ATM On Board

[superoma]

Eva, I'm a little bit confused. Canadian too. I have no problem using my Canadian credit card on US sites, gas stations or anywhere. Readily accepted all over. am i missing the boat:confused:

 

Kazu, many online sites are now refusing canadian based credit cards. My daughter actually has a US bank based credit card but because the billing address is canadian, they refused her purchase on an online site only yesterday even with that and even though she was shipping to a US address.

 

I have no problem using my canadian cards in any bricks and mortar stores - they love when I spend!! Just the online sites (yes some still take your card online, but not the ones I want to use) and the gas stations. Ohio gas stations are usually OK but KY, TN, GA and many in FL will not take our cards at the pump. You go inside, leave your card (right!!) or put an amount on and then get a refund if you don't pump the full amount = pain in the behind.

 

No issue on any cruise line, airline, etc., etc., just online and gas stations.

 

Modern_Viking, the Delta card has a high fee, which is great if you fly because you get free checked bags, but we haven't flown since Oct. 2010 and have no plans to fly in 2012, so that makes it very expensive for us.

 

Anyway, based on my daughter's experience yesterday, I think my search is over. I will just buy where I can and not use the online sites that won't take my card.

 

And, to take this back to the thread, no traveller's cheques for me either!!

[bet410]

For the life of me, I can't remember where I read or heard this, but I heard somewhere that the front desk on HAL ships would cash travelers' checks. I hadn't had any for years, but with our upcoming WC, that seems to work better than taking a lot of cash for tip money for the shore excursions as well as the tips at the end of the cruise.

 

Has anyone had experience with cashing TCs on board the ships?

[djhsolara]

I work in a bank and we do sell AMEX Traveler's Cheques, but they are seeming to become extinct. I know that there are still some things for which you need cash, but generally people are using debit cards and credit cards for purchases. If you do not like to carry lots of cash, you can always use your debit card at an ATM in a port to get smaller amounts more often rather than large amounts at once. Personally, we always take all of the cash that we think we will need and keep it in the stateroom safe only taking out small amounts on a daily basis that we will need.

 

:) :)

[surfsidemary]

Yes. Unless something has changed in the last year, the front desk does cash traveler's checks. I used them for everything I needed in the way of cash - US dollars, or whatever the upcoming currency was on the Grand Voyage Asia/Australia.

[bet410]

Yes. Unless something has changed in the last year, the front desk does cash traveler's checks. I used them for everything I needed in the way of cash - US dollars, or whatever the upcoming currency was on the Grand Voyage Asia/Australia.

 

Thank you! I was hoping that was the case. It's one thing to carry cash for a short cruise, but we're going to need a lot for a 112-day cruise! I did not relish the thought of carrying enough cash to cover the tips, etc. This should be the answer to our cash situation.

[Putterdude]

I also have this card ( in fact more than one) However if you have a Canadian address it will not be a bank of America card it will be a MBNA card. I would be interested to know if you were able to get the Bank of America one with a Canadian address.

 

While I have had a vacation home in the US for about the 30 years or so that did not come into play. As I recall, I just spoke to BofA after I got the normal reject letter for being a Canadian and they gave it to me.

[sail7seas]

For the life of me, I can't remember where I read or heard this, but I heard somewhere that the front desk on HAL ships would cash travelers' checks. I hadn't had any for years, but with our upcoming WC, that seems to work better than taking a lot of cash for tip money for the shore excursions as well as the tips at the end of the cruise.

 

Has anyone had experience with cashing TCs on board the ships?

 

 

Front Desk on HAL ships happily cashes travelers checks but will not cash personal checks.

[bet410]

Front Desk on HAL ships happily cashes travelers checks but will not cash personal checks.

 

Thanks! I had virtually given up on travelers' checks, but I guess I will have to make that purchase! I feel much better about having the money invested in TCs rather than carrying a huge amount of cash!

[RuthC]

Thanks! I had virtually given up on travelers' checks, but I guess I will have to make that purchase! I feel much better about having the money invested in TCs rather than carrying a huge amount of cash!

A word of advice from someone who learned the hard way---

If you are a couple traveling, get the Travelers Cheques that take two signatures; one is needed to use the cheque.

If it should happen that one person can't access his/her cheques, the other one can get the money without a lot of trouble.

