latest on Aruba Phone Service

[MOXJO7282]

I see previous threads about Aruba Phone Service but I'm hoping to get updated info because I'll be officially working a few days there while on vacation and need low cost phone service.

I bought a Int'l calling card from Walgreens and was hoping to use with my Marriott Surf club in-room phone. Will that work?


What about Verizon cell phones? I'm about to call, but I saw soemthing crazy like a roaming of $1.99/minute on their web. What about texting? At that price my daughter and wife could wipe out our net worth in a few days with the amount of texting they do. I saw something about renting cell phones. Is that something to consider? I took comfort that my 14 daughter could have some freedom during the day, and just around the complex of course, and stay in touch with texting. Is that possible?

I also saw Skype mentioned, which sounds like a good option. Seems easy to setup. If calling card isn't a good option, then this is probably what I do. Any comments on Skype?

 

[MOXJO7282]

OK I'll educate myself. Verizon cell is out of the question. It actually is $1.99 minute. And texting is cheaper at .50, but still not feasible.

Still curious about the in-room phone and calling card.


Another friend is insisting I use his magicjack.

 

[MOXJO7282]

So the calling card also seems out, because you can buy cards to call from US to Aruba, but not the other way, Aruba to US.

So my search continues. I'm really hoping skype or magicjack works because I've committed to working a few days while away,which allows me to take to 2 weeks off at a time.

 

[lvhmbh]

One one of the aruba bb's they mentioned Tel3Advantage as a card they used from Aruba to US with no taxes, etc. Check out www.aruba.com, www.aruba-bb.com and www.visitaruba.com

 

[lvhmbh]

They also mentioned Voip. We're going to use Skype, I believe, but I'm checking out Voip. Linda

 

[nygirl]

While I've yet to find the most cost effective option for phone calls, I can tell you what seems to be one of the most EXPENSIVE..calling cards from your room. Okay, so say you purchase prepaid calling cards once you arrive in Aruba. Many people buy them in the lobby of the Holiday Inn next door. The problem is Marriott charges you per minute for a local call each time you dial the access number on that calling card from the phone in your room. So while you've already prepaid for the card...what you may not realize is you're about to incur significant charges from the Marriott for that same phone call. It happened to me and I was pretty upset! Marriott wasn't willing to credit any of the calls either! I use Verizon Wireless and I think I only paid $1.23/min. But who knows, that was last summer...prices may have increased by now. I didn't even know texting was possible so thanks for that info. I find emailing from my laptop most convenient b/c it's free. But since you have to make calls I suggest you do your homework on Skype...alot of Tuggers sware by it and even Oprah has been using it on her show this year. Good luck.

 

[lvhmbh]

Agree with NYGirl re calls from room. We're at Costa Linda and they put a couple of phones in the lobby for calling card calls simply so that owners/guests would not have to go out of the resort to call. Otherwise they'd pay that pesky in room surcharge. DH was upset with me last year because I picked up the phone to make reservations instead of using my cellphone from FastPhones. Not a big deal but every little bit counts

 

[Smooth Air]

Hi, lvhmph! What is a "cell phone from FastPhones"?? A rental that you get in Aruba? I am in Canada & not familiar w/ FastPhones. We are going to Marriott Ocean Club in February & I am trying to figure out the most cost effective way to "call home". I guess I will have to tell my son "No texting"...he will go into severe withdrawal!!!
And, I guess no cell phone calls either from our regular cell phones.
Does Marriott have a lobby phone where we can use a calling card?? Can you buy calling cards in Aruba that enable calling from Aruba to Canada/USA?
lvhmph, hope you are having a great time @ Costa Linda. How's the weather??

 

[MOXJO7282]

I guess I will have to tell my son "No texting"...he will go into severe withdrawal!!!
And, I guess no cell phone calls either from our regular cell phones.
Does Marriott have a lobby phone where we can use a calling card?? Can you buy calling cards in Aruba that enable calling from Aruba to Canada/USA?
lvhmph, hope you are having a great time @ Costa Linda. How's the weather??

Out of necessity, I'm going to allow my 14 yr old daughter to text us during the day when we are not together. We're giving her a little more freedom for the first time, during the day because she is growing up. As long as she and her 13 yr old cousin stay in the Marriott complex we're OK with them walking around during the day.

My Verizon plan is .50 to send text, and .05 to receive, so 100 texts between my wife and daughter should cost about $60. I told my daugther if she texts her friends and the bill comes in much more than $60 its on her . She said she would keep it at a minimum and I can count on her to do so.

As for my need for a phone to call the States, and I would assume Canada would be the same, its looks like Skype or Magicjack will work. I just worry about the reception, because I could be on an important call and need to contribute, and if I have a bad connection, that would be disappointing.

One comment on Tripadvisor has me concerned, where someone said Surf Club internet was spotty, too much users for the bandwidth. Sypke and Magicjack rely on that so in my situation if I'm trying to conduct business, it may be a problem. If you're just trying to call home, it sounds like it will work like a charm.

My friend is going to lend me his Magicjack to play with before my 2/7 trip. I'll let everyone know what that is like.

 

[gretel]

Phones

I just came back from Aruba. You can get a cell phone there (we got one free with our car rental from Royal). Then, you buy a calling card there specifically for the phone to call the US (I got mine from the market at Paradise Beach Villas). The one I have is SETAR primo.

There are also Setar phone centers (one in front of Casa Del Mar by the Alhambra Casino) where you can call the US for .25/minute.

 

[m61376]

On Aruba-bb.com I was told exactly that- get either a rental phone at the airport from Fastphones (or something like that) or the free one if you rent a car from Royal (which we are) and then pick up a matching Sim card at any of the supermarkets, etc. for about $15 for around 40-50 minutes (I've read different estimates; I've been told it is .29 per minute for outgoing and incoming is free, but this is just what others have told me).

I haven't done it yet, but that's what everyone recommended. In the past we used Verizon as well, and at $1.29 per minute it was bad enough for a few fast calls, but at 1.99 per minute- ouch! This time our daughter can't come down with us so I am sure I will be making a few more calls so I'll be trying the phone from Royal.

The Internet at the SC is generally reliable, albeit a bit slower than the fast cable connections at home.

Let us know what your impressions of Magicjack are. I've read some interesting comments (both positive and negative) about it.

 

[lvhmbh]

I see you got your answer! This year, because we're going for so long (we go Feb. 2) we're going to use our Verizon and Skype.