Do I really need a Jamaican cell?

[541lion]

I don't want to have to ask someone to call a cab for me.. I want the convenience of choosing my driver when I want.. And then also my lady wants to be able to call the kidos to check in.. She better not spend much time on the phone in Jamaica

[rinakim]

We got ours when we were spending a week at Catcha, there are no phones in the room there.
I like to have the ability to make a phone call when I need to and have a way for people to reach us as well.
With that being said, I think the only time we used our cell phone the first time was to call Terry and Janet to make arrangements for where we were going to meet
It definitely isn't a "must" have. Any restaurant or hotel will make calls for you.

[Muzikdoc]

I have NEVER used a cell in Jamaica!..I do take my own phone for home emergencies and can text the states at 20 cents a text. I walk the beach enough to know where everybody is and whats going on that night etc...Getting a cab has never been an issue, maybe once at 3am on the west
end but I made it home.

[Wisconsin gal]

Many years ago there was a family emergency at home when we were on our holiday trip. Since this, I have always rented a phone for piece of mind. With email, I am fairly accessible, however.......I want one for piece of mind. Usually call home every few days to check on the dog, and that is it.
However, in case of an emergency back home, I am not fond of a stranger/ hotel employee sharing tragic family news with me (which was what happened years ago). Again, simply piece of mind that my family can get me in an emergency.

[Weathermon & Mi Lady]

Now that we have one, we would not go to Jamaica without it. One thing, it is cheap. Second, if you keep it topped off, you can keep the same number for folks at home to get in touch if needed. We use it for calling:

Mi Lady's sister - they talk every day at home, why not while we are in Jamaica;
our favorite taxi drivers for a pick up to go somewhere;
again when we are ready to leave;
Jamaican friends we have made over the years to get together;
friends who are reaching Negril at the same time as we;
a restaurant to reserve a table, if needed;
if a change of plans is necessary while on the go;
home to see how the babies are faring;
the airlines to extend our reach or to check on flight times;
our airport ride when he is a likkle late; etc.

One can also leave the number at the resort at which they are staying so, that if there is a need to get in touch, it can be done and a local number can be called.

Another positive for those who suffer from CRS like me, if I lose it (or don't remember where I left it), who cares? It was cheap.

[Mike_D]

On our first couple of trips, we just added an international calling plan to our AT&T cell phone. Texts to/from home were cheap and calls within Jamaica were not too expensive. We only called our driver a couple times (we often pre-arranged pick-up times), and I think I called Rhodes Hall for a shuttle pick-up. In the end, we spent less than we would have if we bought a sim card and minutes from Digicel. The only caveat is to make sure that you turn-off the data function on your phone, as data is not included in the regular international plan and the charges are pretty hefty if you use it. Instead, you can just connect your smart phone to the wifi at most hotels and restaurants and get on the internet for free.

That said, if you find yourself travelling to Jamaica multiple times a year, it might be worth it to pick-up a cheap digicel or Lime phone, or at least unlock an old phone that you have lying around the house. I have an old blackberry that I might try out on our next trip.

[Melody]

I paid $11-$12 for my Lime phone in November. Wouldn't take long for home calling plans to meet/exceed that. I have a teenage son and elderly father that I need to be available to/check up on. The hotel I stayed at the last couple of times charged like $2 for a local call.

I use my iPhone for emailing using the hotels wifi and I lock it up the rest of the time. I am not worried about losing or having my Jamaican phone stolen, but I sure don't want anything to happen to my iPhone. Even though I don't talk often, I sure like the security of always having a phone with me. And for the price I paid for the Lime phone, it's well worth it.

[Marko]

having a phone in paradise is the cats meow........
don't know how mi managed for so many years without one.......
just the convenience alone makes it well worth........
but don't ever pull out dat North American cellie.....
one wrong tap and you might be in for a big surprise after you reach home.....lol
mi usually have an extra phone if someone needs one......
mi around No Limit Bar by Pee Wees on da Cliffs....

Cool Runnings, Marko

[nutz4travel]

Thanks everyone! I do have an international plan on my phone and don't make many calls, so I should be okay. If I find I'm making more, I can always pick one up. I do like the idea of being able to keep the same #.

[Rambo]

"Re: Do I really need a Jamaican cell? "

only if you break a Jamaican Law !

(sorry couldn't resist it