Credit cards on Silver Sea

[RooFlyer]

Perusing SS's Silver Wind Antarctica booklet, it says:

Although all shipboard charges are in U.S. dollars, Silversea processes shipboard credit card transactions through the United Kingdom. Please be aware that some credit card companies charge a foreign transaction fee.

Has anyone had issues with this seeming doubling up?

If merchant SilverSeas puts a charge in US$ through, and its processed in UK, presumably the UK 'bank' will charge a US$--> UKP FX fee on SilverSea who of course will pass on the charge, on top of any US$ FX charge my own CC will impose (but not if using the right one, of course).

Any other tips & tricks in using CCs on-board? I understand you register your CC at the start and guess to then use your cabin token (or similar) to charge for stuff, which then goes on CC?

Do you get till receipts on purchases, such as better booze or pay-for restaurant usage?

 

[Pushka]

Perusing SS's Silver Wind Antarctica booklet, it says:



Has anyone had issues with this seeming doubling up?

If merchant SilverSeas puts a charge in US$ through, and its processed in UK, presumably the UK 'bank' will charge a US$--> UKP FX fee on SilverSea who of course will pass on the charge, on top of any US$ FX charge my own CC will impose (but not if using the right one, of course).

Any other tips & tricks in using CCs on-board? I understand you register your CC at the start and guess to then use your cabin token (or similar) to charge for stuff, which then goes on CC?

Do you get till receipts on purchases, such as better booze or pay-for restaurant usage?

Don't know about the bank charge things but check your onboard account daily on the TV.

 

[turtlemichael]

Perusing SS's Silver Wind Antarctica booklet, it says:



Has anyone had issues with this seeming doubling up?

If merchant SilverSeas puts a charge in US$ through, and its processed in UK, presumably the UK 'bank' will charge a US$--> UKP FX fee on SilverSea who of course will pass on the charge, on top of any US$ FX charge my own CC will impose (but not if using the right one, of course).

Any other tips & tricks in using CCs on-board? I understand you register your CC at the start and guess to then use your cabin token (or similar) to charge for stuff, which then goes on CC?

Do you get till receipts on purchases, such as better booze or pay-for restaurant usage?

I can't answer your question regarding merchant fees (I'm usually spending an onboard credit). However, the practice on Silversea is that if you order something which requires payment (an excursion, a top shelf drink, a meal in one of the extra charge restaurants etc.) they will produce a voucher for you to sign. The crew will quickly know who you are so you won't usually have to produce a card or key. It will be put on your account overnight and can be checked on the TV. They have occasionally made mistakes in my experience but a visit to Reception will get it fixed. They'll also give you a printout of any bill you have near the end of the cruise for checking.

 

[odysseus]

From the wording it's not about a doubled up, or extra conversion fee. The amount will be charged in USD alone.

However, it's to inform - primarily US - customers that even though they are getting charged in USD, the charge will be a foreign transaction. It's the same as if we get a charge in AUD, but it is processed in UK, the US, or elsewhere. We still (often) get hit with an international transaction fee, even though it's AUD.

But in this case for us, it's an international transaction whether the US or the UK, so won't be impacted by this.

 

[zig]

I always provide a credit card that doesn't charge for international transactions, so have never had an issue onboard.
You will sign a receipt for any additional alcohol purchases / boutique etc and can keep a track of your account either via the TV, or by visiting reception.
Once I paid a deposit for a cruise (charged in AUD) and Amex charged me a currency conversion fee as it was processed through Silversea UK. I spoke with my Silversea agent in Sydney and the fee was refunded to me by Silversea.