A Few Final Details

[mdmudda59]

Since my husband and I are leaving our kids back home with their 81 year old grandmother, we wanted to assure them of their being able to contact us in event of an emergency.:eek:

Has anyone ever used their cell phones at the islands, and what added expenses might that incure?

Is it better to purchase international calling cards?

Also has anyone ever brought their laptop, and if so is there wireless available and for what additional charges?

We'll be on the Opera Feb. 11th.

Thanks for the help,

Maryann

[bthorn1108]

Since my husband and I are leaving our kids back home with their 81 year old grandmother, we wanted to assure them of their being able to contact us in event of an emergency.:eek:

Has anyone ever used their cell phones at the islands, and what added expenses might that incure?

Is it better to purchase international calling cards?

Also has anyone ever brought their laptop, and if so is there wireless available and for what additional charges?

We'll be on the Opera Feb. 11th.

Thanks for the help,

Maryann

 

Hi Maryann,

I have used my cell phone (Cingular) in Puerto Rico before, and there were not any additional charges, however, I also have nationwide calling. It did not work in St. Marteen and I never tried it in the Domincan Republic. I believe wireless is available onboard the ship, but in limited areas. The cost would be the same as using their internet cafe. I think I'll leave the laptop home and use their computers. Hope to see you onboard.

[joedebnh]

St. Martin and San Juan will both have internet cafe's which are the best bet for low cost communications. I don't know about La Romera but I would be surprised if there isn't one. Most cruise ports also are used by crew to communicate with home as well.

[cmjaffe]

The cruiselines have a number available where you can be reached (not sure if it's a fax etc.) if an emergency arrises as home. If you're in port I'm sure an internet cafe would work out better than on board the ship. The ship DOES offer a cell phone for about $7 per minute to use... though the price might be the same as doing a ship to shore.

Enjoy your cruise.

Carolyn

[antcyd]

In both St Maarteen and St Thomas I have found internet cafes in the main shopping areas and the price was around $6-$7 per hour, alot cheaper than on the ship. The ship is 60cents per minute with a minimun of 10 minutes charged everytime you sign online.

My cell is with Verizon, I was able to get service in San Juan but it was roaming. I had bought an ATT calling card at Sam's club(or Costco) and using a pay phone right at the peir was simple as could be.

I was not able to get service in any other islands and you have to purchase a calling card from that particular island to call home.

My ATT calling card does not work in St Thomas or St Maarteen.

Hope that helps.

[resistk]

Check with you cell provider first and tell them what countries you are visiting otherwise your phone may not work. I know Cingular needs to add those countries to your service range. I called home from San Juan and surprisingly La Romana.

[mdmudda59]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Definitely leaving the laptop home and picking up a few calling cards as well as carrying the cell phones just in case. We have sprint and Nextel.

Less than 6 days until sunshine, warm weather, no cooking or work!!!!!!

Hope to see all those cruising the Opera this Saturday, the 11th!

Maryann

[cmjaffe]

Maryann,

Regarding the calling cards... find out before you leave the "access" phone number you need for each island... it's the local phone number you need to call from the payphone before you can start placing your home phone call.

Also, in Puerto Rico we used our cell phone, T-Mobile and were not charged roaming charges... we DID have signal. It worked out great.

Hope this helps and have a great trip.

Carolyn