Caribbean temp sim card

bill_the_bus
bill_the_bus Posts: 495 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 7 November 2023 at 6:02PM in Mobiles
Going on a transatlantic cruise and need a temp sim card to cover the Caribbean part of it. Currently with Smarty who offer up to 12GB data and inclusive minutes and texts for EU roaming but don't do any international package and want crazy money to use mobile over there on a call by call basis. Is there any way I can sign up for a temp deal to cover a few calls, need to make proper calls and not using wi fi, also around 10 GB data just to keep in touch back home. Need for 1 week but not until 10 days into the cruise. Have a a galaxy A34 so has a space for 2 sim cards. TIA. Bill. 

Comments

  • Brie
    Brie Posts: 14,273 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Talk to the cruise company - you won't be the first to need something, including the crew.  I get a 1 month sim when I go to Canada as the $25 for calls, internet, texts is much better than the £5+ per day my mobile company would charge.  I am given a different number but my contacts are all on the phone so I just let them know that for those 2 weeks that's the number they need.  There are cheaper deals available but added costs mean the one I get is best value.  
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  • Hi. The cruise does a data package is1000mb £35 and 5000mb £95 but is quite slow. I also need to keep in touch by normal calls rather than WiFi call which is why i cannot use bar free wifi whrn on land. Want something with a one off payment or a 1 month contract. Prefer to buy before leaving but could buy in Antigua
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's likely to cost you dearly to make international voice calls in the Caribbean directly using any UK or local SIM. If you need to display your known phone number during calls, that can be done over WiFi with certain services, but unlikely to receive calls that way to your number. 
    Evolution, not revolution
  • Hi. The cruise does a data package is1000mb £35 and 5000mb £95 but is quite slow. I also need to keep in touch by normal calls rather than WiFi call which is why i cannot use bar free wifi whrn on land. Want something with a one off payment or a 1 month contract. Prefer to buy before leaving but could buy in Antigua
    35 quid for 1GB of slow data? I hope the booze is free.
  • jbrassy
    jbrassy Posts: 1,016 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    If your phone is able to accept them, you could get an esim: https://www.airalo.com/

    If you need to make international calls, you could download Rebtel and connect to the WiFi.
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 17,784 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    When are you wanting this for? Whilst on the ship or when on the islands?

    As per several rants on here, cruise ships tend to have their own mobile network that connects via satellite via the maritime network... its exceptionally expensive and plenty of people don't realise that it doesn't count as being in whatever country/region they are near.

    The Caribbean is a large ocean with 24 countries and a few European territories having Caribbean coastlines. It probably help you being more specific and if you need voice/data in all of them or not. 
  • bill_the_bus
    bill_the_bus Posts: 495 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 10 November 2023 at 8:12AM
    Just really need to make voice contact on landline after 7 days at sea, need some data to pick up emails check banking etc. Could do that at a local bar if no other choice though would prefer my own secure network. 1st and biggest port of call will be Antigua but would be a bonus if could use at smaller local islands we visit. 
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