Overseas Emergency Phone calls

[tetaf]

We're from the US and planning a western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Italy and France. If I had an emergency such as a stolen credit card, can anyone recommend the best precaution to take (Magic Jack, Phone Card??) This is for emergency only for a call out.

[hkto]

I doubt that credit card toll free numbers work in Europe (but it doesn't hurt to ask if they have one). The most economical is regular phone cards that can be bought almost anywhere (tobacco shops, etc). The most convenient is cell. If your cell handset is quad frequency GSM (T-Mobile, rogers, etc) it should work in Europe. Your provider might sell a prepaid travel plan (block of minutes). Emergency police calls (usually 112) are free.

 

If carry netbook you can make cheap calls over Internet with Skype (or similar) at a cost of 2-3c per minute. Internet is available on board but tends to be expensive. Internet access in ports is either free (Vigo, Cannes) or quite cheap.

[ab0si]

While I can not speak about your credit card issuing bank(s), everyone that I have used accepts collect calls when I am overseas.

[Grannycb]

Call your credit card company before leaving home. They need to know your travel plans and will give you an emergency contact phone number. If you need to call, go to the Passenger Service Desk. They will place a collect call for you.

 

DH forgot to let his credit card company know we were traveling on one of our cruises. They put a stop on his card. That's how we know this is the procedure.