Worst holiday ever!

Before I go on leave, I call & requested email confirmation of my request to ensure I have international roaming. Spent long enough on a call to the contact centre. When I hit my destination, my roaming is not working. With no international number to call, I ask a friend to do so on my behalf (I cannot send/ receive mails/ sms' & my wifi isnt working). He called the contact centre 3 or 4 times. They advise to \turn phone off