August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[SailingSeas]

JD; if you have AT&T, you can add on the 5.99 international calling feature for your phone calls, and your international data package for $24.99. Have it turned on the day before you leave, and call to have it shut off the day you return. AT&T will prorate your membership if you don't use all of it. I also turn on international texting as well for most trips for me to keep in touch with my kids, but I think I'm lucky enough to be able to turn it off this trip since they will be with me.

There are a boatload of AT&T hotspots with free wifi in Dublin, Barcelona, Rome, and a few others, but i forget the list off the top of my head. Be sure to turn off international roaming, and leave on your wifi enabler. Your phone will tell you if you are near a hotspot and you can pop in, download your email and walk away.

My iPhone is my lifeline for work. I find better connectivity for work using it, than world phones; just my personal experience.

There is a great article here:

http://waterwinetravel.com/2011/03/5-tips-for-using-the-apple-iphone-in-europe/

and another here:

http://www.lodgephoto.com/blog/going-wireless-in-europe-what-you-need-to-know-about-cell-phones/12/

finally, you can also 'jailbreak' your iPhone to work globally, if you happen to have a handy teen around.

 

[ukwizard]

OK, im checking out AT & T as I have a US sim I use while in the States for my iPad, but it looks like is $ 24.99 for 20mb of data ???? Ouch!!!

I thought our roaming charges were bad at approx $ 3.50 for 25mb in Europe!!!

Andy

 

[SailingSeas]

US cell and data charges are obscene compared to the rest of the worlds, I agree.

 

[jd99]

JD; if you have AT&T, you can add on the 5.99 international calling feature for your phone calls, and your international data package for $24.99. Have it turned on the day before you leave, and call to have it shut off the day you return. AT&T will prorate your membership if you don't use all of it. I also turn on international texting as well for most trips for me to keep in touch with my kids, but I think I'm lucky enough to be able to turn it off this trip since they will be with me.

There are a boatload of AT&T hotspots with free wifi in Dublin, Barcelona, Rome, and a few others, but i forget the list off the top of my head. Be sure to turn off international roaming, and leave on your wifi enabler. Your phone will tell you if you are near a hotspot and you can pop in, download your email and walk away.

My iPhone is my lifeline for work. I find better connectivity for work using it, than world phones; just my personal experience.

There is a great article here:

http://waterwinetravel.com/2011/03/5-tips-for-using-the-apple-iphone-in-europe/

and another here:

http://www.lodgephoto.com/blog/going-wireless-in-europe-what-you-need-to-know-about-cell-phones/12/

finally, you can also 'jailbreak' your iPhone to work globally, if you happen to have a handy teen around.

thanks I do have AT&T - so that's why I was wondering why everyone was buying/renting these world phones. Glad to hear that someone else has been successful doing what we are planning - though we aren't going to buy the international data package since we will just use it in wifi hotspots - or not at all. Or am I misunderstanding what I heard and i NEED the data package even with using wifi.....Less panicked..just a bit confused.

 

[SailingSeas]

If you don't work with a company that offers international options, you do need to get some type of global access if you wish to stay connected. the US operates on different standards than most of the world for wireless technology. The claim is for security reasons, however, it also allows for enterprise to have higher costs associated with protecting that privacy as well. without getting into much detail, many folks don't have providers that will operate under the GSM international standards. AT&T and Apple planned that their iPhone cooperation would work internationally, and opted for plans that could work on these standards.

This means that yes, you will need a data plan in order to use the wifi hot spots, since they are under a different connectivity standard than we use here in the US. During my recent trip from Mexico, however, my $5.99 international voice activation was only used for one week, so my fee was a little less than $2 once i cancelled and my $24.99/20G data plan was used in its entirety, and I had an 89 cent charge in addition, over one week. In previous stays, I have had a portion of that data plan refunded as well as gone the other route and had it go overboard and paid an additional $15 to $20 for texts because apparently I did not clearly understand my daughter's NEEEEEEEEED to go see Justin Bieber with her friends and I was a horrible, horrible mother. Again, that is just based on my useage and YMMV.

If you have skype or something like that, you can also log in onboard the ship, however, the connection is unstable and the lag can be horrific.

And if all the above does not label me as a Class A Technogeek, I don't know what would.

 

[Anal Annie]

Ok one less panic and one new panic.

The less panic. If we go closer to our US carrier 50 pound limit on one of our bags, we will only have to pay about 5 Euros for one singular flight. So the panic to keep to 44 lbs (20 kilos) for our one flight from Athens to barcelona is officially over.

