Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Travel Topics > Travel Tips & Trip Ideas
Reload this Page >

Have you cut the cord (phone) on trips abroad?

Search

Have you cut the cord (phone) on trips abroad?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 1st, 2023, 09:31 AM
  #41  
 
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wouldn’t travel without it!

Recently went solo to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos at ripe old age of 79 years and 10 months. There is NO WAY I could possibly have made the trip without my iPhone. From having to communicate with my travel agent to using texts to take care of some business with rental property in USA and texts to/from dog sitter, just to mention a few. Itinerary information, driver pick up confirmations, and much more.

Last edited by Mom2Max; Oct 1st, 2023 at 09:32 AM. Reason: Left out word
Mom2Max is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2023, 11:31 AM
  #42  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 18,244
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
Starrs is off on a mystery trip!
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2023, 02:52 PM
  #43  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 83,441
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
I didn't want this to be destination specific - for a couple of reasons.

It's not really about the destination. It was me just trying to figure out what was really bothering me. I appreciate the input.
starrs is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2023, 06:31 PM
  #44  
 
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If I go to the U.S. and around Canada, I definitely take my cell phone. So many trips I have taken to Cuba and not once have I taken a phone. Total disconnect. My trips usually are 2 weeks long. I might check email once or twice while there but other than that, nope. I will leave a phone number or two to folks back home though.

I wonder though if I might take my phone next time to Cuba. It does have a nice camera.
CubanWaters is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2023, 08:51 AM
  #45  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,383
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
This is not about a phone.

From the title of your thread I though it was.
suze is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2023, 10:12 AM
  #46  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,194
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have travelled where there is no personal internet available but as others have mentioned, there will be a leader with a satellite and/or cell phone, if it's a group tour. At a remote lodge there is a phone number that is listed for emergency contact. Cruising I often opt not to pay for ship board internet but know that in a few days there will be a port stop. Before I take off I mail an itinerary with lodgings and contact information to my nearest friends and relatives.
If I am going to those kind of remote locations I have to go old school with paper guidebooks, maps and printed itinerary etc.

That is enough for me, but I don't have elderly relatives or pets to be concerned about. PS Now I am the "elderly relative". LOL.

Last edited by Moderator1; Oct 3rd, 2023 at 07:29 AM. Reason: removed unnecessary personal gibe
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2023, 03:13 AM
  #47  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,227
Received 42 Likes on 2 Posts
Yes this isn’t about a phone or destination but rather how you did when not having a phone at one’s disposal. So many of us have gotten used to being connected that when suddenly not, it’s like we don’t know how to exist. Of course it has more benefits than not but it’s that “feeling” which I don’t know a good word for.

I think that feeling is normal and just takes some time to adjust. For the most part, a phone or connection shouldn’t be needed but I get your hesitation starrs and it’s a good reason.
sassy27 is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2023, 03:25 AM
  #48  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 83,441
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
Thanks, sassy.
starrs is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2023, 09:42 AM
  #49  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by starrs
If so, how did it go?

I'm considering a trip with limited cell phone and/or internet service. I can't believe this is my only misgiving about the trip, but I truly am not sure how well I'll deal with NOT being able to get online.

I don't text/call a lot during a given day or week but I DO like having a connection.

Anyone have experiences to share?

No iPad or laptop either?

Will you avoid cybercafes, if they still exist, or the hotel business center which typically have a computer?


It's a quaint handicap, like The Amazing Race, where the contestants are not allowed to bring their phones on the trip. However, they are told to go to a destination and they invariably ask bystanders to look up directions in navigation apps or borrow the phones for a couple of minutes.

They also Google some things as well.

scrb11 is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2023, 12:34 PM
  #50  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 83,441
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
Nope.
I've been told there may not be any cell service or internet access all.
NONE.
Hence my concern / question.
starrs is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2023, 12:55 PM
  #51  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why not do a trial run? Next time you go somewhere for a few days, leave your phone and computer at home and see how you feel.
Trophywife007 is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2023, 01:43 PM
  #52  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 83,441
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
Nah. I'll just go, take my phone and see what happens.
I'm WAY too connected to test it beforehand. LOL
starrs is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2023, 02:02 PM
  #53  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by starrs
Nah. I'll just go, take my phone and see what happens.
I'm WAY too connected to test it beforehand. LOL

Where are you going which doesn’t have service?

Back to the 19th century?

Or no service in the building or neighborhood where you will stay? Or maybe some remote village?

If it some place without any kind of telecommunications access, how are you communicating with them and how did they tell you there was no service, either cell or Internet?


It wasn’t that long ago, had to arrange accommodations via international fax and wiring money as deposits to overseas bank accounts.

scrb11 is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2023, 02:10 PM
  #54  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 83,441
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
Interesting comments.
I'm going to a place where there may not be internet or cell service.
"Will you avoid cybercafes, if they still exist, or the hotel business center which typically have a computer?"
Not in cybercafes. Not in hotel business centers. Although we aren't staying in hotels, so that would not be an option anyway.
"It's a quaint handicap,"
That's not a word I thought of for this situation.


starrs is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2023, 10:44 AM
  #55  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,194
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
IF starrs is going on an African Safari, there is frequently spotty or nonexistent service. In Kruger, the largest public camp was supposed to have internet that one could buy, but it wasn't working.

mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2023, 01:17 PM
  #56  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mlgb
IF starrs is going on an African Safari, there is frequently spotty or nonexistent service. In Kruger, the largest public camp was supposed to have internet that one could buy, but it wasn't working.

Have very little interest in going to a place without modern infrastructure. There are so many places to see, no reason to go to places where malaria or some other tropical diseases are present. Don't want to sleep in some mosquito tent.

My earliest memory of traveling was to this remote island which didn't have electricity. It was pitch black by 8 PM. OK I was young but I didn't go to bed that early. There was a sign that they planned to build some infrastructure. Even during the day, I don't remember that there was much to see that was memorable.

scrb11 is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2023, 03:31 PM
  #57  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 83,441
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
Everyone has different preferences. That's perfectly okay.
Happy travels to all!
starrs is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2023, 10:55 AM
  #58  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
80 Day Adventure

In 2019, my husband and I went on an adventure that took us to Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar, and Portugal.
we both took our phones and hubby took his IPad. We purchased SIM cards for each country with the exception of Andorra and Gibraltar. We used our phones to keep in touch with our B&Bs, hotels and family in all of our destinations. We used them for maps, GPS, and to find restaurants etc.
I used the camera in my phone to take photos instead of lugging around my heavy Nikon camera which takes up a lot of space. My husband used his IPad to take photos and send emails.
I also used my phone to record our Adventure on Facebook and upload the photos for safety.
We did not spend ours in the phone, we used them sparingly so as not to use up our purchased allowances. It worked perfectly.
I also had all our flights, information, hotel bookings and photos of our documents; as well as all phone numbers of our contacts abroad.
For us, our cell phones were a fabulous way of letting our loved ones know where we were and we were safe.
SPHA is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2023, 11:42 AM
  #59  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 83,441
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
That's fascinating.
But in this case, cell service - and probably internet - will not be available.
Not available. Not an option. That was what I was trying to process.
My decision = go with the understanding that cell service / internet will not be avaiable.

Mods, will you PLEASE close this thread? It was your decision to move it but it makes zero sense to keep it active. TIA
starrs is offline  
Related Topics

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Your Privacy Choices -