Unlimited Computer Access GONE

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well it's disappointing that the prices went up and unlimited is gone- but I doubt we even used 250 min on our last cruise anyway.. probably not even half that. So it shouldn't be a problem for us even on the repo cruise which is longer. I think we may go with wireless though because then I can download pics to my laptop out of my digi camera instead of trying to "budget" how many pictures I take-even with multiple disks to take pictures on! LOL

I'm not sure how that works though. I have my laptop hooked up to our wireless internet here at home- but haven't the foggiest idea how to hook it up to wireless elsewhere like at a resort/hotel or on the ship! I guess I'd figure it out though.

 

[ivanova]

I was on the Westbound Magic repo in May and they did offer the unlimited package. I can't remember how much, but it was unlimited. There were plenty of problems with the line being too long at the 'cafe'. And, the satellite went down on a regular basis. I don't think wireless was an option at the time.

Wireless was NOT an option on the WBRC in May 2005 ... but unlimited was, and did cause problems. By the EBRC in Aug 2005 unlimited was not offered, not 100% sure about wireless (I think it was). Since then all "longer" cruises (10 days or longer) have not had the unlimited option. Now it looks like they've taken the next step, and removed unlimited from all cruises.

 

[KimberlyC]

I give DCL credit for a prompt reply, but this is what I received. The fact that the same amount of minutes costs less on the Wonder than the Magic wasn't addressed:

Dear Kimberly,

Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line Vacation!

The Internet change was implemented to make wireless access and the
Internet Café consistent and to upgrade our systems with the latest
software. Additionally, a lower cost per minute option was added to
both
ships to approximate the unlimited plan providing more options to our
guests.

The Internet Café and the wireless Internet are now interchangeable.
If
you purchased a block of minutes for the wireless system, you can use
those minutes on an Internet Café desktop computer. And, you can use
your minutes at the Internet Café that were purchased for wireless
Internet access.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you! Have a Magical Day!

Kaye
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Vacations

 

[pearlieq]

What a disappointment. It seems like an unnecssary and petty change. They always got plenty of money out of us. I don't see why they need to grub for more, and I certainly can't understand why the cost is different between both ships.

DH and I both prefer to stay connected while gone. He is in charge of a large staff and several things that affect public safety and we both have mothers who are severly ill.

 

[KMovies]

I would assume the pricing difference between the two ships is based on the lenght of the cruise.

Using 100 minutes on the Wonder is harder than the Magic (3 or 4 day vs. 7 day cruise)

On the Wonder, it would be about 25 - 33 minutes per day vs. 15 minutes per day on the Magic.

Even though you may use the same # of minutes on both ships, they may figure that the average person would use the service on more days on the Magic vs. the Wonder and thus charge higher for the Magic.

 

[tvguy]

I wouldn't bother to e-mail to complain.
The only way Disney is going to change this is if:
1)The paying customers on board the ships complain.
2) People stop buying internet access because it is too expensive.

 

[jemiaule]

Very kewl!! We have friends that live in Saratoga. Are you farther south?

A bit further...Morgan Hill. Used to be in the East Bay but moved here to be near family.

 

[jemiaule]

I always wonder how people ever took vacations in the 60's-90's when I was growing up and then raising my own family. I may get flamed for this but IMHO if you have a start-up or your business cannot run without you then you do one of two things:

Never vacation until you have delegated to a trusted associate so your business does not fall apart. OR

Act like you have been hit by a bus and are in traction and there is nothing you can do as far as work are concerned until MAGICly released 3-4-7 or 15 WONDERful days later.

Heart disease is still the number one killer in the United States and I attribute part of that to our unwillingness to unplug and allow our bodies to recharge and recuperate.

I know for some they say they could just not do it, but somehow someway the company would manage if that bus came along.

Yes it would, no question. I am very lucky to have an excellent staff who can run things in my absence. However I feel it is important for me to be accessible to my employees. That means checking in with them, having a way they can reach me if there is a problem that needs my involvement.

