need to carry or obtain US currency for cruise, questions about easiest way

[vmom]

I am cruising around the horn in South America.

 

I have noticed that several of the excursions I have booked that were not through Princess have requested payment in US currency. I have also read that many on shore locations accept US currency and that it can be an easier way to pay as compared with obtaining local currency.

 

I am hesitant to carry a large amount of US currency. Am debating what the best way to handle this is.

 

I have heard that the ATM on board can be out of order.

 

I read one suggestion in the "ask a cruise question" boards, that some cruise lines allow you to pre purchase casino credits that can then be cashed out during the cruise for US dollars. Is this true and is it recommended?

 

I know the traveler's checks are becoming out moded. Is it a possibility to cash the traveler's checks at the bursar's desk for US cash?

 

Any other ideas? Thanks!

[caribill]

I am cruising around the horn in South America.

 

I have noticed that several of the excursions I have booked that were not through Princess have requested payment in US currency. I have also read that many on shore locations accept US currency and that it can be an easier way to pay as compared with obtaining local currency.

 

I am hesitant to carry a large amount of US currency. Am debating what the best way to handle this is.

 

I have heard that the ATM on board can be out of order.

 

I read one suggestion in the "ask a cruise question" boards, that some cruise lines allow you to pre purchase casino credits that can then be cashed out during the cruise for US dollars. Is this true and is it recommended? This is true. However, must get the cash during the hours the casino cashier is open. Be sure you purchase casino credit and not just onboard OBC.

 

I know the traveler's checks are becoming out moded. Is it a possibility to cash the traveler's checks at the bursar's desk for US cash? Yes. No charge to do it.

 

Any other ideas? Thanks!

 

See above in red

[Di Princess]

Do not use the ATM on board. These machines give the very worst exchange rate. I just go to my local bank and order GBP or Euros (whatever you need) and it comes the next day and I drive 2 blocks to the bank and pick it up. I hate to be looking around for an ATM.

 

I bought a new Silk Underwear wallet (goes under my panties) at Bed, Bath, & Beyond for $11. I had the 20% off coupon and went to the store in Burbank (9 miles away) to save the $6 shipping.

$13 - Samsonite® Security Waist Belt In BLACK - SKU # 18030748

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/samsonite-reg-security-waist-belt-in-black/1018030748 800-462-3966

 

I wear it on the plane and then put it in my cabin safe, taking only what I need for the day in my fanny-oak.

[paul929207]

I get $100US bills and use a fanny belt for getting the money from home to the ship. I keep the belt covered using an untucked shirt or sweater or jacket. As soon as I board, it goes into the cabin safe. As needed, I take bills to the front desk and get change in smaller bills.

[Talisker92]

We ere on the 32 B2B on Golden earlier this year. I brought $100 in ones for tipping room service every day and guides. I also brought $400 in 50's to pay for the private Falklands excursion with Patrick Watts.

I also had a couple of hundred in 20's for some private tours

I also had some Argentine and Chilean currency I got from my bank.

These were all in a money wallet inside my slacks. when I got on board, it went into the safe.

BTW the ATM's on the ship suck!

[trbarton]

Here's what I use for traveling. It's a fanny pack that I bought many years ago. It has a stiff wire through the strap that's impossible to cut. There are 3 zippered compartments that attach to a hook making it difficult to open. Inside the compartments are additional zipper compartments plus in one compartment there is an additional hook which I have attached other zippered cases. This makes it extremely difficult to take anything. In one zippered compartment I keep my passport. I put it into the safe as soon as I'm in the stateroom. Any money that I need is the the fanny pack.

 

Here's some photos so you can see what it looks like.

 

 

The label inside says "Daymakers Santa Barbra".

 

Tom:)

[Pam in CA]

Unfortunately, a fanny pack on the outside immediately marks you as carrying money. :( Like Paul, I bring $100 and $50 bills which are usually pretty crisp and take up little room. I put them in an RDF wallet that's inside zippered pocket in a small bag that I put in a nondescript zippered tote bag.

 

The only currency I would get for a South American cruise is GBP for the Falklands. I've never had to use anything other than $$$. I would have used $$$ in the Falklands except I got ripped off by the tour operator, Patrick, when I did. He quoted a price in US$ and GBP when I booked six months before the tour. By the time of the tour, the exchange rate was very different and he wouldn't honor the current exchange rate for GBP. I wound up having to pay an extra $40 as did everyone else who paid in $$$.

[san diego sue]

Always bring $100.00's . Lightweight to bring.When I need to break down, go to Pursers desk.

Have under clothes wallet that has straps that can't be cut(metal inside) while traveling. Put money in safe on ship.I prefer the ones that go around my neck although also have the kind that goes around waist.

For touring, have a purse that is called PacSafe. There are locks on the zippers and the straps go cross body. Straps also contain metal inside

so no cutting off straps.

[trbarton]

Unfortunately, a fanny pack on the outside immediately marks you as carrying money. :( Like Paul, I bring $100 and $50 bills which are usually pretty crisp and take up little room. I put them in an RDF wallet that's inside zippered pocket in a small bag that I put in a nondescript zippered tote bag.

 

The only currency I would get for a South American cruise is GBP for the Falklands. I've never had to use anything other than $$$. I would have used $$$ in the Falklands except I got ripped off by the tour operator, Patrick, when I did. He quoted a price in US$ and GBP when I booked six months before the tour. By the time of the tour, the exchange rate was very different and he wouldn't honor the current exchange rate for GBP. I wound up having to pay an extra $40 as did everyone else who paid in $$$.

 

I need to carry a fanny pack, I use a different one than I keep in the safe, because there are medical items that I need. I do the same thing at home for the same reason.

 

Tom:)

[xyankee]

On a recent cruise, I put $500 on casino credit prior to departing on the cruise. I had 5 $100 vouchers in my cabin upon arrival on the ship. Took a voucher to the casino cashier when I needed the cash. Cashier was aware of my vouchers as she told me how many I had left to cash each time I cashed a voucher. Very simple and easy, didn't have to carry a large amount of cash while traveling. Will do this on all my future cruises.

[vmom]

Thanks so much for the helpful replies. I think I'm going to have to do some browsing on Amazon for a secure waist wallet for under my clothes. I'll also look for a secure bag to wear outside my clothes for easy access to some of the money as needed.

 

I'm also thinking of getting some casino credits in addition to cut down on the amount of cash I need to carry.

 

Appreciate all you help!

[vmom]

Here's what I use for traveling. It's a fanny pack that I bought many years ago. It has a stiff wire through the strap that's impossible to cut. There are 3 zippered compartments that attach to a hook making it difficult to open. Inside the compartments are additional zipper compartments plus in one compartment there is an additional hook which I have attached other zippered cases. This makes it extremely difficult to take anything. In one zippered compartment I keep my passport. I put it into the safe as soon as I'm in the stateroom. Any money that I need is the the fanny pack.

 

Here's some photos so you can see what it looks like.

 

 

The label inside says "Daymakers Santa Barbra".

 

Tom:)

 

 

Thanks! I just looked it up on Amazon. It can be used as a crossbody purse or fanny pack. Looks like there are several good secure travel purses and travel gear that this company carries.