using travelers checks while on a cruise?

[REDWITCH13]

It this still done? We have always used travelers checks with out a problem. :confused:

 

We are leaving the end of April and I would like to buy some, but if it's going to be a problem cashing them or using them while on the ports, then we might just take cash or use our Debit card only.

 

Please let me know?

 

Eastern Caribbean bound.

 

Darlene

[klfrodo]

Going out of fashion but YES you can still cash them on board the ship.

 

Hit and miss using them in ports and would not recommend using debt card in ports.

[hpyoho]

Last year when we went to Disney World my FIL wanted Travelers Checks. Our local bank talked him into doing some of those prepaid Visa cards. He got them through the bank and he didn't have any problem with them. You might check on something like that.

 

You could get several of them and load them with smaller amounts so you wouldn't have all your eggs in one basket! I'm thinking about doing this and just keeping the extra ones in the safe.

 

You don't see many people with Travelers Checks anymore. But I think you can still get them.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

AAA is offering a new pre-paid, reloadable, Visa Card. They are calling it " AAA Visa Travel Money " It is designed with the traveler in mind. I do not know if you have to be a AAA member to purchase one. I just read an article about this the other day. It is advertised as being Safe, Secure and Reloadable. The web is www.aaa.com/travelmoney.com or 1--866-674-9622 I have been a AAA member for many years and do trust thier products and one's that they represent. It may be worth checking out. Good luck to you.

[*Mach*]

Yes... they're perfectly acceptable at the Purser's Desk.

One word of caution... do not fill in the name until you're at the Purser's Desk. They have, in the past, refused to accept them pre-signed...

:)

[bassclari]

My son was reading the fine print on one of those pre-paid Visa, and it cost an extra amount to get it (I can't remember exactly how much, I was busy at the time), and then a monthly fee every month. Read the fine print if you go that route.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

Was this on the AAA Visa travel money or the pre-paid kind that you can get at any Walgreens...? I would trust anything from AAA. I have found that they stand behind their products 100%. On the other hand, I have also used the store purchased pp Visa and did have a problem with it. So I'm not sure if the AAA Travel Money is a new type concept or not. I will not be using a pre paid but if I did, I would purchase it from AAA where I know if I had any questions or problems that they would be taken care of . AAA is worldwide, I would feel safe. :)

[treblmakr]

The last time we used travelers checks on a vacation, they treated it like a regular check and I went through &^^%$ trying to get it approved in another state. I had to give ID, thumbprint and have the store manager get my drivers license number, etc. I thought I was gonna have to give DNA. I explained to them that travelers checks are like cash, but no, they said they were checks. It was more trouble than it was worth, honestly.

 

I am not taking them on my cruise in May. I will take a small amount of cash and might use a pre-paid Visa mentioned here.

[x98bjv]

I take my credit card and traveller's cheques on every cruise. However, if I'm going in to port, I make sure I cash the cheques at the purser's desk beforehand. I only take traveller's cheques because I'm Canadian and I buy US money periodically during the year when the exchange rate is favorable. If I were to use my credit card for everything we'd be charged a lot more on the exchange. I don't take all US cash just because I'm famous for losing things and traveller's cheques will be replaced if lost.

[uppitycats]

I live in a rural area and none of the banks around here even have travellers checks. I've gotten them in the past and found them more of a hassle to cash than they're useful. Yes, you can get them cashed at the purser's desk..but I'd rather just head off the ship into ports. I use cash or a credit card.

[fourcruisin]

We always use them on cruises just because I am not comfortable using credit cards in port.

Had no trouble in January cashing them at the Purser's desk. We did have one issue at the Casino in St. Kitts. We had to go through heck just like the other poster said..........I thought they were going to draw blood but after several phone calls etc, they finally cashed it and it was only a $50.00 cheque!!

 

I still think they are safer than carrying tons of cash (although we do carry a chunk of cash split between dh and I) and unless I am making a large purchase such as Diamonds International, I use cash in port. I wouldn't trust using my cc at the smaller shops.

