Cell phones

[Leach73]

Hello to all.

I see there isn't much activity in the group but I still wanted to post this and hopefully I will get some feedback.

My sailor will be going to Spain next year.

I read some of the comments here in the group about MagicJack and Skype, but was wondering about cell phones. What do Sailors do with their cell phones in order to be able to use them out there?

I have heard about buying a Sim card once they are in Rota and using that to be able to use their phones, does anyone know if this is typical?

Thanks!

[susankc]

My daughter is currently in Italy but will be in Spain in April. She uses an app for her IPad. Mainly because she tends to lose her phones! She bought her phones in Italy so I am not sure what system she used. 

[julieb1019]

Hi we arranged for international calling plan thru at&t the service has been pretty good just need to track the minutes i have heard other people say that they used whatsapp too or viber i have mot used either one. Also the cellular data needs to be turned off so the ohone can only be used in wifi areas or for the ohone calls. They are 6 hrs ahead from eastern time zone too.

[Leach73]

Thanks for the info! Just trying to find out as much as I can so that way we can plan ahead of time and avoid headaches and stress later.

I appreciate the feedback!

[valsmom]

My daughter has been in Spain at Rota for about a year now. I asked her and this is her reply:

they can easily buy a phone here, my cell is a Samsung galaxy I bought here.

 

they can also use their American phone here, just get it unlocked first, and yes they will need to buy a sim card from a Spanish carrier.

 

some phones (iphones I think) use smaller sim cards and you can still use the sim cards from spain, but you just need to cut them/have someone help you cut it to the right size.

She calls me once a week on Skype for free and we talk for hours sometimes. We don't use the video unless she has something to show me because the quality is much better to skypecall. 

Hope this helps. 

[Leach73]

Thank you all for your replies!!

[Bensmom]

My son has been in Rota Spain for 3 months now. He has an IPhone he brought from the States but purchased a Sim card at the NEX on base. They are pretty reasonably priced. We use the Whatsapp to communicate back and forth with. It is wonderful to be able to see him and talk to him via our IPad.

 

[Leach73]

Hello Bensmom

Thanks for that info. As i have been investigating how this will work for my sailor when she arrives to Rota, it seems like the sim card for her iphone is the way to go unless she figures out something better.

What else does your Sailor say about Rota? I heard it is very nice. My sailor has been to Spain before thru a foreign student exchange program when she was in high school but she went to Madrid and she loved it! when she came back she told me that one day she was going to go back to Spain! And sure enough...she will be. She has been keeping in touch with her Spanish family and hopes to reconnect with them.

I wish the best to your Sailor!

[Bensmom]

Hi Leach73,

I am glad the info helped. It is nice to have a place to share ideas, etc with other sailors parents/spouses on this site.

My sailor has been a bit disappointed with Rota. I think that had more to do with his mentor unable to help my son get acclimated to the base and his having to learn everything on his own. He also got to Rota when many sailors were on holiday leave.

He has had the opportunity to visit Madrid and other areas and said that Rota wasn't anywhere as nice as the other areas of Spain. That was his opinion. I am sure your daughter may have a much different experience. I wish both her and yourself the best.

[Bensmom]

Hi navy mom Deanna,
My son bought a sims card at the NEX. He said they were pretty cheap, around $35 for over a thousand minutes or more.
We FaceTime all the time. It is almost like he is here. It has been a lifesaver for both our sailor and our family. Sometimes we talk every day. Keep in mind that there is a 5 hr time difference, since daylight savings time started. They are 5 hours ahead.
We talk to him more now than when he was stationed in Jacksonville, Fla. my son is not on a ship but on base, so I don't know about the sailors communicating on ships.
I hope this helps. Good luck to both of you!

[mic_from_cam]

Hi all, 

I know I am jumping in this conversation a bit late but figured I would give my input anyways. My husband and I are on T-Mobile and signed up for their International Plan. About $100/month for the 2 of us and it is unlimited texting/data. Calls I believe are 20 cents/minute. And I was able to keep my American number! To be safe I am going to connect to wifi as much as possible to communicate with family and friends back home. I leave this Sunday for Rota,Spain. Many options for phones...all a bit overwhelming and confusing.  

[addy62]

my son kept his american cell phone that he turns on when he comes home but they have to get a Spainish cell phone.  it has something to do with sim cards.  he also has something called blackjack or something jack that he uses when he wants to call but we Skype every sunday and that has worked well for us

audrey

[2catsn2sailors]

It's Magic Jack. It works pretty well.