Thanks. That is essentially what I was told too.  I had hoped there was an international roaming plan available, but it seems Verizon doesn't have that anymore (too bad). 

Thanks again for all the details.  It is helpful to have it written down.  Alison

I don't know what kind of phone you have (I have a Droid) . I couldn't get any clear answers on the website so I talked to them today.  You used to have to get a plan, but you don't have to change your plan anymore. I was told that the biggest expense is the data and to turn that completely off, so that it doesn't incur charges (in my case: system settings/more/mobile network/ uncheck data enabled most have similar verbiage) That stops the signal from coming in when ever. then turn wifi on when you need it or want it. Phone calls: dial *611 to contact a Customer Service Representative and verify that you have International Dialing capability on your device.before you go. If you do,

 

 When you get out of the US dial *228 to update your roaming capabilities. calls on the ship are $2.99 a minute and all 3 port countries are $1.99 a min. Texts out are .50  -texts in are .05

this link has all the info and other links as well. (fill in the spaces, so that it will work. for some reason the link turned to gobbldygook til I made spaces in it

support. verizonwireless .com/clc/faqs/ International %20Services %20and% 20Roaming/faq _international _cdma _roaming .html

or try the international trip planner at

 www. verizonwireless. com/ b2c/ tripplanner/ tripplannercontroller

it told me  everything above, and says that before you travel, contact Verizon Wireless by dialing *611 from your wireless device or (800)922-0204 from any phone to enable international roaming

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Anyone have any luck getting international roaming with Verizon?  I am getting the run around from them.

Alison 

OH thank you, I know we would have had a high bill while checking on the kids daily..

Thank you so much for the information. I never would have thought to do this and would have been really shocked when I got my next bill.

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Thanks for that reminder. I know last year when I was in Punta Cana there was confusion sometimes about my being connected to the internet on my iPad at the resort and my AT&T bill was $1,100. when I got home. I had the flu on that trip and left early so that was for only 4 days....I'll call for International coverage tomorrow starting Feb. 3..... Candy

I'm just going through my checklist of things to take care of before the week 2 cruise.  Here's what I found for my own cellular plan (AT&T):  Once the new billing cycle begins that includes your cruise week, I need to turn on the International Roaming feature on my phone.  There is a plan for $30 for 15 minutes.  That would be for calls made while docked in Bahamas, Aruba and Curacao.  While on the ship, at sea....the calls are billed at $2.50 a minute  (this is a "Pay Per Use calling rate" when you have the $30 plan added.  If you think you'll need more than the 15 minutes of calls, you can pay $60 for 40 minutes.  OR if you prefer, you can just keep the $30 plan and when you reach your 15 minutes, you simply pay $2.00 per extra minute (this is the per minute overage rate). 

I would encourage you to call your own carrier (even if it's AT&T, like mine) and verify this information.  What I listed above is what I found on their website.  I simply wanted to remind you to do this beforehand if you plan on making/receiving any calls.  On my last cruise, I did not think ahead, made some calls and ended up being charged $8.00 per minute!  I think I had an extra $100 charged to my bill.  I think my wife and I will probably just use ONE phone and add the plan to one of them (instead of adding a $30 plan to each phone).  I just want the option there in case my kids need to reach me while away.

Hope this helps someone,

Monique