Hello Anita,
Welcome back to planDisney! Thank you so much for trusting our guidance and valuing our advice as you plan your Disney vacations. I’m so happy to connect with you, as I’m also taking my first
Alaskan cruise this summer
into the unknown on the beautiful
Disney Wonder! You must be getting so excited; I know I’m thrilled for this bucket list adventure into The Last Frontier for a special
Silver Anniversary at Sea sailing. I am also from the East Coast so this voyage feels very far from home, and I can empathize with wanting to stay connected. I recently sailed on the Disney Magic and can share my experience with connectivity as well as some guidance for you in Alaska.
I have some reassuring news for you; you will be able to send and receive messages in a few ways without purchasing the
Internet connectivity package while onboard the Disney Wonder. If you have an iPhone, iMessage will enable you to send and receive basic text messages (no photos or videos will come through) while on the
DCL-Guest WiFi and staying in airplane mode. The mobile app WhatsApp will also work over this connection for basic messaging using recipients’ phone numbers if you want to install the app and set up that text in advance of your trip. You may also make phone calls using your own device with the Cellular at Sea service; details may be found once onboard and will incur a fee through your cellular network provider.
Please leave this important phone number with your loved ones back in South Carolina:
1-888-DC-AT-SEA (322-8732). They should know your ship and stateroom number to leave you a message in an emergency.
There are options for purchasing Internet access onboard; pricing will become available when you switch your
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to
“onboard mode” once in the port terminal in Vancouver or physically onboard. There are packages based on data use on the Disney Wonder so a small one may be valuable to you for keeping in touch at home if iMessage or WhatsApp are not the best options for your family.
Part of the appeal of a cruise, for me, is being mindfully disconnected from my hectic life full of digital distractions. But this needs to be balanced with the importance of staying available for loved ones and knowing how to connect in an emergency. I hope you can find this stillness in the beautiful wilderness of Alaska while feeling at ease and having peace of mind being in touch with home.
Be sure to check out this handy
packing list for Alaska and remember your layers, rain gear, and bug spray! Please let us know if you have any additional questions as you prepare for this very special sailing, Anita. Thank you for all your support of our planDisney team, we’re always here for you.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Amy