Does any one know it's it safe to use your credit cards while in the port of calls

[Momis2]

I have used my cards all over the world and the only problem I have ever had with a credit card was this year in Key West. It was declined 3 times but I was able to call the credit card company and get the problem fixed right away. It was a computer glitch on their end. This past Spring I made several large purchases in Germany and Italy with items being shipped as they were too large to take on the plane with me. Using my credit card protected me if the purchases never made it to the States. I always carry two cards from different banks and two debit cards from different banks. This way I will have access to money no matter what happens. I learned this lesson the hard way when an ATM in Bangkok ate my debit card and I couldn't get it back. I had to call the bank long distance , cancel the old card and get a new one. I also guard ALL my cards with my life and never let them out of my sight. If a restaurant staffer wants to take the card to "swipe" on a card machine where I can't see what is being done, I insist on going with them. If they refuse , I leave. I make sure that they understand this before I order anything, by the way. I would never walk out on a bill unpaid. Too rude.

[CruiseHealing]

I also guard ALL my cards with my life and never let them out of my sight.

 

I agree. That was one of the lessons I learned from the Margaritaville incident in the Grand Caymans in 2004. But back then credit card swiping fraud was just becoming a new trend in CC theft. I had no idea then that they had the ability to swipe your card to obtain the cards info, then email that info to someone in NYC, who then can duplicate your card. Back then I had heard of getting your card number and buying stuff with your number. But not making an exact duplicate of the card. The CC rep told me that the duplicates look just like my card and that I could not tell the difference.

Edited August 16, 2014 by CruiseHealing

[SMSACE6]

I have done so in the past without a problem, but as time goes on, and the thieves get more techno savvy, I no longer will be using my credit card. I dont want to buy much anymore anyway, so cash for me, from now on only.

[DocF]

One makes the presumption of safety whenever a credit card is used, no matter where.

 

We have had two instances of credit card theft, both resolved fairly quickly by our banks.

 

First, an employee at a local Mexican restaurant where we used to live had gotten hold of a card reader and was harvesting card numbers. He quit and took off for Mexico City. He had bought a 46" Plasma television, 420 gallons of gas, over 300 Big Macs before my banks became aware. No, I did not have any issues with this and my bank charged back all these purchases.

 

Second, DW cancelled a plan that sent her a product each month. The company continued to bill her card. The credit card company stopped this nonsense and made good. They also contacted the FTC and had the company put out of business.

 

Anyway, I would carry a card or two, but we use them rarely and we do not buy much except trinkets in ports.

 

Doc

[DMH15]

For small transactions (buying souvenirs, drinks or food), pay cash. However, if you're buying an expensive item (jewelry, electronics, etc), it's advisable to use a major credit card with fraud protection. The reason is because if, when you return home and get those nice $2,000 diamond earrings appraised, you learn that they are actually worth $2, you can file a fraud claim against your credit card and get your money back. If you paid cash, you're completely out of luck.

 

 

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Good to hear as the only two times I used my CC was to buy jewelry in Greece and artwork in Montevideo. I wanted thst protection. Especially since the art studio shipped my pieces home.

 

I still buy travellers checks snd cash them in the casino. I take cash too.

[Lizzie68]

I've used my credit cards all over the world, but I do not let it out of my sight. With the chip and pin cards that we have security is better. My card was compromised about 15 years ago in Hawaii, but the bank caught it and it was quickly rectified with no cost to me. It's much safer to carry cards than to carry large amounts of cash in ports. Mine are in a special wallet that cannot be scammed as well.

[Shak]

I carry three credit cards on a cruise. One stays on the cruise ship, one hidden, and the other for transactions for the day. I have notified all three of my travel plans. If the credit card for show is lost or stolen hopefully I'll still have the hidden one. DW and I carry one credit card that is different from each other and that one is onboard. If for some reason our cards are compromised and the credit card company puts a hold on one we will have at least one good card each.

 

I believe carrying a bunch of cash on a shore is more of a problem then carrying a credit card. If lost or stolen your liability is limited with credit cards but cash on the other hand is gone.

 

Shak

[Life is Good Cruising]

Cruising for years and never had any problems in any of the Caribbean ports or in Europe when using cc.

 

At home, we've been a victim twice of identity theft.

[OCruisers]

We prefer to use cash in ports of call. :)

[14Terry]

So far so good! Haven't experienced any issues using our credit card in ports. We always notify our credit card company of our travel plans prior to traveling. [emoji106]

[mr green]

Never had a problem.

 

john

[dancinman66]

It is ok just watch what they are doing and keep track of transactions on your statement

Don't let anyone see your pin

 

 

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[mtwingcpa]

These days I carry a separate "disposable" credit card (one with no automatic payments associated with it) plus a bit more cash than I used to carry to make incidental purchases (including gas) while travelling. I might have used a "major" credit card to pay for the trip booking, but I don't use it for local expenses away from home.

