Ahoy there, Caroline!
It is great to see you again here at planDisney. Welcome home! How exciting to have a Disney Cruise Line vacation on the horizon!
The Eastern Caribbean itinerary is full of gorgeous vistas and amazingly blue waters––it will be a spectacular first cruise! The BVI and USVI are some of my favorite places for snorkeling. I hope you have some days on the beach with your phone tucked away planned!
If you need to use your cell phone for making calls, the need for an international plan depends on where you would like to make calls from. For making calls on the ship, once you are out to sea, you can purchase the
Cellular at Sea plan. You will need to contact your cellular provider for specific rates. You could also purchase the
Basic Surf Wi-Fi package once you are onboard the ship to use wi-fi to make voice calls.
In my experience, when you are in port, calls from the USVI do not require an international calling plan, but calls from the BVI do. Also, keep in mind that when using cell phones on and around the islands, phones often drop and pick up different cell tower services, so while you may be enjoying a USVI Port Adventure, your phone might pick up service from the BVI. Caroline, if you must use your phone while in the BVI or at
Disney Castaway Cay, I suggest you contact your carrier about an international option.
One bit of technology you can count on during your cruise is the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app! If you haven't already, download it to your phone so you have all your cruise details at your fingertips. You can use the app for booking your onboard activities,
Port Adventures, and for online check-in, all before your cruise even begins. Once on board, the app will help you keep track of all the onboard activities, entertainment, and your
Rotational Dining schedule. The app is also where you will find all the information about the onboard Wi-Fi services.
I hope this information is helpful, Caroline. Please let us know if you have other questions!
Wishing you many magical memories,
Shannon