But the new panic. Why are you ordering world phones? I have been assured that my iPhone WILL work in Europe and getting the discounted phone rate in case we need it. Suspecting we may need to text a little bit - but told it was 50 cents per text. So..............why the need for a world phone? Curious, potentially freaked out minds what to know.

Glad you are figuring out your packing / weight!! Do you have a luggage scale you can take with you?! I just got one for this trip & I LOVE it!! I am weighing everything!! I hope to finish organizing the packing tomorrow so that I can see if we need more packing cubes! I think DH has decided to leave his laptop at home & just bring his IPad...so that will help with our carry-on weight restrictions.

WE have Verizon Wireless and our "normal" phones are not "global". DH has some Droid thing (the Incredible maybe) but it did not have whatever it needed to work in Europe so he had to get another one. I just have a little LG Octane (no internet or anything) and it also would not work in Europe so I just wanted something to have as a backup to his just in case...our texting is also 50 cents to send...but only 5 cents to receive! Silly.

If you don't work with a company that offers international options, you do need to get some type of global access if you wish to stay connected. the US operates on different standards than most of the world for wireless technology. The claim is for security reasons, however, it also allows for enterprise to have higher costs associated with protecting that privacy as well. without getting into much detail, many folks don't have providers that will operate under the GSM international standards. AT&T and Apple planned that their iPhone cooperation would work internationally, and opted for plans that could work on these standards.

This means that yes, you will need a data plan in order to use the wifi hot spots, since they are under a different connectivity standard than we use here in the US. During my recent trip from Mexico, however, my $5.99 international voice activation was only used for one week, so my fee was a little less than $2 once i cancelled and my $24.99/20G data plan was used in its entirety, and I had an 89 cent charge in addition, over one week. In previous stays, I have had a portion of that data plan refunded as well as gone the other route and had it go overboard and paid an additional $15 to $20 for texts because apparently I did not clearly understand my daughter's NEEEEEEEEED to go see Justin Bieber with her friends and I was a horrible, horrible mother. Again, that is just based on my useage and YMMV.

If you have skype or something like that, you can also log in onboard the ship, however, the connection is unstable and the lag can be horrific.

And if all the above does not label me as a Class A Technogeek, I don't know what would.

I am not EVEN going to nod & pretend I understood a single thing you just said!!

 

[chrssher]

Hi everyone - lots of planning goin' on! Wish I was as industrious as all of you! We leave on Weds (8/10) and we have done NOTHING to pack other than make a list! ha ha. FINALLY finished with the gigantic work inspection - we were afforded the highest mark and rated a perfect score! Now I can say I EARNED this vacation! ha ha. We are hoping to relax in BCN and enjoy the SUN - high here yesterday and today was like 62! The German summer - where you still need a coat.

Cheryl - hope the pox continues to stay away! Fingers crossed.

Annie - The Invalides and Champ Du Mars (big field that the Eiffel Tower sits on) are not that far apart. You might enjoy the walk more than the hassle of a few stops on the Metro. Just a thought. Your idea of the timing for the Tower is a good one; that is a beautiful time to watch the lights come on. There always seems to be a line at the tower, but remember that once you are in, you can stay up there for as long as you like so don't feel like you have to rush. When you go to Notre Dame, there is a door on the left as you are looking at the front (sort of around the corner really) and that is to climb to the roof - it is covered in the museum pass I believe, and SO WORTH IT. That is the only way to see the gargoyles, and the view from up there is amazing. If you buy your pass there, you shouldn't have to wait to buy tickets at the other attractions so observe the lines carefully!

Must get to some planning! Anyone doing Rome on their own without a tour? And those of you doing the La Spezia stop on your own - what are your thoughts on the Italian holiday that day? I am afraid everything will be really crowded.

Can't wait - only another 10 days! yay!

 

[mikki.young]

OK, im checking out AT & T as I have a US sim I use while in the States for my iPad, but it looks like is $ 24.99 for 20mb of data ???? Ouch!!!

I thought our roaming charges were bad at approx $ 3.50 for 25mb in Europe!!!

Andy

I am being quoted $10 for 5mb to get data in europe and I live in England!

 

[luke]

Yeah our roaming data charges are bad. I'll just turn data off and connect my iPhone anytime I find wifi.

Very strange that your American phones won't work with wifi if you don't buy a data package. Are you sure? I've used my English iPhone with wifi in the US and Europe and also my American iPad with wifi in the same places

 

[ukwizard]

I am being quoted $10 for 5mb to get data in europe and I live in England!

Hi Mikki,

The best deal I could find out of the UK is a vodafone pay as you go sim.

Top up £10 or more and opt into the (free) Vodafone Passport and data traveller and its £ 2 for 25mb which I think is quite a good deal.

