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Exchanging Dollars for Euros onboard Reflection


mwh1
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I have read different information regarding the bank machines onboard the Reflection. Can anyone let me know if there is a way to convert dollars to Euros while onboard. We have a few tours that we need to pay cash and we were wondering if we should just get all of our Euros in Rome before we board. Thx!

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We just did that cruise and We didn’t see any or ask about that, you could exchange at the airport. Most places we came across won’t take USD, if they do they charge you extra and the VAT tax in Italy is 22% and in Greece it’s more. Have a great cruise

 

 

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Airports and ships are about the worst place to exchange your currency. The rates are terrible. If you use the ATM on the ship they charge something like $6 for the transaction and then your home bank will add a fee too. Exchange rates at airports terrible. We were on a cruise through Norway last month and purchased some NOK before we left. At the end of the cruise we had some left over, about 800NOK. Had some time to kill at Heathrow and were just walking around looking in shop windows and saw the Travelex booth so out of curiosity I asked what I would get back in US$ for my 800NOK. The reply, $64. I said no thanks and took the money to my bank when I got home and got $97 and some change for the same 800NOK. There is a big lesson, do your currency exchange home and save yourself some money.

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There are cards available that allow you to withdraw $$$’s from ATMs in Europe without an exchange charge.

The ship will give you a very very poor exchange rate.

Thanks. When you say cards do you mean credit cards? We have exchanged some through AAA here for our 3 days in Rome before the cruise, but just didn't want to be traveling with so much cash and were hoping to just get some more before we boarded the ship or onboard. Sounds like in town would be best.

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We use a schwab bank card when traveling. When used at a foreign atm, it acts as a debit card... but the money comes directly out of your bank account so no finance charges...they refund any atm fee and they don’t charge for converting currencies. Near as we can tell they build in a max of 1% into the exchange rate. You need a schwab brokerage account to get the bank account but it’s the best card we’ve found to use and to get cash in foreign countries. They issue a Visa card and there is no annual fee for the card.

 

 

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Rome is a great place to locate good bank ATMs to get Euros.

 

We each carried an ATM card from our bank (which rebates all ATM fees up to $5) and a credit card which doesn't charge foreign exchange fees. We notified our bank and credit card companies of the dates and countries we were visiting so they didn't refuse our overseas charges.

 

When we took this cruise the US Dollar was worth about 0.82 to 0.84 Euros (€). In other words it took about $1.20 to $1.24 to buy 1 Euro. Despite the US Dollar being worth about 20% less than the Euro, the value received oversees was very good.

 

Since bank ATM's are plentiful in most large cities, you should only need to take 1 to 2 days worth of Euros with you on your trip and hit the ATM as needed. Bank ATM's are generally more secure and will usually give you the best exchange rates. Use your debit/ATM card and never use your credit card for an ATM cash advance. Be sure to take your 4-digit numeric pin with you.

 

When possible, withdraw cash from bank-run ATM's located inside, or just outside, the bank. Ideally use them while the bank is open so that you can go inside for help in the rare event the machine eats your card. Many European banks place their ATM's in a small entry lobby. If feels more secure and gets you out of the weather. Look for a credit-card-size slot next to the door and insert your card to gain entry.

 

Avoid "independent" ATM's and currency exchange kiosks such as Travelex, Euronet, Moneybox, Cardpoint, and Cashzone. These have high fees and/or high exchange rates. "Independent" ATM's are often found near bank ATM's in the hopes of tricking travelers.

 

By the way, we had no problem exchanging large euro bills for smaller euro bills (50's for 10s and 5s) at Celebrity's Guest Relations desk. No charge.

 

Very detailed information on Rome and other ports as well as handy pre-cruise information:

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/eastern-mediterranean.html

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We have 3 different ATM/Debit cards (from three different banks) that charge zero foreign exchange fees and zero withdrawal fees. When using them in European bank ATMs you get the wholesale rate of exchange (this is the best rate you will find anywhere) minus a 1% International Transaction Fee..which is hidden in the exchange rate. If your ship does exchange money on board you will likely lose 4-7% on the exchange. Ships that have automatic exchange machines (Princess cruise lines has these on most ships) will cost you even more.

 

Hank

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Not exactly an answer to the OP's exchange question - but note that on European itineraries the ships usually have one ATM dispensing dollars (usually in the casino) and one ATM dispensing euros (usually in guest relations lobby area).

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Rome is a great place to locate good bank ATMs to get Euros.

 

We each carried an ATM card from our bank (which rebates all ATM fees up to $5) and a credit card which doesn't charge foreign exchange fees. We notified our bank and credit card companies of the dates and countries we were visiting so they didn't refuse our overseas charges.

 

When we took this cruise the US Dollar was worth about 0.82 to 0.84 Euros (€). In other words it took about $1.20 to $1.24 to buy 1 Euro. Despite the US Dollar being worth about 20% less than the Euro, the value received oversees was very good.

 

Since bank ATM's are plentiful in most large cities, you should only need to take 1 to 2 days worth of Euros with you on your trip and hit the ATM as needed. Bank ATM's are generally more secure and will usually give you the best exchange rates. Use your debit/ATM card and never use your credit card for an ATM cash advance. Be sure to take your 4-digit numeric pin with you.

 

When possible, withdraw cash from bank-run ATM's located inside, or just outside, the bank. Ideally use them while the bank is open so that you can go inside for help in the rare event the machine eats your card. Many European banks place their ATM's in a small entry lobby. If feels more secure and gets you out of the weather. Look for a credit-card-size slot next to the door and insert your card to gain entry.

 

Avoid "independent" ATM's and currency exchange kiosks such as Travelex, Euronet, Moneybox, Cardpoint, and Cashzone. These have high fees and/or high exchange rates. "Independent" ATM's are often found near bank ATM's in the hopes of tricking travelers.

 

By the way, we had no problem exchanging large euro bills for smaller euro bills (50's for 10s and 5s) at Celebrity's Guest Relations desk. No charge.

 

Very detailed information on Rome and other ports as well as handy pre-cruise information:

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/eastern-mediterranean.html

 

What great advice

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