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I am new here and still learning about this site so forgive me if I am asking for duplicate information.  My daughter leaves tomorrow night for 3 years in Japan stationed on the George Washingtion.  I was wondering about how to keep in contact.  Will they have cell phone and internet service? How about mail?  She knows she will have to get a different cell phone service when she gets there but what do I need to do for my cell phone.  We have skype already but I do not know about internet service on the ship.  Any information anyone can give me will be welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Susan

 

Views: 1078

Replies to This Discussion

Congrats on your daughters assignment.  My son has been in Japan for 4 years and has enjoyed it greatly!  I use Penny Talk when I have called my son when he was in port.  He had a cell phone and was able to  call home when in port.  She will have an email account on the ship - but I never used my sons.

  Was for work - but had it in case of emergency.  I would email my son at his yahoo address, knowing when it port he could access it.  Penny talk info can be found on line.  (pennnytalk.com)  Not sure what your cell service offers, so I would check both.  Again, they can be out to sea for awhile, so can be a while between calls.  I know my son enjoyed his packages with his favorites.  I wish you and your daughter God's best on this new adventure!

Sincerely,
Cheryl

Cheryl, 

Thank you so much for the information. It really helped.

Sincerely,

Susan

Welcome to the group.  My son is on the George Washington and has been there since November of '08.  He got a cell phone when he got to Japan.  Soft Bank is a good place to get one.  He has had several kinds - the one where you buy cards with minutes for your phone and a regular cell phone with a monthly bill.  You need to be sure you can receive and make international calls.  Call your cell phone provider to set it up.  If you daughter is taking a computer there is a place called Fleet Rec on base where she can use her computer and get on the internet.  I think one of the reestaurants on base has internet service also.  Fleet Rec also has phones that sailors can use free of charge.  They do have to sign up to use them and if there are a lot of sailors wanting to use them they limit the time to 20 minutes.  My son used them when he first got there.  When your daughter gets on the ship she will be given a ship's email address.  When the ship is out she can send you emails from it and you can send emails to her.  You just can't ask - and she can't say - anything about where they are or when they will be there.  Loose lips sink ships policy.  They also have phones on the ship to use.  From what I understand they don't always work well and there may be a line to use them.  I think my son only called from the ship once or twice.  A lot of the sailors use Skype.  Mine never would.  I hope this helps. 

Claudia,

Thank you so much for the information.  This helps alot.  I feel better knowing I will be able to have contact with my daughter for the most part.

 

Daughter finally arrived in Japan yesterday. She is hating it already.  I let her know it would be ok and we are here for her. Home is not going anywhere.  Wish there was more I could do to comfort her.
It is really hard when they first get there. My son hated it so much.. not so bad now. Will your daughter be on a ship?  She will have about a month of indoc stuff also... tell her to get involved with the activities.  Good luck to her (and you.. it is hard having them so far away)

Just read your daughter will be on the GW.. that is the ship my son is on.  Depending on the shop she will be in.. access to email while out to sea is sometimes hard.  They work long hours.  But like I said, your daughter will be in indoc.. learning the rules and regs for living in Japan.. they will go into Tokyo and show them the train system.

 

I was stationed in Japan 20+ years ago... it was really safe then and my son says it is now too.  There, unfortunately, is theft on the ship. Make sure she locks up EVERYTHING.

Thank you for the information.  She is adjusting better now other than the fact she has been sick.

Hello, I'm sure as your daughter adjusts to her new surroundings she will enjoy the experience.  My daughter has already been there for two years and was supposed to be home this past May.  Instead they asked her to stay another year and now she has requested to stay a 4th year as well.  My daughter is with the 7th Fleet Band.  During the two years, I have never called her in Japan other than on Skype.  We talk pretty regularly when she is in Yokosuka otherwise we keep in touch through email and also facebook.   There is also a group that meets off base called Cadence Lighthouse. It is a non-denominational group that has different activities, meals, and just a place to hang out that feels like home. It's a great place for the holidays too if your sailor can't be with family. My daughter spends quite a bit of time there and it's like her second family.   Just recently she and some of the Lighthouse folk, went up to one of the hard hit areas from the tsunami and took 3 1/2 tons of supplies for those still struggling.  Kathy

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