Where to get a prepaid Visa that works outside U.S.

[gacat93]

I have read about people getting a prepaid Visa card to use for the cruise instead of their bank card. I love this idea as I don't want to take the chance of fraud on my bank account. I have been looking around at places like Walmart that sell prepaid Visa cards but all the ones I find say they are good in the U.S. Where do I get one that would work in cruise ports?

[travelntreats]

I have read about people getting a prepaid Visa card to use for the cruise instead of their bank card. I love this idea as I don't want to take the chance of fraud on my bank account. I have been looking around at places like Walmart that sell prepaid Visa cards but all the ones I find say they are good in the U.S. Where do I get one that would work in cruise ports?

Why not just bring cash or travellers checks (can be cashed in casino or pursers desk if needed) for your purchases made in ports of call ? You can keep them locked in your safe and readily available when you need some $$$ :cool:

[KimberleyFL]

I have read about people getting a prepaid Visa card to use for the cruise instead of their bank card. I love this idea as I don't want to take the chance of fraud on my bank account. I have been looking around at places like Walmart that sell prepaid Visa cards but all the ones I find say they are good in the U.S. Where do I get one that would work in cruise ports?

 

I have no suggestion of what to do for your sail & sign (onboard expenses), but I suggest you just use cash in the ports. I heard that they most often will charge a fee (15-20%) to use credit cards in the ports. I would assume that would also apply to prepaid cards. By the way, you can use cash for your sail & sign (onboard expenses) if you want.

[momofzeke]

I got one at my bank before our last cruise. They do charge a service fee of around $5-$6. Mine was one where you put cash on the card and then you can add more cash later if you want to.....for an additional fee.

 

The problem we ran into was that we took the card to the beach in St. Maarten and the restaurant did not take any credit cards or debit cards...cash only. So, while I think it is a good idea, just be aware that you may run into places in ports that will not accept anything other than actual cash.

[poobears]

Also many places won't accept cards with no names on them so the generic $$ cards from the stores won't work. Pretty sure you can't use a no name card to secure your S&S account either. You have to have your name on it. THere are companies that sell personal pre paid cards so I'd go that route if I tried it. Personally I just do everything with cash.

[tnt091605]

I agree. A card with no name on it. It is just like carrying cash. There is no replacement if lost of stolen. The ship also will not accept it like other CC. They will put money from it directly on your S&S card. So if you want to put

$100 on your S&S card they just take $100 off the card.

[dbrucern]

We had one for our first cruise and found that we could not use for S&S card and had difficulty using in the ports. While that was a awhile back on our recent cruise a couple behind us had the same idea and the cruiseline would not accept.

[dan40]

I have no suggestion of what to do for your sail & sign (onboard expenses), but I suggest you just use cash in the ports. I heard that they most often will charge a fee (15-20%) to use credit cards in the ports. I would assume that would also apply to prepaid cards. By the way, you can use cash for your sail & sign (onboard expenses) if you want.

 

I've traveled all over the world since the 60's. Never have I paid a fee for using a credit card, other than the banks discount rate which you pay everywhere. In fact using a credit card often gets you a more favorable rate of exchange than cash does. Whoever told you that was wrong, and a 15 to 20% fee would be insane.

Cash IS better for price haggling, but don't lose your haggle win on the exchange rate.

 

 

Sorry, I know nothing about pre paid cards except Carnival won't take them unless they are personalized.

 

Dan

[Deloresgardella]

prepaid Visas are hard to use even in the U.S. I found out that most restaurant won't take them.

Delores

[ratherBcruizin']

Why not just bring cash or travellers checks (can be cashed in casino or pursers desk if needed) for your purchases made in ports of call ? You can keep them locked in your safe and readily available when you need some $$$ :cool:

 

I just got a TravelMoney Visa at my bank. I was told this replaced travelers checks. I have no idea. But after reading this thread my stomach is now in a knot. I was told it could be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Crap.

