Real Scoop on Internet Availability on DCL

[Suhr Family]

Heading to our first DCL in October and while I hate to admit it, I may need to log onto my work system for 1/2-1 hour per day or every few days to move emails to other co-workers, check on clients, etc. What's the real scoop of availability of Internet on the DCL? Can you get Wi-Fi in the room or do you need to go to the internet cafe? Any tips on saving some costs? Thanks!

 

[mmouse37]

Heading to our first DCL in October and while I hate to admit it, I may need to log onto my work system for 1/2-1 hour per day or every few days to move emails to other co-workers, check on clients, etc. What's the real scoop of availability of Internet on the DCL? Can you get Wi-Fi in the room or do you need to go to the internet cafe? Any tips on saving some costs? Thanks!

Which ship? Magic/Wonder have internet cafe with real computers (but can also use your own device). Dream/Fantasy you would have to use your own device (no internet cafe).

My experience in July was internet was horrible on the Fantasy no matter where I signed on. But, the new pricing policy didn't eat through my data as much as the old policy.

Yes, you can use in your cabin or other public spaces.

MJ

 

[xlxo]

I refuse to pay for cruise ship wifi by time on other cruise ships. DCL's quantity based wifi is much more fair and have no trouble paying $89 for 1gb of data.

• I had no problems in my Wonder cabin with wifi.
• If you start on the first day, there's a bonus 50mb to try out.
• You can sign up for additional packages as each runs out.
• The Wonder wifi is very fast, especially during non-peak usage.... 24 Mbps, so you can stream that home IP video camera straight to your cabin. I think upload was 4 Mbps.
• Did not discover any dark zones around the Wonder.
• Watch out for "patch Tuesday" or your mobile devices wanting to update their apps. I wasted 300mb in minutes when my iPad wanted to do an update. Won't be making that mistake again.
• don't try to burn all your data the morning you are leaving the ship..... they SHUT THE WIFI OFF! Purge your data allocation BEFORE GOING TO BED the night before.

 

[com_op_2000]

Talk with your cabin attendant or other CM, ask where at the ports you are going is there a free wi-fi cafe, go there and not have to pay at all.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I have found the Internet on the fantasy magic and wonder very fast and very good, but it eats data too fast, switch off all auto updates and photo clouds as it goes crazy on data.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Talk with your cabin attendant or other CM, ask where at the ports you are going is there a free wi-fi cafe, go there and not have to pay at all.

Assuming you are either connecting via VPN or are not concerned about the security of your connection.

 

[LeslieG]

Assuming you are either connecting via VPN or are not concerned about the security of your connection.

Good point about security. I have wondered about the security of DCL's connection. I imagine better than in most ports though.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Good point about security. I have wondered about the security of DCL's connection. I imagine better than in most ports though.

I wouldn't trust any network I don't know with anything sensitive. Even if I was on the ship, I'd want to use a VPN connection.

 

[bobbiwoz]

For the DVC Member cruisd I had no problem on the Dream. We had an inside cabin, I used the 50 free use package.

Bobbi

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I've used the wifi package on the Fantasy (April) and the Dream (Sept-just recently) and both worked really well. Yes, you can use in your cabin and don't need to go elsewhere to do it.

The Dream was running a special for free 50mb package and honestly it's all I needed. I understand the different ships have been running it off and on.

I wouldn't hesitate to use it again and found it very user friendly. Of course I can't comment on the VPN situation since I didn't need that type of access.

Hope this helps,
Heather

 

[LeslieG]

I wouldn't trust any network I don't know with anything sensitive. Even if I was on the ship, I'd want to use a VPN connection.

For the technically challenged, is it difficult to set up a VPN connection?

 

[undertheradar]

We sailed the Dream on 9/14 and never were able to get the internet to load. We were on deck 12 and gave up after 2 1/2 hours of trying.

 

[xlxo]

I believe in VPN's too. However, I assume all that encryption would burn data too.

 

[Suhr Family]

Thank you for your replies, they were helpful. We will be on the Magic from San Juan on 10/11.

 

[Matrix21]

When you buy a package, do they tell you when you are near the limit ? Or do the WIFI stops when you reach the limit ?

i surely don't want to exceed the quota without knowing and pay the extra...

Thanks.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

When you buy a package, do they tell you when you are near the limit ? Or do the WIFI stops when you reach the limit ?

i surely don't want to exceed the quota without knowing and pay the extra...

Thanks.

According to reports: When you log in, there will be a ticker page that shows you what you have used.

 

[Matrix21]

According to reports: When you log in, there will be a ticker page that shows you what you have used.

Thanks!

 

[LyndaC]

If you have difficulty logging into the internet, talk to one of their Internet specialists, they'll walk you through changing your settings so that you can log in. Be sure as mentioned to disable any auto downloads and auto updates.

And definitely sign up the first day before midnight, if the 50 mb free offer is still in effect, it will show up in your counter then.

 

[queenofeverything]

For those of us that are technically challenged, if we purchased the smallest package of 100 mb, how exactly does that translate into usage, timewise?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

For those of us that are technically challenged, if we purchased the smallest package of 100 mb, how exactly does that translate into usage, timewise?

It is kinda hard to say as the amount of data used will vary based on what you are doing with it. Looking at graphics intensive websites? That will chew it up a little faster. Just hopping on Facebook or checking your email? That won't go through quite as fast. Updating applications or uploading photos? Nom Nom Nom goes the data.