[Honeybearhollow]

We ran into this same problem. Some Wells Fargo banks carry them, but 50s only. I like 20's. I do not like ATMS so I'll probably just use a credit card.

[JamesEM]

My bank has stopped selling Travelers Cheques, and now they sell pre paid debit cards.

[GeriatricNurse]

:confused:Funny thing, whent to my bank yesterday to get some travelers checks for our cruise next week because I do not like carrying a lot of cash on my person, and they tell me that they no longer have a need to sell these and do not carry them anymore. I checked with several banks and Credit Unions and was told the same thing.

 

So my question is this:

 

Do the ships have ATMS on board, or is it better to purchase credits to convert to cash on board? That is, if they will convert to cash?

 

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

Overinvester:confused:

 

X have an ATM located near the Front Desk. (at least on their M-Class ships)! :) Also, there is a separate "banking" desk adjacent to the Front Desk, which means that the Front Desk does not have to deal with any issues involving money, thereby reducing their workload! :) Perhaps HAL should consider doing the same! ;)

[aussiedisneyfan]

Rhapsody of the Seas had an ATM on it but they charged something like a $6 fee, so in my opinion, not worth using.

[djhsolara]

We ran into this same problem. Some Wells Fargo banks carry them, but 50s only. I like 20's. I do not like ATMS so I'll probably just use a credit card.

 

We've been told that 20s are no longer available from AMEX.

 

 

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[terrydtx]

Most US bank's ATM card will work in ATM machines around the world. In fact in most foreign countries the exchange rate is the most favorable using ATM's vs exchanging at airports, hotels and banks. Because of the flood of counterfeit travelers checks it has become extremely tough to cash them once you get off the ship. A couple of years ago my parents who refuse to use ATM cards found it almost impossible to cash Travelers checks in Italy. Their hotel would cash them only with a credit card guarantee that they were good. For cruises in the Caribbean if you stop in San Juan PR or US Virgin Islands you can use any ATM on shore and get US dollars and only pay the ATM fee or buy something you need at a store and get cash back with no ATM fees.

[JayS]

Yes. Unless something has changed in the last year, the front desk does cash traveler's checks. I used them for everything I needed in the way of cash - US dollars, or whatever the upcoming currency was on the Grand Voyage Asia/Australia.

 

From HAL's website" On board our ships, U.S. dollars is the only currency accepted. We also accept U.S. travelers checks."

 

 

We ran into this same problem. Some Wells Fargo banks carry them, but 50s only. I like 20's. I do not like ATMS so I'll probably just use a credit card.

 

Not in PA. I could just shoot a horse!:D

 

We have used the Casino as our ATM when needing U.S. dollars for extra tips to waiters/stewards on the last day when going ashore was not a possibility. You just sign in at a slot machine with your sail card, deposit $$$ charged to your on board account, spin once (...even won once :D...bonus), and cash out. Take the ticket to the teller, and voila, $$$ in U.S. dollars.

Does HAL charge 3% fee? Is this charged as a cash advance where the credit card will charge interest?:eek:

 

BTW. On my cruises where ATMs are available, people complained they were empty most of the time.

[bet410]

A word of advice from someone who learned the hard way---

If you are a couple traveling, get the Travelers Cheques that take two signatures; one is needed to use the cheque.

If it should happen that one person can't access his/her cheques, the other one can get the money without a lot of trouble.

 

Thanks for the advice. However, I'm a single. So - we'll see what happens. Hopefully it will work okay. I only plan to use the checks on board the ship.

[surfsidemary]

"Thanks for the advice. However, I'm a single. So - we'll see what happens. Hopefully it will work okay. I only plan to use the checks on board the ship. "

 

That's what I did. Took quite a lot of money in Traveler's Checks with me, kept them in the safe, and cashed as necessary. FYI, there were a few times when the front desk could only give me a limited amount of USD until we reached the next major port where they could replenish their supply. It was never a big deal to wait.

[sail7seas]

Front Office on HAL ships will not charge you a fee to cash a Travelers Check.

[bet410]

Thanks so much for the info on travelers' checks, everyone! The cash I'll need will be mostly for tips so I shouldn't need a lot at a given time, and will definitely plan ahead for the end of the cruise so I have the cash when I need it. Appreciate all the input! :)