Lack of cell use an issue for anyone?

[Stefani P.]

Sorry but I would be livid if my kids are not able to enjoy a family vacation, much less a cruise becacuse of a darn phone. I’d tell my kids to stay home and make very clear that their addiction to social media taking a fromt seat to “my time” doesnt float. My kids, still young would be bummed about lack of on demand youtube. But I would make clear that the point of our vacation is not to watch youtube or send snapchats

Don't get me wrong, it irritated me. But I was hoping to figure a way to enjoy another trip with her.
I think these kids who grew up with devices are too reliant on them. In my day there were no cell phones. I can easily leave mine behind!!

 

[Stefani P.]

I understand that some people find it difficult to remove themselves from their phones and in some cases I such as family at home, critical work stuff, etc., I understand why you might need to stay connected, but as a solo cruiser with no kids I have no problems turning off my phone once I board the ship and not using it at all. I don't even use my phone with the DCL app as other might for activities around the ship, although I do hear it's very helpful I choose to use the standard paper Navigators to learn about goings-on around the ship.

1) How do you like solo cruising? Lots of fun? You don't get lonely?
2) Perhaps she really would be fine with no cell on the boat. At Disney World she expected to be connected. Maybe knowing she won't be will make it easier for her to relax and enjoy.

 

[KashasMom]

I have Verizon and they no longer offer a "cruise" package. I didn't find it made sense to buy their global package for ports since you can find free wifi in all ports (except CC). Those freebie minutes from DCL don't go far at all especially if you're loading a lot of emails or using an app like Facebook. I'd see if she can make use of the free wifi in port and buy some minutes while on board but make sure to log out of anything that is running on her phone that she won't use or those minutes will become very expensive very quickly. BTW, I am able to use roaming for texts with Verizon - it's something like 5 cents for each one you receive and 50 cents for each one you send. Make sure data roaming is OFF in your settings though whatever plan you use.

 

[Dug720]

I understand what you are saying but since my daughter is an adult I don't see her often enough. I'd like a suggested solution, not a "leave her home".

Best suggestion is what several of us have already said. If she cannot go without, SHE foots the bill for the internet package.

 

[Lynne M]

Well, the "why" matters....why did she flip out when she didn't have cell service? What was she doing with her phone that she didn't feel she could be without? If it's texting with a boyfriend 24/7...being disconnected for days is gonna be a problem. Is it work - is she required to check in often and being away for days is going to cause a problem with her job? Or is it just habit? She's used to playing games and looking at You Tube videos all day, but she could learn to do without?

The bottom line is, she's an adult, and it can and should be her decision. Tell her the situation with extremely limited cell/internet access on the cruise, let her research the options as far as a special plan from her cell provider or paying for on-board wi-fi or connecting in port. Then let her decide whether a cruise is going to work for her or not. If you have to take a mother-daughter bonding trip on land, well, it's better than no trip at all.

 

[Dug720]

1) How do you like solo cruising? Lots of fun? You don't get lonely?
2) Perhaps she really would be fine with no cell on the boat. At Disney World she expected to be connected. Maybe knowing she won't be will make it easier for her to relax and enjoy.

I am not the person you quoted, but I typically cruise solo and LOVE it! Never felt lonely at all. It is AMAZING to be able to do what I want (shows, dining time, excursions, etc.) and not have to worry about someone else whining about it. I go to sleep when I want, get up when I want... At dinner I can read and/or talk with my servers. Other meals I have my nook to read. I can take as long or as short as I want. Ditto showering, etc. LOVE it!! Neat way to travel IMHO.

 

[mousefan73]

Don't get me wrong, it irritated me. But I was hoping to figure a way to enjoy another trip with her.
I think these kids who grew up with devices are too reliant on them. In my day there were no cell phones. I can easily leave mine behind!!

Mynsuggestion is be open and express your feelings. Maybe compromise, I mean if she NEEDS to be in daily contact set maybe some times or data limit. . Or no phone at dinner ( only to take pictures) challange is, also with me. Is that we use our phones as our camera and usually post or send the image off. It is hard. Granted she is an adult but as a curtousy she should be aware how her actions affect others and perhaps keep this in mind.

