it. She's an adult, she can decide whether no internet connection is worth a free cruise.

 

[Dug720]

Wonderful idea!
And you assumed correctly, I am footing the bill

You can always set her up where her charges (WiFi...and snacks or drinks you aren't covering...any souvenirs you aren't covering) would go to her. Then if there is something you ARE willing to pay for such as excursions, Palo, etc. you could either give her a gift card to put on her account for that amount (in the case of excursions) or pick up the tab yourself (Palo, any drinks or snacks you're buying, etc.)

 

[thumpie's mom]

I LOVE TURNING OFF MY PHONE!!!

 

[MomOTwins]

If you turn off all the background refresh/location services etc., that free 50mb of data from signing up with Connect@Sea the first day goes a long way. I was able to text with my parents and send them photos of the kids each day via WhatsApp.

 

[dprincessmom]

I think you need to be up front with her and ask her thoughts. If not having cell service is going to be a deal breaker, then she stays and will miss a great time. I have been trying to cut back on screen time, since we unplugged in Dec for the cruise. It was great to use the phone as a camera. We called the parents/grandparents on the drive to the port (we sailed over Christmas Day), and then the phones went to airplane mode with everything off as we were getting ready to sail away. It was FANTASTIC.

Let it be her choice and be willing to go with or without her.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

The best part of the trip is unplugging. My kids aren't quite as old- 18 and 20, but they adjust and end up loving being unplugged as well. Let her know what to expect, any data plans etc. you may be willing to purchase or that she can purchase, and leave the choice up to her. I know my kids would never stay behind due to the lack of internet. They love to cruise way too much!

 

[FSU Girl]

I went on a cruise with my friend who is glued to her phone 24/7. It was a definite struggle for her to be without it on the cruise, but we made friends on the ship and were really busy so she didn't have too much time to miss it. It will definitely be an adjustment

 

[Mazz519]

For me I love it !!!! For my 3 kids they can't handle it... I think its funny watching them go through phone withdrawal

 

[lds0191]

I am another one who loves the fact that I can be unplugged on the ships (except for the DCL app which is great!). My DD 16 is a total Disney geek so she stays plenty busy on the ships but is also very attached to her phone when we are on land. We were able to keep in contact with each other using the DCL app. We have AT&T and set up the international plan where it is $10 a day IF you use your phone when in port. If you leave your phone in airplane mode and don't text, make calls, check social media, etc., it costs you nothing. It was great to be able to text friends and family when in port at Nassau and Castaway Cay. We were never able to call (it said service was not available) but we could text, check FB, email, etc.

 

[Angie_T]

I love having no service on a cruise! My 12 yo was good with it as well. At 23, I'm not sure I quite understood "vacation" mentality and getting away from all the crap that comes with real life...LOL. I think, after a day, she'll get over it and forget that she is missing her phone.