Looking for a recommendation on a European cell provider. They'll want a sim card that works in several countries that includes some data as well. My parents are doing a Mediterranean cruise starting in Barcelona and visiting Italy France Greece and Malta as well. They aren't overly tech savvy so wanting something easy for them. Something they can buy in airport maybe?

This is who I used last time I was in Europe. Worked great and no physical card needed
https://www.airalo.com/
AIRALO.COM
Local and regional eSIMs for travellers - Airalo

Karen second that ! We used that in Asia and my sister used it in Paris and London it worked amazing well! But it is data only

Lynn that’s true. We used What’s App for phone calls to make it work

Karen Do you install the SIM card once you arrive at your destination?

Prm I installed before I left but kept it as my alternate sim until I got close to landing in Europe . I’m not sure all phones allow alternates but certainly the newer ones do. Once you buy, the instructions were pretty good/easy to follow. I easily topped up in Europe too

It’s great but not compatible with all phones

Karen do you find you go through the data faster than you typically would on your regular plan? I turn everything off and only use Airalo data for WhatsApp in Mexico and use 1GB in a few days. Not video calling or voice calling either.

Evan I bought a bigger plan and used it just like I did at home. Connected to wifi wherever I could as well. I bought my daughter the cheapest plan and we ended up topping her up ( easily). We used maps for our entire trip fairly consistently and that uses a fair amount of Data. We didn’t run out

Karen Weird! Very interesting difference! I must say it’s a super handy app for travelling abroad. The amount I frequent Mexico, I’m going to get a local SIM card next time.

Karen you can pre save large areas of Google maps onto your phone. GPS location services uses no data. You don't get traffic data or bus schedules. But turn by turn directions works fine.

Brendan great tip! Thanks

Brendan have you ever tried maps.me. In S America it was way better than Google

Karl I have not. I'll keep it in mind for next time I'm down there.

Karen I used this in El Salvador, its great and you don't need to worry about losing your SIM

I had a great experience with airalo also
http://esimdb.com
This site compares all esim options for a destination so u can find the best option
ESIMDB.COM
Find and compare best prepaid eSIM for travelers

Order a SIM card from Amazon or get Airlo. Have done it a few times Works great and about CAD 30. For 30 days of wifi no cellular tho

Vodafone works in most EU countries, we got 10g data, unlimited text (in the country you bought it), 50 mins to call your home country for €25 - it's good for 30 days. Stores are pretty much everywhere!

Giff Gaff will send your parents a sim card to their home address for free and they can activate it when they get to the UK. giffgaff.com
GIFFGAFF.COM
We're up to good | giffgaff

Most new cell phones can take an esim (embedded sim) card. You can download the airalo app and set it up before hand. The only downside is it's data only. So you'll have to teach them how to use an app like signal or WhatsApp to send texts and make phone calls. But they won't have to switch physical SIM cards.

Sara if you need info for cell coverage in Europe.

I used Airalo and loved it. You can make calls with What’s App to your contacts

We ordered SIM cards on Amazon. Worked like a charm

Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo. Use code SANDRA1267 when you sign up or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/Y4Ra
REF.AIRALO.COM
eSIM data packs

I appreciate all the input. E- sim options won't work though as their phone won't support it.

If they like their current plan on their Cdn provider, I’d consider just adding international roaming. While it may cost $14/day, it’s by far the most convenient way to go, especially for non-tech savvy folks.
They would continue to use their existing plan and phone number, without having to buy and swap SIMs, reprogram WhatsApp, or tell everyone their new, temporary number. Having their same number also makes it easier for them to receive notifications from airlines and validate logins to AirBnb, Uber, or other platforms.

Marc if you do an esim such as Airalo, you keep your regular phone number..but then plan you get is data only. What I do is get the esim, use that for internet, and then if I need to call home (about 1/wk) I use my local carrier and pay the $14 that day. Works out very economically and if there are tech issues, the Airalo people are great in helping to get them sorted.

I live in France and use Freedom Mobile and you can you use it all through EU no extra charge.

Download the Airalo app, and it will install an ESIM in the phone, you can buy different data packs to use in Europe

Vodafone

Orange. So cheap and good.

You can order a European sim card at home from Amazon. That would be the easiest. Our kids used this option for six weeks in France, Austria and Germany last summer. It costs about $50, as I remember.

I did Airalo in South Africa and Mexico and was great. I only used data so did messaging and calling on WhatsApp.