Credit cards, shipboard accounts????

[TwinCruiserMom]

From reading these boards, I have learned that it is wise to notify your credit card companies of your travel dates and places you will be traveling so that your charges are not declined. (thanks!)

 

Also, have learned that credit card companies charge a fee for usage outside of the U.S.A. :( Found out one of mine charges 2% and the other charges 3%. Guess I will be getting some free traveler's checks from the credit union! I am glad to have read that the purser's desk will cash those traveler's checks for free.

 

Ok, here is the dumb question: are the charges I make when I am on the Caribbean Princess processed as charges in the United States or outside of the United States? Say I shop onboard and we are docked in Jamaica - is this an out of country charge? Or, are all charges on the ship processed as United States charges through Princess Corporation?

 

Thanks!

[chrysalis]

those charges are accumulated on your shipboard account and charged to your card at the end of the cruise (via Princess in the US)...you can not use your credit card in the shops on the ship

[sueandkent]

Also, just to note, the shops won't be open while you are docked. Along with the casino, they are only open when you are sailing. The previous poster is correct, all charges to stateboard account are one US charge at the end.

[chasetf]

........Ok, here is the dumb question: are the charges I make when I am on the Caribbean Princess processed as charges in the United States or outside of the United States? Say I shop onboard and we are docked in Jamaica - is this an out of country charge? Or, are all charges on the ship processed as United States charges through Princess Corporation? Thanks!

Charges make on the ship are to your shipboard account. Then at the end of the cruise your credit card will be charged. To your credit card company it will look like a US charge. My last onboard charge on my CC statement said "Sapphire Princess Santa Clarita CA"

[StitchesToo]

My bank said that both Mastercard and Visa assess fees for usage outside of the U.S. Discover Card does not.

 

I am such a fan of Discover. I've never seen better customer service than what I've experienced with that company. Now....is Discover card widely accepted in Alaska and Canada?

[K8sMom]

My credit card company charges 3% if the charge is in a foreign currency, such as pesos, etc. But if it is charged in US dollars, even though it is out of the country, they do not charge the fee. The last time I made a purchase in Mexico, and one before that in Belize, that I wanted to charge on my credit card, I asked it they were going to enter the charge in US dollars. If they had said "No", I would not have made the purchase.

[Paparam]

My bank said that both Mastercard and Visa assess fees for usage outside of the U.S. Discover Card does not.

 

I am such a fan of Discover. I've never seen better customer service than what I've experienced with that company. Now....is Discover card widely accepted in Alaska and Canada?

 

It is difficult to find businesses accepting Discover because their charges to merchants are quite high

Al

[StitchesToo]

Paparam - were you speaking of Canada or Alaska specifically? I am able to use my Discover in Ohio at 99% of stores. Maybe it's a regional thing?

[davejohn]

My bank said that both Mastercard and Visa assess fees for usage outside of the U.S. Discover Card does not.

 

I am such a fan of Discover. I've never seen better customer service than what I've experienced with that company. Now....is Discover card widely accepted in Alaska and Canada?

 

We had no problem using Discover in Alaska. I don't recall buying anything on the Yukon part of our cruisetour, but I've used it in Niagara Falls, Canada.

 

Dave

[denims]

We cruised to Europe last year and used my American Express and never was charged a fee.

[Paparam]

Paparam - were you speaking of Canada or Alaska specifically? I am able to use my Discover in Ohio at 99% of stores. Maybe it's a regional thing?

 

 

I meant worldwide but now that you bring up your experience it may be a regional issue. Here in New England, Discover is less readily accepted. My own experience is we had to discontinue accepting it in our office as they were charging us exorbitant fees. In my foreign travels I have never come across anybody accepting Discover. I honestly do not recall seeing Discover logos either in Alaska or Vancouver and Edmonton....although I must confess I was not looking for it.

 

Al