Going to Bonaire

[AFirefighter]

In the Dutch Carribbean. Am I screwed with having the ability for data/texting? I don't really care about calling. Thanks.

 

[anon(394005)]

Since the Thunderbolt is a CDMA device and most if not all of Europe is GSM based, I believe your only option is Wi-Fi. Keep in mind too that by default, texting uses the voice network, so you'd have to find a texting program that can work over the Wi-Fi data connection.

Edit: oops, missed the Caribbean part, was thinking the Netherlands.

 

[defcon999]

In the Dutch Carribbean. Am I screwed with having the ability for data/texting? I don't really care about calling. Thanks.

My answer is not going to be a TECHICAL solution but a personal one. I went on a cruise 2 years ago. I was bummed that I couldn't text or voice call on the cruise. Well, Verizon said I could but it would be $70 for the month and then some outrageous amount per min. and per text message. So, when the kids and I got on the ship...I put all the phones on Airplane mode (so they still could use them as an MP3 player and camera). The first day I was checking my phone every 10 mins. to check messages only to realize I had it shut off. By the 2nd day and forward, I kept the phone in the cabin and didn't think about it. I didn't even use the camera...had a dedicated one for that.

Bottomline is: If you are going on a vacation.....leave the phone in the cabin and relax for a few days......decompress from technology. Bring your laptop and find a Starbucks or a Wi-Fi hotspot and Skype with people if you need too. Otherwise.....RELAX......once we got back...I didn't turn my phone on for a day or 2...it was nice not getting bugged every 10 mins. with "How was the trip?, did you have fun, what did you do?"

 

[AFirefighter]

Thanks guys. I'm a diver and will be diving all week. My girlfriend is also a diver and will be with me. Plenty to keep us busy. No Starbucks on Bonaire I don't think anyway lol (small island in the Carribbean off the coast of Venezuela). I won't have it on the boat, won't have it in the truck, and will most likely only leave it in the room at our hotel. I just feel naked without my phone I guess!

 

[defcon999]

I just feel naked without my phone I guess!

That is the way I felt too...LOLOL. It is a weird feeling not having it with you. But the reward was that after the week, I didn't miss it........then about a week after that....I was back to being a "Smartphone crackhead"....LOLOL....enjoy the trip!

 

[natehoy]

According to their tourist information services, there is a CDMA carrier on the island. Info Bonaire - Telephone - Calling to and calling from

However, you'd have to buy a prepaid card and if nothing else your phone number while there would be different.

Internet access (WiFi hotspots) are somewhat more readily available.

Info Bonaire - Technology - Yes, even Bonaire has technology

So you could give people a Google Voice number and use Google Voice to send/receive SMS messages.