Being in touch and putting in a few hours of work while on vacation is not difficult, it is not going to cause me to have a heart attack and is not somethng I dislike. I love my job and love my work.

We vacation probably 4 to 6 weeks each year. I like to travel a lot and so does DH; so in order to do that much travel I work while I vacation. Trust me, I am not going to be sitting on Deck 10 my whole cruise tied to my computer.

In the 60s-90s we did not have the tools or easy accessibility to these tools like we have in oh say the past 7 years. Laptop computers, the internet, wireless access and cell phones have totally change the make-up of the "workplace" and allow a lot of people to now do their jobs from anywhere. Even Deck 10 of a cruise ship.

 

[jemiaule]

I am the OP and it is 7am on the Wonder and we are headed for Nassua. The weather is beautiful. I bought my laptop not to use, but to upload pictures on. Now, with the new policy, I am using it for internet. I am sitting outside Cove Cafe and the connection is much better than I got on the Magic.

I has not dropped once in 1 hour.

Should still ve the same price between the Magic and Wonder...??

Ok, we are waiting now...post some of those pictures here dangit!

 

[jemiaule]

Sometimes business can run without you, sometimes it can't. Our kids never felt neglected if their dad or I spent a few hours a day on vacation to work. Because we were willing to work, we were able to take them with us on many a combo business/pleasure trip.

What doesn't work for some, works for others.

Just my thoughts.....

Thanks for pointing that out Birkner! My kids understand that mommy sometimes has to jump on the computer to work when we are vacationing. I have yet to hear them complain. We have always explained to them that by us doing work we can afford to do these fun vacations, buy toys etc.

Heh, that reminds me. Before Christmas time this year I was watching TV with DS6 and a commercial for a toy he REALLY wanted came on and he said "mommy, you need to work now so we can get that!" I had to then explain I was not going to start working right that second just so he could get some Magic Foam. It turned out to be a good learning experience though - I suggested he do some chores to earn the money to buy Magic Foam himself, which he did.

And a word to the parents...Magic Foam really stinks and is not as cool as it looks on the commercial.

 

[ivanova]

And a word to the parents...Magic Foam really stinks and is not as cool as it looks on the commercial.

Can't we say that about most (if not all) toys???

 

[pppiglet]

My DS (23) will be so upset that they got rid of the unlimited internet. He will have to be gone for 7 days without much contact with his GF! I'm not going to tell him about it though til after we get on the ship or he might not go with us! What a way to spoil our anniversary cruise!

 

[KimberlyC]

I wouldn't bother to e-mail to complain.
The only way Disney is going to change this is if:
1)The paying customers on board the ships complain.
2) People stop buying internet access because it is too expensive.

While you're probably right, it can't hurt. I always fill out suggestion cards at the end of cruises too. The cruise line may not read them, but hmmmm what if they did?

 

[Doingitagain]

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?

 

[birkner]

My DS (23) will be so upset that they got rid of the unlimited internet. He will have to be gone for 7 days without much contact with his GF! I'm not going to tell him about it though til after we get on the ship or he might not go with us! What a way to spoil our anniversary cruise!

Are you planning on going next year? We are trying to get on the WB if our request with IC goes through.

 

[KimberlyC]

Are you planning on going next year? We are trying to get on the WB if our request with IC goes through.

She's on the Cinco DIS Mayo cruise! (May 5-12, 2007 - Western) I can't wait!!!


Debbie, maybe you can surprise him with an international calling card and he can give her a ring when we are in port!

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

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

 

[pppiglet]

Are you planning on going next year? We are trying to get on the WB if our request with IC goes through.

No....as Kimberly mentioned, we are going this coming May. I would love to rebook on board, but just won't be able to financially do it in 2008. Still might rebook if they will let us keep pushing the reservation up til 2012 or whenever the new ship comes to Calif! I am also gettin a new job soon, so probably won't have vacation time for awhile!

 

[woody73]

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 sure hope so.

Woody

 

[eye R.N.]

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.