Disclosure: I was invited on a media trip aboard the Disney Cruise Line Disney Dream; however all opinions expressed are my very own.
I know what you are thinking.. “Why would anyone want to?” Well wether you want to or not, it’s always nice to have the option. As I mentioned before this was our first time on a cruise and we had no idea what to expect. Hoping to share as much as possible with all of you and had I known a few things before boarding I probably would have been able to share more. Here’s a few tips to staying connected while sailing on Disney Cruise Line.
Here’s what you should do before boarding the ship:
All ears on deck! The Disney Dream crew is complete with Captain Mickey Mouse and First Mate Minnie Mouse, who greet guests onboard the Disney Dream. The Disney Dream offers a myriad of enchanting experiences for the entire family, including special visits from favorite Disney characters. (Preston Mack, photographer)
Download the Disney Cruise Line App
I highly recommend you have each of the members in your party that have smart phones download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator. It will save your life, well ok maybe not that serious but it’s a huge headache saver as not only can you keep track of all of the events happening on the ship, you can also chat via the instant messenger within the app. Said once and I’ll say it again. Disney thinks of everything and it’s very helpful! My friend Tara from MamaSmith’s blog also gushed about it in her post.
Go into your settings and adjust your cellular data usage. YES! DO IT!
I didn’t think to shut it all down before boarding. Because of course coming on board and finding your stateroom become top priority and you don’t think about showing off the amazing ship before the ship takes off and you enter international waters. It was a busy time of all of the “oohing and ahing” for being first time cruisers! So before you get out of your car or even before you head out to the port shut down your wi-fi sucking apps that you don’t plan on using while on board.
Now you can see all the madness or a bit of what I’ve got on my phone.. LOL
The less stuff you have running in the background the more you can conserve the wi-fi package should you decide to purchase one.
Here’s a cool bit of news for you! When you go into the wi-fi packages you receive the first 50mg’s FREE! This offer is only valid on the first day so make sure to “purchase” it!
Find out more information in regards to wi-fi options by clicking HERE and it will take you to the DisneyCruiseLine website.
Where Can You Find Free Wi-Fi:
Not sure you want to purchase wi-fi but want to occasional log into your accounts? You can totally head over to the following locations for a little free wi-fi:
- Cove Café, an adults-only lounge – Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder
- Vista Café, a family café – Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
- Promenade Internet Café – Disney Wonder
Pretty cool right?! I’m telling you! But of course when using the wi-fi on board you have to remember that you are floating in the middle of the ocean and the connection isn’t going to be as fast as it normally is. It must be said. It’s awesome to have the option of staying connected even though while you’re on you completely fall into the Disney life. That’s right I said it! I think it’s kind of funny but it’s so true at the same time. Totally didn’t take as many pictures as I should have, was caught up in the moment with my boys, my mom, my sister and her family. Clearly, I have so much more to say so you can totally expect a few more posts! 😉
Here’s another cool feature about the Disney Cruise Line App:
I have to admit I loved being able to just walk around and enjoy the ship. The afternoon that the Dream ported in Nassau, I decided to stay on board and get to know it a little bit more. Walking around the ship alone was very enjoyable. The boys were enjoying the Oceaneers Club (more on it soon!) and I spent a couple hours at the Senses Spa. We were treated to an amazing scrub. I chose the lavender scented scrub and enjoyed chatting with my new friend Tara from WhenTaraMetBlog. She and her husband and twin boys were on board. Her boys are so cute! Totally linked up to her post about traveling with toddlers/preschoolers and I’d say we can add multiples in the mix too! Check out her husband, Raphael’s post on TravelingDad’s review of the adult activities to do on the Dream here! You’re going to meet new friends too.. just get ready for that! But back to Senses! Yes I totally enjoyed the room in the picture below! And my phone was no where in site.. so yeah no pics from Senses. 😉
Senses Spa & Salon, an environment that provides relaxation and tranquility to adult guests aboard the Disney Dream, features the Rainforest Room. This serene space offers the benefits of steam, heat and hydrotherapy to help guests completely unwind and indulge by pampering themselves with a variety of tropical, aromatic showers, or by reclining in heated, mosaic tile loungers while observing calming ocean views. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)
Talking about getting lost aboard and got lost sharing about Senses and some of the friends I made! LOL But if you want to know exactly where you are, the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will help you out! The app is useful in so many ways. Don’t want to miss a show? Keep track of all of the activities happening on the boat and on Castaway Cay! Super helpful and you’ll be so glad you downloaded it.
