eSims, what is your experience.

[Flashback]

OT, but looks like that’s cash only rides?

Grab is probably more convenient.

Tis indeed, but often cheaper to make it worth doing. I used both while there and just priced up each time.

 

[Flashback]

1GLOBAL x Business Traveller

www.1global.com

50gb valid for a month in 190+ countries.

 

[Buzzard]

Esims are good but you need to be aware that they can be expensive compared to a local SIM. For example:

 

[SYD]

Esims are good but you need to be aware that they can be expensive compared to a local SIM. For example:

View attachment 475244

Some “local” telcos provide prepaid eSIM options (rather than finding a shop to buy a physical SIM). Knowing where and how is the hard bit!

If you’re in the one place for a while and likely to use mins, a local SIM is still worth looking at. Although, I’m in the US and about to leave after 4wks. amaysim for calls/txt has been fine ($20 annual roaming plan) and Eskimo for 5G data has worked well.

As an aside, the NYC omny.info website did not like routing via Eskimo (presumably SIN) unless I turned on VPN to the US. Another app also didn’t work correctly. Although websites and ads etc seem to recognise that I’m in the US and not SIN, so slightly quirky.

 

[SeaWolf]

Im giving Roamless a try in Singapore today. I've had some discount codes for it sitting around for a while. I'm using the Flex option where there's a rate for each country and it just gradually uses up your dollar credits.

All seems to be working really well, the internet breakout is in Sydney, so there is a bit of latency. Singapore provider is Starhub. I'll be using it in Cambodia and Thailand next, so I'll report back as I go.

 

[SeaWolf]

In Phnom Penh today and Roamless is connected to Metfone with the internet breakout in Singapore. Everything is working quite well and I like how the Flex credit is just gradually chipped away at, but if I don't use it all it just sits there for next time. Previously I've often been buying eSIMs with a fixed amount of data for the country I'm in, but a short expiry. That works fine, but I end up buying more than I actually need, so I don't run out. Anyway, we'll see how long the flex credit lasts me for and if it works out to be better value in the long run.

 

[Cossie]

I am using a Maya eSim data only for my ipad. Been very good, I bought a global one excluding North America.

Been automatic in Thailand, Oman, Germany, Austria, Czech Rep, Albania, Kosovo and north Macedonia., no complaints at all.

 

[SYD]

Anyone tried GigSky cellular at Sea option?

Top eSIM Recommendations for Your Cruise [Stay Connected at Sea]

This article shares the best eSIM options to stay connected during your cruise, offering a comparison to onboard ship Wi-Fi.

esimdb.com

eSIM for Cruise Ships: Stay Connected at Sea | GigSky

Experience seamless connectivity using eSIM for cruise ships on GigSky, ideal for staying online while sailing. ✓ Get yours and cruise with confidence!

www.gigsky.com

Not cheap, but cheaper than some onboard wifi packages! My next cruise starts at US$25 per day (one device) for wifi!

I’m pondering getting one to plug the holes when at sea and the terrestrial eSIM may not work.

Of course, performance will vary wildly from region and ship etc…

 

[moa999]

Not used, but just note the specific list of cruise lines and specific ships.

Red Bull Mobile via Telenor has a similar type of offering for many of the Euro based ships

Internet on Cruises

Internet on cruise ships - Stay connected while cruising - WiFi on the ship with eSIM of RedBull MOBILE Data

esim.redbullmobile.com

 

[SYD]

Not used, but just note the specific list of cruise lines and specific ships.

Red Bull Mobile via Telenor has a similar type of offering for many of the Euro based ships

Internet on Cruises

Internet on cruise ships - Stay connected while cruising - WiFi on the ship with eSIM of RedBull MOBILE Data

esim.redbullmobile.com

Yep, my ship is covered and I believe it has Starlink for wifi. Not many sea days, so my regular eSIM will be fine in port and probably when in line of sight of land.

Another cruise next year, I’ve pre booked the basic wifi package - which was less than half price and we have a lot of sea days.

 

[VPS]

Yep, my ship is covered and I believe it has Starlink for wifi. Not many sea days, so my regular eSIM will be fine in port and probably when in line of sight of land.

Another cruise next year, I’ve pre booked the basic wifi package - which was less than half price and we have a lot of sea days.

I like to be connected but Cruise wifi is such a rip-off

 

[SYD]

I like to be connected but Cruise wifi is such a rip-off

That was the brilliant thing on Virgin Voyages - (basic but functional) wifi included!

We just booked a Celebrity cruise for next year and booking online, in addition to 75% off 2nd PAX / $600 per room, it gave the option to pre-pay basic booze and wifi for a fraction of what we can see for the cruise coming up. Happy sea days!

