I am asking for advice for calling back home to the US while on vacation. We will ne staying at the Marriott Oceans Club.I have read several other threads and it seems that fast phones through Charles is the way to go due to the service charges that the resorts add on. Does anyone know what the service charge is for the Marriott? Also once you have rented the cell phone, is it necessay to buy a calling card to call back to the US? Or is it better to rent a SIM card? I have a Motorola Rezor V3 cell. Will the SIM card work with that? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks :-)

you will need to check with your cell phone company as to how much they charge and if you will need a sim card. each company and each phone is different. verizon wanted over $1 per minute and my phone didn't take a sim card.

only thing you need after renting is to purchase time. if i recall, charles provides some to start you out. for some people, what he starts you with is enough. you might want to check his website.

Arubafastphones - the best way to rent a phone on Aruba

the only other option is if you will have a computer with you, i would suggest using skype. that is no more than 20 cents a minute. we have used aruban phones and skype with equal success.

i don't know the exact fee for calling from your room at the marriott but i can say that every hotel and timeshare i have called from in aruba cost me big bucks.

There is a phone kiosk in the shopping area behind the alhambra casino that charges 25 cents a minute to call the U S or Canada. Its open from 3 pm to 10 pm. We use it, but we only call back to the house about 3 times a trip. They will call us if there is an emergency. If you just want to check in a few times, this is the cheapest way to go. If you need constant contact its not. Of course you would need a car to get there if you are staying at the ocean club. There used to be one of these kiosks across the street from the hyatt but it wasnt there the last couple of trips.

this "phone kiosks" that u refer to... i think there is a cyberplace that also offers phone calls at "hacienda", the little mall across playa linda, next to "paseo herencia"... and there is a new cybercafe/phone place at paseo herencia itself, on the second floor....

Good morning,
Am writing from Aruba. I bring my laptop and downloaded SKYPE. For 2 cents a minute I can speak with people all over the world. It is marvelous -- bought the headphones through Skype but could have purchased them at Radio Shack. If you do not have your laptop I would recommend you just go to Setar any night and you can call home for 25 cents a minute. I used the Setar behind the Alhambra.
Elaine will tell you all about the rental or purchase of a cell phone.

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I'd like to use a landline and want to call in to a conference in the US (that uses an 800 number). Isn't there some kind of card or service we can buy from there? I saw that we can use skype but I'm leaving on Saturday and won't have time to get a microphone. Plus, it's a work computer and I suspect they won't let me download skype onto it. Any suggestions?

You can just try calling on your cell phone - by turning it on and if it says Setar or Digicel - you've got service. If it's a GSM phone - you'll be fine.

Just remember to call the US you have to dial 001 first then the area code and the number

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Aruba Kitten Rescue
www.arubakitten.org

welcome basto!

i would suggest again that you email aruba fast phones. they will be able to offer suggestions.

I can dial 800 numbers from here without problems.
If you are staying at the hotel - it might not cost you much to call an 800
number I'm not sure but you should ask at your place -
if you have any big problems - there are also
phones by the mcdonalds outside of the setar building

__________________
Aruba Kitten Rescue
www.arubakitten.org

You can rent a cel. phone very cheap while on the island, good service too. Call up this number: 297-7479153. Their email is: magnetnv@yahoo.com

HI Cathy and Scott,
The issue of cell phones and costs of calls etc. is a never ending story and one that looks like it is picking up more interest as the times get tougher and spending wisely while on vacation is a more important issue.

I could go on and on about how good we are but (first) it would be unethical and (secondly) it is actually boring to read, So here is some advise on how to handle your calling situation.

My first advise to anyone comming to Aruba or many other islands in the Caribbean, is to buy an inexpensive and very rugged GSM cell phone that is specifically unblocked and unlocked. This can be done at most radio shacks or any other electronic store,

Take it with you when you travel and purchase a SIM card when you arrive, When purchasing a SIM, make sure that it is one with credits on it. Also make sure that it can be re-newed. This way you have a personalo and established cell number that is yours and you can maintain it at your leasure,


MY OPINION ONLY

• Calling from hotels is expensive
• Calling from phone booths is not handy in emergencies
• Skype and the rest of the lap-top solutions are stationary and not handy while on the move.
• Call or e-mail any cell rental companies and ask for a cell unit that is preloaded with airtime and order a cell phone or SIM cards,

it is easy and convenient and really saves the wear and tear on your cell phone.

be well
charles