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E-sim for cruise


pepcab
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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.

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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

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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 by mrgabriel
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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.

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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

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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

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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.

 

 

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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. 

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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. 

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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? 

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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 

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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 

IMG_7676.thumb.png.54d46494a6f915decd38f933d874e7fa.pngIMG_7806.thumb.png.65c94856e3d807238a6adbed358c2ec1.png

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