[travelntreats]

I just got a TravelMoney Visa at my bank. I was told this replaced travelers checks. I have no idea. But after reading this thread my stomach is now in a knot. I was told it could be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Crap.

Take it back to the bank and cash it in ! Our banks still handle travelers checks though.

 

I always travel with cash and c.cards only now.....works the best for me while onboard or in ports of call. Safe and secure in your stateroom safe until needed.

[Crusin6]

Go for the Capital One Credit card. As of summer 2008 there was no exchange upcharge. But of course, we here at CCritic all know that personal research, in addition to asking questions here is the best policy. So call Cap 1 and see what's up with them.

 

Personally we only use cash or credit cards. I never use anything but a credit card on the ship. Why use cash when they take the cards and you earn points!

 

Last year we carried many many Euro with us all brought from home...no issues at all....then again we watch our stuff and my across the shoulder travel bag stays across my shoulder in public. I was amazed after our Med cruise at how many of the roll call reported back that their purses, cameras etc were stolen in Florence. Upon further research, they all admitted to putting their bags down next to them at the outdoor restaurant during lunch! It is amazing what folks will do and on that particular day, one would have to be blind or insane to be negligent! It was a Sunday and the crowds were brutal and it had to be obvious to anyone who ever set foot outside of their front door, that looks were deceiving....it was the best dressed ones that needed to be watched out for. Just common sense and logical thinking. And my 2 cents..take it or not, up to you. Thanks

[getmeouttaohio]

i got a travelers visa at aaa before our last cruise and never again. if you use it on board to get cash there is a 6 buck transaction fee each time. the pursers desk won't take it nor the casino. next time i'm going with travelors checks

[lizardhowson]

I have read about people getting a prepaid Visa card to use for the cruise instead of their bank card. I love this idea as I don't want to take the chance of fraud on my bank account. I have been looking around at places like Walmart that sell prepaid Visa cards but all the ones I find say they are good in the U.S. Where do I get one that would work in cruise ports?

 

Just use a credit card. Tens of thousands of Carnival cruisers use them every month with no problems.

[huxlemo]

I would not suggest to use a Visa or Mastercard gift card from a bank. There is no name on it, just the bank's name and the word customer after it. It is great for a birthday or xmas gift, but not for a vacation. Stores in ports in other countries would probably be leary to acept them. Travelers Checks are not very popular anymore. There is a lot of fraud with them now and a lot of merchants will not accept them. Cash is probably the best way to go. I will only use my debit or credit card in a US port like Key West. I use cash in foreign ports. Just my thoughts.

[luckycruzer]

cash is best..but sellers will respond favourably to some ca$h, paired with a CC...Call you bank to aprise them that you are leaving the country..that includes bank cards.

[mistergq]

AAA no longer has traveler checks. My bank still has them, but charges a fee. Luckily I was able to get the fee waived because I have all my business accounts are at the bank (and I had to point out that I am preferred customer :rolleyes: ).

 

My mother is going on a cruise with us and she does not use credit cards. I looked into getting her a personalized prepaid card for her (i.e., one that includes her name on it), but the fees were unbelievable. If you set up to fill it by direct deposit, you can avoid monthly fees, but you have to deposit a minimum of $350 per month (with no interest like a savings account :rolleyes: ). Many cards charge a $1 per transaction. They charge an inactive fee of $4.00 per month, etc etc etc. Simply put, read all the fine print about the fees. There is usually a FAQ with all the information.

 

I also reviewed the prepaid visa card from my payroll provider. They will provide a customize credit with a persons name on it, but they too have a bunch of fees (like $1 per transaction).

 

 

One card that seemed the least objectionable was this card. http://www.arctravelcard.com/index.html?arcnumber=bankrate&uid=52673448 I don't know if it is accepted on a cruise ships and at the end of the day, we decided to go with traveler checks. Now if they completely eliminate those, I am not sure what we are going to do.