Took 7 or 8 days for us to get SIM earlier this year. The only "problem" we noticed was that the first time you hit a new country it can take 2 hours to first register on the system. After that, no problem reconnecting to system. Excellent rates in most countries.

I decided not to bother with Piranha since they never responded to a question I submitted asking about shipping and was not comfortable about getting it in time for my trip. I was going to give in and buy the ekit Passport but then realized that Verizon is actually reasonable for data if I do the bundle ($25 for 100mb, cheaper than Pirahna) and texts (5c to receive, 50c to send). Voice they're not cheap on, even if you buy the $4.99 calling plan. But the ekit Passport Lite only costs $10 on Amazon and comes with 30 minutes of free incoming calling (plus $5 of credit, but the calling rates are high)! So I ordered that and will use it in my spare unlocked feature phone and between the two will figure out a way to make it work, plus I'll have a backup in case there are problems.

That could be a bit of a problem for me since I will be on a cruise and will only be in many countries for 6-8 hours!

Does the ekit Passport SIM have the same problem?

I should mention that the Piranha person contacted me as a result of my post here and apologized for not responding to my question and has sent me a SIM (although I have not yet received it). I leave for my vacation next Friday, so hopefully I will get it soon. Then I decide whether I use it in my Smartphone, or go with Verizon as I had originally planned and use the Piranha SIM in my unlocked phone (where I currently have the Passport Lite).

[QUOTE=misterbill;43533]
Does the ekit Passport SIM have the same problem?

QUOTE]

I have both a Piranha and E-Kit SIM cards. It is true that Piranha can take a long, long time to register on a network. Sometimes it is quick, but you can't count on it. They do have the best rates, though.

My E-Kit SIM pretty much registers within minutes and always seems to work wherever I am. (Usually on cruises).

My advice is if you get your Piranha on time, try it and leave it in your phone starting at about 1 hour before docking (you'd be surprised how far out a phone can get a signal) and see if it registers. If not, plan B... Ekit.

Thanks.. I got the Piranha SIM today. But here's my problem. I also have a plan C, which is to use my Verizon SIM and sign up for their $25 for 100mb data package (cheaper than Piranha although I need to buy in $25 chunks), which I need to do prior to leaving (or I pay the ridiculous $20 per mb). I know their voice rates are crazy so I do not plan to use that. And I have 2 phones, but only one is a Smartphone. So the real question is, which do I use for data? And the E-Kit Lite I bought comes with 30 minutes of free incoming calls, while I'd have to fund the Piranha account.

So I'd really like to decide between Piranha and Verizon for my Smartphone, and just plan to use E-Kit on the other phone. Switching SIMs on my Smartphone while I'm there will be less than optimal.

Do you really think plan A and B will work in ALL the ports? Don't kid yourself.
Buy the Verizon package, fund Piranha, and have a 'thing' to put the extra SIM in that is big enough that you won't misplace it.

Learn to swap SIMs also.

Well, it's a nice thought that A and B will work in all ports since they say they will! I guess I am being naive.

I know how to swap SIMs but the problem with that is that if I give out the number for one that's not in my phone, the person calling me won't get me. So what do I do then, give both out? That's a pain. Will I get charged for a call if someone calls me when the SIM is not in the phone?

Also, I did not mention it, but the free 30 minutes of incoming calling that came with the Passport Lite may well be enough to get me thru the 2 weeks. If not, it came with $5 of usage and a deal where you get $10 in bonus credit when you fund it for $10. At that point, it should definitely cover me for the 2 weeks. Of course, Piranha is cheaper, but I doubt I'll get enough usage for a $10 load (as compared to what I'd get with E-kit Passport).

The Piranha SIM came in a nice plastic sleeve that I can store the other SIM in when it's not in the phone.

You don't get charged.

I see only two options. Carry a second phone or buy a Dual SIM phone if this capable with Verizon.

'free' 30 minutes of calls
 

By the way you describe it, I am not sure that you understand what the 'free' 30 minutes of calls are.

The calls are for people calling you. They call a US 800 number than punch in you UK number---whose calls are free for you to receive any way. This is slightly complex and are you sure the people calling you will understand how to do it? Why not just give them your US number? Yes, get the $10 [+$10] with ekit. Is your voicemail free on the ekit card? Might be easier to have them call and leave messages on your ekit US number. You won't be charged and you can get the voicemail for free. With the time differences, voicemail is pretty slick.

Foolish question, hopefully not asked too late.