pepcab Posted October 26 #1 Share Posted October 26 Has anyone used an e-sim while cruising the Caribbean before? If so which company did you use? I don't want a new phone number though. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d9704011 Posted October 26 #2 Share Posted October 26 If you want an esim with data, text and talk you will get a phone number with this. If all you want is a data esim, no phone number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CDNPolar Posted October 27 #3 Share Posted October 27 There are many companies out there now, you have to find one that will give you what you want - in a package - for the area you are cruising. We use ESims all the time now. There is Airalo which we use currently. They have a Caribbean package - make sure that you read the list of islands / countries that you are visiting. https://www.airalo.com/caribbean-islands-esim We never get "talk" we just get data. We have iPhones so we use WhatsApp and Wifi calling. We ask friends and family to call us on WhatsApp when we are travelling if there is anything urgent. Note however that when you are 'at sea' and too far from a cell tower, you will not have service with the esim and will have to rely on the ship's wifi. The esim is only going to give you coverage when you are in reach of a tower. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gold1953 Posted October 27 #4 Share Posted October 27 We love Airalo . The app makes it quick to check your balance and top up if needed. There is another huge company but no app so everything is via email. If you want Airalo and need $3 off use my code ( we all get a code) PAT4062 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgabriel Posted October 27 #5 Share Posted October 27 (edited) We recently sailed with my cousin and he installed a separate SIM card for his phone but he couldn't make calls, or send/receive texts from his Canadian phone number. Is it simple to set these up? I want to be able to use my existing phone number (don't need a new number) but also access data while out and about. I have an iPhone. Any specific recommendations for the US and maybe some of the Caribbean would be appreciated. Edited October 27 by mrgabriel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted October 27 #6 Share Posted October 27 37 minutes ago, mrgabriel said: We recently sailed with my cousin and he installed a separate SIM card for his phone but he couldn't make calls, or send/receive texts from his Canadian phone number. Is it simple to set these up? I want to be able to use my existing phone number (don't need a new number) but also access data while out and about. I have an iPhone. Any specific recommendations for the US and maybe some of the Caribbean would be appreciated. If this is what you want the easiest is to arrange a travel add-on to your existing service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnia 432 Posted October 27 #7 Share Posted October 27 We use gigsky for our eSIM when traveling, data only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gold1953 Posted October 27 #8 Share Posted October 27 3 hours ago, mrgabriel said: We recently sailed with my cousin and he installed a separate SIM card for his phone but he couldn't make calls, or send/receive texts from his Canadian phone number. Is it simple to set these up? I want to be able to use my existing phone number (don't need a new number) but also access data while out and about. I have an iPhone. Any specific recommendations for the US and maybe some of the Caribbean would be appreciated. Airalo has a choice of data only or data and calls but not with your # . A daily fee paid to your home provider gets you use of your #.. But with a cheap e-sim purchased early you can share the temporary # with those who need it. Airalo allows you to start using on day of your choice where as some require you to start the day your purchase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middleager Posted October 28 #9 Share Posted October 28 We've used many different eSIMs. Never encountered any that required us to start the count at the time of purchase. Always been able to use later, at the date we want to start. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gold1953 Posted October 28 #10 Share Posted October 28 4 hours ago, Middleager said: We've used many different eSIMs. Never encountered any that required us to start the count at the time of purchase. Always been able to use later, at the date we want to start. good. The first one suggest to us had to be used right away It was cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookbabe Posted November 2 #11 Share Posted November 2 On 10/27/2024 at 12:54 PM, mrgabriel said: We recently sailed with my cousin and he installed a separate SIM card for his phone but he couldn't make calls, or send/receive texts from his Canadian phone number. Is it simple to set these up? I want to be able to use my existing phone number (don't need a new number) but also access data while out and about. I have an iPhone. Any specific recommendations for the US and maybe some of the Caribbean would be appreciated. Do you want cheap or do you want to have access to your regular cell number? If you want cheap, I’d go with Airalo. Good packages, good customer service, relatively easy to use…but as others have said, you would have to turn off your regular phone service in the phone settings (to avoid roaming charges) and use their number for calls or an app like WhatsApp for data only calls. If you want to be able to use your regular phone service while away, in the same way you do at home and with the same number for calls and texts, you need to contact your provider about a roaming package, and it won’t be cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgabriel Posted November 2 #12 Share Posted November 2 On 10/27/2024 at 11:33 AM, broberts said: If this is what you want the easiest is to arrange a travel add-on to your existing service. It's easy but expensive. We just got back from Europe and the roaming was $250 for 16 days. Wish Canadian carriers would adopt the same pricing as US carriers. My old Verizon phone cost an extra $30 a month for international roaming and I was able to use my data and phone lines with no extra cost. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgabriel Posted November 2 #13 Share Posted November 2 4 hours ago, bookbabe said: Do you want cheap or do you want to have access to your regular cell number? If you want cheap, I’d go with Airalo. Good packages, good customer service, relatively easy to use…but as others have said, you would have to turn off your regular phone service in the phone settings (to avoid roaming charges) and use their number for calls or an app like WhatsApp for data only calls. If you want to be able to use your regular phone service while away, in the same way you do at home and with the same number for calls and texts, you need to contact your provider about a roaming package, and it won’t be cheap. Well, was hoping for both! 😜 Now thinking that I'll just sign up for a pre-paid plan and bring one of my old phones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgabriel Posted November 2 #14 Share Posted November 2 On 10/27/2024 at 2:48 PM, gold1953 said: Airalo has a choice of data only or data and calls but not with your # . A daily fee paid to your home provider gets you use of your #.. But with a cheap e-sim purchased early you can share the temporary # with those who need it. Airalo allows you to start using on day of your choice where as some require you to start the day your purchase Could I use this plan with a phone that's currently not active? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookbabe Posted November 2 #15 Share Posted November 2 1 hour ago, mrgabriel said: Could I use this plan with a phone that's currently not active? As long as the phone will accept an eSim, it will work. Google the model number if you’re not sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Airbalancer Posted November 2 #16 Share Posted November 2 2 hours ago, mrgabriel said: It's easy but expensive. We just got back from Europe and the roaming was $250 for 16 days. Wish Canadian carriers would adopt the same pricing as US carriers. My old Verizon phone cost an extra $30 a month for international roaming and I was able to use my data and phone lines with no extra cost. Freedom price is not to bad , for a $29 per month plan that includes US & Mexico or get a $45 per month plan that international roaming 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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