How to Connect to the Internet on Disney Cruise Line

Sometimes guests go on Disney cruises to get away from it all. Others want a relaxing vacation, while still others need to work a bit. So how do you connect to the internet on Disney Cruise Line while on the high seas? Latina TravelingMom Tania Lamb gives you the scoop on how to connect and how much Wi-Fi costs onboard. Is it a good value or are you better off leaving your devices at home?

You can connect online while at port and while at sea on Disney Cruise Line. Photo Credit: Tania Lamb, Latina TravelingMom

How to Connect to the Internet on Disney Cruise Line

My familia and I recently traveled on the Disney Dream and had a wonderful time. I was good about being in the moment and enjoying my time with them. However, I also needed to do a little work and a little posting on social media.  Wi-Fi is not free on Disney Cruise Line, so if you’re going to need it, prepárate.

How Much Does Internet on Disney Cruise Line Cost?

Wi-Fi is referred to as Connect@Sea. There are different Connect@Sea packages, and you pay for the megabytes you use. 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 amigos 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)

Information handed out onboard about Connect@Sea Internet Packages on Disney Cruise Line. Photo Credit: Tania Lamb, Latina TravelingMom

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.

So I went to the Connect@Sea desk to get some help. I feel awful, because I can’t remember the name of the cast member at the desk who helped me. 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.

TravelingMom Tip: If you turn off iCloud Backup while onboard, don’t forget to turn it back on once you’re on land. I almost lost a lot of pictures.

Sometimes you have to capture a memory and post it on Facebook while traveling onboard Disney Cruise Line. Photo Credit: Tania Lamb, Latina TravelingMom

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. He felt like a friend. He’s only there certain hours in the morning and late afternoon/early evening.

The Next Best Thing to Disconnecting

As much as I would have loved to have completely disconnected during our family’s cruise,  it just wasn’t possible. I’m grateful that there is an option to connect onboard. I found reception to be better at the ports.

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 activities to do on the ship. Sometimes connecting at sea isn’t so bad, mateys.

Would I love it even more if the internet on Disney Cruise Line was free? Absolutely! While a little pricey, it was worth it for my needs.

Great news, fellow Avengers fans! Now Disney Cruise Line is offering Avengers Day at Sea cruises! Sherry, Melodious TravelingMom shares all the details with you. Bon voyage!