Cruising soon?
Go ahead and download the app! There’s nothing I love more than a countdown and the app features a fun countdown to your vacation that you can share with your kids to get them excited about the trip!
I’m anxiously awaiting to confirm our next cruising experience with Disney so I’ve not deleted the app yet. Oh yeah it’s happening friends! We simply cannot wait to set the clock again! If you are headed on a Disney Cruise Line and have your app loaded and your countdown is going send me a screenshot via Twitter @Candypo and use the #CruceroDisney hashtag please!! Let’s all share in your excitement!! I can’t say enough about our experience on the Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dream ship. With each post I write I miss it even more!
This is great! Being able to connect makes it much easier to share photos of the trip, and I love that you can choose your usage so you don’t spend more than you want.
I love this so much. A Disney Cruise is just the type of trip where you need to be able to share all the fun you’re having! Being able to set your data usage is great so that you don’t accidentally spend more than you want.
These are all really helpful tips! I would love to be able to take my family on a Disney Cruise sometime!
Seriously I LOVED the cruise app. Had all the details I needed to meet our favorite characters and little extras to enjoy with the family.
It’s such a great addition to the cruising experience. Loved it!
These are great tips. My family has dreams of going on a Disney cruise one day.
I highly recommend it Meagan! We are totally going for a longer cruising experience with Disney in the summer. 🙂
What a great app. I was never really big on going to DisneyWorld or DisnelyLand but I would be all over a Disney cruise! Looks like so much fun.
It’s an amazing vacation, Chrystal!
That’s nice that they have an app that helps to keep everyone connected. I like that there is a wifi package available so I can share my pics on my social media as memories are being made as opposed to when I get home and don’t feel like messing with it then.
A disney cruise would be fun. I wish I knew if I would get sea sick though. lol
Yay! It makes me so excited to try this Disney Cruise! Love that they have this app! So awesome!
Things certainly have become more modern since my last cruise. I absolutely adore that the Disney Cruise Line has its own app, and opportunities to connect to free wifi.
That’s pretty amazing! It’s important for me to stay connected when I travel and this also includes being on a cruise. This app is great and it’s definitely going to make life more convenient for me and the kids when we’re away!
This is such a great post because when we sailed two years ago, I spent a ton of money buying wifi minutes. I wish I would’ve know there was free wifi on the ship.
I have been dreaming of going on a cruise for years. I would love to go on a Disney Cruise. I would be sharing so many photos and videos of my experience.
How much fun is this! I have always wanted to go on a Disney Cruise. Hopefully one day soon!
It’s really fun experienced for sure! This is my dream and I’m glad that you’ve experienced it.
How awesome that there are still ways to be connected while on a cruise. While I like to take some time off, it’s nice to be able to check in!
Wow it seems like they thought of everything to keep their passengers well informed. I just know our kids would love a trip on this Disney Cruise.
That is next on my list. A cruise with my husband or with my husband children. Would be nice.
The app sounds like perfection.
Sad to say I worked a little on my last cruise when I really wanted days off. I also bought a wi-fi package.
I love staying connected on vacation. I get to share pics, talk to family and tell them how things are going. As long as it’s not interfering then why not
Yes, you’ve got fantastic options to stay connected Melinda. 🙂
Disney really thinks of everything! What a great app. I hope to someday be able to go on the Disney cruise with the kids and I’ll be sure to remember this!
You must take the little princes Rachel!
I just came off a cruise myself, not Disney but this is on my list. Glad to know Disney is staying abreast of the lastest technology and using it to navagate easier on each cruise,
That is some super useful information. I would love to take a Disney cruise someday and these tips would help me quite a bit. I prefer hearing from regular people- also first timers- because they know what they should have done differently.
If we ever take a Disney cruise with my grandsons I’ll have to keep this app in mind! It sounds very helpful!
I would really love to take a Disney Cruise one day–they just look like so much fun!