Not sure if the URL will post, but here it is...

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/personal/...ng-abroad/using-the-internet-abroad/index.htm

T-Mobile wanted £ 5 for the same data, but I think thats still quite good.

Both limit the max data roaming costs to € 50 with the new EU laws, so if you want more you have to call them before hand to ask them to remove the cap (Im happy with it in place!!!).

 

[luke]

That's a pretty good deal! I doubt they would send a micro sim for the same offer would they?!

 

[janetfk]

We are hoping to relax in BCN and enjoy the SUN - high here yesterday and today was like 62! The German summer - where you still need a coat.

Hey Chris/Sherri, I see you're in Germany? Do your kids speak German or English mostly? Our son (8) will be glad to meet other German-speaking kids (even though English is his home language he prefers speaking German with other kids when he can!)

We're also looking forward to SUN. It's been raining here for 3 days, and it's 18C today (that's 64F! In MID SUMMER!)

 

[SailingSeas]

Luke, I will double check in EU, however, it would not work in the Mexico without it. It has nothing to do with the EU technology, which is open, but the US technology, which is restricted.

 

[janetfk]

I can try to make you a Mickey Head Map if you pop back in here to tell me what you would like on it!!

Hey Annie: can you show us your Mickey Head Map? I'd love to make one, but have no idea where to begin!

 

[luke]

Luke, I will double check in EU, however, it would not work in the Mexico without it. It has nothing to do with the EU technology, which is open, but the US technology, which is restricted.

Wow that's not good! So for example if you were at a friends in europe you couldn't connect to their wifi?

 

[mikki.young]

That vodafone deal is good! Shame I am with Virgin on a locked phone. At least the wifi will work.

 

[Anal Annie]

Morning peeps!! Can I just say that I love waking up & seeing all the chatter we have going on here now while I am asleep!!

Hi everyone - lots of planning goin' on! Wish I was as industrious as all of you! We leave on Weds (8/10) and we have done NOTHING to pack other than make a list! ha ha. FINALLY finished with the gigantic work inspection - we were afforded the highest mark and rated a perfect score! Now I can say I EARNED this vacation! ha ha. We are hoping to relax in BCN and enjoy the SUN - high here yesterday and today was like 62! The German summer - where you still need a coat.

Cheryl - hope the pox continues to stay away! Fingers crossed.

Annie - The Invalides and Champ Du Mars (big field that the Eiffel Tower sits on) are not that far apart. You might enjoy the walk more than the hassle of a few stops on the Metro. Just a thought. Your idea of the timing for the Tower is a good one; that is a beautiful time to watch the lights come on. There always seems to be a line at the tower, but remember that once you are in, you can stay up there for as long as you like so don't feel like you have to rush. When you go to Notre Dame, there is a door on the left as you are looking at the front (sort of around the corner really) and that is to climb to the roof - it is covered in the museum pass I believe, and SO WORTH IT. That is the only way to see the gargoyles, and the view from up there is amazing. If you buy your pass there, you shouldn't have to wait to buy tickets at the other attractions so observe the lines carefully!

Must get to some planning! Anyone doing Rome on their own without a tour? And those of you doing the La Spezia stop on your own - what are your thoughts on the Italian holiday that day? I am afraid everything will be really crowded.

Can't wait - only another 10 days! yay!

Congratulations on your wonderful inspection results!! That's great news & a relief I'm sure!!

Glad you think my tentative plan for day #1 in Paris is OK...so about how far of a walk will it be?? 15 or 20 minutes?? I'm afraid we may miss seeing it all lit up as we'll be there in the afternoon & I think it doesn't get dark until about 9:00ish. Hoping we can see it from the Seine if we do an evening cruise?! I have another question for you - how often would they close the Eiffel Tower due to weather? I keep looking at the extended forecast for Paris and it basically SUCKS right now according to accuwweather.com which is bumming me out & making packing that much harder. Well, Accuweather.com is worse than weather.com - I don't know which one is more accurate but they're not EVEN the same forecast. They vary widely - the only day they remotely agree on is NEXT Sunday. But we don't even HAVE lightweight packable rain coats. I was planning on bringing some ponchos 'cuz that's all we have but they're a little awkward. But starting with this Thurs. accuweather has rain & clouds on every day for the next week with temps 68-72. So I am wondering what happens to our tickets if I pre-buy them & it's storming or something? Would they possibly close it and not give us a refund?? Looks like if this forecast holds I'll be wearing my Teva's on the plane as we're planning to spend the day at Disneyland & I'll need something waterproof.

