The two most common questions many of you ask after you’ve booked a trip are about currency (see my post from a few weeks go here: https://pamperedcruiser.com/foreign-exchange-tips/), and telecom. The internet has caused a communications revolution – remember the old days of collect calls (at $4/minute), and calling cards?
Now… we’re living like the Jetsons – video calls from the middle of the Ocean!
Some questions prevail, however, as some mobile phone providers limit your voice and data when you’re in another country, and others outright gouge you on roaming fees.
Here’s some things you can do prior to your trip abroad to minimize both your costs and your frustration:
- Understand what your cell phone company will charge you and how they might restrict you when you’re abroad. Keep in mind that this often depends where you’re going. US territories may not have any implications. Mexico and Canada are often different than overseas destinations.
- “Global Roaming” – this is a phrase that has been designed by marketers… make sure you understand the fine print, and don’t assume that you can simply use your cell phone like you would at home.
- Decide how much you need to be connected. You’re on vacation, and while it’s nice to post the occasional photo, isn’t the purpose of spending a lot of money and going a long way away to DISCONNECT?
- Use Free WiFi. It really is everywhere, and you may not need to turn on your phone to a cellular network.
- Don’t count on the ship’s WiFi. WiFi on board ships is certainly better than it was, but even the latest technology slows down significantly, at certain times when everyone is using it.
- Foreign SIM cards. A SIM card is a little computer chip in your device that assigns your phone number to the piece of hardware you’re using. People often ask if they need a SIM card for the country they are visiting. They are cheap (normally under $10), so the stakes are low, but it’s probably not necessary if you’re only visiting for a short time, and you don’t need to be connected at all times. If you’re staying longer, OR you can’t live without permanent real-time connectivity, then you might want to look at it.
- E-SIM. As the name would imply (“E” stand for “electronic”), this is an APP that makes your phone act as though you went and bought a foreign SIM card, without going to the trouble of buying one. It will be some version of this that we will all use in the not too distant future. For now, make sure you understand any subscription costs and limitations.
- Download in advance. Maybe you need some maps, a guide book, or a certain APP when you’re away. These might be really large files, so download them before you leave, so you’re not consuming data on a foreign network.
- Google Translate. This is the APP I don’t leave home without. It’s free, and it goes a long way to bridging the language barrier in other countries. You also don’t have to be THAT traveller that assumes everyone speaks English.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Oceania’s New Fare Structure
The folks at Oceania introduced their new simply MORE fare structure on July 1st, and really does live up to its name. It’s definitely easier to understand than the previous structure, and you do get more. Here’s a short video we produced that explains it: https://youtu.be/0115RvMoa6M
Here’s one example:
Oceania Marina – Iceland
- 9-days from Reykjavik to London departing August 20, 2024
- Visit 4 ports in Iceland, the Faroe Islands (Denmark), the Hebrides, Glasgow, Dublin, London.
- Veranda rooms start at $5249. Air Add-on $1200. Includes $300 per person Shore Excursion wallet, Beer/wine with meals, all specialty dining, and WiFi on the ship.
Douro River with Uniworld
- 8-days round-trip from Porto
- Visit Porto, Regua, Entre-os-Rios, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Salamanca (Spain), Barca d’Alva. See the steep hillside wineries, quaint villages, medieval castles, and go hiking in the vineyards, or perhaps just do a wine tasting.
- Includes all meals and beverages on board, wifi, gratuities, and transfers.
- $4699 per person for departures on March 31, April 7, June 30, or July 7, 14, 21, or 28.
- ALL these dates are eligible for the 10% off early booking discount.
The Douro River is one of the European destinations that was largely sold out for 2023, and 2024 is booking quickly.
Michigan & Macinac Island with Tauck
People have been asking about domestic options, so If you’d rather stay a bit closer to home, here’s a land-tour that caught my eye:
- Traverse City (Michigan) to Detroit.
- Visit Traverse City (2 nights at Traverse City Resort & Spa), sand dunes on Lake Michigan, Mackinac Island, Bay City, Frankenmuth (Bavarian Village), Dearborn (for Ford Museum), and finish in Detroit.
- Depart on September 9 or 30, for $4490 per person.
- Includes a private Motown band performance, wine-pairing dinner at a winery, horse-drawn carriage ride at Mackinac Island, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Tall ship sailing expedition on Grand Traverse Bay, City tour of Detroit, 17 meals, gratuities, service charges, taxes, admission fees.
Panama Canal with Viking Ocean
Viking is throwing in Free Air on this one, but only if it’s booked by July 31.
- Fort Lauderdale to Panama City (with a full transit of the canal) for 11-days departing November 30.
- Visit Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan, Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Colon, Full Transit of the Canal, and Panama City.
- If you want to see the locks from land, you can extend in Panama City for 2 days for $549 per person.
- Past Viking guests will also get their past passenger discount doubled.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
