How much extra money to bring?

[Brooke61611]

Hi! My fiancé and I are going on the celebrity edge cruise for our honeymoon in July 2019. Leaving from Barcelona and going around to some other places. We will be spending 2 full days in Paris and a day in half in Barcelona before getting on the cruise. For the cruise, hotels and flights it will cost $5700. I was wondering for transportation, food, souvenirs and excursions how much extra money we should bring? I was thinking on maybe an extra 3K but I don’t know if that would be to much or to little to bring. I heard you can use your card almost everywhere is this correct? We would probably only bring 1K in cash and the rest on a card to be safe. Please help :) thanks! I’ll attach a picture of the ports we are going too!

 

 

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[billslowsky]

Discuss the use of ATMs with your bank in advance. It alleviates the burden of carrying large amounts of cash, but brings potential fees, both for the ATM charge and a foreign exchange rate.

 

A warning if you don't - you could have the card immediately rejected for suspicion of identity theft. Let the bank and your credit card company know in advance when and where you will be.

 

And find out what to do if you lose a card.

 

If you take precautions, you can spend cash like you do at home.

[Sam.Seattle]

ZERO!

 

I would recommend having at least two different credit cards ready to use. The Citi Costco card has no extra fees for foriegn transaction fees. If you want cash, find a large bank and just get the Euros that you think need from thier ATM.

 

As the previous poster stated... Be sure to notify your card carrier of your travel plans.

 

Also - I would never use a "Debit Card" as it indrectly provides direct access to your bank accounts. Fraud is easier resolved with a credit card.

 

Beware of "skimmers" when using any ATM or Gas pumps. https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2469560,00.asp

.

 

Enjoy!

[Brooke61611]

ZERO!

 

I would recommend having at least two different credit cards ready to use. The Citi Costco card has no extra fees for foriegn transaction fees. If you want cash, find a large bank and just get the Euros that you think need from thier ATM.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Thanks! Do the majority of places take credit cards? Is that not really a worry? What about little vendors on the street selling things? Would they not need cash?

 

 

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[Sam.Seattle]

Thanks! Do the majority of places take credit cards? Is that not really a worry? What about little vendors on the street selling things? Would they not need cash?

 

 

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Yes, you will find plastic is as easy to use in Europe as here in the United States.

 

I like to have a little cash mostly for tipping and will get some at the first bank I see or bank ATM in the airport.

[billslowsky]

Don't bring zero, that's not realistic. Have some pocket money on you; if you're concerned about the acceptance of dollars, buy some Euros from your bank or AAA. Give time for them to process this; they don't generally have much foreign currency on hand - and they do charge for this. Of course, know the exchange rate.

 

If you have Euros left over, you can use them for tips. It's more of an American thing to not accept foreign currency. Kind of like the joke, what do you call someone who knows three languages - trilingual. What do you call someone who knows two languages - bilingual. What do you call someone who knows one language - American.

[GeorgesGal]

Don't bring zero, that's not realistic. Have some pocket money on you; if you're concerned about the acceptance of dollars, buy some Euros from your bank or AAA. Give time for them to process this; they don't generally have much foreign currency on hand - and they do charge for this. Of course, know the exchange rate.

 

Agree! When I travel to Europe, I always order euros from my bank for a small fee. Usually about 3-400 dollars worth each which I order in 20, 10 and 5 euro denominations, so I have euros for the cab when arriving in port or airport. We also stay pre/post cruise also, so we have enough cash to last, along with credit cards too. If any euros left over, I put them in my safe for my next European trip!

 

Donna

[vulcan1971]

Brooke61611 -

I tend to disagree with many of the people that have posted here.

For those telling you to get money before you go, that is a personal decision. I never do. Most things can be done easily on plastic while traveling. Upon arriving to my destination, I hit up an ATM (either airport or near my hotel) and get some local currency for those things that require cash, but only use it when plastic is not accepted. I do not pre-purchase cash, even at a bank in the US because it defeats the purpose of safe travel if you are worried about carrying too much cash, losing it or pick-pockets. Also, you probably end up paying fees for the "convenience" and/or less than desirable exchange rates from a bank in the U.S. Let the bank rate work for you at an ATM in Barcelona or Paris. Also, do some research before you go and get a card that refunds your ATM fees and/or gives you 0% fee on currency conversion.

[mom says]

I would never travel without at least some local cash. While hotels, most restaurants, and larger shops all take credit cards, you'll still need cash for small purchases and perhaps for taxis or tips.

 

You can buy Euros from your local bank, but won't get a very good exchange rate. The optimum rate will be from a bank owned ATM once you've arrived in Europe, using your debit card. And if the ATM asks about charging your card in US dollars rather than Euros, DECLINE it. This is Dynamic Currency Conversion, and is never a good idea. But it is very important that you notify your bank of your dates and travel BEFORE you leave. Otherwise they could freeze your account due to suspected fraud. Notify your CC companies as well.

 

We tend to take out one large cash withdrawal on arrival, to minimize ATM fees; but only carry around what we need for the day. The rest stays in the safe.

