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obayb
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 05:55 pm
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Post Number: 140
Registered: 11-2007
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O.K. - I know this subject has been brought up before, but here we go. I can rent a cell for $20 and it includes 4 - 7 minutes, I will need to buy more minutes. What is the cost to buy one instead at the Digicel store. My b/f has Sprint/Nextel, and mine is Alltel, recently converted to Verizon. I don't think mine has a sim card in it, but his does.
The last time we were there, I called Alltel, had them set my phone for international dialing from Jamaica. When I got there I had no service. After buying an expensive pay phone card (we were at Grand Palladium at the time, so would have been a pain in the neck to try and venture off to do anything else) I had my son call Alltel for me back in the states, and Alltel told them they had no service in Jamaica. Mind you I called and had it set for that, and called back to confirm it before we left.
None the less, don't want to be caught in that situation again, just trying to figure out the best and cheapest way to have phone service.
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Luvsdaislands
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 06:01 pm
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Post Number: 1123
Registered: 03-2008
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DO NOT use your U.S. cell phone. Yes, you will have service, just about all U.S. cell services work in Jamaica, but when you get your bill back home you will pass out!!!! it's usually about $1.99 per minute and some have roaming charges added.
If you plan to travel to Jamaica more than twice a year I say go ahead and purchase a cell phone, I got mines for about $40 and I just add minutes, I think I pay less than $20 and get 1000 minutes and I used that for local and international calls. (of course the international calls will eat up your minutes)
If you don't plan to travel to Jamaica more than twice a year, just rent a cell and purchase the minutes...same deal as I mentioned above.
One Luv
Luvs
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obayb
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 06:23 pm
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Post Number: 141
Registered: 11-2007
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Thanks. I think I will just go ahead and rent. Although the last 4 times I've been there, I wish I would have bought then, but didn't really know if I would be back and is so when. In hindsight it would have worked out better for me, but then I never no what lies in the future either. Is it easy to add the minutes from the phone card? I've never done that before.
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yetta
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 06:29 pm
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Post Number: 1797
Registered: 12-2006
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We found out the hard way, not to use our phone. Even with a extra fee for international service...not a good deal. I would either rent one or purchase one in Negril. Several drivers have great deals with cell phones, like Kenny and Alfred. They provide the phone and you buy the minutes. Get your minutes where the Jamaican's get theirs and you will be good to go. Seastar and maybe some other resorts provide cell phones also. Deposit made and deposit returned upon returning the phone. Can't get much better than that!
Enjoy your trip!
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MiConch
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 07:11 pm
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Post Number: 25
Registered: 04-2008
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We were trying to figure out the exact same thing for our next trip in January. After looking at rentals or purchase it looks like we will just pick up a basic phone that can be used on future trip as well.
Digicel has phones from $1950Ja ($22.27US). At that price we can't go wrong.
http://www.digiceljamaica.com/en/phones/view_phone.php?id=4289
Samsung B130
Samsung B130's bar-type form factor offers a hassle-free no-nonsense style that is slim and compact enough to be portable, yet also offers a great grip for easy manageability. *Postpaid price available if you sign up for a 1 year postpaid contract.
** Prices shown below do not include tax
Digicel Select J$1,560
Digicel Flex J$1,950
Three trips down, many more to go...
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Jah Lion
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 07:18 pm
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Post Number: 145
Registered: 09-2009
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| If you have Kenny pick you up from airport, he will rent you a phone, or maybe its even free with a deposit cant remember! Hes a great driver as well! |
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Marko
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 07:50 pm
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Post Number: 3758
Registered: 08-2006
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like dem say forget about using your cell from home in Jamaica.......
you can't beat the price to call back home on digicel as it is elcheapo.....
as was mentioned driver have dem and so don't some of the resorts.....
and there are quite a few services in Negril that rent phones too for nominal charges.....
personally mi use Clives Transport and mi get a phone from him for $20 for mi stay as right now mi only going once a year.....
of course if mi staying at say SeaStar, mi will use der cells der instead of Clives....
also as mentioned for those that travel twice or more a year you should just buy the cheapest digicel phone dem sell in Jamaica......
