Phone service at port

[jeffr6596]

I switched to cricket wireless about a year ago.  Found out today that the only international service they have is Mexico and Canada.  We are cruising on the Adventure in March to Hatti, Aruba and Bonaire.  I am considering buying a phone so we can check in at home on port days.  I am not interested in buying wifi on the ship.

 

Is there free wifi at these ports and is it fast enough to handle wifi calling?

If not, anyone have phone options?

[Merion_Mom]

Follow the crew.  They know where the free wifi spots are.

[Charles4515]

17 minutes ago, jeffr6596 said:

I switched to cricket wireless about a year ago.  Found out today that the only international service they have is Mexico and Canada.  We are cruising on the Adventure in March to Hatti, Aruba and Bonaire.  I am considering buying a phone so we can check in at home on port days.  I am not interested in buying wifi on the ship.

 

Is there free wifi at these ports and is it fast enough to handle wifi calling?

If not, anyone have phone options?

There is no WiFi at Labadee. Been to Aruba and Bonaire but never looked for free WiFi but there probably is some there. If you want a cell phones with international roaming you need AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon service. They do roam at all three of the ports you mentioned. I have AT&T and pay would pay 10 a day for service at those Caribbean ports. Canada, Mexico, and Latin America are included. 

Edited January 17 by Charles4515

[wolfcathorse]

I have Cricket too. First time we went to Barcelona the sales rep sold me the $15 per month upgrade for International calls. Turns out it was just for me to be able to receive calls, not call out. To use my phone in Spain I needed to get their SIM card, Orange was recommended but Vodaphone also worked. SIM cards are sold at the airports. As MerionMom noted, many cruise terminals have free WiFi, it may not be the fastest or secure but it works, look for where crew are sitting around on their phones.

[neverbeenhere]

All fine info… or you could join the rollcall for your cruise and see if you could get a great deal on someone’s fourth person in a multi-person internet package. $ 5-15 a day depending on how much they don’t need it. 

[SoloAlaska]

If your phone is unlocked you can look at getting a travel SIM card for your trip. This is what I do when I’m traveling in Europe.

[jeffr6596]

Anyone have any experience with esims like Airalo?  I have been doing some research and it looks like a good option.  I wonder if there will be a signal at Labadee?  I think Aruba and Bonaire would be fine.

[Charles4515]

37 minutes ago, jeffr6596 said:

Anyone have any experience with esims like Airalo?  I have been doing some research and it looks like a good option.  I wonder if there will be a signal at Labadee?  I think Aruba and Bonaire would be fine.

There is a cell coverage at Labadee which I have used roaming on AT&T. So theoretically Airalo should work if they have coverage in Haiti. Does your phone use eSims? Is it unlocked? Airlalo needs uses esims.  Airalo plans are data and text so for calls you would need to use FaceTime or WhatsApp. 

Edited January 17 by Charles4515

[jeffr6596]

My phone is not unlocked.  I discovered that requirement a couple days ago.  I also have a pay as you go Verizon phone.  Looks like I will be adding their travel plan.

 

thanks for the replies.

[LeeW]

Set up wireless calling before you leave (airplane mode then turn on wifi, see if you can make calls).  Then you should be able to use it anywhere you can get a wifi signal. 

 

Aruba has good internet everywhere, especially if you step into one of the casino hotels.  Haiti port has a lot of hot spots.  Bonaire not as much. 

 

We use the low cost plans from Boost and MetroPCS that do not have out of country phone coverage.  Never needed it in many cruises.  In Europe might have been nice to have a local phone to connect to map software.

[Charles4515]

11 minutes ago, LeeW said:

.  Haiti port has a lot of hot spots

Labadee ( Haiti) does not have hot spots. 

Edited January 22 by Charles4515

[smokeybandit]

I would check if Cricket has some reasonable international options like the big carriers do

[cruiseguy1016]

1 hour ago, LeeW said:

Set up wireless calling before you leave (airplane mode then turn on wifi, see if you can make calls).  Then you should be able to use it anywhere you can get a wifi signal. 

 

Aruba has good internet everywhere, especially if you step into one of the casino hotels.  Haiti port has a lot of hot spots.  Bonaire not as much. 

 

We use the low cost plans from Boost and MetroPCS that do not have out of country phone coverage.  Never needed it in many cruises.  In Europe might have been nice to have a local phone to connect to map software.

 

I think you meant to say wifi calling, not wireless, correct?