Prices Increasing for Onboard Internet Packages Across Disney Cruise Line Fleet WDW News Today

Table Of Content

• Port Excursions including Castaway Cay
• Stay Connected
• Top Posts & Pages
• How to Easily Sign Up for Disney Cruise Line WiFi Once Onboard

Please note that the specifics can vary by ship and over time, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest information directly with Disney Cruise Line or consult with the onboard staff. Then, they had me go into iCafe (the service that manages connectivity), and totally log out of the service. They also admitted that they were having lots of Wi-Fi issues, and had been for several cruises. I had a checklist of activities to attempt while using each different internet package. The first of which was running a speed test to see what I was getting for my money. You can initiate the purchase process by launching the Disney Cruise Navigator App, selecting the MORE tab, and clicking on the Connect to Internet option.

Port Excursions including Castaway Cay

I've experienced all five ships in the Disney fleet and have sailed seven times to destinations around the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. O3b mPOWER, the industry’s most advanced satellite constellation, enables this new era of guest connectivity with unrivalled performance, flexibility, resilience and scalability. Guests in One and Two Bedroom Concierge Staterooms will have the Basic Surf Package included for 2 guests in the Stateroom.

Stay Connected

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I kid you not – I had to log out of and into iCafe at least once every 2 hours for the rest of the cruise. I collected the data, because of course, and once I figured out the whole log out/log in fix, I averaged doing that “magic trick” every 90 minutes while awake. It usually kicked my Premium Surf package back into working, but didn’t make anything easier on Basic Surf or Stay Connected.

Top Posts & Pages

They aren’t required, and if you want one, they cost extra. You can use the app to communicate with others in your party whenever you’d like, without purchasing Wi-Fi. The kids’ clubs on the Disney Cruise Line are world-class offering themed areas for popular Disney-owned movies like Star Wars and Toy Story. Kids can go into these clubs throughout your cruise, as no additional cost. As you’d expect from the Disney Cruise Line, entertainment is top-notch.

Disney Cruise Line Internet Package Pricing and Information

AT&T and Verizon do have cruise ship packages that are separate from the Disney Cruise Line Wi-Fi. If you want to use one of these programs, you’ll want to contact them to make sure it’s added to your cell phone in advance. 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. 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.

Almost immediately after clicking Purchase you will be redirected to a connected page where you can see your tier, and toggle the device on and off. Once you select a plan, duration, and devices, you will be taking to a purchase screen. In the past, the WiFi was billed by the usage but it’s since changed over to this new system.

It's recommended that those in concierge cabins and suites pay $15.50, with the extra going to your cabin assistant host. Some of the cutest Disney activities are also ones that cost extra. Kids who want more time with the Disney characters might be interested in the Royal Court Royal Tea — a tea party with characters for kids ages 3 to 12. According to planDisney (Disney's online resource for vacation-planning tips), the cost is $220 per child and $69 for anyone 13 and up.

Disney Cruise Line WiFi Packages & Pricing Vital Info

The Navigator app still works on this island, though, so you can stay up to date on what’s happening throughout the day. Use this time to your advantage if you are just shopping around in the port and have a few moments to use their internet. This enabled me to keep in touch with family and friends back home without using any data as most of them have iPhones. Pictures, however, would not send nor could they be received. Our mission is to help you save time and money on your vacation.

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If you use the Apple iMessage system, you can send text iMessages to other users both on and off the ship. So, if you wanted WiFi just to stay in touch at home, you may not need it. There are still some things you can do without purchasing a WiFi package (or using Cellular at Sea). 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. Sometimes Sailing is a cruise-focused website by Dan and Mikkel Woodruff, a couple passionate about cruising.

And while the Premium Surf package offers the fastest connection available with Disney Cruise Line, it’s still nothing like fast internet at home. The Stay Connected package should really be called the Social Media plan. It offers a convenient solution for sharing your Disney Cruise experiences on popular social media platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc. It’s also the cheapest package and the most affordable plan.

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises.

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 the internet while sailing, and which data plan is best for you. This mid-tier internet package allows access to the social media platforms listed above, plus basic browser surfing and email capabilities. These packages are based on usage for a 24-hour period, not a calendar day. If the time of day you use the internet matters to you, you’ll want to purchase a plan at a time that will renew when it’s convenient — and not in the middle of a work meeting. Even though many activities, dining options and entertainment are included in the cost of your cruise, you will find things to pay extra for on a Disney cruise.

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. The price can vary drastically based on the number of days you purchase and the amount of connected devices.

What's Included in a Disney Cruise? And What Costs Extra?

Table Of Content

• Browse Ports of Call
• Disney Cruise Line WiFi Packages & Pricing Vital Info
• Post navigation
• Do I need to buy a data package?
• Premium Surf
• Disney Cruise Line Internet Packages

This is yet another option of how to stay in touch with members of your party, especially if you don’t have an iPhone that can utilize the free iMessaging. Download this while you are still at home to avoid any data charges. It’s up to you how much you need, or want, to remain connected. From then on, that was the first step I tried when things stopped working.

