Email addresses from DCL?? About This Page:

[TiggerAlli]

Hello!

My DPIL (parent's-in-law) are going on a cruise with NCL and they have been given an email address to use while they are cruising with them. They will be able to access any messages we send at stations on each level of the ship on a daily (maybe more often) basis. This is WAY cool [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] , I think!

Does Disney do anything similar? If not, can you access your regular email and how do you do that/how much does it cost?

Thanks everyone! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 04-28-2003, 08:51 AM: Message edited by: TiggerAlli ]

[Belle*]

You should be able to access your own e-mail but to be sure, sign up for a Yahoo or Hotmail address. I'm going to go lookup the pricing for you. I'll be back! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Bert & Sully]

Yikes! DCL charges HOW MUCH and NCL offers it for FREE? Does it maybe have something to do with what category level they are going?

[TiggerAlli]

Thank you Belle* I do already have both hotmail & yahoo accts. so that part is taken care of! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Yikes! I was really hoping to use this to check on our sweet pooch while we were gone but that price is pretty daunting. Oh well, I guess you have to do what you have to do [img]graemlins/pout.gif[/img] . Thank you for the info. Stormy!

I really don't think so Elaine, I am not sure what category they are in but from what DMIL said there are stations on every level of the ship that you can access the address they give you to get messages. I don't think it's general internet access but all I really want to do is check my email once or twice a day--this would have been perfect! Plus they got an ENORMOUS deal on this trip (maybe $1300 for airfare from Chi. to Seattle & the cruise--AMAZING!). They may even have a balcony for that price!

Thanks everyone! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Taswira]

NCL does NOT offer free Internet access. Like DCL, they provide you with a shipboard e-mail address where you can RECEIVE e-mail free (usually through Guest Services I believe), but not send. Like DCL, NCL charges 75 cents per minute.

For NCL's pricing, see http://www.ncl.com/more/internet_cafe.asp

[Dave Marx]

Internet access on DCL is provided by a third-party contractor that services several other cruise lines. Internet access at sea requires a satellite connection, and that doesn't come cheaply.

They use a standardized e-mail account-naming procedure, typically using the first initial, last name and stateroom number of the guest who booked the reservation. There's no reason a cruise line couldn't give that address out in advance and look like it's doing something special. Not only that, but it would encourage more guests to pay for the e-mail service.

For my money, the NCL Internet address "feature" is like those cruise ads that imply that the pictured shore excursions are included in the cruise. Of course, they're extra-cost options, and nearly every excursion is offered by nearly every cruise line.

If you want to use e-mail economically on board, create a special free e-mail account (hotmail, etc.) or a new AOL screen name/ISP username, just to use on the cruise. That way you won't have to wade through a lot of spam to find urgent messages from home or the office. Then, if all you need to do is check e-mail occasionally, use the on-board pay-as-you go option (75 cents per minute). To save even more money, visit Internet cafes when you're in ports-of-call--charges are far lower. Having an e-mail address independent of the ship gives you the flexibility to check and respond to e-mail wherever you are on your journey.

[Taswira]

If you choose to do the 75 cents per minute access, no matter which cruise line you are on, just remember that the 75 cents per minute is charged not only while you are retrieving e-mail, but while you are reading and composing - in other words, any time you are "using" the Internet terminal. It can get VERY expensive!

[Taswira]

The "unlimited Internet" plan is $39.99 on the 3-night and 4-night cruises. It is $89.99 on the 7-night cruises. If you do not sign up for the unlimited package, it will cost you 75 cents per minute.

[Taswira]

Additional Details aside from the unlimited Internet package-

$.75 per minute to use the Internet which includes surfing and checking personal e-mail accounts
- Additional charge of $3.95 to send an e-mail from your onboard ship e-mail account
- No charge to receive an e-mail from your onboard ship e-mail account
- Additional charge of $5.95 to send a digital video e-mail from your onboard ship e-mail account

[katerkat]

I ended up spending about $40 on the 7-day cruise checking my email once a day for about ten minutes, to keep in touch with my husband.
The fun thing about Disney was that they often offered "specials" -- one days it was send a video email for free. You paid for the minutes to make it, but the $4 or $5 fee to send it was free. We lucked out, that day was my sister's birthday, so we were singing in the Internet cafe... [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
If you keep track of your time, and only read the emails you *need* to, you shouldn't be spending that much time. And Internet cafes in port are cheaper, too.

[TiggerAlli]

Originally posted by Dave:

To save even more money, visit Internet cafes when you're in ports-of-call--charges are far lower.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">So how do I find these in port?

Thank you all for the info.!

[Dave Marx]

Most ports have at least one Internet cafe in the heart of touristland. We list some of them our DCL guidebook on page 113, but a pair of sharp eyes while you stroll around may be enough-some are legitimate cafes, others are bars, souvenir shops, etc., advertising Internet access in the window. Also, scan the ads in the tourist maps and fliers you'll get when you step off the ship. A Google search for "(island/port name) Internet cafe" works very well, too.

[TiggerAlli]

Thanks Dave! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I will have to make a note of this for November!

Thank you again!