Cool Runnings, Marko
Hedo 84,91~T-Water 85~Miss Mary’s 86, 87~Barry’s 88~LTU 91~Charela Inn 92~Negril Inn 92~SamSara 93, 94~Ocean Edge 95, 96~Singles 95, 96~Thrills 95~Hilltop 96, 99~Pee Wees 97~Kool Browns 97~Cottage 99, 00, 01, 02~Roots Bamboo 03~Merrill’sI & II 04, 05~Corals Seas Beach&Cliffs 06~Catcha 07~BCC 08
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Jambarney
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 07:54 pm
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Post Number: 61
Registered: 09-2009
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With Kenny the use of the phone is included with your airport transfers. But keep in mind if you would loose it, or somehow damage would occur then he is gonna have to charge you for the cost of the phone.
I just bought a used Blackberry on ebay that stated it was unlocked for international usage, stopped by digi-cell they installed a sim card, applied all my necessary settings and sold me credit that easily lasted for my 2 week trip. I believe the total cost was around $28 US total and took maybe 20 minutes. Pretty harmless.
I have heard for some reason the Sprint Phones will not work in Jamaica. The used one I bought was an ATT, also the technical data requirements are posted on digi-cells web site and posted on most ebay phone listings so you can make sure the phone you are purchasing will work on Jamaica frequency or whatever the term is.
I think I spent like $25 on Ebay for a used Blackberry, kind of an older one. But I just use it for my Jamaica phone.
Hope this helps.
Jamb
Redstripe, breakfast of Champions!
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obayb
Member posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 10:41 pm
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Post Number: 144
Registered: 11-2007
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Great info - I am using Clives, he did quote me the $20 for rental. That might be the way to go.
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Captain Oil
Member posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 09:05 am
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Post Number: 846
Registered: 07-2006
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As far as using your own phone in Jamaica ........ don't use your home SERVICE ............. BUT you can get your own phone unlocked, buy or borrow a SIM card in Jamaica and load your phone that way .......... I called AT&T to get our phone unlocked, borrowed a SIM card in JA from a friend, loaded the card up with minutes to call back to USA (CHEAP), used my phone for 2 weeks, gave the card back to our friend with credit left on it, put our own SIM card back in when we arrived home, everyone was happy and life was good .......... when we need to call to a local number in Jamaica we just ask to borrow someones phone and then slip them a 100J ..... could not be easier
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DaRev
Member posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 06:13 pm
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Post Number: 482
Registered: 07-2006
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Captain,
Did AT&T charge you to unlock your cell? |
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Captain Oil
Member posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 06:52 pm
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Post Number: 849
Registered: 07-2006
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No ............. told them I was going overseas and wanted to use my phone there ........ worked great
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Elvino
Member posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 06:06 am
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Post Number: 574
Registered: 05-2008
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Jah Lion on: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 07:18 pm, wrote:If you have Kenny pick you up from airport,
Kenny will indeed let you use a phone and will refund the deposit or apply deposit to return trip to Mo Bay.
When we got there, we stopped at a store on the way and bought 1000 international minutes for aprox $1,200.00 J's and it was enough for our 2 week stay......I even drunk dialed some friends and work mates when the mood struck.
It was very convenient for Zee and I to stay in touch with the family (grand-sons)
Peace
Elvino
Respect is like trust, you have to earn it!
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BAKslider
Member posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 09:20 am
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Post Number: 5
Registered: 05-2009
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Ran into communications problems a few trips back and have the following solution(s):
I bought a Digicell cheapo Nokia a few trips back. It is inexpensive to use and MUCH cheaper than using a US cell phone - even when you factor in the price of buying the phone. Last trip a friend got home to a $300+ cell bill using her US phone from the beach.
