Telephone Communication while abroad

[C.Real]

Verizon now offers a "free" rental cell phone to their account holders while traveling abroad.The phone is Fedexed to the account holder prior to their out-of-the-country departure. With the "no fee" option, the phone holder simply gets billed for the minutes used according to the rate schedule reflecting the location. In Europe, the rate ranges from $1.30-$2.00/minute. With the $4.99 prepaid fee option, the rates per minute are about $.30/minute less.

We already have prepaid phone card which are in fact cheaper to use. The appeal of the rental phone is "convenience" and not having to hunt for a pay phone in the event of an emergency.

Has anyone used the Verizon "rental" phone system and if so, how well did it work for you?

Thanks, we are preparing for a 32 day cruise aboard the RCC out of Copenhagen in Sept'10 and want to be reasonably prepared.

 

Bob

[euro cruiser]

Two of my cousins rented phones from Verizon last summer before our Med cruise. They worked sometimes, but not always. Even in downtown Rome, where just about everyone has a cell phone, the service was spotty. However, when they worked, it was nice to have them.

 

We also had issues with them in Capri. For some reason when one called the other, the phone didn't ring, but they were able to leave a voice mail message, which took about 20 minutes or so to show up on the recipient's phone.

[C.Real]

thank you for the reply.

 

bob

[Keith1010]

I just take my regular iPhone with me. We try to keep calls to a minimum but it just is easier for me to manage. We make frequent use of e mail.

 

Keith