Disney Cruise Line has wifi on board all of their ships, and they all now have upgraded wifi. If you’re sailing on a Disney Cruise in 2024, the wifi increased in price in August 2023. Here’s everything you need to know about Disney Cruise Line internet like how much it costs, how to connect to wifi while sailing, and which data plan is best for you.
How Much Does WiFi Cost on Disney Cruise Line?
Disney Cruise WiFi starts at $18 per day for the entire cruise on all the Disney Cruise Line ships. These include the Disney Wish, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Wonder.
The 2024 Disney Cruise Line Wifi Package Prices Start at:
- Stay Connected – $18 per day for a 24 hour period
- Basic Surf– $28 per day for a 24 hour period
- Premium Surf– $42 per day for a 24 hour period
If you book a wifi package for your entire voyage on Disney Cruise Line, then you’ll receive a discount on the wifi.
The price for Disney Cruise WiFi is per device in the room, not per room. So the price is cheaper per day if you choose wifi for the whole voyage. If not, you can choose 24 hour increments.
For example, if you purchase internet on Disney Cruise Line on a Saturday at 5:00 p.m., you’d have until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday to use it before it shuts off.
The graphic below shows how it works, but the prices are before the increase.
Is There Free Wi-Fi on Disney Cruise Line Ships?
If you have an iPhone, you can use iMessages for free even at sea on Disney Cruise Line. I found that I had to be logged in before I boarded, and my party was able to text other people on land with iPhones.
You can also use the Disney Cruise Line App and Navigator for free while on board.
However, if you want to use the internet and social media, you do have to purchase a wifi package on Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Cruise Wifi Internet Packages
All Disney Cruise Line ships have upgraded wifi packages for 2024. Knowing Disney Cruise WiFi prices ahead of time will help you factor it into your budget.
The new and improved Disney Cruise Wifi is currently on the Disney Wish, Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, and now the Disney Wonder. The Disney Wonder was the last hold out. They introduced the new Disney wifi packages in 2022 and basically coincide with the old wifi packages – small, medium, and large – based on what you can do with them.
Stay Connected Package
The Stay Connected package says it will allow you to post pictures on popular websites and applications like Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tumblr. However, some guests have reported to not be able to send photos.
You can also try one package and if it isn’t working the way you’d like, then you can upgrade. One of the benefits of the Stay Connected plan is that it’s the cheapest. The Stay Connected package starts at $18 a day.
Basic Surf Package
The Basic Surf package seems to work for guests who want to post on social media, check some emails, and use basic internet activity, plus send or receive photos. “Surf the web, read the news, check the weather and visit your other favorite websites, send and receive emails, and make audio calls.” The Basic Surf Package starts at $28 a day.
Premium Surf Package
The Premium Surf package is said to have faster connection speeds on a Disney cruise ship. “Make video calls, listen to your favorite music streaming platforms, surf the web, view short-form videos like TikTok.” This plan still does not support video streaming like Netflix.
If you ever used the old Disney Cruise wifi, you know it was a struggle and it was slow. This new Disney Cruise wifi is definitely improved, though you still have to be patient, because you’re at sea.
Pay-As-You-Use Disney Cruise Internet Prices
The old Disney Cruise Line WiFi was a pay-as-you-use plan that started at $.25 per megabyte used. The Disney Wonder used to have the old wifi packages, but as of October 2023, the wifi has been upgraded and matches the rest of Disney Cruise Line.
How Do You Connect to the Internet on Disney Cruise Line?
When you board your Disney Cruise, you should be able to use your regular data plan for internet until about 10 minutes or so after you leave your port.
When you’re far enough at sea, your cell phone won’t work anymore.
However, to actually use the Disney Cruise Line app, you need to connect to guest wifi on board and be in airplane mode. The DCL app is where you find information about activities, schedule, stateroom, dining rotation, etc.
You don’t need to purchase internet services to connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network when used only for the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
If you want to connect to the wifi on a Disney Cruise ship, there is an additional cost. Once you’re on the Disney Cruise Line app, you’ll see the options to Connect@Sea. Then you’ll need to set up an account if you don’t already have one.
Once on board the ship, open the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and go to “Connect to Internet,” which will open a separate browser for you to view internet plans and purchase internet access.
Again, the Disney Cruise Line wifi packages are per device, and not per stateroom.
Then you’ll select your package, how many devices, and connect.
Is Disney Cruise Line Wifi Worth It?
If you need to work or want to browse the internet, then wifi on Disney Cruise Line is worth it…if it’s necessary. However, it still can be glitchy at sea.
If you don’t absolutely need to use it, then maybe wait until you’re in port to do what you need to do. Sometimes it’s also nice to disconnect from the world while on vacation.
You’re not always going to get the fastest wifi while on Disney Cruise Line or at sea, so I wouldn’t schedule an important meeting just in case there’s a glitch. However, the Basic Surf package should be enough to do what you need to do, provided you don’t need to make Zoom calls.
With the price increase of Disney Cruise wifi, it’s not as cost effective and may not be in your budget. If you don’t have to use it, then save your money and buy Palo Brunch instead.
I suggest trying it out for a day and then you can increases your package if necessary. If you find that the internet is not working, then you can also talk to Guest Services about their suggestions or request a refund if necessary.
Bon Voyage and have a great cruise!!
For more Disney Cruise Line tips, here is information on the Castaway Cay 5K and these are the Bibbibi Bobbidi Boutique Disney Cruise prices.
If you’re doing a land and sea vacation, then these are the closest Disney Character Warehouse outlets to Disney World!
For the best deals on Disney Cruises, you can book with my partners at Get Away Today who will help you with every step of the process!
Ann
Wednesday 9th of August 2023
I think I remember years ago "one device" meant at a time, so I could log-in on one, log out and then my son could log-in on his. Is this the case on Disney Dream because $42/day is a lot.
tanialamb
Wednesday 9th of August 2023
I don't think you can change devices and have it still work. However if you're on your device and your son wanted to check his social media or something like that on your device, that would work. I haven't tried the workaround of logging in on another device. But the basic surf plan is usually sufficient for most guests.
Lukas Danny
Tuesday 13th of September 2022
Do you need to buy wifi per device or per room?
tanialamb
Tuesday 13th of September 2022
It is per device.
Dan
Friday 11th of March 2022
Does wifi on the cruise ships allpw vpn?
Marie
Thursday 28th of April 2022
@Dan, did you ever get an answer to your VPN question? I've been wondering the same and trying to search online first for the answer before calling.
Cathy Webb
Wednesday 7th of August 2019
Does anybody have current rates for Connect at Sea?
tanialamb
Wednesday 7th of August 2019
As far as I know, the packages are still the same price as in this post.
Jennifer
Friday 26th of July 2019
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
Saturday 27th of July 2019
Both my husband and I were able to get the free mb. It goes very quickly though, especially if you're sending photos.