Sorry to hear you had such a bad trip. May I ask, did you try roaming on to AT&T if you would have needed to make a quick call.
I have T-Mobile, and for the last 2 years I have only found 2 places where my phone wouldn't work, but Verizon didn't work in one of those places either, and the other I didnt have a verizon phone to check it.
Good luck with whoever you go with, tho!