You are so right about needing a smart phone. I just did a 16 day cruise with the new Princess app and I had to learn how to use it before the cruise for everything from boarding, excursions, dining reservations disembarking in ports as well as reboarding. My traveling companion didn’t know how to use her phone so all this fell on me for both of us. Once I got used it, it is a very efficient system and I enjoyed using the app! I’m 70 by the way ☺️
Yes. I have international phone service. Verizon. And thx for reminder about screen shot of passport. I also take pictures of my luggage to show when bags get lost so you can provide description.
I agree... in this day and age, being Tech Savvy and having and knowing how to use - a Smart Phone...is just 'par for the course'. Travel comes with costs: air, ship, rail, food, hotel, excursions, tours, meals, appropriate clothing, new luggage, etc. It just needs to be a normal part of travel now, and not an optional part of it. Everything is online now, Apps, maps, etc.. Even our last cruise, having a phone made the cruise experience, that much smoother and convenient. I was locked out on my balcony, as the wind and the ship rocking, made the sliding glass door shut and lock into place...thankfully, my phone was with me, and I just got on with the Office Chat App, and had an officer come to the rescue!
Allison is spot on. She is 100% correct in this day and age we need a smart phone. This happened to me several years ago. I was going on a cruise. I was going on a plane. I didn’t need an Internet plan internationally did I? Wrong I certainly did. I went outside the airport to use my app to get an Uber and guess what I had no Internet I had to go back into the airport so I could reconnect to their Wi-Fi to use my app and then go back out to the waiting spot where Uber would pick me up. I have AT&T they charge $10. If you don’t use it they don’t charge you.most of the phone carriers have a free class to teach you how the basics of how to use the phone and you can ask those questions there’s always Google that can help you and if you are stuck somewhere, there’s usually someone that’s willing to help you out to do whatever it is you need to do on the phone.
Totally agree Alison. Phone connectivity is a bit like travel insurance, it can be costly and complicated, but you really shouldn't leave home without it.
On my phone, I have a copy of the travel insurance cover page (with policy number) and our marriage certificate (we have different last names) as screen shots in addition to the things you mentioned. I email the complete travel docs, including travel insurance policy to myself, hubby, and emergency contact.
I did the World cruise on Coral Princess this year and on the days that I did not do ship excursions it occurred to me that I had no way of contacting the ship if something happened. This is especially true for those of us that are over 70. I update my phone every 2 years and make myself use Apps for flights, hotels etc. I also screen shot everything and delete when not needed anymore.
Just got back from 2-week trip to Germany & Benelux countries. Used international plan for my phone (AT & T) and it worked wonderfully. Be sure to tell your phone carrier you’ll be traveling internationally & dates before you leave. Used phone a lot with our rental car in Germany for Google maps or when walking around Amsterdam. It cost us about $40 extra on our phone bill for those 2 weeks. Well worth it for the peace of mind & convenience that phone brings.
Thank you for the important information you’re giving us. I have been using WhatsApp with family and friends that also are using WhatsApp. Sometimes I can’t txt photos but I can call and txt with no problem at no cost.. 😊
I use the $10 international plan with Verizon. $5 for Canada and Mexico. Although I’m thinking of using Airalo in the future. I also screenshot lots of things including the excursion ticket that’s on my phone.
Same here, T-Mobile is free with the right plan. Might have to enable it, not sure it’s turned on by default. Also you get some free time on certain airlines WiFi .
Hi. I really like Allison's videos. They're always well thought out and clearly presented. This one got me thinking about reviewing my to-do list for travel. On one of my cruises, I failed to notify my bank of my travel plans, and even though my bank card was securely in my hands or locked in the stateroom vault throughout the cruise, someone was able to use the debit card number as a credit and the cashiers failed to check their ID. I write CID next to my signature on the back of the card, but many cashiers ignore that and sometimes will say things like, "Oh, I trust you.". Please ask the cashier to check ID's. Especially if the customer seems annoyed when asked for their ID. Professional thieves are quite clever while plying their trade, so, please, be more clever than they are, stay safe and enjoy your entire cruise.
