Using My iPad on the Fantasy About This Page:

[modisney]

I'd like to bring my iPad on our Fantasy cruise for reading and using some non internet based apps. If I keep it on "airplane" mode and keep my cellular date off for the entire cruise, I won't incur any internet charges etc.????? Hints, tips, advice. Thanks

[Wolfhunt]

If your iPad is in airplane mode and wifi is off you shouldn't incur any data charges. You can also turn off cell data to be doubly sure. If you try to use the internet on the ship it will ask you to sign up for a bundle of minutes. This means you can't accidently get hit with internet charges through Disney. Do be careful if you activate your cell data though. That might get hit with international charges (although I'm really not sure how that works with just data).

[Dave Marx]

If you have a wifi-only iPad, all you have to do is turn off wifi to avoid charges. Even if you do turn on wifi, you still have to log in (via your browser) to access the internet (and run-up charges). But turning off wifi altogether also extends your battery life.

If you have a 3G iPad, then Airplane Mode is definitely the right way to go - as long as you have cellular roaming you can be hit with data charges throughout the cruise.

So, just be careful to only turn on wifi and/or cellular service when you want it, and you'll be fine. (I don't even travel with a laptop anymore - my wifi, first-generation iPad is "it.")

[KSSteve]

I'm with you Dave!

On our road trip to Seattle in July before our cruise, I'll use the IPad to hunt for hotels if need be. No more lugging around the laptop

[dmpyron]

With iOS devices that have any type of mobile access you need to turn off "Cellular Data'. Every time we get off the boat (ship ) we get a SMS from AT&T telling us that we might be charge up to $19.95 per MB. AT&T flat out tells you to turn it off, even if you have the international roaming plan, since this is a different "feature".

But if you have a WiFi only device, there's no danger of accidentally incurring charges since you have to sign up in advance. We typically buy minutes at one of the internet cafes in port. $.10 a minute is much better the $.55. "ET phone home" for about $.30 a minute using a Cable & Wireless card in the Cayman Islands.

[Clare loves Stitch]

I would rather not risk it and just take the sim out!