It is a pay-as-you-go system but they have a generous 120-day active period and balance minutes don't expire. When I get back to the States, I log on to digicell.com every 100 days or so and "top up" with about $10 US in credit. By the time I get to Negril, I usually have more cell time than I will use on the trip. Calls inside Jamaica are dirt cheap compared to prepaid phones (Tracphone/Virgin) in the U.S.
For calls from/to US, if you have a computer and access to wifi, Skype is the answer. Although it is in extremely bad taste to werk in Negril, I have my office phone forwarded to Skype sometimes so I don't miss an "income critical" call. Skype is about $.04 a minute to Jamaica. Skype also works great with my iPod and with a mic-headphone and decent wifi, set I get calls on the beach from the US all the time and pay pennies. Works just like an iPhone without AT&T.
Calls to-from US in Jamaica are expensive by any other method because of the government surtaxes. I also loan the phone to other friends going to Jamaica when I can't.
Greg Forest
The Music Office
musicoffice.com
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Maro22
Member posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 03:16 pm
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Post Number: 733
Registered: 12-2007
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Captain Oil on: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 09:05 am, wrote:BUT you can get your own phone unlocked, buy or borrow a SIM card in Jamaica and load your phone that way .......... I called AT&T to get our phone unlocked, borrowed a SIM card in JA from a friend, loaded the card up with minutes to call back to USA (CHEAP),
If you are a long time ATT customer, call them and they will give you an unlock code for free. I also recently bought a new, very nice, unlocked phone @ ebay for $46.00 USD. I did not know about the free unlocking.
"You lost today kid, that does'nt mean you have to like it"....the man who gave Indiana Jones his hat.
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Tony
Member posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 11:02 am
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Post Number: 7
Registered: 08-2006
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| We will be going to Jamaica for the month of April, have alway's used Clive (To resort and return to airport), will be staying at Xtabi. Would like a phone due to the length of stay this time. Someone mentioned $20 rental from Clive ... Was that a weekly rate or for your entire stay? Also it was mentioned about buying phone, but I thought I read somewhere that if you don't use the phone after a length of time it will de-activate. Where would be the closest/cheapest place to buy minutes near Xtabi? |
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wit
Member posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 11:17 am
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Post Number: 677
Registered: 12-2008
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Tony....$20 per week. I highly suggest you buy a cheap phone from digicel. For your sim card and a cheap phone if you can find one there...I suggest you try in MB before you get to Negril as they have two stores...it will cost you about $50.00 usd. Then buy the international phone card.
As far as expiring...yes it will when you return home unless the phone is in jamaica and you top it up. If not you get a new phone number and a new sim card. Not a huge deal if you don't care about keeping the same number.
We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.
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Tntnardo
Member posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 11:27 am
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Post Number: 8
Registered: 08-2006
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| Would it be cheaper to buy the phone before I leave for Jamaica? If so where can I get the cheapest phone online? Will the international phone card also work for local calls in Jamaica or do I have to purchase a different card for that? |
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jessa
Member posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 11:33 am
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Post Number: 1587
Registered: 05-2009
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I hardly ever use phones when in Jamaica, use my own to say I got here safe, then maybe a phone from Jamaica a fewtimes to get rides to places. Seastar is great, as they let you use one of their phones, then you just get the minutes.
http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5801
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glennr
Member posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 12:09 pm
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Post Number: 22
Registered: 02-2009
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When we first went to Jamaica 10 years ago we called home from the hotel phone to talk with our 8 year old daughter. Of course when we got home we had a phone bill of like $150 - yikes.
Next year we told her we would not be calling her. She suggested we use AOL Instant Messenger. Every night at dinner she had AIM up and we'd log on and chat with her for a bit from the public computer at Couples Negril.
