Traveller's Checks?

[abisha]

Just wondering what everyone's choice is for not having to carry around a lot of cash? Do you still use traveller's checks? I haven't used them in a while and usually bring cash and stash in cabin's safe and just take out what I need.

 

This time, I don't want to do that and wondering what is best thing to do these days.

 

Thanks

[Clarea]

just wondering what everyone's choice is for not having to carry around a lot of cash? Do you still use traveller's checks? I haven't used them in a while and usually bring cash and stash in cabin's safe and just take out what i need.

 

This time, i don't want to do that and wondering what is best thing to do these days.

 

Thanks

We use an ATM if we need cash.

Edited May 5, 2016 by clarea

[cruisinfanatic]

Just wondering what everyone's choice is for not having to carry around a lot of cash? Do you still use traveller's checks? I haven't used them in a while and usually bring cash and stash in cabin's safe and just take out what I need.

 

This time, I don't want to do that and wondering what is best thing to do these days.

 

Thanks

wouldn't waste my time or money buying travelers cks

[bouhunter]

They still make travelers checks?:D

 

I would use ATM's. And of course credit cards. In a pinch you can get cash at the ship casino for 5%.

Edited May 5, 2016 by bouhunter

[setsail]

Just wondering what everyone's choice is for not having to carry around a lot of cash? Do you still use traveller's checks? I haven't used them in a while and usually bring cash and stash in cabin's safe and just take out what I need.

 

This time, I don't want to do that and wondering what is best thing to do these days.

 

Thanks

 

One thing we do is carry a prepaid visa for ports

[abisha]

They still make travelers checks?:D

 

I would use ATM's. And of course credit cards. In a pinch you can get cash at the ship casino for 5%.

 

Believe it or not, I do still see posts on these boards of folks who still use them!

 

Do you or anyone else know what they charge for fee at ship's ATM?

[mkbruce]

Believe it or not, I do still see posts on these boards of folks who still use them!

 

Do you or anyone else know what they charge for fee at ship's ATM?

 

Last I saw, it was $6 plus whatever your own bank charges.

[abisha]

Last I saw, it was $6 plus whatever your own bank charges.

 

Wow..that's steep:eek:.

 

Thanks,

 

Lynne

[CruisinBarb63]

I brought travelers checks. I paid our bill with them and cashed some before going to each port. I just didn't feel good about carrying too much cash.

[Clarea]

Wow..that's steep:eek:.

 

Thanks,

 

Lynne

If you use Capital One, they will reimburse you for all ATM fees up to $30 per month.

[north29]

OK on the cruise ship, but if doing anything before or after many places will not cash them even banks, I know from experience.

 

If you can afford to cruise , what is a extra $50 for using a ATM, WHEN YOU REALLY NEED CASH.

 

After many many travel adventures cruise ships and on our owen I carry a lot of CASH never had a problem "to date" especially on a cruise ship.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

I get out as much cash as I think I will need ahead of time and divide it into envelopes based on anticipated expenses (such as if I know I need cash for an activity) for each day. They immediately go into the safe, and in the morning I remove that day's envelope. Anything left over at the end of the day I move into the next day's envelope. Easy peasy.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Crism]

My mother loves using Traveler's Checks. I think they're just a pain in the butt, but she says it slows her down in the casino.

 

I have been on one cruise where the ATMs were NOT working the entire 7 days. Everything seemed to be in working order on the Rhapsody a few weeks ago although we didn't use one.

[cb at sea]

I don't know what the issue is with carrying cash. Large bills are easy to carry...not bulky. You have a safe in the cabin to store your funds.

 

Travelers checks are a pain, IMO....you can get your larger bills broken down at the guest services or casino. Not a problem at all.

[cdwh1902]

Fortunately living in a country where you don't tip, means carrying hardly any cash - it's all cards. I can go for least a month without getting any cash out of the ATM, even then it's only $100.

 

When travelling we always access a local ATM (never on board) or use our QANTAS cash card which carries most currencies on it for purchases.

[Florida_gal_50]

I brought travelers checks. I paid our bill with them and cashed some before going to each port. I just didn't feel good about carrying too much cash.

 

I'm the same way.

[cruzingduo]

I'm the same way.

 

I am wondering where you are still able to get travelers checks. None of the banks or AAA in our area carry them any more.

[lbtnewcruiser]

OK on the cruise ship, but if doing anything before or after many places will not cash them even banks, I know from experience.

 

If you can afford to cruise , what is a extra $50 for using a ATM, WHEN YOU REALLY NEED CASH.

 

After many many travel adventures cruise ships and on our owen I carry a lot of CASH never had a problem "to date" especially on a cruise ship.

