questions about travel to europe

Attention all European VF players. I was wondering if you guys can help me with some random questions...

I am going on a Mediterranean cruise in November. Here are a few questions I need help with...

*Is there a prepaid cell phone that I can buy to call the united states from Europe? Or how about phone cards?

*In the United States, it's getting harder and harder to find a public pay phone. Are they still prevalent around these ports?

*in any of the ports.. is there any recommendations for good food?

Thanks in advance.

Here are the locations that I am going to port at:

Venice, Italy, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey, Naples/Capri, Italy, Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Florence, Italy, Nice (Villefranche), France, Barcelona, Spain

 

Concerning cellphones, vodaphone covers italy, spain, turkey and greece. I should know. Although i doubt your US phone will work overseas so i suggest you buy a starter kit when you land in Venice. Greece and Italy still have some payphones scattered around as well. As far as food is concerned, you are on your own, afaic there's no trditional cuisine left in the tourist-infested areas you'll be visiting.

 

If you go to Rome and Naples, please watch out for pickpockets.

One of my colleague went to Rome recently, she was in a busy bus, somebody stole her camera from her pocket and went she faced him, there were 3 of them, shouting at her, then they got of the bus and disappeared. Make sure you keep your stuff safe!

 

thanks for advice.

 

You can also find some places that offer cheap international calls over the internet, in most areas you'll be going to.
Keep in mind that if you buy a pre-paid cell phone kit in one country, you'll be paying roaming charges in all other countries you'll be in.
You can find international calling cards very easily.

 

you will have no problems with public telephones on med islands....i gather your cruise will be day stopping?

as for food the med if always fantastic...being an american take the opportunity to sample local cheeses and salads (olives, tomatoes, fetta are probably best anywhere in the planet)...you'll be blown away.

i hope you have a great trip.

 

As for food, just a quick recommendation for Croatia and Greece:

Grilled meat!

In particular:

Croatia: Raznjici, Cevapi, Pleskavica
Greece: Souvlaki

I don't like seafood, but it is also very good in the places you mention.

Enjoy the cruise, mate.

 

Be really careful with ur cell phone and any calls u make. ATT has an International Handset Rental department. I don't know the number but if u call customer service 1-800-331-0500 they can transfer u to the correct department. I work for entry level management : ( with att in the Receivables Management (a.k.a. Pay your bill) department. I can tell roaming charges get really astronomical really quick. We will even turn ur phone off mid -bill period for "your own protection" if your usage charges get to high. Then we won't turn you phone on until u pay half of this high bill before it is even due!!!! I hate my job sometimes. Another thing u absolutely must know is this: Cruises have their own towers on the ship and u will be charged at least $2.59 a minute for ALL calls mades on the ship. Even if u are sitting on the ship or standing next to it on the mainland, if ur phone is picked up by their tower it's $2.59 a pop.
There is always a very slim chance our customer service department will waive some of these overags 4 u, but most likely no more than half of the charges will be waived. But here is the rub. Only maybe 1 out of 4 people working with us actually wants to help u. And if u get part of the %75 who could give a shit less, or maybe part of the 20% who are trying to be a dick on purpose cause they hate their job, so if u get one of these when u call in and they so "no we cant help u" and then they notate on ur acct they told u that, then everytime u call back to try and get help and that note is read u are just screwed out of the help u need. So be really careful when it comes to ur cell phone. Don't send/recieve texts or listen to ur voicemails either. Or browse the internet on ur phone. These will all be billed at international (very expensive) rates. Enjoy ur vacation.

 

Hey guys.. thanks for the great advice. One of us in the group will download skype on the laptop computer in case we do need to make phone calls on the ship. My fiance and I both have skype global accounts. So that should help reduce the funds. I think the prepaid cell phone is a great idea. Also, a few walkie talkies should work for us. Yeah.. I am glad none of us have att so that's good advice though.

Yeah... grilled meat.. hahaha.. anywhere there is fire and meat, something should taste good! Thanks!