Nowadays she's in college. We stay at Idle Awhile who has WiFi all over the resort. When she was in High School we would still do the AIM chat thing. The most memorable chat was when we met David Anderson who played Sark on the TV show Alias who was also staying at Idle Awhile. It was interesting to watch my wife chat with our daughter telling her that we were just talking and hanging out with him 5 minutes ago. She was not pleased that she was not along with us.
Now adays as empty nesters we tell our kids - all grown and people at work to email us. We check our email a number of times a day on our iPhones set to Airplane mode using WiFi at Idle Awhile. We stay in touch and have no long distance phone bill when we get home.
If we had younger kids we'd use Skype on our MacBooks.
Btw, 3 weeks ago when we were down in Negril eating at Margaritaville I noticed they have open WiFi as well.
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LuvJaBad
Member posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 12:55 pm
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Post Number: 179
Registered: 08-2009
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Buy a phone from digicel - its cheap. It doesn't matter how often you go - you can just buy a new sim card when you reach if you don't go often. Or, you could leave it as a tip. I've had the same generic phone for about 4 years....def got my moneys worth! Now, I just top off online to keep the same number! It is sooo convenient to have a phone.
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Ohio_Buckeye_1
Member posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 10:36 pm
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Post Number: 63
Registered: 04-2009
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wit on: Monday, November 16, 2009 - 11:17 am, wrote:As far as expiring...yes it will when you return home unless the phone is in jamaica and you top it up. If not you get a new phone number and a new sim card. Not a huge deal if you don't care about keeping the same number.
You don't have to leave the phone in Jamaica to keep it from expiring by topping it up. Digicel website makes it very easy to top-up your phone number from anywhere. I add the minimum top-up amount onto it every other month - and like BAKslider said - have plenty of minutes waiting for me when I get back to Jamaica.
As to swapping Sim cards, it will depend on your U.S. service provider. I have Verizon - and they don't use Sim cards - so no way to switch my Verizon phone onto DigiCel network. Don't get tricked - you will get service with your Verizon phone, but it will be International Roaming service/rates. Even when you think you are setting it up with your service provider before your trip - they act like they are setting you up with a special International rate - all they are doing is activating your phone for International use. And as others said, you end up with a whopping bill when you get home.
Another complication, I remember an earlier thread where a UK poster advised that he swapped Sim cards in his iPhone to work on DigiCel network in Jamaica. A U.S. poster replied that works great for UK travelers, but U.S. iPhones don't use Sim cards - so isn't an option. Maybe different now with the new iPhones. Why can't we all just get along - LOL.
If you get one free from taxi driver or hotel - with a deposit - that is great. But I would not rent one for a week, when you can buy one for same price. |
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Doug6105
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 12:50 am
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Post Number: 128
Registered: 12-2006
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This all seems waaaaaaaay too complicated, lol. I'm just going for a week and may not be back for a long time. I just want to rent one. Where in Negril can I go to rent one one? I plan on taking the Juta shuttle from the airport or whatever it's called to save money so I can't get one from a driver.
$50us each way from mobay for one person is way too much, even with a free cell phone rental for a week !!!!
.
Happiness comes from within. If you're not happy, I'm sorry, I can't help, no one can, it's up to you.(by me)
My Myspace Page
My Photo Site
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Soursop555
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 12:59 am
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Post Number: 203
Registered: 05-2009
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Clive's is $20.00 US
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Doug6105
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 01:05 am
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Post Number: 129
Registered: 12-2006
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Okay, I'll check Clive's, thank you. Someone else quoted me $50. Now about that Ja cell phone, lol.
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Happiness comes from within. If you're not happy, I'm sorry, I can't help, no one can, it's up to you.(by me)
My Myspace Page
My Photo Site
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obayb
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 02:17 pm
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Post Number: 164
Registered: 11-2007
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Doug - I'm with you, renting seems the way to go for me too!