Great advice as always. Just got back from a Mediterranean cruise traveling with a friend. I am the phone person had a bit of a scare and realized that my friend needed to know how to use the phone. My advice is everyone you are traveling with should know how to use the apps and phone just in case.
Our T-MOBILE plan w/ international coverage has been wonderful. In Italy recently, we found it difficult to get taxis. Having the Uber app loaded & ready was a back, hip, knees & foot-saving alternative to the old-fashioned transit.The taxi stands were never were we wanted a taxi, and in popular spots there were never taxis available. Uber responded quickly and picked us up in places taxis were not permitted to go.
Hi Allison. Thanks for the video. I’ve got an unlimited plan with Verizon that gives me one free international day for every month I’m on the plan. You max out at 12 total free days, because the day expires one year after it’s given to you. Worked great on a 10-day trip to Europe last year, and when my wife did a 12-day walk on the Camino in Spain this summer. Otherwise, it’s $10/day if you run out of the free ones.
Maybe I worry too much, but I couldn't ever travel without having phone and Internet access. I've gone a few hours without them because my phone's power was very low, but I couldn't take an entire vacation without them.
We have Google Fi as our mobile provider. We cruised through Europe in August. Our phones connected to the local network in each port with a Welcome message and we had no issues. There is no charge for international service. Wifi calling worked fine on the ship with the phones in airplane mode. Was impressed all around.
I always buy my SIM card from Amazon. It worked for me so far. The international plan with my cell phone provider in Canada is $12/day. A SIM Card would be a better option. They have not disappointed me yet.
The international plan with my Canadian cell phone provider is $15 CAD per day which is very expensive. So I use a esim Airalo global esim which is only $125 CAD for 20 Gig of data, 200 minutes of calls and 200 texts for 136 countries for 365 days. in the past I have got Airalo esims for single countries, which costs me less for one week of data than it costs me for one day of data with my Canadian cell phone provider.
I have a smart phone, though it is a 2018 model. Last year when Princess updated their app, my husband went to get the updated version for my phone and the app store said that my phone could not take the newer one. I really want to update to an IPhone but they are so expensive.
Just so you know, the Princess app works perfectly on my older iPhone 8. I bought it secondhand from a local store for $200 which was a bargain compared to the price of a new one. I also recommend the iPhone SE, I want one of those myself. That version of iPhone will still do the updates which can be helpful
We have the $12 per/day plan with AT&T that only charges you if you use it. If my husband uses his phone, (which is on my plan) it is only $6/day. You can make as many calls as you want that day for that price (up to a limit of so many calls-forgot the number). We have only used it twice-once to connect with friends on another trip where to meet them, and on our most recent trip when we had to call each other at Heathrow Airport on which lounge we were in, since we were on separate bookings. I used my smart phone a lot on my recent Sun Princess cruise, but the only thing that didn’t work well was the dining reservation App.
We got the Verizon international plan for our Trans Atlantic. Cost us $100 for each of our phones. Also got a plan for $15 so my wife's parents could call us. Works great
Hi Allison, do you or any of your followers know anything about WhatsApp? It's something that someone recommended to me but don't know if it's good to download and use to keep in touch with those at home. TIA!
Yes and try taking a photo of the bottles with all the info. If security team has any issues you can show them photos of the actual bottles and that also allows you to bring a small pill box with your meds instead of the original bottle or multiple bottles of pills.
You are so right about needing a smart phone. I just did a 16 day cruise with the new Princess app and I had to learn how to use it before the cruise for everything from boarding, excursions, dining reservations disembarking in ports as well as reboarding. My traveling companion didn’t know how to use her phone so all this fell on me for both of us. Once I got used it, it is a very efficient system and I enjoyed using the app! I’m 70 by the way ☺️
Yes. I have international phone service. Verizon. And thx for reminder about screen shot of passport. I also take pictures of my luggage to show when bags get lost so you can provide description.