 

Just my 2 cents worth.

[LemurCat]

My son was reading the fine print on one of those pre-paid Visa, and it cost an extra amount to get it (I can't remember exactly how much, I was busy at the time), and then a monthly fee every month. Read the fine print if you go that route.

 

Re: Pre-paid Visa/Mastercard that are not gift cards

 

Many of these effectively operate as a checking account with no checks. But since they aren't tied to a retail back with physical locations, there is no real way to dodge ATM fees. Most *do* have monthly fees (similar to certain checking accounts, usually dependent upon balance though). On the upside? They simply deny transactions instead of letting you overdraw your account.

[needsun01]

With those travel visa cards, do they charge international transaction fees if you are out of country? I know that even doing my reservation for an excursion in Cozumel, I was charged one on my debit card. I've been leaning toward using travelers checks for our upcoming cruise...

[phyzz]

I worked at a resturant in Williamsburg Va for years . We did massive tourist biz and got tons of those cards . They were a pain in the *!

they would never clear for the total printed on the card and some times they were denied all together .

[LemurCat]

With those travel visa cards, do they charge international transaction fees if you are out of country? I know that even doing my reservation for an excursion in Cozumel, I was charged one on my debit card. I've been leaning toward using travelers checks for our upcoming cruise...

 

It would depend upon the card itself, but if I was going to make a guess as a blanket statement, I'd say yes.

[nbsjcruiser]

It this still done? We have always used travelers checks with out a problem. :confused:

 

We are leaving the end of April and I would like to buy some, but if it's going to be a problem cashing them or using them while on the ports, then we might just take cash or use our Debit card only.

 

Please let me know?

 

Eastern Caribbean bound.

 

Darlene

 

That's all we use. If you're going into port just get some cash at the Purser's Desk first and you're all set

[FanofFlorida]

Was this on the AAA Visa travel money or the pre-paid kind that you can get at any Walgreens...? I would trust anything from AAA. I have found that they stand behind their products 100%. On the other hand, I have also used the store purchased pp Visa and did have a problem with it. So I'm not sure if the AAA Travel Money is a new type concept or not. I will not be using a pre paid but if I did, I would purchase it from AAA where I know if I had any questions or problems that they would be taken care of . AAA is worldwide, I would feel safe. :)

 

I also like AAA card idea- here are the fees and conditions on their website:

 

******************************

Use and Benefits

Visa TravelMoney is a prepaid reloadable Visa debit card which offers travelers a safe and convenient alternative to travelers checks and cash. Can be used everywhere Visa credit and debit cards are accepted.

• Security and Convenience - Carry the card that provides the security of travelers checks and the convenience of a Visa card.
  
• Easy to Use - Make purchases at millions of merchants worldwide that accept Visa debit cards including restaurants and shops. Obtain local currency at any Visa ATM around the world and avoid standing in line to exchange foreign currency.
  
• Emergency Card and Cash Replacement - With Visa TravelMoney you can obtain emergency card and cash replacement virtually anywhere in the world, generally within one business day by calling 1-800-VISA-911 (1-800-8472-911).
  
• Lost/Stolen Card Reporting - Makes it easy to report a lost or stolen Visa TravelMoney card. Just call 1-800-VISA-911, or from outside the U.S., call collect 0-410-581-9994.
  
• Reloadable - Cards can be reloaded where your card was purchased. Use cash, funds from your bank account, credit or debit card to reload you cards.
  
• E-mail Alerts - Increase your awareness of your card account charges with instant alerts on your cell phone each time your card is used. Call by 1-866-674-9621 to set up your alert notification.
  
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement* - Get reimbursement up to $250 per trip, $1,000 per cardholder to replace your luggage and its contents if an airline, train, cruise or bus line loses your checked or carry-on luggage. Reimbursement is not contingent upon the purchase of travel with the Visa TravelMoney card.
  
• Purchase Security* - Within the first 90 days of the date of purchase, Purchase Security will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible items of personal property purchased entirely with your registered Visa TravelMoney® card up to a maximum of $500 per claim, in the event of theft, damage due to fire, vandalism, accidentally discharged water, or certain weather conditions.
  