Anyway, I’m pondering trying the GigSky to see what it’s like. Mainly just for monitoring emails etc. Unfortunately, a 7d / 1GB plan isn’t long enough and 15d / 3GB is probably too much data….

 

[Flashback]

That was the brilliant thing on Virgin Voyages - (basic but functional) wifi included!

We just booked a Celebrity cruise for next year and booking online, in addition to 75% off 2nd PAX / $600 per room, it gave the option to pre-pay basic booze and wifi for a fraction of what we can see for the cruise coming up. Happy sea days!

Anyway, I’m pondering trying the GigSky to see what it’s like. Mainly just for monitoring emails etc. Unfortunately, a 7d / 1GB plan isn’t long enough and 15d / 3GB is probably too much data….

You'd be surprised at how quickly it can go with just emails, especially if images are set to auto download.....

 

[SYD]

You'd be surprised at how quickly it can go with just emails, especially if images are set to auto download.....

or make the mistake of clicking on this thread too often using data!

Thread 'The view or two from my "office"'

Oct 4, 2014

There have been a few rather spectacular photos posted on the OTT, and it was suggested that a new thread be started just for this purpose.

So do you have a picture of somewhere special you were this morning you would like to share?

2025 edit for clarification:
This thread is not for a chronology of your day. Or multiple pics of the same thing.

Please choose one picture (maybe two ) as an example of something special from your day. If you have more than that, consider starting a trip report instead.

Should multiple pictures still get posted, the mod team may also split them off into...

• JessicaTam
• Replies: 30,735
• Forum: Trip Reports

• 

There’s no limit of image file size, so those pretty pictures gobble up your data quick smart!

I can usually manage 500 MB to 1GB per week (with access to wifi). Except mainland China! Need at least double.

 

[RooFlyer]

Anyway, I’m pondering trying the GigSky

I was - but not on Ponant.

 

[Buzzard]

Firstly let me say that I'm new to all this eSim business so there was a hiccup or two. I chose Monty as I read about it here and they had an option for Greece and Turkiye which were the 2 countries we were visiting. For me it was stemless, I topped up once and had trouble free continuous service. For +1 however I missed the top up opportunity so she ran out of data. This is where it went downhill. I couldn't find the original option to buy more credit so contacted Monty only to be told that the 2 countries would now need to be purchased separately, so that's what I did. However, I could not get the eSim to work so had to contact Monty which I could only do from my phone. After spending 2 hours, yes 2 hours chatting a solution couldn't be found so a refund was processed. Having had enough of Monty I then went with Airalo for+1 that had the 2 countries option on a Euro Sim.
As it turns out, apparently why I couldn't get Monty to work is because when the 2 other packages were purchased, you actually get 2 more eSim's requiring you to disable the old expired one and enable the appropriate new one. I'm surprised that during the 2 hour chat the Monty Customer Support person didn't inform me or ask me if I had done this. As I said, being new to this technology I had no idea, I thought that once you purchased an eSim from a supplier that was it, just purchase whatever pack you need as you country hop.

 

[moa999]

purchased an eSim from a supplier that was it, just purchase whatever pack you need as you country hop

Depends on the eSim provider.
Some use a single one and you can just add credit.
Others issue a new eSim every purchase and you need to download it then activate it.
Most phones can hold 10+ in memory just with generally only 1 active at a time, though dual eSim phones with no physical SIM are beginning to roll out.

 

[SYD]

Depends on the eSim provider.
Some use a single one and you can just add credit.

Yes, what I would call the "better" eSIM providers let you stack Country, Regional and Global plans on one installed eSIM and switch seamlessly across them as you travel (using the most cost effectively plan first. Their apps allow you to track and top-up as necessary.

Others issue a new eSim every purchase and you need to download it then activate it.

Which can be a pain if your trying to do it on the fly and don't have stable wifi. But at least you can delete the esim when used up.

Most phones can hold 10+ in memory just with generally only 1 active at a time, though dual eSim phones with no physical SIM are beginning to roll out.

Apple iPhones sold in Oz are 8x eSIMs + 1x SIM.

You can have 2x sims active simultaneously. either 2x eSIM or 1x eSIM + SIM.

 

[Comoman]

Yes, what I would call the "better" eSIM providers let you stack Country, Regional and Global plans on one installed eSIM and switch seamlessly across them as you travel (using the most cost effectively plan first. Their apps allow you to track and top-up as necessary.

Which can be a pain if your trying to do it on the fly and don't have stable wifi. But at least you can delete the esim when used up.

Apple iPhones sold in Oz are 8x eSIMs + 1x SIM.

You can have 2x sims active simultaneously. either 2x eSIM or 1x eSIM + SIM.

iPhone Air is eSim only.

 

[SYD]

iPhone Air is eSim only.

To get that thin!