I agree... in this day and age, being Tech Savvy and having and knowing how to use - a Smart Phone...is just 'par for the course'. Travel comes with costs: air, ship, rail, food, hotel, excursions, tours, meals, appropriate clothing, new luggage, etc. It just needs to be a normal part of travel now, and not an optional part of it. Everything is online now, Apps, maps, etc.. Even our last cruise, having a phone made the cruise experience, that much smoother and convenient. I was locked out on my balcony, as the wind and the ship rocking, made the sliding glass door shut and lock into place...thankfully, my phone was with me, and I just got on with the Office Chat App, and had an officer come to the rescue!
Allison is spot on. She is 100% correct in this day and age we need a smart phone. This happened to me several years ago. I was going on a cruise. I was going on a plane. I didn’t need an Internet plan internationally did I? Wrong I certainly did. I went outside the airport to use my app to get an Uber and guess what I had no Internet I had to go back into the airport so I could reconnect to their Wi-Fi to use my app and then go back out to the waiting spot where Uber would pick me up. I have AT&T they charge $10. If you don’t use it they don’t charge you.most of the phone carriers have a free class to teach you how the basics of how to use the phone and you can ask those questions there’s always Google that can help you and if you are stuck somewhere, there’s usually someone that’s willing to help you out to do whatever it is you need to do on the phone.
Totally agree Alison. Phone connectivity is a bit like travel insurance, it can be costly and complicated, but you really shouldn't leave home without it.
On my phone, I have a copy of the travel insurance cover page (with policy number) and our marriage certificate (we have different last names) as screen shots in addition to the things you mentioned. I email the complete travel docs, including travel insurance policy to myself, hubby, and emergency contact.
I did the World cruise on Coral Princess this year and on the days that I did not do ship excursions it occurred to me that I had no way of contacting the ship if something happened. This is especially true for those of us that are over 70. I update my phone every 2 years and make myself use Apps for flights, hotels etc. I also screen shot everything and delete when not needed anymore.
I 100% agree 👍🏻
Wonderful advice!
Just got back from 2-week trip to Germany & Benelux countries. Used international plan for my phone (AT & T) and it worked wonderfully. Be sure to tell your phone carrier you’ll be traveling internationally & dates before you leave. Used phone a lot with our rental car in Germany for Google maps or when walking around Amsterdam. It cost us about $40 extra on our phone bill for those 2 weeks. Well worth it for the peace of mind & convenience that phone brings.
Thank you for the important information you’re giving us. I have been using WhatsApp with family and friends that also are using WhatsApp. Sometimes I can’t txt photos but I can call and txt with no problem at no cost.. 😊
We use T Mobile. Have international data and texting free. Phone calls are at .25 a minute. We can wifi call.
I use the $10 international plan with Verizon. $5 for Canada and Mexico. Although I’m thinking of using Airalo in the future. I also screenshot lots of things including the excursion ticket that’s on my phone.
$10 plan for each day a 30 day trip for us would be $300! A big No!
T Mobile is unlimited text and internet no $10 a day fee
@@llwil2003 The few days that I’m on land during a cruise it is worth it.
@@llwil2003 The $10 is only for the days you actually use it. So, it is not really $10 a day for every day, unless you make a call every day.
T Mobile is the best service and less expensive international service
Yes, international service is built into the cost of T-Mobile! No "international plan" required...
Same here, T-Mobile is free with the right plan. Might have to enable it, not sure it’s turned on by default. Also you get some free time on certain airlines WiFi .
Depends on your pkg
Yep!
Hi. I really like Allison's videos. They're always well thought out and clearly presented. This one got me thinking about reviewing my to-do list for travel. On one of my cruises, I failed to notify my bank of my travel plans, and even though my bank card was securely in my hands or locked in the stateroom vault throughout the cruise, someone was able to use the debit card number as a credit and the cashiers failed to check their ID. I write CID next to my signature on the back of the card, but many cashiers ignore that and sometimes will say things like, "Oh, I trust you.". Please ask the cashier to check ID's. Especially if the customer seems annoyed when asked for their ID. Professional thieves are quite clever while plying their trade, so, please, be more clever than they are, stay safe and enjoy your entire cruise.
