As many times that we have cruised, you would think that I would know the answer

[Harry and Lucille]

I know that there is a charge when drawing cash from a credit card. My bank no longer issues travelers checks. Only debit cards. Is there a charge on board for transactions using this card? Thanks in advance. Harry :o

[2bthereagain]

I always use my debit card. I've been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian and there's never been a fee - just my bill :eek:

[ducklite]

If you take a cash advance from a CREDIT card there will most certainly be a fee---and a large one. Check with your credit card issuer for specific details.

 

Please don't confuse credit and debit cards--even if the debit card has a visa/mastercard logo on it--as they are as different as cats and dogs.

[ducklite]

By the way, if you belong to AAA you can buy travelers checks from them as well.

 

Frankly we buy currency to get us started from our bank a couple weeks in advance, and use an ATM AT A BANK (not on a street or in a store) to replenish cash later in the trip as needed. A credit card pays large bills like our pre/post cruise hotel and ship folio.

[spotgrey]

The times I have withdrawn money from my bank using ATM on RCCL ships(don't know if this is what you are referring to or not) there is a $5.99 transaction fee per withdrawal.

[PattyG12]

Why not just use your sea pass card and pay 3% at the casino? Then it's just your onboard account you have to pay at the end.

[fishywood]

I know that there is a charge when drawing cash from a credit card. My bank no longer issues travelers checks. Only debit cards. Is there a charge on board for transactions using this card? Thanks in advance. Harry :o

 

If you are referring to pre-loaded debit cards that are not attached to your checking account, most cruiselines do not accept them even if they have a MC or Visa logo. At the pursers desk there is no way to verify the remaining balance in real time or to place a hold on the funds until the transaction is processed by the home office. If the ship has an ATM is should work there, subject to significant fees.

 

Note that a few lines have stopped cashing travelers cheques as well. Its an ATM-oriented cash-based world out there now.

[Harry and Lucille]

Methinks I will just stick with the cash in the money belt. Way too easy to spend tho.:cool:

[2bthereagain]

Why not just use your sea pass card and pay 3% at the casino? Then it's just your onboard account you have to pay at the end.

 

This is exactly what I do when I need cash while on the ship. The ship's ATM charges $6.00 and my bank charges $2.25, so it costs me $8.25 in fees to use the ATM. Whereas, if I go to the Casino cashier they charge a small percentage (last time I paid less than a dollar). Sometimes I've had to get quarters instead of bills but if it saves me $8.25 I don't care. I just keep the quarters in their original roll and then cash them in for bills at the first opportunity.