Exchagning money on board

[lynned2899]

Does Celebrity charge a fee for exchanging dollars to local currency at the purser's desk? Does the ATM dispense local currency as it changes from port to port or does it give only dollars?

[cruisestitch]

ATM does not change currency as the ship moves from place to place. Exchange rates for currency are posted at the Guest Relations desk. They may not be very favorable rates, and they may change as the cruise progresses. Where are you cruising?

[Wine-O]

Does Celebrity charge a fee for exchanging dollars to local currency at the purser's desk? Does the ATM dispense local currency as it changes from port to port or does it give only dollars?

 

Yes, you can exchange dollars into local currency at the purser's desk, but the fee will be anywhere from 5-7%. You are better off using ATM's ashore to get your foreign currency. There is an ATM on board the ship that dispenses dollars, but the fee is $6 per transaction. Someone on another thread mentioned that there was an ATM in the casino area that dispensed Euro, but I can't confirm that. I'm sure the fees would be similar.

 

I see you are from the DC area. There's a bank called TD Bank (formerly Commerce Bank) in Northern VA. They have branches in NY, NJ, PA, FL, among a few other states. Their ATM Debit card tied into a checking account, charges no use fees or foreign transaction fees. They give you the interbank rate for the day of the ATM transaction. You might want to look into it. Additionally, if the card it tied into VISA/Mastercard, I would recommend calling the bank and disabling the VISA portion of the card so it can only be used in conjunction with a PIN. You would hate to lose it and have someone use the VISA portion to wipe out your checking account. I know you could be reimbursed, but it would be a hassle while on vacation.

 

The above works for me. I'm sure others will chime in with recommendations on what works for them.

[mkbruce]

Does Celebrity charge a fee for exchanging dollars to local currency at the purser's desk? Does the ATM dispense local currency as it changes from port to port or does it give only dollars?

 

ATM's on the ship will dispense dollars and while the purser can exchange dollars for foreign currencies, the rates are not good.

 

You will be MUCH better of using ATM's in the actual ports and not on the ship. While you may be charged for making a withdrawal (1-2 dollars/Euros), you will get actual bank exchange rates. If you are cruising in Europe, most countries will use the Euro - thus you can withdraw larger amounts in a single transaction - thus saving on the fees. Even in countries that don't use the Euro (such as Sweden and Russia), Euros are generally welcome, although you may not get change back in Euros.

 

I generally use a credit card for most purchases and only use cash for tips, cabs and other small amounts.

[cruie4ever]

Best Rates are always the ATMs on shore in any foreign port . The best credit card for use outside the USa is Capitol One Visa or Master Card as this card does not charge you the exchange rate fees that most credit cards charge --any where from 1.5 to 3 % of the charge .

[cruie4ever]

Best Rates are always the ATMs on shore in any foreign port . The best credit card for use outside the USa is Capitol One Visa or Master Card as this card does not charge you the exchange rate fees that most credit cards charge --any where from 1.5 to 3 % of the charge .

[CathyCruises]

Also, they don't give ALL foreign currencies--we waited in line for 30 minutes only to find that they would not give us Turkish Lira. Also recommend use of ATMs.

[drwong]

Does Celebrity charge a fee for exchanging dollars to local currency at the purser's desk? Does the ATM dispense local currency as it changes from port to port or does it give only dollars?

 

The AAA office here in DC (as well as the American Express office) has small starter packs of foreign currency that will hold you over until you can find a foreign ATM. Your local bank can also order foreign currency, but it may take a few days, depending on how common the currency is.

 

Just remember that if you withdraw too much foreign currency, you've got to figure out what to do with it before you reboard the ship! I recommend giving it to your tour guide as a tip, or load up on sodas and local candies.

[caripoo]

The machine on our ship near the pursers desk dispensed Euros, the one in the casino dispensed american dollars. The machine that dispensed Euros on the Connie was EMPTY for 3 days, Celebrity does not service the machine! Get your $$$$ from the ATM's:o

[Chicago Boy]

When we cruise we bring what currency we are going to need with us. Mostly it is for buying small souverniers, lunches or dinners on land and additional tips for the staff on board that take care of us; Everything else goes on the credit card.

 

If we should need cash when traveling ouside the United States we always get it from an ATM located in a bank because it is the safest place to make a withdrawl and that is where we get the best rate of exchange.

 

;)

[lynned2899]

Yes, you can exchange dollars into local currency at the purser's desk, but the fee will be anywhere from 5-7%. You are better off using ATM's ashore to get your foreign currency. There is an ATM on board the ship that dispenses dollars, but the fee is $6 per transaction. Someone on another thread mentioned that there was an ATM in the casino area that dispensed Euro, but I can't confirm that. I'm sure the fees would be similar.

 

I see you are from the DC area. There's a bank called TD Bank (formerly Commerce Bank) in Northern VA. They have branches in NY, NJ, PA, FL, among a few other states. Their ATM Debit card tied into a checking account, charges no use fees or foreign transaction fees. They give you the interbank rate for the day of the ATM transaction. You might want to look into it. Additionally, if the card it tied into VISA/Mastercard, I would recommend calling the bank and disabling the VISA portion of the card so it can only be used in conjunction with a PIN. You would hate to lose it and have someone use the VISA portion to wipe out your checking account. I know you could be reimbursed, but it would be a hassle while on vacation.

 

The above works for me. I'm sure others will chime in with recommendations on what works for them.

Thanks to all of you for the info about the currency exchanges. It is really helpful and takes one worry out of packing for our trip.

 

Lynne

[Allis154]

When we cruise we bring what currency we are going to need with us. Mostly it is for buying small souverniers, lunches or dinners on land and additional tips for the staff on board that take care of us; Everything else goes on the credit card.

 

If we should need cash when traveling ouside the United States we always get it from an ATM located in a bank because it is the safest place to make a withdrawl and that is where we get the best rate of exchange.

 

;)

 

That is what we do too.