When you’re a business owner, WiFi is your best friend. When you’re an average social media user, sometimes it’s a guilty pleasure. No matter where you fall on the scale, it’s important to know your WiFi options. Going on a Disney Cruise? Here’s everything you need to know about Disney Cruise WiFi like how much it costs, how to connect to the internet while sailing, and how much data you’ll need to purchase. Knowing ahead of time will help you factor it into your budget.
How Much Does Disney Cruise WiFi Cost?
WiFi on Disney Cruise Line is referred to as Connect@Sea. There are different Connect@Sea packages, and you pay for the megabytes you use. Think of it as a pay-as-you-use-plan. Here are the current prices (Winter 2017), but prices are subject to change at any time.
Pay-As-You-Go
Get started with this package if you’re not sure how much you’ll be online. You can add a package at any time for greater savings. Price: $.25 per MB
Small
This package is for the occasional user. You want to check your email really quick or just make sure things are all right at home? Then this is the package for you. Price: 100 MB for $19.00 ($.19/MB)
Medium
For the moderate user. So yes, you want to be away from it all, but you still want to show your friends and family all the fun you’re having! You want to post to Facebook and Instagram? Then here’s a package for you. Price: 300 MB for $39.00 ($.13/MB)
Large
The package description says you can stream movies with this package and that it will cover all your Internet needs, but I’m doubtful on that one. You can use those MBs really quickly. Price: 1000 MB for $89.00 ($.09/MB)
How Do You Connect?
When you board your Disney Cruise, you will be given a paper with information on cost, how to connect to devices, and other frequently asked questions. They are even kind enough to give you a paper with information on how to minimize data consumption. Use it, follow it. Trust me. You want to turn off apps, background apps, your photo stream, etc.. All the instructions are on the paper.
Usually they will have an offer to sign up for 50 MB for free on the first night of the cruise. I use that as my trial run. That’s also how I found out I did not follow the instructions correctly on how to minimize data. I used that 50 MB in about 5 minutes. That’s not normal, it was because background apps I didn’t turn off were using it.
So I went to the Connect@Sea desk to get some help. I handed my phone over to him and he worked his magic. He also gave me my 50 MB back to try again. This time I was in business.
Tip: If you turn off iCloud Backup while onboard, don’t forget to turn it back on once you’re on land. I didn’t, and I almost lost a lot of pictures. I had to call Apple for help.
How Much Data Will You Need?
Realistically, how many MB do you need to buy? With doing a quick email check and maybe posting a picture to Facebook every day, I could have gotten away with the free 50 MB. However, I ran into a little snafu with work and needed more data.
At first I bought the small package to fix my problem. That would have been sufficient, but then I ran into a bigger problem. The nice thing is that if you find you need more data, you can go back to the desk, and they’ll add on a bigger package and you just pay the difference in package price. You don’t have to buy an additional package.
After I told the nice Connect@Sea cast member my problems, he took pity on me and gave me some more data for free. I really did visit him every day of the cruise, and he was a huge help. He’s only there during certain hours of the day, so check the schedule above. These hours are subject to change.
Is is Possible to Completely Disconnect on Vacation?
As much as I would have loved to have completely disconnected during our family’s cruise, it just wasn’t possible at that time. I think it is possible, and I’m grateful that there is an option to connect onboard. I found Disney Cruise WiFi to be a little slow at times, but overall was impressed that I was able to do what I needed to do. I found the speed to be better in the ports, obviously.
It was also fun to post a few things on Facebook and Instagram and have people comment on their experience with Disney Cruise Line. They gave me suggestions on what to eat and their favorite activities to do on the ship. Sometimes connecting at sea isn’t so bad.
Andrea says
I did the same thing with the free 50 MB !! I’ve never even thought to turn off background refresh or my photo stream. Won’t be making that mistake again! These are great tips.
Kevin Spencer says
It’s a lot! I didn’t imagine…
I guess that wifi should be free everywhere…
tanialamb says
Wouldn’t that be nice? 🙂
Jenn Wilson says
If you wait until you get to port to do your Facebook posting & email checking from your phone, you won’t need their wifi, right? We are doing the Alaska cruise in a couple of weeks so I was thinking of not using our phones until we are in port to avoid any issues.
tanialamb says
When I was in port, I still used their wifi, but that’s because I was in the Bahamas and Castaway Cay. I was nervous about International charges, but if I was in the U.S., I probably would have just used my own data.
Adam says
I thought we coulld text other passengers aboard ship though their app at no charge?? The app does provide the day’s activities, does it not?
Thanks!
tanialamb says
Yes! It’s been awhile since I’ve updated this post, so thanks for the reminder to do so! Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App before you get onboard. You’ll be able to get each day’s schedule and message passengers. Every person you want to message will need the app. It doesn’t work through wifi though, so you won’t have access to any internet sites.
Jennifer says
Is the free 50mb per guest or cabin? We are cruising for Christmas and will want to text/exchange photos Christmas Day at sea. Otherwise port WiFi should do.
tanialamb says
Both my husband and I were able to get the free mb. It goes very quickly though, especially if you’re sending photos.
Cathy Webb says
Does anybody have current rates for Connect at Sea?
tanialamb says
As far as I know, the packages are still the same price as in this post.