<p>I don’t travel that much, but when I went to the Bahamas a few years ago, I was astonished by the roaming fees and other charges I incurred.</p>
<p>What do people do when they plan on traveling abroad? Get a global phone? Not use their phone? Buy a limited data plan?</p>
<p>Is this something that varies by cell phone company? I called verizon and they said the things that rack up the fees are data, email, internet.</p>
<p>What constitutes “data” – downloading apps? Viewing a website? Is the definition of data different for each cell phone provider?</p>
<p>The reason I’m asking: D is going to Aruba for spring break. Telling her not to use her iphone is like telling her to stay out of the sun – it’s not going to happen. I’m trying to figure out the best way to contain the damage while still letting her use her phone.</p>
<p>It depends on the country but I know several people that just buy a prepaid type phone when they get to wherever they are going if they are doing a study abroad or longer trip. For a trip to Aruba I would contact your cell phone carrier and see what they have to offer for international plans. I know when we have gone places we could add the international coverage for however long we need it and then take it off when we get home. Each carrier would be different though.</p>
<p>My S & others I know just use Internet cafes exclusively and avoid the possibility of data or roaming charges. In Australia and Thailand, the Internet cafes were very reasonable. In Taiwan as well.</p>
<p>We don’t use our phones when we travel out of the country on vacation. One of us has either a Netbook or IPad with us, and can hook into wifi a couple of times while away.</p>
<p>We give our kids our itinerary so they have numbers to reach us in case of an emergency.</p>
<p>But the phones get turned off the second we leave U.S space. It’s a vacation…and to be honest, we just don’t want to talk on the phone. And yes…some of these trips have been for 2-3 weeks in duration.</p>
<p>My daughter removed the SIM card from her iPhone, and downloaded the Viber app, as did we. She had access to wifi almost everywhere she went, which is necessary for Viber, so we communicated by text and phone call often.</p>
<p>Another friend of mine took a river cruise in France, but since she had to pay extra for wifi, was not able to use Viber, and therefore didn’t communicate with others at home. Somewhat like the old days, right? When I traveled in Europe in 1976, I called home twice in a 4 week period. I think I also wrote some postcards. I don’t know how my mother did it!</p>
<p>Ok…even I got sucked into this TWO YEAR OLD thread. So much has changed in communications in two years…maybe a new thread without outdated info can be started.</p>
<p>I thought one of the reasons to go on vacation was to get a break from being tethered to your electronics!
For those who can’t bear that thought, either get a phone once you arrive, or plan for its use beforehand with a special plan.</p>