Unlimited Computer Access GONE

[woody73]

What gets me is the 25 cents to print a page.

What gets me is what Disney charges for a bottle of water.

Woody

 

[aprilgail2]

Everytime I visted the internet stations on the magic, a group of kids was using messaging systems or playing online games.

Maybe this will cut down the all day playing by kids and allow those who need to get online to be able to

I always used the computers in the Cove Cafe and left the internet cafe for the kids that couldn't go into Cove Cafe...they were never busy. My 14 year old god daughter HATED the cruise when we took her so thank goodness they had unlimited then because that is all that made her happy, she wanted to be flown home from every port and I don't know how we would have standed her if she did not have at least the internet to keep her busy (and talk to her boyfriend that was home!)

 

[marlaymike]

Wireless is the way!! We had problems this last cruise because we don't knew why the minutes went down without using it. We came to guest services and they help us and put more minutes in our account!!

 

[PhotoLisa]

I really hope their system upgrades are really good. In June, the Internet access was so slow that the only way I didn't go completely crazy was by reminding myself that at least I wasn't paying per minute.

I do like the idea of having interchangeable minutes between the DCL desktop and your own wireless laptop. Hmmm, how long before they start renting laptops for the trip?

In February 2006, the wireless was pitiful! I had alot of trouble uploading to my webserver from my connection, regardless of where I was! They need to upgrade the speed if they want people to purchase minutes. You truly only get about 1 good minute of usage for every 3 you pay for. I hope that has improved -- I'll let you know in about 21 days.

My 17 yo dd was disappointed when I told her that there was no more unlimited Internet service. I don't know who is more crushed, her or her boyfriend. He's already getting depressed that he won't be with her for 8 days!

 

[Crissup]

What gets me is the 25 cents to print a page. Since we use Southwest we have always printed our boarding passes on the ship. Didn't think paper and ink would cost that much. Oh well, it's their party and they can charge what they want.

Personally, I don't think 25 cents a page is that out of line. In addition to the costs of paper and ink, you also need to factor in the cost of maintaining the hardware and any other additional expenses that go along with installing the printer on the ship.

 

[birkner]

Personally, I don't think 25 cents a page is that out of line. In addition to the costs of paper and ink, you also need to factor in the cost of maintaining the hardware and any other additional expenses that go along with installing the printer on the ship.

I agree. This is the reason I always bring a notebook computer, portable printer and my own paper. I don't want to wait for a computer and want to download and print when I need to print. We also bring a small portable photo printer for photos.

Just our geekness showing....

 

[Billinaz]

What gets me is the 25 cents to print a page. Since we use Southwest we have always printed our boarding passes on the ship. Didn't think paper and ink would cost that much. Oh well, it's their party and they can charge what they want.

I have a portable inkjet printer that I bring on trips for printing airline boarding passes, etc....

 

[cruisinluver]

I usually have a friend check in for me and then reprint the boarding passes when I get to the airport. You have to check bags anyway (well most of us), if you HAVE to use the computer to check in for that "A" SW boarding pass, then do not print them and just reprint them at the airport.

 

[Corryn]

.75 per minute
50 minutes - $27.50
100 minutes - $40.00
250 minutes - $75.00
.

When we were down in Orlando this past October, we stayed at Marriott's Cypress Harbor and there were two computers in the lobby. You had to pay to use them (the computer took dollars) and for two dollars, you got ten minutes.
I put a five in and I got a half hour.
I can't believe how expensive it is to access the computer on the ship!

 

[disneylover5]

In February 2006, the wireless was pitiful! I had alot of trouble uploading to my webserver from my connection, regardless of where I was! They need to upgrade the speed if they want people to purchase minutes. You truly only get about 1 good minute of usage for every 3 you pay for. I hope that has improved -- I'll let you know in about 21 days.

My 17 yo dd was disappointed when I told her that there was no more unlimited Internet service. I don't know who is more crushed, her or her boyfriend. He's already getting depressed that he won't be with her for 8 days!

Okay, I am back in DC now....7 degrees and so cold. I would pay a million $$$ for internet access to be on the ship right now

Everyone can say what they will about working on vacation.....I have to, my family understands and still loves me.

I have to say that I hav used the wireless on the Magic in the past and it was terrible......this time it was fast and perfect. I really got what I was paying for and that helped a lot. I have to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for my company and I could not log out of the Disney System...after a while I figured out, I had to turn off the VPN in order to log out of Disney (they need to add this to the instruction sheet).

I went to Guest Services on the Wonder and Jocelyn (the re-booking agent...do you remember her) was in charge of the Internet Cafe as well. I told her I couldn't log off and I think I lost minutes.....she credited the minutes back to my account no problem at all.

I think I will write Disney today and I am going to ask for Unlimited minutes, pricing the same on the Magic and the Wonder or at least a larger, like 500 minute plan......can you guys all do the same?

I will post when I hear back from them.

ps. The Weather was perfect!! 80 degrees and sunny.....I really want to go back!!