• Travel & Emergency Assistance* - Get translation assistance 24-hours a day, medical and legal referrals, emergency trip arrangements, and emergency messages to relatives.
  

*How do I get these services?

They're as close as the nearest phone. You simply call the Benefit Administrator at 1-800-VISA-911 any hour of the day or night. If you are outside the United States, call collect at 0-410-581-9994. Certain restrictions, limitations and exclusions apply. Visit Visa.com to verify the specific benefits and program details included with your Visa card.

Fees

 

• Purchase fee applies. Consult your local AAA office for details.
  
• The minimum card load is $100; maximum load is $3,000 daily in branch, $1,500 USD weekly online or phone.
  
• Maximum balance on the card is $9,999
  
• Reload fees may apply. Consult your local AAA office for details.
  
• Up to 3 Companion cards for $1.50 each
  
• ATM Fee domestic: $1.50
  
• ATM Fee international: $3.00
  
• Foreign Exchange markup: 3%
  
• Account Maintenance Fee per month: $1.25 after 12 months of inactivity
  
• Daily ATM limits and/or Over the Counter Cash Advance: $1,000 per day
  
• Over the Counter Fees for cash advances: $5.00
  
• Replacement cards: $5.95
  
• Emergency Cash (amount available): up to $1,000
  

*************************************

 

As you can see, there is only a monthly fee after 12 months of no use- I will have to check with the local office for the 'fee' to buy the card. The ATM fees seem fair considering what some banks charge.

 

I was going to take my cash savings and buy travelers checks to set aside- it seems like this is ALOT less hassle!

 

Thanks Hoosiercouple for the idea! :)

[LemurCat]

I

The ATM fees seem fair considering what some banks charge.

 

Just remember that you will be charged AAA's fee *on top of* any ATM usage fees that the ATM provider may be charging.

[MargaritaPlease]

Traveler's checks are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Even in Europe where they were long the only way people traveled, they're becoming harder to cash. Where once just about any retail store would accept them, it's now down to only major stores, hotels and, of course, banks.

 

We always use them on cruises just because I am not comfortable using credit cards in port.

 

Your credit card is exactly the RIGHT thing to use. You have at most $50 liability. I have a Capital One card with $0 fraud liability and NO foreign transaction fees. Why would I use anything else?

[John&John]

It this still done? We have always used travelers checks with out a problem. :confused:

 

We are leaving the end of April and I would like to buy some, but if it's going to be a problem cashing them or using them while on the ports, then we might just take cash or use our Debit card only.

 

Please let me know?

 

Eastern Caribbean bound.

 

Darlene

 

We have always found it easy to just take whatever cash we will need and everything else goes on the one credit card that we have that doesn't charge a foreign currency or a foreign transaction fee.

 

Never have we had any problems with using the card with small shops...

 

I'll do anything to avoid having to wait in another (purser's) line!

[RWolver672]

One thing to remember if you are driving to the port and try to use a AAA card is if you stop to get gas and use the card, do not put the card into the gas pump to pre-pay. It will put a hold on a certain amount of cash instead of the amount used. They (the AAA office) told us to just pump and go inside and use the card. That way, only the amount of purchase is used.

[grammacassi]

Prepaid VISA cards can be a pain. Bought these for my DDs for Xmas 2 yrs ago. Daughter 1 put $25 in gas in her car and a hold was put on the card for the whole $100 until the station cleared the $25:mad:

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

We always buy travelers cheques and cash them at the pursers desk as need. Has always worked great for us. We will continue to do this until the cruise line no longer accepts them.

[grandmacani]

Have always taken cash but more in travelers checks. No problem having them cashed at pursers desk. The best thing about the pre paid visa card is that when Mothers and Fathers day roll around the kids give us those, Same thing for birthdays and christmas. Went to Hawaii - Spirit- and had cards to purchase lunches off the ship and the kids don't know it but they bought souviniers.