 

I have to say I strongly disagree with your comment "If you can afford to cruise , what is a extra $50 for using a ATM, WHEN YOU REALLY NEED CASH" first of all I am a fan of travelers checks but that is neither here nor there but just a personal preference. I can afford to cruise because I work hard, my husband and I have worked hard each handling 2 jobs for many years and raising four kids who have also cruised with us but we don't choose to use our very hard earned money on an ATM fee, we would rather use that 50.00 to put towards tips for our room steward and our waiters. If you have enough extra money to waste it on ATM fees, good for you but don't belittle those of us who work hard to cruise and choose to use our hard earned money to tip those that work so hard on the ship. Can only hope I get some "likes"

[Fouremco]

I haven't used a travellers cheque since the 1980s. Between ATMs (never onboard), credit cards and cash, I've simply had no need. We used to travel in Europe and had no difficulty having them accepted virtually everywhere, but that all changed at about the same time as ATMs started to become common.

 

As others have suggested, we bring enough cash to meet our needs for the cruise and simply take what we need for the day from our cabin safe.

[njkruzer]

There have been times when we needed large amounts of cash, to pay for a tour in St. Petersburg and recently in Argentina and Chile where tour guides required payment in US dollars. I was not comfortable carrying that much cash so I got travelers checks from AAA, no cost and the ship will cash them at no cost. A reasonable solution when you need more cash than you want to carry. Also sometimes there will not be a convenient atm when debarking in certain ports.

 

The issue recently was that we needed close to $2,000 in US dollars for tours so local atms wouldn't help.

 

When traveling in Europe I usually have extra euros and pounds from previous trips, which also helps.

 

You need to do what works for you.

[abisha]

I also do as someone else says and separate my cash into various envelopes (for this and that) and keep them in the safe in the cabin, etc. However, I really hate carrying them through the airport, on the shuttle bus. I always have that awful feeling, what if I get pickpocketed, or lose something, or do something stupid with my bag and so on. I know it sounds stupid, but you just never know. I always try to be concious of my surroundings and focus where my things are. I travel with my husband who is in a wheelchair, and I end up carrying some of his things and sometimes get overloaded and overwhelmed on the day we head off to the airport.

 

I have also seen ATM's on the ship "out of order" or "out of bills", etc. So I hate to rely on that. I do carry my credit cards, but naturally, there's situations where cash is needed, especially booking excursions through private tour companies where you only need to put a down payment and need to pay cash upon arrival at the port.

 

Anyways, I've decided to just carry the cash ...again. :)

[KMagz]

I have to say I strongly disagree with your comment "If you can afford to cruise , what is a extra $50 for using a ATM, WHEN YOU REALLY NEED CASH" first of all I am a fan of travelers checks but that is neither here nor there but just a personal preference. I can afford to cruise because I work hard, my husband and I have worked hard each handling 2 jobs for many years and raising four kids who have also cruised with us but we don't choose to use our very hard earned money on an ATM fee, we would rather use that 50.00 to put towards tips for our room steward and our waiters. If you have enough extra money to waste it on ATM fees, good for you but don't belittle those of us who work hard to cruise and choose to use our hard earned money to tip those that work so hard on the ship. Can only hope I get some "likes"

 

 

Like. :)

Edited May 11, 2016 by KMagz

[poz222]

I am sorry if this sounds silly... But what are travelers checks and how do they work? Like a money order? I am not sure if I have seen them?.... Ok, just googled them, they look pretty cool but seem like they are a pain to use and says that hardly anyone sells or takes them? From my perspective, wouldn't the pre-paid debit cards be easier? You can take cash out of the casino?

Edited May 11, 2016 by poz222
Added

[Clarea]

I am sorry if this sounds silly... But what are travelers checks and how do they work? Like a money order? I am not sure if I have seen them?.... Ok, just googled them, they look pretty cool but seem like they are a pain to use and says that hardly anyone sells or takes them? From my perspective, wouldn't the pre-paid debit cards be easier? You can take cash out of the casino?

You cannot use the debit card directly at the casino to get cash. However, the casino will give you cash against your onboard account, and if the account is secured with a credit or debit card, they will charge you 5%.

[powelweb]

Last year we used traveler's checks on our med cruise because we had to pay several private tours in euros, and we were able to cash the check in at guest services onboard- very easy.

 

We purchased them at our local AAA office along with some euros to have on hand upon arrival for taxis, etc,.

 

As AAA members, there was no fee to purchase either the checks or the euros- we just had to pay the currency exchange rate when they placed the order and order a minimum amount (I think $100 usd).