- Mobal GSM World Phone has no monthly fee and works in 140 countries
- Initial investment is only $49 - $99; then you just pay for calls
- Phone works well when moving between countries
- Perfect for cruise travelers going overseas for just a few weeks each year
- More flexibility and fun than international calling cards
- Rate per minute might discourage long conversations
- Ease of use might encourage calling friends and family more often
- You are always accessible (unless your turn it off!)
- Phone does not work when cruise ship is at sea, only in port
- Purchase one of two phones at either $49 or $99 and incur only per minute charges afterwards.
- Mobal GSM World Phone works well when moving between countries, which is perfect for cruisers.
- No monthly fee is excellent for cruise travelers going overseas for just a few weeks each year
- More flexibility than international calling cards or pay phones.
- Calling friends or family from a port of call is memorable and they can call you.
Unlike many other phones, the Mobal GSM World Phone works well in over 140 countries, and you never need to change the SIM card. I recently used the phone easily (almost too easily) when calling the USA from Italy, France, Spain, and Croatia. Hotels often charge high prices to use their phones, so I liked not have to to buy a calling card or even look for a pay phone. Having family members able to call you is also good for those of us with aged parents or children back home.
The phone now sits in a desk drawer, costing me nothing, and waiting for its next opportunity to travel overseas. I'll just charge it up before my next trip, and we'll be off!
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary Mobal GSM World Phone for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
