Welcome aboard, Michael! Disney Cruise Line understands that back home, we're so used to being able to communicate instantly through cell phones and texting. They have some wonderful features onboard that allow guests to keep in touch with each other while on the ship and at Castaway Cay, without having to incur roaming charges on our personal cell phones.
Each stateroom includes two
Wave Phones which are like cell phones that work on the ship and at Castaway Cay. Additional Wave Phones can be borrowed at Guest Services for a small additional fee. If you'd like to give your older children a Wave Phone while onboard, they can use those to call or text you to keep in touch. Children who have their own mobile devices have an even better option.
Disney Cruise Line's Navigator App not only includes the activity schedule and maps of the ship, but also a fun and easy to use texting feature that works really easily on your mobile devices. The app is free to use on the DCL-GUEST WiFi network. (Other internet use on that network will require a package purchase.) My husband and I have the app downloaded on our iPhones so we can text each other to keep in touch and meet up on the ship. Our oldest daughter has used a Wave Phone, but it's big and not an easy thing to carry around for a child, so her smaller mobile device also has the app on it so we can text with her. Our son isn't without us unless he's in the Oceaneer Club. So if he needs us, the counselors in the Club and Lab can text us through the Navigator App or Wave Phone to let us know to stop by to check in on him.
So, with all those ways to keep in touch, depending on your child's age and level of responsibility, you certainly have plenty of options while onboard, Michael! Happy sailing!
Marcy