It's been a few years since we visited. Previously, I rented a phone from Sharon mainly for emergencies. When calling the states, we would use Wifi to Skype or Facetime.

This time I thought I'd just use my own Verizon iPhone6. It will cost $10 per day if I were to use cellular that day plus my existing plan minutes/data.

We'll be staying on both side (Alamada and Beachside Vilas).

How do you make calls in thiscase??? If I use it to call locally, do I dial 011 first etc????

Thanks.

When Wi-Fi is available put iPhone on airplane mode and make a FaceTime call to those who have an iPhone. If they do not have an iPhone you could use Skype or What's App.

We always purchase an International Data Plan fromVerizon to use when there is not a Wi-Fi connection available. We are going in July so I haven't called to get it yet, but last year, the International Data Plan was $40 per month for 100 Minutes of talk time, 500 (I think) text messages and 100 mg of data.

Text messages are different that iMessages. iMessages send in Blue and Text Messages send in Green. If they go thru in Blue they use data. If they go through in Green they use the Text Message allotment.

If you do not get the international Data Plan. Phone calls are expensive. They let you know via a text message when you connect when you land and also when you move between Dutch/French sides. Without the plan text messages received are $.05 each and text messages sent are $.50 each.

If you go over your allotment, Verizon will automatically add more for the same charges.

Here is the number to call for Verizon Global Support to purchase the International Data Plan 1 (908) 559-4899

Kdavi7
Thanks. I know most of what you said.

My question ( and I could just experiment when I'm there) is more just about dialing. For calling from US Verizon phone...

Is it like I am calling from the US, dial 011--590-xxxx to reach someone on the French side when I am already located there?
If I am dialing the US from the French side, do I just dial my contact like I was in Maryland?
I suppose that since the Dutch side is part of the North American area codes that is simply 1-721-xxxxx?

I would say dial it like you were using Skype...

...and...



10 bucks for any day you use it...no surprises...use data/calling according to your home plan. Not a bad deal and just get everything done in a 24 hour time frame..rinse and repeat as needed

Pretty sure your information is outdated. I could not get that plan or they said it wasn't necessary. Just pay $10.00 a 24 hour period and use your phone just like it works at home - call, text, data etc. you receive a text message stating your 24 hour period is up. As far as calling. I used my contacts just as they are in my phone and didn't have to make any changes. As far as calling somewhere on the island - I was charged no different than if I called from CT - it's a long distance international call. So for calling restaurants, friends etc I have a number from Sharon. Best of both worlds.

Correct.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Dialing Instructions from Verizon:

Country Code From To Dial Network Instruction
590 St. Martin - French U.S. GSM Dial Plus Sign then 1 then ten digit U.S. number
590 St. Martin - French Local GSM Dial Plus Sign then Country Code then Local Number with Area Code (if applicable)
590 St. Martin - French Other Countries GSM Dial Plus Sign then Country Code then international number
590 St. Martin - French Customer Service GSM Dial Plus Sign then 1 then 908-559-4899
590 St. Martin - French Customer Service from a landline None Dial 00 1 908 559 4899 Toll Charges Apply
721 St. Maarten - Dutch U.S. GSM Dial Plus Sign then 1 then ten digit U.S. number
721 St. Maarten - Dutch Local GSM Dial Plus Sign then Country Code then Local Number with Area Code (if applicable)
721 St. Maarten - Dutch Other Countries GSM Dial Plus Sign then Country Code then international number
721 St. Maarten - Dutch Customer Service GSM Dial Plus Sign then 1 then 908-559-4899
721 St. Maarten - Dutch Customer Service from a landline None Dial 00 1 908 559 4899 Toll Charges Apply

decent info...

You should be able to dial a fully-qualified number from either side to anywhere, including that side. I store any number which I may have to dial internationally as a fully-qualified number, with a leading +, a country code, and the local number.

Dutch or French Side to US +1-212-555-1212. The "+" is usually generated by holding down the "0" key.

French Side to Dutch Side +1-721-nnn-nnnn

Dutch Side to French Side +590-590-nnnnnn for landlines and +590-690-nnnnnn for mobiles.

While I'm not shy about using my US mobile if I have to, I've owned a personal French-side pre-paid mobile for years. I use that for most of my calls, and in conjunction with a calling card for international calls.

We also signed up for this service, but are now very disappointed with it. We are staying just north of Orient Beach and have NO cell service
on our Verizon phones. We needed to use it tonight to have a flat tire repaired. We took our cell phone out of Airplane mode and the phone says "No Service". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

If you have the 10.00 a day service why leave it in airplane mode?? Could be a reboot issue, did you turn the phone off and then turn back on?

If you took the phone out of airplane mode on arrival (assuming there WAS service) every time you got a text/email you would be charged $10/day for that day.

Makes more sense to only take it out of airplane mode on a day you need it. All your texts will then arrive and you can makes your calls.

Then return it to airplane mode until needed again.

It's $10/day only on the days it is used not a blanket $10/day

Verizon service isn't reliable island-wide. That's why we've always either rented a local phone, or more recently, purchased a local sim for an old phone.

Makes sense. Everyone's mindset is different. I Forgot people actually get to go on vacation and "unplug"!! . As for service. We have never had an issue anywhere on the island with Verizon not working - at least in the last 5 years and maybe 12 trips during that time. But that doesn't mean there are not dead spots.

As a reminder, also gather the emergency phone numbers from this site and more important how to dial the phone for doctor, ambulance and emergency room at the hospital. Better yet, hope you don't ever need to call. Bob

Thank you all.

Lots of good information.

I particularly like the suggestion to buy a local sim. I still have my older Apple 5S. I could put a sim in there and not have to mess with my 6S. I hate pulling those in and out. They are so small and easy to lose.

I decided not to rent this year as I have done in the past on SXM and Aruba. I've never needed to make an emergency call (knock on wood). Any other calls, I wait for a decent wifi signal and use the data methodologies, Skype and Facetime. I also loaded the Viber app with money to be able to dial any kind of phone. It's like 2 cents per minute.

Other than checking in with the children(they both have iphones), we don't make regular calls when on vacation. I check email regularly though.

Thanks again.

I know this has probably been answered before but who is Sharon and how do I go about getting a phone from her? Do I rent it or buy it to use on future trips to the island?

Joe,

'Sharon' aka Queen of St. Maarten is a sponsor here and all her information including rates and explainations can be found in her add on the St. Martin TTOL Sponsor page which can be accessed in the TTOL banner above.

She's great to do business with and her phones are easy to use and inexpensive when you think of the convenience.

I see the issue of Verizon phone coverage on many posts. Hopefully, this helps: There are two basic technologies in mobile phones, GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile) and CDMA (Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile) and they are not compatible. The St. Maarten/Martin towers use GSM. This is why older Verizon phones which were CDMA only did not work. Newer Verizon phones are compatible with both technologies. Check to see if your Verizon phone is compatible with GSM. Turning airplane mode on and off may not be enough. You may need to change device settings to allow GSM. For example, with an Iphone6 you may need to turn Intl CDMA Off and with a Droid Turbo set Network Mode to Global. Assuming your Verizon phone is GSM compatible and correctly setup, if service is not available then service is not available for anything whether it be a local phone or a phone with a local sim card. I recently returned from St. Martin with a Verizon Travel Pass installed on an Iphone6 and it worked perfectly.