We will be leaving in a couple of weeks on the Galaxy from San Juan. We will be visiting St. Thomas, Aruba, Barbados, Margarita Island, and St. Kitts. Any suggestions on how best to call home? We have not been to the Caribbean since 1995. I do remember a phone area by the pier in Barbados (I think). Do phone cards from the USA work, or do we need to buy one in each port? I know they have phones in the cabin which are very expensive, but is that my only option? Any suggestions anyone? It gives me piece of mind to speak with my elderly mother every day. Thanks for any help.

Some of the phone cards can be used in different countries. I haven't tried it in the Caribbean, however I did from Asia. I think it was an MCI card that I had. While here in the states, I called to get the correct access numbers in the countries that I was going to. You also need to know what numbers to dial to get to the US. It's not difficult to do just a lot of number crunching to make a call.

On the cruise we took to the carribbean in November, one of our table mates left behind her 3 children in Toronto. To keep to touch with them and not spend a fortune, she rented a satellite phone prior to the cruise. She claimed that the rental charge and the phone rate was cheaper than calling via cell phone, ship phone, and calling card. You may want to check this out. Hope this helps!

Thanks, kahplayground. I have heard about satellite phones, but I don't have the slightest idea how or where to rent them. I have tried searching the web but get a zillion websites with companies I do not know and am afraid to trust. I have tried the yellow pages. Does anyone have any insight on how best to do this?

We just returned from that same trip,
the Galaxy and crew was great. We could not use phone card. you'll have to buy a local card from a shop or use credit card, have fun!

ATT phone cards work in a lot of areas. There are listings on the wrapper. A real deal on the cards can be had at Sam's Club.