Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is an Internet Package

If you’re taking a Disney Cruise and you want access to your social media, your favorite games, and your email, then you’ll need to buy an Internet Package. Disney currently offers two tiers: Internet Package and Internet + Streaming Package. Here’s what you need to know about Disney Cruise Line’s WiFi internet access packages. That includes how they’re priced, how well they work – and when you don’t need one.

When you’re onboard, your access to WiFi begins by connecting to the DCL-GUEST WiFi network. Connecting to the DCL-GUEST WiFi is completely free. When you’re connected to DCL-GUEST, you can access the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App. You can keep connected with those on shore through iMessage or WhatsApp. If you want to unplug and be able to message folks at home, you may not need to pay for any access.

However, you will find that most of the internet is off-limits when you are connected to DCL-GUEST. So for anything else, you’ll need to buy a Disney Cruise Line internet package. There are two tiers of packages:

1. Internet Package: Stay connected on social media, browse the web, and access your emails
2. Internet + Streaming Package: All the features of the Internet package, plus faster connection speeds and full streaming access.

The basic package supports social media, email, browsing, short-form video like TikTok, and video calls using Zoom, FaceTime. and the like. It does not support long-form streaming platforms such as Disney+, YouTube, and it does not support streaming from music platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music. For that, you’ll need the premium tier. Both tiers are timed usage – you buy access for a 24-hour period, or for the length of your cruise. But until your time runs out, you can use as much as you want; no one is counting your minutes.

How does Disney Cruise Line’s internet pricing work? That’s a little tricky, so pay attention. The Internet Package currently starts at $26 per day, and the Internet+Streaming Package starts at $42 per day. You can buy a package for 24 hours or for the length of the cruise. And you can purchase a single plan to have up to four devices online at one time.

• There is a discount for buying the length-of-cruise package during the first 24 hours of the cruise.
• There is a per-day discount for buying a length-of-cruise package compared to individual days.
• The length-of-cruise package is pro-rated. If you buy it on day 5 of a 7-day cruise, it will cost less than if you buy it on the first day (even with first-day discounts).
• Multi-device discounts apply. It costs less to buy one plan for two devices than to buy two separate plans.

One of the best ways to save money on Disney Cruise Line internet is to think hard about how many devices you need online at one time. If you’re one person with a laptop and a phone, do you really need to have them both online at one time? If not, save yourself some moola and buy a plan for one device. You can use it with both your laptop and your phone – you just can’t have them both online at the same time.

To connect to the Internet, start in the Navigator App. Tap the “More” menu at the bottom, and then tap the tile for “Connect to the Internet” or “Connect@Sea”. You can also get started by heading directly to dclwifi.com. If you don’t have an active plan, you’ll be walked through purchasing and setting up a login at onboardicafe.com/dcl.  If you do have an active plan, you can log in to the website and then go online.

You can bookmark the iCafe website for easy access in the future. And note that being logged into the website is not the same as being connected to the internet – this is a common gotcha. You’re not connected to the internet unless the little toggle next to your plan is switched to the on position on the device you’re looking at. If it’s green, you’re online.

So, how well do these plans work? What should you expect? First, remember that this is satellite internet, and so it will work better in some places than others. Second, remember that you’re sharing it with an entire boat. Just like on land, you’re likely to find that it’s a bit faster when demand is low and slower when demand is high.

I haven’t sailed with the current packages yet, but experience suggests underperformance of what is advertised. The basic-tier equivalent on past cruises did indeed load my Slack and my Instagram. And my email. But it was painfully slow, and a higher tier was a necessity for more than a few minutes a day. I found the past premium tier pretty good, and other users commonly reported being able to do Teams calls on this tier. I’d expect the same of the current Internet+Streaming package, but I think those who try to use it for a little binge-watching on Hulu may be in for a disappointment.

The good news is that you don’t have to commit right away. If you’re not sure which package is right for you, get the cheaper one. You can always upgrade later if it’s not getting the job done.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a Disney Cruise Line term that you want to see explained? Suggest it in the comments below!