Verizon cell phone use

Since it's still in the US, what type of cell service is available with Verizon?

A quick search of the board finds:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2211668&highlight=verizon

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2233624&highlight=verizon

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2233608&highlight=verizon

and MANY more.

We were in Alaska this past June on a cruise (Radiance of the Seas Southbound) and land (Anchorage) and have Verizon - the reception was great and had no issues at all! Of course, there was no service on the ship but had it at all the ports (Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait, Juneau and Seward).

The only time we did not have service was when we were up in the Healy/Denali area. We did not go farther north. In Wasilla, is was on again off again, but this was 6 years ago with the land trip. We had no problem with the usual ports.

we plan on renting a couple vans and traveling the Klondike highway. I would expect no service out of Skagway?

I want to avoid any extra cell phone charges. Are there places/times I should put my phone into airplane mode? (I'm thinking while in Canada for sure).

I want to avoid any extra cell phone charges. Are there places/times I should put my phone into airplane mode? (I'm thinking while in Canada for sure).

While in Canada and when on the ship.

As you get close to the Alaska coast you can get your own cell phone service and on land too with no additional charges.

Keith

Verizon is now in Alaska, at least here in Southcentral (Anchorage area). So, I imagine since they are here, you'll have no problems, getting a connection, though sometimes it might be on someone else's tower.

For example, my Mom has T-Mobile and when she comes to visit, she gets picked up by GCI (a local company) with no additional roaming charges.

Susan in Anchorage :)