European data sim recommendations?

I will be travelling with my family in Europe for about 3 weeks next spring. I know there will be lots of cafes and such where wifi is available, but since I am travelling with family, sometimes they won't want to stop for as long as I'd like to. We will probably be checking emails, uploading pictures to Facebook, looking up travel directions and whatnot when we're docked. I think if the cost is right, having the freedom to get online while we're moving is a good investment.

We will be in Turkey, Monaco, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Greece, and Spain.

I've been looking at the following roaming data sim options that cover multiple countries:

http://www.travelsim.com

25€ for sim, 37.50€ for 250MB)

http://www.dataroam.co.uk/

£39 for sim + 1GB data -currently on sale-

standard price £60

http://www.gosim.com/data-sim-card.html

74€ for sim + 1GB

What do you all think about these options as alternatives to the wifi offered onboard? Is it worth it to get one of these, or should I just hope for wifi spots?

I have used Telestial for SIM cards while traveling in the past, and their prices and service have been good for what I needed. (http://www.telestial.com/international_sim_cards.php).

All the various companies have different rates for different services (text/voice/data), so try to come up with the one that will suit your expected needs best. For instance, if you want text and data, you might find a cheaper price for those and not worry if the per minute charge for voice calls is higher. Be sure to watch for connection fees and daily minimums.

Thanks, I'll take a look into them.

It's interesting, Telestial specifically mentions they cover some cruise ships too. That might not help me out so much, but some other people travelling with us might want to use that.

I will be travelling with my family in Europe for about 3 weeks next spring. I know there will be lots of cafes and such where wifi is available, but since I am travelling with family, sometimes they won't want to stop for as long as I'd like to. We will probably be checking emails, uploading pictures to Facebook, looking up travel directions and whatnot when we're docked. I think if the cost is right, having the freedom to get online while we're moving is a good investment.

 

We will be in Turkey, Monaco, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Greece, and Spain.

 

I've been looking at the following roaming data sim options that cover multiple countries:

http://www.travelsim.com

25€ for sim, 37.50€ for 250MB)

 

http://www.dataroam.co.uk/

£39 for sim + 1GB data -currently on sale-

standard price £60

 

http://www.gosim.com/data-sim-card.html

74€ for sim + 1GB

 

What do you all think about these options as alternatives to the wifi offered onboard? Is it worth it to get one of these, or should I just hope for wifi spots?

Wow, those are crazy prices. Don't do it. I had a port call in Malaga three weeks ago. Stopped at the Orange store in the cruise terminal, and just took what they had, no shopping around. For €22, they cut down a micro sim to fit my nano sim iPhone5 (Verizon). I got 2gig of 3G data, plus €5 credit towards calls. After three weeks in Spain, with a Spanish phone number, calling and texting as necessary, I only had to top up once for an additional €5. What a bargain. Didn't call back to US, but plan said it was only €0.02 per minute. Plus, I could use my iPhone for a wi-fi hot spot for our iPad and MacBook when we couldn't get wi-fi. Just wait until you get to your destination, then get something local. Orange said my plan was good for all of Europe, but I never left Spain, so can't verify that.

Update on my Orange sim. I am in Copenhagen now, and on data roaming. Still 3G, but there is a €1 daily charge for 100mg of data. I also get 60 minutes of calling/texting, but I can't tell if it is included or I pay an additional €1 per day. Still pretty cheap service. I imagine it will be the same in the Azores, my next stop. I am reluctant to give Orange my credit card to top up in case they have some kind of overage charge. So I have a friend in Spain top up as I need it. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but it can be difficult to understand how pay-as-you-go plans work, especially when the web site is in a foreign language.

but it can be difficult to understand how pay-as-you-go plans work, especially when the web site is in a foreign language.

I understand.......that's why I bought a Telestial card before I left for Europe, but for my upcoming trip to New Zealand I will buy one when I get there - since it's in English I know I'll be able to get what I want and understand the rules and charges.