Bought a Cat, going to cruise

[pjbar]

Hi All,

First belated thanks to Nigel1 for your welcome about 10 months ago. Since then and the decision to go sailing, it has been flat out sail training, learning as much as possible about boats and recently buying a Parlay 40 catamaran.

We sailed her down to near Cape Town (Hout Bay) from Durban around a lumpy Cape Aghullas last week and now the real work starts prior to setting out on our circumnav next Nov or thereabouts.

So my first and perhaps rather strange question for the forum please, the answer to which I haven't been able to find easily in the threads - what credit card works best a) in the Caribbean and b) the Pacific? I have a choice between Maestro and Visa.

Thanking you all for the MAMMOTH amount that I have learn't from the Daily Cruiser postings. A truly amazing resource!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Pete.

[SVNeko]

Visa in the Carib. Congrats on the boat and good luck to ya.

[Hud3]

Visa card is good in the Caribbean, but you might want to have a second card as backup, in case the Visa gets compromised, or for some strange reason isn't accepted. It happened to me. Mastercard is the second most accepted card there. I've never seen any sign of a Mammoth card being used.

[aclmck]

Either work in the pacific, but always, always carry 2 cards preferably from different banks so if one doesn't work the other should.

[cagney]

We were forced by one bank to accept a Maestro Card. They ensured us that it was very good.....but it's the worst card we ever used, basically useless. From Norther Europe down through the Canaries and in the Caribbean ... less than 20% of all shops accept it ( and now I'm very kind! ).
It's a no-brainer to go with the Visa. That's what I use all the time.
Good Luck

[Franziska]

By the way Maestro is a debit card system I used it without any issues in many countries in the European Union.
Always worked, and I even lived in a number of these countries without the need for local cards.

Still, the OP asked for Master or Visa. I'd advise to carry one of each from different banks.
Btw. specifically check how you can take out larger amounts abroad.
There are banks which have limits and restrictions for safety reasons.
Usually these limits can be increased upon agreement.
Further check what system can be used to increase the limit should you be abroad and need a large sum at once (Simple phone call, Internet banking system, fax, email).
Might help if your bank knows upfront where you travel to. Otherwise they may think someone stole your card if it's suddenly in a for you previously untypical location.
Best is to have a direct contact at your bank branch who can directly contacted.

Call centres offer mostly unpersonal standard "services".

Enjoy your trip!

www.ladyrover.com

[chuckr]

If you are in Cape Town go over to the Royal Yacht Club and see if someone there can put you in touch with Alan and Marita or Michael and Leslie - they are full time cruisers that are incredibly knowledgeable and great people. Without their help we would never be where we are.
Their boats are in the Caribbean and they are currently in SA for a visit and getting for a race-
If you can find them pick their brains as they have forgotten more than most know and truly great people.
Tell them chuck and patty on SoulMates says hi.

And welcome to the family

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by pjbar

Hi All,

First belated thanks to Nigel1 for your welcome about 10 months ago. Since then and the decision to go sailing, it has been flat out sail training, learning as much as possible about boats and recently buying a Parlay 40 catamaran.

Nice boat, congratulations!

I'd go with a Visa and a Mastercard.


Have to admit, I've never even heard of Maestro.