I wasn't sure if we could buy the Museum Pass at Notre Dame & I didn't know if it was worth climbing the tower at Notre Dame. Glad you mentioned both!! Thanks for the tips!! Just ONE WEEK from today left for us!! I have butterflies in my tummy!!

Hey Annie: can you show us your Mickey Head Map? I'd love to make one, but have no idea where to begin!

Janet - if you go back to page 85 here on the thread (post #1267) you can see some of the Mickey Head Maps I did up for some of the others in our group. I basically just put whatever they asked on the right ear & then posted a copy of it here on the thread. You should be able to then right click on the image and save it to your own computer to print out. Then you can get it laminated if you want (or not, it's up to you) and put some magnets on the back so you can use it as a door sign for your cabin door. (I use some business card magnets that have a self adhesive side and I cut them up into like 8 pieces to just use on the corners.) So anyway, if you have something in particular you'd like me to customize for you let me know & I'll try to get it done this week. I gotta remember which Disney font I ended up using as it's been awhile now. Otherwise I could post a blank one!

Wow that's not good! So for example if you were at a friends in europe you couldn't connect to their wifi?

I think not only can you not get Wifi but you can't even get a SIGNAL for voice unless you have a "global phone". Verizon has a whole loaner program in place just for this reason.

 

[jd99]

If you don't work with a company that offers international options, you do need to get some type of global access if you wish to stay connected. the US operates on different standards than most of the world for wireless technology. The claim is for security reasons, however, it also allows for enterprise to have higher costs associated with protecting that privacy as well. without getting into much detail, many folks don't have providers that will operate under the GSM international standards. AT&T and Apple planned that their iPhone cooperation would work internationally, and opted for plans that could work on these standards.

This means that yes, you will need a data plan in order to use the wifi hot spots, since they are under a different connectivity standard than we use here in the US. During my recent trip from Mexico, however, my $5.99 international voice activation was only used for one week, so my fee was a little less than $2 once i cancelled and my $24.99/20G data plan was used in its entirety, and I had an 89 cent charge in addition, over one week. In previous stays, I have had a portion of that data plan refunded as well as gone the other route and had it go overboard and paid an additional $15 to $20 for texts because apparently I did not clearly understand my daughter's NEEEEEEEEED to go see Justin Bieber with her friends and I was a horrible, horrible mother. Again, that is just based on my useage and YMMV.

If you have skype or something like that, you can also log in onboard the ship, however, the connection is unstable and the lag can be horrific.

And if all the above does not label me as a Class A Technogeek, I don't know what would.

Thanks for the great information. WE do have AT&T so we are slowly figuring out what we need. I didn't realize about the data package so thanks for letting me know that so I can double check when we call AT&T today. I don't need it at all for the ship as I will just use the ship's plans for my laptop to stay in touch with clients but we are going to be in Greece for nine days before sailing and want to have something dependable for that period of time.

I prefer to call you techno savvy, not a geek so I will ask another question. If I am in Greece and go to a public square that has free wifi will I be able to use my laptop (it's a macbook)?

 

[jd99]

Glad you are figuring out your packing / weight!! Do you have a luggage scale you can take with you?! I just got one for this trip & I LOVE it!! I am weighing everything!! I hope to finish organizing the packing tomorrow so that I can see if we need more packing cubes! I think DH has decided to leave his laptop at home & just bring his IPad...so that will help with our carry-on weight restrictions.

WE have Verizon Wireless and our "normal" phones are not "global". DH has some Droid thing (the Incredible maybe) but it did not have whatever it needed to work in Europe so he had to get another one. I just have a little LG Octane (no internet or anything) and it also would not work in Europe so I just wanted something to have as a backup to his just in case...our texting is also 50 cents to send...but only 5 cents to receive! Silly.



I am not EVEN going to nod & pretend I understood a single thing you just said!!

I do have a luggage scale - it is going to be so important for this trip! I've already been obsessed with test weighing. And I love that it will weigh in lbs or kilos!

 

[SailingSeas]

I prefer to call you techno savvy, not a geek so I will ask another question. If I am in Greece and go to a public square that has free wifi will I be able to use my laptop (it's a macbook)?

I use a MBP for work. Yes, I believe you should be as long as you have their login details. You most likely will have funky email connectivity though if you are using a POP server, so I'd try and keep everything through a browser portal while traveling. Also can provide a measure of security for you as well. Be sure you do not have anything turned on that you may have at home or at work, network wise.

Luke, I am going to double check tomorrow, but yes, I believe that is true. Basically think of it as 'bubble wrapping US cell phones' by the government. I can't see why they would recommend the data package for international iPhone users if it didnt require it. That would be a huge scam to me.