WiFi on river cruises
Several comments have referred to the spotty WiFi on river cruises. No one to blame here as the ship will need to rely on cell type connection (not traditional WiFi). However whatever capacity it can get will be shared amongst all guests.
So look at your own domestic data plan and see what it charges for international roaming. If that’s OK with you then use that as whilst you’ll be accessing the same service, you won’t be sharing it with everyone else. (Plan A)
Alternatively think about signing for an online European plan using an eSIM. ( a digression here - A SIM (subscriber information module ) used to be a physical card that fitted into your phone. It’s like a passport, telling the cell tower who you are and what your number is. More recently phones have replaced the SIM with a eSIM, which is a software version of the SIM. The advantage of an eSIM is that you can have multiple ones on your phone. Your standard (US?) one, plus others you can buy - apologies to everyone who knows this already).
Here is one I use ( for US based travelers)
https://www.airalo.com/europe-esim
Not recommending specifically and have no connection but well reviewed and works for me.
Once you buy a data plan, download the eSIM to your phone, go to your settings and change data setting to the new eSIM when you arrive
WARNING. This will ensure your device uses the eSIM for all data (browsing, email, WhatsApp, FaceTime etc. ) BUT it won’t support non data activities like phone calls or phone to phone texting. If you need to make old fashioned phone calls stick with plan A
Hope this is helpful
Comments
I rarely use my phone on a tour. I use my iPad if there is wifi, otherwise I forget about it. I use ‘ Notes’ for my diary of the trip which doesn't need Wi-Fi. My family can get in touch with Tauck if there is an emergency. WhatsApp is useful and no phone plan needed.
We have T-Mobile as our cell provider and have been able to use our phones in Europe and Canada with no problem. Text and data are free. Phone calls25 cents a minute. Data isn't 5g unless you add Go5g which I think also gives you free phone calls. We never have needed to upgrade. The funny thing having it is as we cruise down the river we know when we've crossed borders because Tmobile sends a text saying Welcome to whatever country we've just arrived in.
Claudia I also have T-Mobile and appreciate the free texting and data, mostly if the kids need to get in touch which has never happened except for once when I was on a river cruise and my son called while I was taking a shower (scared me plenty) I called him back only to find out that he needed the password to my computer