Ahoy there, Susan!
Welcome aboard planDisney! It looks like you’re getting ready to keep your whole crew connected while onboard, and that’s a very wise move. Whether you’re splitting up to chase different adventures or just trying to regroup before dinner, having chat set up can save the day.
I totally understand why staying in touch is important. Sometimes you’re waiting to enter the Walt Disney Theatre for
Disney Hercules and one of your crew makes a heroic
detour to Preludes for popcorn, or maybe you’re like me and have a teen who needs a gentle reminder that it’s time to leave
Edge and head to dinner before the dining team starts wondering if you’ve sailed off with Captain Jack Sparrow. Having chat ready keeps everyone on the same page without turning your cruise into a game of hide-and-seek.
The good news is getting connected is easy. Once you’re in the terminal or onboard and connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi, open the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. From the home screen, select “On Board or at the Port,” then each person will enter their name, birthdate, and stateroom number using their own device. If your phone uses facial recognition and is linked to the Navigator app, those details may auto-fill, which feels a little like Disney magic doing the work for you. If you’re traveling with children under 13 who have their own devices, you’ll be prompted to approve their access to the chat feature. Once everyone is logged in, the chat is live and you’re officially connected!
You also have the option to use WhatsApp or iMessage to communicate with others onboard or even back home using the ship’s complimentary Wi-Fi. These work well for simple messages, but if you want to send photos or videos, you’ll likely need to
purchase an internet package or wait until you’re back in port. I use these too, but I always find myself coming back to the Navigator app since it’s built specifically for life at sea and has those fun Disney emojis that are hard to resist.
One extra tip I always share, especially with iPhone users: head into your phone’s settings and turn off the private relay before sailing. You can just search for “private relay” in your settings. Leaving it on can cause messages to get stuck like they’ve wandered into the wrong door at Monsters, Inc., and suddenly no one can figure out why replies aren’t coming through.
I hope this helps you get everything set up smoothly so staying connected onboard feels effortless. Once chat is ready, you can focus on the fun, knowing it’s easy to round up your crew whenever the next adventure calls. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating the ship like a seasoned sailor who never misses a beat.
Sea ya real soon as the adventure continues into a bright new year,
Dustin