Money - How much?

[lee-gold]

We're in a quandary. Going on an 11 day E. Med cruise and wonder how much money we ought to bring. We are 6 adults, planning on doing mostly private excursions. We drink little, if at all, and we don't use the casino.

 

Do we use travellers cheques? USD? CAD? Euros? Cash? Can we use Visa ashore?

 

Please help! We really need to know.

[Leela]

I've travelled all over the world with just a credit card (visa, and later master card) and my regular ATM card from home. I find traveller's checks to be a pain in the butt. Your onboard account can be settled in US dollars via your credit card, and ashore you can pay with your credit card and also use your ATM card pretty much anywhere to get euros.

[slomotion]

Lee,

 

I use plastic for almost everything.

 

That said, when I leave home i carry 50 x$1, 10 x $5, a couple of $10's and a couple of $20's.

 

All of this is for tipping. The denominations give me flexibility.

 

a

[CaptData]

Do take US TC with you. Then when you do need some money in small denomintations just go to the Front desk and exchange it for Euros or what ever. Use your CC for major purchase. (Inform your bank where you will be so you do not have problems).

[excitedofharpenden]

lee-gold, bear in mind also that you should be able to use your debit card with your PIN number in the ATMs too for local currency, providing it is supported by VISA,Mastercard and the other main issuers. I would avoid using a credit card in the machines as they automatically add a 2% cash advance fee.

 

I must say I don't use travellers cheques much anymore wherever I travel. If you are purchasing from a shop use your credit card. You should get a more advantageous rate than you would with currency or travellers cheques that you pre-purchase. You will also avoid the penalty you may have with any left overs you have to change back. Make sure you use up any "change" you have. The rates for coin exchanging back is awful. Just keep it as "clean" as you can.

 

If you do any ship excursions, you can add this to your shipboard account which you can also do with the tips, if you so desire.

 

Phil

[new_cruiser]

When using a credit card, one should be aware that many of them are now charging a 3% foriegn exchange fee. Of course, if you exchange money there is also a fee though it is usually less than 3%. I still use my credit card when traveling because it is pretty convenient and the exchange rate is usually decent which makes up for some of the fee too.

 

I take about $500 pp in travelers checks as a back up. I've run into a couple of times when the ATMs in an area weren't working (network problem perhaps?) and my ATM card stripe lost its memory a couple of times over the years.

[dkjretired]

Even though you do not play in the casino you can take money out at the casino cage at no charge. There is an added advantage in that the money goes on your sign and sail card and is sent in with all items you purchase on board. It goes to your credit card company as a purchase and therefore if you have incentives on your card you will receive them for the cash taken out and all purchases on board. I also advocate using ATMs, I never take travelers checks anymore.

[GordyPordy]

To rely just on your plastic is a bit reckless. As one who works in a bank I can testify to the proclivities of ATMs to retain cards for no apparent reason. Some form of emergency backup should be taken.

Using your debit card in a foreign ATM will probably incur the cash advance fee as well.Cetainly most UK high street banks cards would incur a charge if used outwith the LINK system.

Regards

Gordon

[Wer2pats]

We too have traveled all over the world. We do take some travelers checks and do take some cash and use our credit cards for major purchases. The travelers checks can be cashed when needed at the pursers desk. I do advise that you take some money in the country's currency of which you will be arriving unless you use the ships transfers. I know you can get to an ATM at the airport but things seem to move fast there and we just prefer to take it with us. We always go to the local bank and order money for the country we will be arriving as it takes a few days to get it. We only get about $50--enough for cabs, etc. We also use the money pouches that are sold in luggage stores to safe keep your valuables, including cash and passports and credit cards. They have some that can be worn around your neck under your clothes or around you waist under your clothes. Most of the ships will have an exchange machine onboard to exchange money if you want it for each port or at least it did when we sailed the Med on Princess.

 

Pat

[Osnab]

If you do any ship excursions, you can add this to your shipboard account which you can also do with the tips, if you so desire.

 

Phil

 

I don't think you can put the tips from your excursions on your shipboard account. Those individuals are not part of the ship. Did you mean your tips for ship's employees?

Felicia

[excitedofharpenden]

To rely just on your plastic is a bit reckless. As one who works in a bank I can testify to the proclivities of ATMs to retain cards for no apparent reason. Some form of emergency backup should be taken.

Using your debit card in a foreign ATM will probably incur the cash advance fee as well.Cetainly most UK high street banks cards would incur a charge if used outwith the LINK system.

Regards

Gordon

Whilst there may be a fee incurred, I still think it is the most efficient way of getting money out because of the better exchange rate. No standing in queues in the bank either. Take more than one card with you as a back up (from another separate account), check it works in an ATM at home first and ask your own bank what the fees are before you go. You should also be able to check with your own card issuer before you travel where the ATMs are in the countries you are visiting.

I don't think you can put the tips from your excursions on your shipboard account. Those individuals are not part of the ship. Did you mean your tips for ship's employees?

Felicia

Yes, that's what I meant.

 

Phil

[cruisintwinsmom]

When we were in the Med last year we used an ATM/debit card and found that is where we got our best exchange rate. We used private guides and paid them in Euros that we got out of the ATMs. My DH took a card from one account and I took on from another so that if we needed to exceed the maximum daily withdrawal we could. We also did that so that if our card was eaten we would still have a card to use. Our bank also allowed so many withdrawels a month without a service charge. We did take a few euros with us from the bank at the airport, but they had one of the worst exchange rates, plus charged a service fee.

 

 

We also took just a couple of hundred US dollars with us.

Happy Sailing!

[NormanW]

Even though you do not play in the casino you can take money out at the casino cage at no charge. There is an added advantage in that the money goes on your sign and sail card and is sent in with all items you purchase on board. It goes to your credit card company as a purchase and therefore if you have incentives on your card you will receive them for the cash taken out and all purchases on board. I also advocate using ATMs, I never take travelers checks anymore.

 

I like this idea!

 

Cheers,

 

-Norman

[plumeria]

1) Remember when you bring your debt card you can will be wiped out,

(If fraud is involved) if you lose your credit card you are out $ 50 bucks

 

2) Yes banks say they will cover it (debt card) but it is your money lost not theirs (and it takes time) credit card loses are banks money not yours

 

3) many countries enjoy getting US dollars as they are worth more than some currencies (depends on country) so we usually give US dollars as tips and use credit cards for purchases

 

4) Leave all cards you don't need at home clean out your wallet

 

5) We leave all rings, jewelry, and other valuables at home (go to Wal-Mart and get cheap stuff for trip, rings, watches, etc looks just as good)

 

6) Last but not least

 

As my Daddy always says

 

Pack half as much as you think you need and plan or bring twice as much money as you think you need

 

LOL

 

Plumeria