Is there an app we should be downloading before we go ( instant messaging?)

on Disney we download an app and connected once we were on board it as great for messaging each other and for the kids to keep up with their friends, I can’t seem to find if hal has the same idea.

Yes, the Holland America Navigator App. It’s not the best I have seen, but offers what most will need. It has a messaging feature, menus, daily activities, ability to check your statement, etc.

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But it’s not an app you download. It’s accessed via the ships local area network, here are instructions from HAL’s website:

Once on board, switch your device to airplane mode and connect with your ship's Wi-Fi and open your device's web browser — Navigator should open automatically. You won't incur Internet or cellular data charges when using Navigator.

• Discover onboard events & activities
  
• Book shore excursions
  
• Make dinner reservations
  
• Chat with fellow travelers
  
• View onboard statements
  
• Connect to paid Internet
  
• And more
  

Do you have to use Navigator in order not to incur charges, or can any browser be used (IE, Safari,etc)?

once you are onboard and in airplane mode you connect to ship wifi and then launch safari (or whatever android version) and the navigator site should come up automatically

Any browser will connect you to the intranet on the ship.

Just a hint: If you all have iPhones, iMessage will run on the LAN. It runs over ports 80 & 443, which - assuming you know how to connect - will run just fine.

Thank you!

We used navigator many times per day, every day on board. Very helpful