[Underwatr]

Given a choice, I would much rather have my card skimmed than have a wallet full of cash go missing.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Given a choice, I would much rather have my card skimmed than have a wallet full of cash go missing.

 

We keep money hidden in a money belt (undercover waist stash).

Edited August 17, 2014 by Life is Good Cruising

[kicia]

We use our credit cards everywhere when we travel whether in the Caribbean, Europe, etc. and have never had any problems. We have had our cards compromised a couple of times here in the States. It's always a better bet than carrying cash. We might take $100 for a week cruise unless we know that we need cash if we're buying excursions at the port and for taxis. Credit cards are much safer. We always carry two different cards just in case something happens.

[DesertPesce7751]

I've done this ever since I began going abroad a decade ago: ask your banker to set up an extra card for one of your checking accounts or set up a new checking account. Bring the new card with you only for that trip and then cancel it when you get home. Sometimes, a fraud may not occur until months after your vacation and it's nice to prevent that by rendering the card useless upon your return home.

[Hlitner]

Interesting thread and enlightening for me. So, we are going to assume that most posting in this thread are primarily doing short (less then 14 day) Caribbean cruises. But for many other folks, using credit cards is a necessity. We travel about 6 months of the year, been to 6 Continents and about 100 countries. Although 70-100 travel days a year are on cruises, the rest of the time we are on land. So when one needs many thousands of dollars to pay for hotels, rental cars, apartments, restaurants, etc....it is nearly impossible to do without credit cards. And the reality is that credit cards are still the safest way to do transactions since you are still protected, against fraud, by the credit card companies. In all of our travels (and we are talking years of travel) we have never been ripped off by credit card fraud outside the USA....but have had issues inside the USA several times. We also had one situation with an ATM/Debit card which resulted in our card being immediately deactivated (by our bank and Visa International) although no unauthorized transactions ever hit our account (but the card was apparently compromised).

 

For those that do not like to use credit cards outside the US, we wonder how they would pay for a lengthy driving trip in Europe. It is impossible to rent a car without a major credit card, and many hotels insist on a credit card (even if you want to pay cash) at check-in. And the idea of carrying $10,000 or more of cash so we can be "safe" does not make a lot of sense :)

 

Hank

[pris993]

In 30 years of travel... made it a practice to use credit cards internationally only for hotels and airlines and cruise ships.

 

If in the US, may use at local supermarkets, just like I to at home.

 

Never had a problem. I also always notify my credit card compnay of travel plans.

[ducklite]

You are just as likely to have your card cloned, lose it, or have the info otherwise compromised at home as you are away. I use cash for all small purchases, but I use my credit card for any large purchases (jewelry, art), hotels, and meals in higher end restaurants. I want the buyers protection that comes with the credit card for larger purchases--and who wants to carry thousands of dollars around while in a port? That's a far riskier proposition.

[cruisemom42]

You are just as likely to have your card cloned, lose it, or have the info otherwise compromised at home as you are away. I use cash for all small purchases, but I use my credit card for any large purchases (jewelry, art), hotels, and meals in higher end restaurants. I want the buyers protection that comes with the credit card for larger purchases--and who wants to carry thousands of dollars around while in a port? That's a far riskier proposition.

 

Completely agree.

[Underwatr]

In Europe, even with American-style magnetic stripe cards, restaurant credit card transactions are now done at your table with a wireless reader/printer so your card never leaves your possession. In a year or two even US cards are increasingly likely to use embedded electronic chips that reduce the likelihood of cloning almost to zero.

[ducklite]

In Europe, even with American-style magnetic stripe cards, restaurant credit card transactions are now done at your table with a wireless reader/printer so your card never leaves your possession. In a year or two even US cards are increasingly likely to use embedded electronic chips that reduce the likelihood of cloning almost to zero.

 

Some better US restaurants have been doing the same thing fora few years now.

[slidergirl]

All my years of traveling and I never thought of NOT using my cards when I travel. Maybe it's because I don't do the 7 day Caribbean booze cruises that I don't feel threatened by the credit card issue ;)

I've had CC issues twice and both were US-based. First one was in San Francisco on business; A very nice upscale Chinese restaurant took my card info by some means and, 2 weeks later, AMEX calls me about the $3,000 I just spent in Beijing. Second was really strange; card was compromised somewhere in my town and ended up being used to FedEX "paychecks" to a bunch of women around the country - police found it to be a truckstop prostitution ring (I KID YOU NOT)…

 

I like the purchase and fraud protection my cards offer me and will continue to use my cards all the time when traveling AND at home.

[Markanddonna]

I agree with some others to get foreign currency from the ATM and then to only use the credit cards at larger, well established hotels, the airlines and the cruise company. I had my card compromised only once and the info was likely stolen from a purchase I made in the states. I don't give my cards to ANY restaurant server. If I can't pay at the register, I don't go to that restaurant.