Just as a cheaper alternative, why not just get a prepaid phone (provider doesn't matter, but I can see why you wouldn't want to get a Verizon prepaid phone), put some minutes on it, and just have him call that number?  That way she could get the phone calls from him for a lot cheaper than opening up a new account with another carrier.

Another option, though, is to use the internet.  VoIP, or an IM program all would work.  You could always try to call Verizon back, though, since different customer service agents will tell you different things.  Just keep calling them until you get someone that has a solution for you, or can tell you what is going on, why, when it will be fixed, etc.  Keep in mind, though, that with ship to shore calling, there are a huge number of other variables added to the equation that are not present with phone to phone calling.