Wifi on longer cruise

[lilmissfoodie]

i did a quick search but didn't find anything so please just point me to another thread if this is covered elesewhere...

On my 3-night cruise we spent about $150 on internet usage. My wife is worried that we'll spend an exorbitant amount on our upcoming 9-nighter to Alaska.

My question is, does DCL offer a prepaid plan with a lot of bandwidth? If so, can you please point me to the page on DCL website as to our options.

TIA

 

[PrincessShmoo]

i did a quick search but didn't find anything so please just point me to another thread if this is covered elesewhere...

On my 3-night cruise we spent about $150 on internet usage. My wife is worried that we'll spend an exorbitant amount on our upcoming 9-nighter to Alaska.

My question is, does DCL offer a prepaid plan with a lot of bandwidth? If so, can you please point me to the page on DCL website as to our options.

TIA

You can purchase several different plans on Disney ships. There are 100MB, 300MB, and 1000MB packages. Also a pay as you go 25cents per MB. Here's a link with lots of information on that: http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2014/04/connectsea-internet-data-plans-review/

You purchase them once onboard, not ahead of time.

Also, most of the ships have a free 50MB package, if you sign up by midnight on embarkation day.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

Tyvm...this is exactly what my DW wanted

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

Great article! Answered a lot of questions I had as well.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Great article! Answered a lot of questions I had as well.

Yeah, Scott has a lot of good stuff on his blog.

 

[SuperDry]

You mention Alaska. Consider that unlike most other DCL itineraries, all of the port days and much of the close-to-the-shore sailing is done in the US, so as long as you can get a cellular signal from shore, it will be included in your domestic data plan. Assuming you have US-based cellular service, and can turn your phone into a WiFi hotspot and tether your laptop to it, you should be able to be connected much of the time without having to use the ship's WiFi.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

You mention Alaska. Consider that unlike most other DCL itineraries, all of the port days and much of the close-to-the-shore sailing is done in the US, so as long as you can get a cellular signal from shore, it will be included in your domestic data plan. Assuming you have US-based cellular service, and can turn your phone into a WiFi hotspot and tether your laptop to it, you should be able to be connected much of the time without having to use the ship's WiFi.

Are we close enough to cell coverage while not in port (that's when we'd be using it most).

BTW does Canada (Vancouver) require Canadian (at far higher rates than US, I recall in Europe even texting was super expensive) coverage (we're there for 3 days prior to cruise)?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Are we close enough to cell coverage while not in port (that's when we'd be using it most).

BTW does Canada (Vancouver) require Canadian (at far higher rates than US, I recall in Europe even texting was super expensive) coverage (we're there for 3 days prior to cruise)?

I wouldn't rely on "being close enough to land" to pick a cell signal. Chances are you'll be using the Cellular at Sea, if you use your phone onboard, during transit. Now, while in port, the ship's antenna is turned off and you should be able to pick a land signal.

I would think, when in Canada, you'd be using Canadian coverage.

 

[Dug720]

FWIW, I found coverage in Alaska, even when on land, very sketchy and hard to come by as did others in the group I was with - and we were with all the major cell providers. Even though my coverage map shows it. Just something to be aware of.

 

[lanejudy]

BTW does Canada (Vancouver) require Canadian (at far higher rates than US, I recall in Europe even texting was super expensive) coverage (we're there for 3 days prior to cruise)?

Canada is considered "international" so be sure to check your current plan. It can get expensive to suddenly find a phone bill because you used your phone in Canada. Many plans now offer an option to add extra international coverage for Canada either on a per-day basis (like $2 per day) or per month ($10 per month) and it's only charged if you use it. Again, check with your wireless provider to see what will work for your needs.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[BartmanLA]

If you're seeking just internet data use, as has been said ports of call often provide cellular service (with in Alaska) and you can use your mobile device to access data like email, web surfing etc. If you just have to have phone service the Cellular At Sea is an option but a very very expensive one. Myself I have purchased a Skyroam International Data Hotspot device, it works in over 100 countries, and as long as you're near cellular service you can activate it and get 24 hours of unlimited data ONLY, and tether up to 5 devices to it. Day passes for the unlimited data are for 24 hours, and are $8 a day. And you only on days when you're in port, there's no monthly charge or fee's if you don't use it. You can buy a 5 pack of day passes for $40 and use them when ever you want. That being said, having a port of call every few days is really all I need the internet for, I don't feel the need to be connected every second I'm on the ship, in fact I like the time away from social media and the connected world when we're at sea, it gives me a chance to unwind, relax, decompress and enjoy being on vacation. I understand that isn't possible for some and the need to check in constantly or be connected to work or business is necessary. I just hope you can see the value at using sea days to "get away" and enjoy your cruise vacation!

 

[simpleohio]

Also it's on remember especially if you're using an iPhone to turn off certain settings that will help with your over all data usage. It's all about how save on your consumption

For example turn off:

background app refresh off
turn off your automatic updates
turn off your iPhone stream and iPhone photo library and the back up

On the first night of the cruise if you go to their desk where the internet at sea desk is they can give you tips.

However in my personal opinion out of all the cruise lines I've been on, Disney is still not current with their Internet and are overpriced for what they offer compared to other cruise lines. I wish the Internet is something Disney would reconsider branding differently or just do an overall package not based on data similar to what Royal is doing