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Doug6105
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 02:31 pm
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Post Number: 130
Registered: 12-2006
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obayb on: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 02:17 pm, wrote:
Now to find out where to rent, anyone?????
Complete Telephones in the Negril Shopping Center next to Burger King???
.
Happiness comes from within. If you're not happy, I'm sorry, I can't help, no one can, it's up to you.(by me)
My Myspace Page
My Photo Site
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obayb
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 05:17 pm
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Post Number: 166
Registered: 11-2007
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I'm using Clive's for my transportation, I will just rent from him.
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BrenJaLee
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 05:58 pm
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Post Number: 433
Registered: 01-2009
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Doug6105 on: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 12:50 am, wrote:I plan on taking the Juta shuttle from the airport or whatever it's called to save money
Doug, the Juta shuttle is $18 p/p each way and Clive's is $20 p/p each way. Why not go with Clives and then you can rent the phone right from them. They'll have it for you when they pick you up and you return it when they drive you back to the airport. This is the link to their reservations page: http://clivestransportservicejamaica.com/contact&reservations_1.htm and you just check the button at the bottom for pre-paid cellular phone.
For the most up-to-date Negril Map go to: http://ohliza.blogspot.com/2008/12/map-of-negril-jamaica.html
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CJGirl
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 10:08 pm
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Post Number: 317
Registered: 07-2006
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Is my Jamaica cell phone dead, I purchased it in July never did put any extra minutes on it, can I purchase minutes at the airport is there a Digicel store there, or should I do it downtown Negril? What should I be paying for 1000 + minutes, will be calling US mostly.
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Doug6105
Member posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 11:18 pm
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Post Number: 131
Registered: 12-2006
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BrenJaLee on: the Juta shuttle is $18 p/p each way and Clive's is $20 p/p each way. Why not go with Clives and then you can rent the phone right from them. They'll have it for you when they pick you up and you return it when they drive you back to the airport. This is the link to their reservations page: http://clivestransportservicejamaica.com/contact&reservations_1.htm and you just check the button at the bottom for pre-paid cellular phone.,Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 05:58 pm, wrote:Doug
Thanks BrenJaLee, perfect. I'll book with Clive's as soon as I have my hotel locked in. I've narrowed it down to two places and will probably decide and put the deposit down tomorrow. That's one less thing to worry about. Flight is already locked in. Thanks again, to both you and obayb !!! Soon I'll just be waiting on the clock to tick around, yep !
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Happiness comes from within. If you're not happy, I'm sorry, I can't help, no one can, it's up to you.(by me)
My Myspace Page
My Photo Site
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dave
Member posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 12:49 pm
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Post Number: 1651
Registered: 06-2006
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CJGirl on: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 10:08 pm, wrote:Is my Jamaica cell phone dead
Most likely yes 
you will need to purchase a new SIM card & additional minutes at a Digi store. Extra minutes can be purchased many places but the SIM cards are available only at Digi stores.
I would wait untill I arrived in Negril & got settled in..
... mi gonna miss AJ #58
soon come-
.........but not soon enough!....
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CJGirl
Member posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 04:58 pm
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Post Number: 318
Registered: 07-2006
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Thank you Dave!
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yetta
Member posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 11:54 pm
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Post Number: 1860
Registered: 12-2006
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Plan to use the deal at Seastar! If you use Kenny, you are really not out anything at all unless you loose the phone or break it. The deposit can be used as credit for your trip back. Can't beat the deal with him or with Seastar. Don't use your US cell. We even paid more for international coverage yet it was ridiculously expensive!! Don't go there, trust mi mon.
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VikesInJA
Member posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 12:16 am
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Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2009
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does anyone know where to get a sim card in negril? can u get them at any digicel retailer?
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Irie Always
Member posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 06:54 am
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Post Number: 223
Registered: 08-2006
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Found this on their web site
Coral Seas Plaza,
Negril,
Westmoreland
http://www.digiceljamaica.com/
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