Great advice as always. Just got back from a Mediterranean cruise traveling with a friend. I am the phone person had a bit of a scare and realized that my friend needed to know how to use the phone. My advice is everyone you are traveling with should know how to use the apps and phone just in case.
Our T-MOBILE plan w/ international coverage has been wonderful.
In Italy recently, we found it difficult to get taxis. Having the Uber app loaded & ready was a back, hip, knees & foot-saving alternative to the old-fashioned transit.The taxi stands were never were we wanted a taxi, and in popular spots there were never taxis available. Uber responded quickly and picked us up in places taxis were not permitted to go.
Hi Allison. Thanks for the video. I’ve got an unlimited plan with Verizon that gives me one free international day for every month I’m on the plan. You max out at 12 total free days, because the day expires one year after it’s given to you. Worked great on a 10-day trip to Europe last year, and when my wife did a 12-day walk on the Camino in Spain this summer. Otherwise, it’s $10/day if you run out of the free ones.
Maybe I worry too much, but I couldn't ever travel without having phone and Internet access. I've gone a few hours without them because my phone's power was very low, but I couldn't take an entire vacation without them.
We have Google Fi as our mobile provider. We cruised through Europe in August. Our phones connected to the local network in each port with a Welcome message and we had no issues. There is no charge for international service. Wifi calling worked fine on the ship with the phones in airplane mode. Was impressed all around.
Always carry a copy of our passport on phone and hard copy
I always buy my SIM card from Amazon. It worked for me so far. The international plan with my cell phone provider in Canada is $12/day. A SIM Card would be a better option. They have not disappointed me yet.
E-sim are economical options
We used Airalo when we were in Europe. It was very reasonably and we used the data.
E sim is a good thing to use
I take screenshots of my travel documents.
The international plan with my Canadian cell phone provider is $15 CAD per day which is very expensive. So I use a esim Airalo global esim which is only $125 CAD for 20 Gig of data, 200 minutes of calls and 200 texts for 136 countries for 365 days. in the past I have got Airalo esims for single countries, which costs me less for one week of data than it costs me for one day of data with my Canadian cell phone provider.
I have a smart phone, though it is a 2018 model.
Last year when Princess updated their app, my husband went to get the updated version for my phone and the app store said that my phone could not take the newer one.
I really want to update to an IPhone but they are so expensive.
Just so you know, the Princess app works perfectly on my older iPhone 8. I bought it secondhand from a local store for $200 which was a bargain compared to the price of a new one. I also recommend the iPhone SE, I want one of those myself. That version of iPhone will still do the updates which can be helpful
@@bonniephelps9481
Thanks.
We have the $12 per/day plan with AT&T that only charges you if you use it. If my husband uses his phone, (which is on my plan) it is only $6/day. You can make as many calls as you want that day for that price (up to a limit of so many calls-forgot the number). We have only used it twice-once to connect with friends on another trip where to meet them, and on our most recent trip when we had to call each other at Heathrow Airport on which lounge we were in, since we were on separate bookings. I used my smart phone a lot on my recent Sun Princess cruise, but the only thing that didn’t work well was the dining reservation App.
We got the Verizon international plan for our Trans Atlantic. Cost us $100 for each of our phones. Also got a plan for $15 so my wife's parents could call us. Works great
Has anyone used a VPN on their phone? Is it worth the money?
Hi Allison, do you or any of your followers know anything about WhatsApp? It's something that someone recommended to me but don't know if it's good to download and use to keep in touch with those at home. TIA!
We have used it and it seems popular in Europe. Works well.
@@LetsGoTravelTips thank you!
You already have a list of your prescriptions - Right? - take a photo of it, or write it up as note.
Yes and try taking a photo of the bottles with all the info. If security team has any issues you can show them photos of the actual bottles and that also allows you to bring a small pill box with your meds instead of the original bottle or multiple bottles of pills.