Verizon Phones

[waterguy]

Don't use your verizon phone when in the virgin islands. I made 2 calls while there at a cost of 49.00 called Verizon they said that they don't cover the island, I told her that I asked before switching from ATT and was told that there isn't any additional charges. I was lied to they took half of the charges off but I'm still mad

[Drumbiker]

I called Verizon twice before leaving on my trip to STJ, just make sure the story was straight. They told me that my calls would be at the international rate, but texts and data were still included. Once I got on the North Shore my phone would work - but I received a message saying that I had connected to a foreign tower (The BVI's has a stronger tower than STT.) The only issue I had was wen I called customer service to be sure my text messages were still covered when I was connected to the BVI tower. They billed me at the international rate for calling #611 - Verizon customer service. I had to argue - but they removed a $10 call from my bill. I asked "how the hell can you bill me - for calling you - to ask you if I am going to be billed?" I finally got someone with enough of a perception of reality to see the ridiculousness of the situation.

[nascarfan59]

I have also had this issue. Anything past Trunk Bay on the north shore and out in Coral Bay tries to connect to a tower in the BVI's. Only way to get a signal in Cruz Bay was to stand out side the villa. Charge was $1.99 a minute and .25 per text.

[KTinTX]

Hmmm...last June we had my Verizon-based Blackberry (yes...a work phone, but I've got practically unlimited minutes and data) and my wife's AT&T phone. Our work Verizon has the int'l plan and we just activate it as necessary for the months the different phones on the plan need it. I had no issues other than getting a good signal. In Cruz Bay was no problem, but at our villa on the south shore past the Westin it was hit or miss. Wife's AT&T worked every time we turned it on.

[scoob]

Last year used my verizon phone (Stayed on STT)and didn't have any additional charges.
Called home on the ferry to St. John too..
I could see where those ridiculous charges would tic you off !!

19 days till sunshine !!
Scoob

[mindehankins]

I have also had this issue. Anything past Trunk Bay on the north shore and out in Coral Bay tries to connect to a tower in the BVI's. Only way to get a signal in Cruz Bay was to stand out side the villa. Charge was $1.99 a minute and .25 per text.

This was exactly what we experienced. Oh, and I had them add some international service for about $70/month, so I could access internet on my BB.
If you do that, don't forget to cancel it when you get home (like I did!).

[waterguy]

I wouldn't of had a problem if they wouldn't of told me the all was fine when I switched plans. They now tell me that they cover puerto rico but not the VI's I tried to explain to them that they are the same area code. The supervisor stated that I could call a 340 number from the states with no problem but can't call same number from there.

[Steve S]

Once again I'll plug the AT&T Gophone for trips to the Virgin Islands. Two years ago we switched from AT&T to Verizon and the only negative consideration of the switch was the VI "problem". Go to AT&T .com, you can get a "throw away" gophone for $30 delivered with $15 talk time included. Basic plan is .25 per minute and it's easy to reload right over the phone.

My daughter took it for her week stay at Viers over by Lameshur, and there was reception over there.

[Nancy_B]

I called Verizon this a.m. and was told calls would be 1.99/minute and texts are between .25-45 (picture or not) but my data plan is covered SO, I'll be relying on Facebook app, blackberry messenger and email to stay connected.

They also added something called i-dialling which I had to dial #228 to sync my phone. I'll report back if I have any other issues then what's expected.

I also know to not call from the Coral Bay side and to check to make sure the BVI tower isn't picking my signal up.

[Lovermont]

I had roaming charges during my last two trips to STJ on my AT&T bill. But I phoned them on both occasions when I rec'd the bill and let them know that I was in the US Virgin Islands, and they quickly removed the charges.

As others may have mentioned, you'll lose AT&T from about Caneel to Maho. Coral Bay seemed to have great coverage on my last trip.

If you've got WiFi where you'll be staying, you may want to look into installing Skype on to your hand held device. I've got the app on my iPhone, and it works great for international calls. Before I had an iPhone, I used the app on my laptop with a headset. Just load your account with $10 or so, and then make calls for 2 cents a minute to landlines.

Lovermont

[Kevino]

Once again I'll plug the AT&T Gophone for trips to the Virgin Islands. Two years ago we switched from AT&T to Verizon and the only negative consideration of the switch was the VI "problem". Go to AT&T .com, you can get a "throw away" gophone for $30 delivered with $15 talk time included. Basic plan is .25 per minute and it's easy to reload right over the phone.

My daughter took it for her week stay at Viers over by Lameshur, and there was reception over there.

Just ordered my go-phone from AT&T on line, took 5 minutes. Phone was 29.99, $25.00 prepaid card and free shipping and activation fee waived. Thanks for the info. I'll leave my Verizon off!!!

[chriscartman]

I have heard nightmare stories about Verizon use on STJ. However, I have been on STJ three times and used my Verizon phone regularly and the highest my bill has been was $45 more.

[Boston Mike]

Never had a problem with Verizon on our trips. Not that I need my phone or anything.

[Char by the Sea]

Has anyone ever tried the Magic Jack?

[islandmom]

I used my Verizon phone on STJ in June and again in December and didn't have any problems. Admittedly, I was mostly calling from Cruz Bay, but also made calls from Jumbie/Trunk - maybe nothing East of there.

Also, I was able to add a mini-international "plan" to the 340 area code for $4.99/month (needed to keep mom in touch with island daughter).