Hello "no worries"

If you think I'm going to tell you how I attacked my looming luggage issues, na-na, not here, not today! My early luggage preps have stalled, but I have the Cruise Diva method before me, so I'll let you know how that works for me.

Yesterday I spent a little more than an hour with my friends at the local Verizon store. And I don't say that in jest: I had superb attention from manager Jack (born in London) and manager Moe (with the gorgeous titanium-type wedding band....natch I am attracted to bling, I appreciate even great manly bling!). Now I was there while commuters were on their way home after a rainy, dreary day at work, so needless to say it was packed with others like me who thought "it's on the way, I'll just drop by." But I had a mission and wasn't deterred by the hustle and bustle, which by the way the staff seemed to handle with aplomb. Sometime after my check-in but before being called by customer service, Jack intervened and handed me the store phone to speak directly with Verizon International Global support (1-800-711-8300). Tiffany talked me thru examining my version, and determined I needed a back-up before the upgrade anyway. So, I jotted down notes to upload the newest software and that's what I'll be doing in a few minutes from now. My SIM card is on its way for use in Europe, as the store was temporarily out of stock.

Here's what I learned at Verizon, for using my World Phone blackberry in Europe. I have 3 primary options: 1. use my Blackberry on our ship Carnival Splendor at any time to any place for $2.49 per minute. Nothing to do with current plan. Before you gasp, let me remind you the cabin to shore phone service is via satellite and would cost 10 times more than using my own phone. Anyway, I don't plan on using that option; 2. use my blackberry ("red" aka raspberry) to call to or from England, France, Spain, Portugal or Italy for $1.29 per minute (other countries are $1.99 per minute); or 3. order the $4.99 per month, or in my case pro-rated service for less than a month, and make or receive calls for 99 cents per minute. I am choosing option 3. However, note to self, using the phone on the ship while at sea will result in the ship fee per minute regardless. Tiffany also gave me a lesson on turning my e-mail feature on and off, as those charges are separate from the voice options.

Certainly some considerations for using your own Blackberry versus basically a disposable Telestial or Mobal phone made especially for travellers are worth noting. Foremost is 'pick-pocketers" and the resulting loss of the equipment, loss of personal information and data, and loss of monies resulting from phone calls not made by you. Our group travelling to Europe is split about three ways: those who vow "kahuna matata", the crackberries like me, and the global rental.

Have a grand day! Kiko

Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!