Cash - do you take with, or are there ATMs on board?

[Granny DI]

I bring cash, 2 credit cards, ATM card and withdraw cash from the casino. The cash is really emergency money...don't bring a lot. The reason for two credit cards is in case one gets stolen or account is compromised in some way. I usually find an ATM as soon as we leave the ship. I check online to find the location of the ATM machines. I've used the casino method for years which I think is the safest way. Yes I have to pay 3% but there are no foreign transaction fees and I get points on my cc.

[garycarla]

Okay,maybe I am just stupid...

 

 

But, taking a a few thousand in cash aboard is no big deal.

 

Paying $5-6 buck to get $1000 in cash is no big deal.

 

Using a credit card is free.

 

I just do not get the issue.

[Granny DI]

Okay,maybe I am just stupid...

 

 

But, taking a a few thousand in cash aboard is no big deal.

 

Paying $5-6 buck to get $1000 in cash is no big deal.

 

Using a credit card is free.

 

I just do not get the issue.

 

 

My suggestions are for international travel. CC incure foreign transaction fees. There are very high fees exchanging dollars for foreign currency. I can't imagine traveling with a few thousand dollars....I'm nervous with a few hundred dollars.

[garycarla]

I guess some folks can not keep track of their money and it gets lost.

 

If people are afraid of being robbed, understand your chances of being robbed do not change because you have MORE money than normal. After all, how would the bad guy know if you had $20 in your pocket, or $2,000? He doesn't.

 

Yes, most, but not all Credit Cards have foreign transaction fees. Sometimes a big deal, other times, not so much.

[TrumpyNor]

I always bring with me around $300 dollars in cash, and if for some reason I need more I just charge it on my on board account instead of using the ATM. I believe it cost $3,00 to take out $100 in the casino or at the guest service desk. And that is way lower than the fee I have to pay to my CC company if I get my cash from the ATM machine instead.

[ColinIllinois]

I guess some folks can not keep track of their money and it gets lost.

 

If people are afraid of being robbed, understand your chances of being robbed do not change because you have MORE money than normal. After all, how would the bad guy know if you had $20 in your pocket, or $2,000? He doesn't.

 

Yes, most, but not all Credit Cards have foreign transaction fees. Sometimes a big deal, other times, not so much.

 

 

Of course a thief wouldn't know how much is in your wallet but common sense would tell you it's not prudent nor advisable to travel with thousands of dollars in your wallet.

[sparks1093]

Of course a thief wouldn't know how much is in your wallet but common sense would tell you it's not prudent nor advisable to travel with thousands of dollars in your wallet.

 

One should remember the adage about not putting all of ones' eggs in one basket though:).

[ColinIllinois]

One should remember the adage about not putting all of ones' eggs in one basket though:).

 

 

Oh yea...you're probably one of those people who smuggle eggs on board in your Egg Runners.

 

The nerve! ;)

[sparks1093]

Oh yea...you're probably one of those people who smuggle eggs on board in your Egg Runners.

 

The nerve! ;)

 

When they start serving decent egg creams I will stop. Promise.:cool:

 

 

(And before the purists jump on me, yes, I know that egg creams are not made with real eggs:).)

[garycarla]

I always bring with me around $300 dollars in cash, and if for some reason I need more I just charge it on my on board account instead of using the ATM. I believe it cost $3,00 to take out $100 in the casino or at the guest service desk. And that is way lower than the fee I have to pay to my CC company if I get my cash from the ATM machine instead.

 

I get that people do not like paying ATM fees.

 

But, getting $600 from the ATM cost $6 or $7.

 

Getting $600 on credit card via casino is $18.

 

Small withdrawals from ATM can be expensive. Getting one larger one, not so much.

[elruth]

One way of getting cash when using a credit card to fund the onboard account is to make cash withdrawals in the casino.

 

Just go to the cashier, ask to get cash for table games and they'll charge that to your onboard account with 3% convience fee (which is less than the fee charged by the ATM usually located in the casino). The withdrawal is a regular onboard charge like speciality restaurants, drinks, etc on your onboard account so there will be no cash fees from your bank as after the cruise it's just one big credit charge with everything on the account.

 

To me, that is just another way of taking advantage of something. Until people started using the casino for cash and not actually using the money IN the casino, NCL used to NOT charge 3 %. Now because people just get cash charged to their credit card and don't use it in the casino, everyone is charged 3 %. That just messed it up for those who actually gamble and used the money in the casino.

[rocketlegs]

Travelers checks! Just cash them at the front desk!

 

I just went to my bank on Friday to get Travelers checks, US Bank, and they said they don't have any! No one uses them so they don't provide them anymore. I had to buy a pre paid Mastercard, at $4, to use instead.

[1313steve]

I just went to my bank on Friday to get Travelers checks, US Bank, and they said they don't have any! No one uses them so they don't provide them anymore. I had to buy a pre paid Mastercard, at $4, to use instead.

 

That doesn't surprise me. I used travelers checks probably 20 years ago, but I didn't realize they still existed until they were mentioned here.

[taymiss2]

This is totally switching the topic to travelers checks but my daughter is spending the upcoming summer in spain. When we were looking over the packing list last night the teacher recommended travelers checks. I was trying to figure out the best way for her to have cash over there but travelers checks seem so out dated. Will have to think about this. Will she have to go to a bank to cash them? I haven't used a travelers check in probably 30 years.