 

[disneylover5]

I have just returned from my 8th DCL cruise and the weather was wonderful. I was on the 3 day Wonder that came in yesterday. My cruise experience was very good, as it always is. I do not normally complain about anything....but I need to tell you about the DCL online policy.

I have to work while cruising and it made it very difficult to stay in touch with my businees with the unlimited internet package gone. I have several suggestions.

A. You really need to add an Unlimited package back into the offering....what ever the cost. Maybe you could Pre-sell unlimited internet access before boarding. That might cut down on people ordering it on the ship so thier kids can play.

B. It is nice that the Wireless and Desktop programs now work together. I did have my laptop with me, so I used that instead of the desktop. I have to use a VPN on my laptop and could not log out of the Disney System while the VPN was turned on. I wasted a lot of minutes trying to figure this out and ended up having to purchase 250 minutes and then another 100 minutes on a 3 day cruise. You need to add that information to your instruction sheet about the VPN.

3. I understand there is one rate on the Wonder per minute and an other rate per minute on the Magic. That is just crazy....the rates need to be the same on both ships.

4. I am hoping to do both Repo Cruises in 2008....both West and then East. If Disney decides to not to re-instate the unlimited package, then you need to add a longer package...like 500 or 1000 minutes.

As a DCL cruiser that has just finished my 8th cruise....a cruise booked for the Med and then both Repo's in 2008 and Thanksgiving in 2008 (as soon as you open up the dates) I hope you listen to my suggestions.
Thank you,
Lisa Halterman

 

[disneylover5]

Dear Lisa:

Thank you for your e-mail.

On behalf of the entire Disney Cruise Line team, I hope you will accept
my heartfelt regret for any disappointment with your cruise vacation.
We truly want all of our guests to have fond memories of their time
spent with us, and I was very sorry to learn of your disappointed with
internet prices. This change was implemented to make wireless access
and the Internet Café consistent and to upgrade our systems with the
latest software. A lower cost per minute option was added to both ships
to approximate the unlimited plan providing more options to our guests.
In addition to the pricing changes, new software upgrades will provide
the following advantages for wireless users:

* Printing from wireless laptop
* Better virus protection
* Website requiring flash drivers, will now be accessible
* Guests will have free access to disneycruise.com

However, please be assured that your comments have been taken very
seriously and shared with the appropriate shipboard officers and
shoreside managers in order to identify areas that are of concern to our
guests. Though it may take time for the input we receive to be fully
assessed and acted upon as a whole, please believe that we are seriously
committed to, and diligently working toward, providing our guests the
kind of ?magical? vacation they have come to expect from the Disney
name.

Again, thank you for sharing your experiences with us. We look forward
to the chance to welcome aboard you and your family again one day soon.

Sincerely,

Joel
Guest Communications
Disney Cruise Line

 

[tvguy]

A. You really need to add an Unlimited package back into the offering....what ever the cost.

Not to be a smart alec, but I think that is exactly what they are doing. You have unlimited Internet access, just not flat rate.

 

[RickW]

Not to be a smart alec, but I think that is exactly what they are doing. You have unlimited Internet access, just not flat rate.

Actually, you can have truly unlimited access for the 7 day cruise for a mere $3000. (A 7 day cruise is about 10,000 minutes, so that's $3000 at $0.30/min)

And, if you take away 8 hours/day for sleeping, 3 hours/day for eating and an hour a day for showering and dressing, you can have internet access for all of your remaining hours for only $1500.

(Hmmm, maybe I should add "smart alec" to my sig... )

 

[disneylover5]

Actually, you can have truly unlimited access for the 7 day cruise for a mere $3000. (A 7 day cruise is about 10,000 minutes, so that's $3000 at $0.30/min)

And, if you take away 8 hours/day for sleeping, 3 hours/day for eating and an hour a day for showering and dressing, you can have internet access for all of your remaining hours for only $1500.

(Hmmm, maybe I should add "smart alec" to my sig... )

Can you figure out for me how much it will be on a 15 day repo?

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Can you figure out for me how much it will be on a 15 day repo?

 

[tvguy]

A lot of the folks concerned about unlimited access say they need it to keep in touch with work. Hey, it's a reimbursed or tax deductable expense, who cars what it costs. That will teach the boss to make you work on vacation.

 

[jemiaule]

A lot of the folks concerned about unlimited access say they need it to keep in touch with work. Hey, it's a reimbursed or tax deductable expense, who cars what it costs. That will teach the boss to make you work on vacation.

1) I am cost conscious; doesn't matter if it is a legitimate expense.

2) I am the boss.

 

[Ocean Breeze]

A lot of the folks concerned about unlimited access say they need it to keep in touch with work. Hey, it's a reimbursed or tax deductable expense, who cars what it costs. That will teach the boss to make you work on vacation.

You misunderstand me. I thought the poster and the poster he/she was quoting were being a bit facetious. I personally found the quoted poster's calculations hilarious. Maybe just my warped sense of humour.

 

[ll_california]

1) I am cost conscious; doesn't matter if it is a legitimate expense.

2) I am the boss.