Cell phone reception

[sueasselstine]

Hi there, we'll be cruising in a couple of weeks, doing the inside passage. We're coming from Canada, so looking to get a US-based SIM card for our cell phones. From my research, most providers I've seen don't even include Alaska, or the reviews say that the reception is very slow. Does anyone have any insight, or recommendations on providers? Thank you!

[Ashland]

Our AT&T provider worked fine (as recently as last September) and always has for our Alaska cruises.

[AKStafford]

AT&T and Verizon have coverage in Alaska.

[CruiserBruce]

29 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Our AT&T provider worked fine (as recently as last September) and always has for our Alaska cruises.

As did ours. But not sure how that works for looking to buy a sim.

[Northern Aurora]

We live in Alaska.  Our provider is AT&T.  No issues in Alaska ports.

[sueasselstine]

Thanks everyone!! I got an AT&T sim card, here's hoping!!!

[eileeshb]

Supplemental question on this theme.. has anyone used an eSIM or know of one that’s good for Alaska? I’m not going through the rigmarole of buying yet another US sim that means having a new number for anyone back home that wants to contact me. 

[Coral]

4 hours ago, eileeshb said:

Supplemental question on this theme.. has anyone used an eSIM or know of one that’s good for Alaska? I’m not going through the rigmarole of buying yet another US sim that means having a new number for anyone back home that wants to contact me. 

Do not use Mint Mobile's. Visible may work (uses Verizon's network).

[richart]

On 8/23/2023 at 2:49 PM, eileeshb said:

Supplemental question on this theme.. has anyone used an eSIM or know of one that’s good for Alaska? I’m not going through the rigmarole of buying yet another US sim that means having a new number for anyone back home that wants to contact me. 

I read an article earlier today about eSIMs that can be used in a lot of different countries. I have not used them and don't know anything about this company, but thought I would pass along the name of the company: Holafly

[eileeshb]

15 hours ago, richart said:

I read an article earlier today about eSIMs that can be used in a lot of different countries. I have not used them and don't know anything about this company, but thought I would pass along the name of the company: Holafly

I’ve been looking into Holafly as they do an unlimited data package for USA, their FAQ lists AT&T as one of their carriers and when you look at the AT&T coverage map it should work, but when I did a chat session with Holafly their rep shared an internal map which shows zero coverage in Ketchikan.