[$hip$hape]

My suggestions are for international travel. CC incure foreign transaction fees. There are very high fees exchanging dollars for foreign currency. I can't imagine traveling with a few thousand dollars....I'm nervous with a few hundred dollars.

After arriving at an international port,

we use a debit card at an ATM for foreign currency.

It cost less than an ATM on board.

[artist47]

Wondering how you all handle your cash situation - minimalists or wads of notes, take with or are there ATMs (this would be for Getaway) onboard.

 

Any opinions appreciated.

 

I travel with some cash as I will need $ for tips on my way to port and once I get to my stateroom. (I tip my steward some money up front when I meet him/her) I use traveler's checks from AMEX to pay for my onboard account, and I keep all other cash in the safe. CC's go in there too and are only used in case of emergency.

[artist47]

This is totally switching the topic to travelers checks but my daughter is spending the upcoming summer in spain. When we were looking over the packing list last night the teacher recommended travelers checks. I was trying to figure out the best way for her to have cash over there but travelers checks seem so out dated. Will have to think about this. Will she have to go to a bank to cash them? I haven't used a travelers check in probably 30 years.

 

Some hotels in Europe will cash them for you. I use them all the time. Any merchant who takes AMEX will also negotiate them for you. Some will do it even if you don't buy anything as a courtesy. Re: your daught'ers specific situation it might be better to get her a credit card - even if you have to add her to one of your accounts.

[4774Papa]

Do European cruises have an ATM that dispenses Euros?

[artist47]

Do European cruises have an ATM that dispenses Euros?

 

That's a really good question! (I am planning on the NCL Jade for the Med next year.) I would imagine that the ATMs on board DO dispense in Euros. I can't say for sure, but that would definitely make sense.

[NMLady]

Okay,maybe I am just stupid...

 

 

But, taking a a few thousand in cash aboard is no big deal.

 

Paying $5-6 buck to get $1000 in cash is no big deal.

 

Using a credit card is free.

 

I just do not get the issue.

 

Maybe taking a few thousand in cash is no big deal to you, but going through that airport scanner is a problem. Everything, even paper, must be removed from pockets. Money belts must be removed. I'm certainly not comfortable being separated from a large amount of cash.

 

Using a credit card in foreign ports is not free since there's a foreign transaction fee.

[artist47]

Do European cruises have an ATM that dispenses Euros?

 

Okay, I did some searching via google -- it appears there are several threads about this here on CC and everyone seems to indicate that all ships dispense US dollars -- but from my experience on other cruise lines, the purser will exchange currency for you.

[Demonyte]

Do European cruises have an ATM that dispenses Euros?

 

Okay, I did some searching via google -- it appears there are several threads about this here on CC and everyone seems to indicate that all ships dispense US dollars -- but from my experience on other cruise lines, the purser will exchange currency for you.

 

No, ship's currency is USD and the ATM dispenses dollars too.

 

Also the exchange rate at Guest Services is notoriously bad, you're better off exchanging money almost anywhere else.

[4774Papa]

Maybe taking a few thousand in cash is no big deal to you, but going through that airport scanner is a problem. Everything, even paper, must be removed from pockets. Money belts must be removed. I'm certainly not comfortable being separated from a large amount of cash.

 

Using a credit card in foreign ports is not free since there's a foreign transaction fee.

I have a credit card from my credit union that does not charge foreign transaction fees.

 

My practice is the take $500 or so in cash USD in addition to about $200 in foreign currency (Euros if going to Eurozone). I like having some foreign currency when I get off the ship or airplane. However, I don't have any comfort in carrying thousands of cash. I have had great success using my ATM card (never has been rejected overseas) in acquiring currency, with no transaction fees (My good ole credit union again).

 

Having the $500 is useful, since if stolen, the loss won't be catastrophic, but will still be useful in paying for private tours that I organize (also, in the remote chance my credit or ATM card doesn't work).

 

Everyone has their own comfort level in regard to cash, etc. That is mine.

[1313steve]

Maybe taking a few thousand in cash is no big deal to you, but going through that airport scanner is a problem. Everything, even paper, must be removed from pockets. Money belts must be removed. I'm certainly not comfortable being separated from a large amount of cash.

 

Using a credit card in foreign ports is not free since there's a foreign transaction fee.

 

If you're like most people, you walk through that airport scanner with your paper boarding pass in your hand with no issues. If you have paper money in your pocket, you'll be fine, too. I keep my money in a money clip in my front pocket. When it comes time to go through airport security, I simply remove the money clip, put it in the "bowl" along with my other small items, put the cash back in my pocket and walk through security. It's never an issue.

[Beth 2001]

This is totally switching the topic to travelers checks but my daughter is spending the upcoming summer in spain. When we were looking over the packing list last night the teacher recommended travelers checks. I was trying to figure out the best way for her to have cash over there but travelers checks seem so out dated. Will have to think about this. Will she have to go to a bank to cash them? I haven't used a travelers check in probably 30 years.

 

You should consider buying her an international prepaid debit card with a security chip and PIN (regular prepaid cards won't work overseas). She can get Euros with it from an ATM or use it to pay for purchases in shops and restaurants. You can load it with funds before she leaves and if she needs more money later you can just add it online. Be sure to buy a card that works in Spain and read the fine print for any fees or transaction limits. Hope this helps!