Warning, please read. Duty Free Shop on the Pier - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Sallie · 09-24-2007, 01:54 PM

Now please understand, it pains me to have to post this because I do not like to make negative statements about anything or any one/place but I feel I need to warn anyone who may be going to Belize and this shop in particular.

I sailed to Belize last week (Sept. 20th) on the Carnival Valor. It was a wonderful trip and I had a blast doing the Cavetubing.com excursion. The boys that run that excursion are the best!

After the excursion, I stopped at the Duty Free Shop on the pier in Belize. It is called Lauren International. I purchased a carton of cigarettes for $19.00 and used my bank card. That night when I came back from dinner (on the ship) there was a note from the Pursers Office stating that my bank was not honoring my card and that Carnival could not post charges. I was asked to come to the office and clear this up.

Well, long story short. I called my bank from the ship and found out that someone had tried to take $900.00 from my account. My bank asked me if I had tried to do this and when I said no, they immediately cancelled my card. Thank the powers that be, I had another way of paying for my Carnival charges or I would have been literally up a creek (ocean) without a paddle.

I went to my bank this morning to get things straightened out and the gentleman there pulled up the record of the transactions (3 in all for a total of $900.00). Each one had Lauren Int. as the party that was making the transactions.

Now I have no way of knowing if this was the Business doing this or just a person working for them trying to do something illegal but either way, I wanted to give you all a heads up.

I learned a valuable lesson here. Never use your bank card when out of the country. Always pay in cash. I was lucky. My bank was on top of this and I didn't lose a dime but I am sure that others did and it probably ruined their cruise.

I will be contacting Carnival and letting them know of this situation. I do not hold Carnival responsible in any way shape or form but I hope they can find someway of warning other future cruisers.

JoeyandDavid · 09-24-2007, 02:00 PM

Oh wow.. isn't it a shame that people have to add fraud to a vacation experience.. I am so sorry you had to deal with this

I am guessing when you say "Bank Card" you are talking about your Visa/MC debit check card and not a true credit card?

Sallie · 09-24-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyandDavid

Oh wow.. isn't it a shame that people have to add fraud to a vacation experience.. I am so sorry you had to deal with this

I am guessing when you say "Bank Card" you are talking about your Visa/MC debit check card and not a true credit card?

Yes, I was referring to my VISA debit check card.

Thanks for caring. Things worked out for me but I am so very afraid that others got caught in this scam. There were a bunch of people in that shop purchasing booze and jewelry.

sue miller · 09-24-2007, 02:12 PM

If we shop in ports we always use cash never a CC

JoeyandDavid · 09-24-2007, 02:14 PM

for small purchases under 50 dollars i use cash for all others if I do use plastic i make sure that it is one where i am protected against fraud...

hanna · 09-24-2007, 03:12 PM

IMHO, debit cards are risky. I will use a CC but not a debit card. Most CC companies will work with you.

LuLu · 09-24-2007, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the warning, Sallie! We NEED to hear about this sort of thing!

Char · 09-24-2007, 04:17 PM

Always use a credit card...otherwise you are opening yourself up to having your bank account drained and it takes a long time to get that money back. It's not like a charge that can be suspended while an investigation goes on.

Sallie, so glad you didn't get caught by that fraud!

Chudley · 09-24-2007, 08:19 PM

Good post Sallie, the warning is appreciated. I'm betting it was the employee and not the store.

JoeyandDavid · 09-24-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chudley

Good post Sallie, the warning is appreciated. I'm betting it was the employee and not the store.

we can only hope...