Browse Ports of Call

Those staying in Royal Suites get Premium Surf internet for the entire cruise. Other Concierge-Level staterooms get one day of Basic Surf for free. The app is similar to the My Disney Experience app and includes a host of information about your cruise.

Disney Cruise Line WiFi Packages & Pricing Vital Info

It’s possible the perk is being tested or the site simply hasn’t been updated yet. This boarding privilege also used to be available to Platinum Castaway Club members. After cruising returned in 2021, though, Disney Cruise Line required and enforced the port arrival time for all guests, regardless of their Castaway Club tier.

Post navigation

The good news is that almost all ships (Wonder is still on the “old” style plans for now) have transitioned to plans that are based on speed and connectivity rather than measured data. The bad news is, this generally means you’ll still be paying a lot for connectivity, with often not-great results. Let’s review each of the three new “tiers”, and what Disney claims you’ll be able to do with each. I utilized my plan significantly during my last sailing from posting to social media, publishing articles on this website, and a considerable amount of time on FaceTime video calls. I am not aware of any data caps, but the allocated bandwidth is throttled.

If you think you’ll want WiFi just to look up something quickly, the 24-hour option is a good choice. Otherwise, you’ll save money by getting an entire length of cruise package rather than purchasing daily individual 24-hour packages. There are three levels of packages on the Disney Cruise Line. These are the Stay Connected, the Basic Surf, and the Premium Surf. Within these categories, you have the option to purchase WiFi for 24 hours, or the entire length of your cruise. Disney Cruise Wi-Fi pricing is based on the cruise period’s length or 24 hours.

Disney Cruise Wi-Fi Packages Explained

Cruises with Mickey Mouse and his pals range in price depending on many factors such as the embarkation port and destination, departure date, length of the cruise and cabin type you book. No matter which cruise you book, it will be pricey, like any Disney vacation. You'll have to determine what value you put on experiencing the "magic" of Disney. All guests in the Royal Suite on all ships and the Tower Suite on the Disney Wish will have the Premium Surf Disney Cruise Internet Package included for the length of their stay. All concierge guests will have the opportunity to upgrade to a higher internet package category if they wish.

Premium Surf

So the intent of this package appears to be posting photos and reels to make your friends jealous, or updating your skills so that you can find a new job that lets you take more cruises. Below is a video showing the process of signing up and purchasing a Disney Cruise Line internet plan. In my experience, it’s somewhat reliable, but not as fast as you’d expect for a land connection, and sometimes drops off. If you require more bandwidth, it’s a good idea to purchase the Premium Package. Then you’ll select your package, how many devices, and connect.

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It is possible to pre-pay them when you purchase your cruise, which is a nice option if you want to make your cruise as all-inclusive as possible. There are some activities on the ship that do cost more, however. These include the spa, the salons, and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

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. 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. 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. Accessibility and internet speeds on DCL ships are limited, so don’t expect perfection. You may think that you would get something close to 5G internet speed capabilities as the top-tier internet package.

Again, the Disney Cruise Line wifi packages are per device, and not per stateroom. 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.

That's true of most cruise ships' connectivity, no matter the cruise line. For a little bit more bang for your buck, the benefits of the Basic Surf plan include the capability to access email, surf the web, send and receive photos, and check the weather. Of course, you can also access all your favorite social media sites. While it permits most social media browsing, it does not support access to email, online browsing, or streaming games or videos, including short-form videos. But you should connect to the onboard Wi-Fi after you lose cell service as you sail away from your port of embarkation or get connected before the Sail Away Party. While the internet speed on cruise ships has improved drastically over the years, it’s slower than the web surfing you’re used to at home.

I’d recommend this package for the person that just wants to check in at work once or twice while cruising. Not to download a bunch of stuff, but to periodically make sure the ship back home is still sailing. The ship also offers character interactions throughout your sailing. You can find the schedule for these in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.

The package tiers are Stay Connected, Basic Surf, and Premium Surf. Guests are able to purchase a-la-carte or the full voyage as well as choosing the number of concurrent devices. For the most up-to-date rates, refer to the information provided when you are onboard the ship. Internet packages can be purchased through the Disney Cruise Navigator app once onboard and connected to the ship’s WiFi. If you have trouble connecting to the internet, the onboard internet help desk can troubleshoot internet and cell phone access onboard. Some cruise guests choose a cruise vacation specifically so they are forced to disconnect form the world and just enjoy a vacation with the family.

Alternatively, you can visit onboardicafe.com when connected to DCL-GUEST. Please note, the link only works when connected to the ship’s WiFi network. No, you’ll purchase a WiFi package once you are onboard and connected to the DCL-GUEST network.

When selecting an option you are presented with a per cruise or per 24 hour option along with the number of devices you wish to connect using the selected plan. You can choose to pay for 24 hours of service or for the full voyage. The charge is also per device there are some savings when you add a device 10% off for 2 devices up to 15% off for 4 devices.