Prepaid SIM for Northern European Cruise

[Telekom]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

It's a bit early for your question, isn't it?

What's wrong with getting the information you need well in advance of your trip? It's sure better than asking the question a week in advance of the trip.

To address the original question (which you didn't do at all) if you're going to multiple countries you'd want to consider an "international" SIM. With international SIMs you almost never get the same good rates that you would get using a country-specific card. That said as an alternative to an international SIM you could get a SIM in a specific country and if the SIM has roaming outside of that country you could use that SIM although you'll pay a higher per minute roaming rate. If you were traveling in the EU this might not be a bad deal since the EU mandated reasonable roaming rates. You'd have to find out what the roaming rates are on the carrier you choose to see if this is a better deal than getting an international SIM. If you're going to all those countries though it sounds as if an international SIM would suit your needs better.

[inquisitor]

Originally Posted by Telekom

What's wrong with getting the information you need well in advance of your trip? It's sure better than asking the question a week in advance of the trip.

The issue is that tariffs change frequently and half a year (I assume you'll be travelling in summer) is a long period in this regard.

To address the original question (which you didn't do at all) if you're going to multiple countries you'd want to consider an "international" SIM. With international SIMs you almost never get the same good rates that you would get using a country-specific card.

With an European SIM you may get decent roaming rates for calls within the EU but calls to the US usually are prohibitively expensive, at least once you leave the SIM's home country. Also while some operators may apply EU rates also to Norway (which is not part of the EU), calling from Russia will be even more expensive. Another problem may be the purchase of a Scandinavian SIM card which is complicated for foreigners if not even impossible, at least from abroad.

[sfguy]

Thanks to you both. I was just asking the quiestion while it was fresh in my mind. Since tarrifs change as you point out, I will just put the issue on hold and repost the question next April or so. Jim

[NFH]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

Also while some operators may apply EU rates also to Norway (which is not part of the EU)

Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 applies throughout the European Economic Area, which comprises the EU + Norway + Iceland + Liechtenstein. Many networks voluntarily apply it additionally to various non-EEA countries and territories such as Switzerland, Andorra and the Channel Islands, but its application to Norway is compulsory.