 

[mousefan73]

I know OT but is there standard cellular tower service while on board docked in POrt Canaveral? We are sailing vGT and might need to message our FE group our stateroom info

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

She may do better on a cruise where she expects to be without Internet than in WDW where she expected to be with Internet. Some people do better when they know what they are getting themselves into. I would let her know she is welcome to pay for service, but that it wasn't part of what I would be paying.

I'm with the others who really need to disconnect sometimes. I'm connected all the time, so when I cruise, it is really freeing to be without service.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Just putting it out there... it's possible she 'flipped out' in WDW when the service was spotty because of the expectation that it would be reliable. But when a person goes somewhere, like a cruise and knows there is no service, they aren't getting frustrated in the same way. I know WDW has some dead zones. People do get annoyed. They want to post a photo while in line or research a time for the next ride or just check their email, but if you're in the depths of Pirates of the Caribbean, you may not be getting any service just when you want it and have time to use it.

That's totally different than a cruise. There may be some lines, but they're mostly to board or get off the ship... except for the Aquaduck, which, well, you don't want your device in that line anyway. Like others have said, discuss it with her. You may find she's all good with it.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I know OT but is there standard cellular tower service while on board docked in POrt Canaveral? We are sailing vGT and might need to message our FE group our stateroom info

You would still be able to connect to your regular provider in PC. You may have to go up on deck/outdoors to get a signal though.

I would recommend bringing along some notecards/slips of paper to deliver to the other participants FEs the first night as well. Just in case they don't/can't check online.

Our FE group went a little sideways on our last cruise because people who were in guarantee rooms never updated the list or communicated to anyone. We also had people who apparently backed out and didn't tell anyone.

 

[ludari]

1) How do you like solo cruising? Lots of fun? You don't get lonely?
2) Perhaps she really would be fine with no cell on the boat. At Disney World she expected to be connected. Maybe knowing she won't be will make it easier for her to relax and enjoy.

I really enjoy cruising and travelling solo. It gives me the opportunity to really relax and have some "me" time to do whatever I want. I'm an active person so when I cruise or travel my go to sport is scuba diving but I've also gone hiking, bicycle riding, and zip-lining just to name a few of the activities I enjoy. Sometimes it can get lonely especially when I'm on those longer cruises (12-days+) or those month long vacations I do every few years, but for the most part I enjoy the solitude.

 

[85glht]

my daughter is an adult I don't see her often enough.

This wasn’t part of the equation in your original post... I get it. Tell her cell service is close to non existent, there are WiFi packages available.. If you are doing an eastern itinerary, St. Thomas has US cell service (I believe) as does Puerto Rico. Good luck and I hope you two have fun

 

[85glht]

This rude comment is absolutely unhelpful.

Not meant to be rude....

 

[KashasMom]

This wasn’t part of the equation in your original post... I get it. Tell her cell service is close to non existent, there are WiFi packages available.. If you are doing an eastern itinerary, St. Thomas has US cell service (I believe) as does Puerto Rico. Good luck and I hope you two have fun

Right about St. Thomas and San Juan!

 

[Stefani P.]

I am not the person you quoted, but I typically cruise solo and LOVE it! Never felt lonely at all. It is AMAZING to be able to do what I want (shows, dining time, excursions, etc.) and not have to worry about someone else whining about it. I go to sleep when I want, get up when I want... At dinner I can read and/or talk with my servers. Other meals I have my nook to read. I can take as long or as short as I want. Ditto showering, etc. LOVE it!! Neat way to travel IMHO.

That sounds amazing to me! I am single and my kids are now grown. I did one beach trip solo last year and it was wonderful. Maybe I'll do a cruise!!
Thank you for your reply.

 

[Dug720]

That sounds amazing to me! I am single and my kids are now grown. I did one beach trip solo last year and it was wonderful. Maybe I'll do a cruise!!
Thank you for your reply.

You're welcome! Enjoy it!!