[bigbenboys]

This is what I do when traveling. We are cruising out of Barcelona next month on Celebrity Eclipse. I'll bring 2000 in USD's, 500 Euro's and 500 British Pounds. I inform my Credit Union when I'm traveling and to what counties. This way my bank know's when charges start coming through on my debit and credit card that the charges are legit. The bank also asks if I'll have access to my mobile phone and email. Just in case they need to get hold of me. I like to pay cash for small items and taxi's. When touring I bring some cash with me, but if I want more cash I just go to a ATM and pull out more money. We booked a private tour for Rome to see the Borghese Museum. The cost is 600 Euro's cash or pay in advance with credit card and added fee's. Credit card charges in USD is $740. I'm not exactly interested in walking around Rome with €800. 600 for the tour and 200 for shopping. While on the cruise I'll use the casino cage to break down my $100 dollar bills when needed. After our cruise we are visiting England.

You might want to ask your bank how much cash you can obtain daily through a ATM machine. I do have a daily limit set my me.

[George C]

We brought about 1k in euros and a few hundred in cash, and credit cards, make sure you get a credit card without a foreign transaction fee, also inform credit card companies about trip. Check with your roll call on tours we did all private tours with fellow roll call members.

[jelayne]

We carry a small amount of Euros with us ; $100-150 and then use credit cards or bank ATMs. I would second the suggestion to have 2 different credit cards. We had 2 cards rejected at gas stations in France, seems that gas stations need chip & pin cards. Fortunately we had cash and a very nice French man used his card & we gave him euros. We have also encountered ATMs that are out of $, so having some local cash is a must for us.

[oskarNZ]

While 3k sounds a reasonable budget, exactly how much spending money you will need is very hard to predict without knowing your spending habits or what you have and haven’t prepaid (drinks packages, shore excursions, gratuities, specialty dinners etc.).

If you’re at all worried about going over budget, I would suggest doing some research on here and Trip Advisor and then booking some excursions and activities in advance. Even if you don’t prepay them, you’ll at least know what they are going to cost so you can pencil them into the budget. Cruising can be deceiving. While it presents itself as an all inclusive style of vacation, the optional extras can really add up.

[Chanbre]

A "prepaid credit card" is worth considering. The card works as a credit card but does not link to your bank account. The card can be topped up with money as and when you want, perhaps just before your holiday. You can get them in many currencies. My UK purchased card allows about ten currencies including US-Dollars, Euros and GB-Pounds; but you have to manage each currency individually. I can manage my card via a web site for top ups and also to transfer money between currencies.

 

Advantages of a pre paid card include: the most money you can lose is the amount on the card; no link to your bank account; it works just like your normal credit card (up to the amount on the card); and, assorted claims about the security of your money if the card is lost or stolen.

[Sam.Seattle]

A "prepaid credit card" is worth considering. The card works as a credit card but does not link to your bank account. The card can be topped up with money as and when you want, perhaps just before your holiday. You can get them in many currencies. My UK purchased card allows about ten currencies including US-Dollars, Euros and GB-Pounds; but you have to manage each currency individually. I can manage my card via a web site for top ups and also to transfer money between currencies.

 

Advantages of a pre paid card include: the most money you can lose is the amount on the card; no link to your bank account; it works just like your normal credit card (up to the amount on the card); and, assorted claims about the security of your money if the card is lost or stolen.

 

Try to replace a pre-paid card quickly in a foreign country. No matter what type of credit you use, be sure to have a back up.

[Dancing Shoes]

We never travel with that much cash. We bring approx. $300 for a couple of days pre/post cruise and to be used for small purchases in port.

 

If you have 2 different credit cards, like we do, we take them both. Just in case something goes sideways with one, we have a backup.

 

I like buying the cash beforehand. I don't have to search for an ATM at the airport if I want to buy a water or something small.

[waterbug123]

We had 2 cards rejected at gas stations in France, seems that gas stations need chip & pin cards.

 

The chip & PIN system is prevalent in Europe. Make sure any card you take has both.

[BitburgBoy]

This is what I do when traveling. We are cruising out of Barcelona next month on Celebrity Eclipse. I'll bring 2000 in USD's, 500 Euro's and 500 British Pounds. I inform my Credit Union when I'm traveling and to what counties. This way my bank know's when charges start coming through on my debit and credit card that the charges are legit. The bank also asks if I'll have access to my mobile phone and email. Just in case they need to get hold of me. I like to pay cash for small items and taxi's. When touring I bring some cash with me, but if I want more cash I just go to a ATM and pull out more money. We booked a private tour for Rome to see the Borghese Museum. The cost is 600 Euro's cash or pay in advance with credit card and added fee's. Credit card charges in USD is $740. I'm not exactly interested in walking around Rome with €800. 600 for the tour and 200 for shopping. While on the cruise I'll use the casino cage to break down my $100 dollar bills when needed. After our cruise we are visiting England.

 

You might want to ask your bank how much cash you can obtain daily through a ATM machine. I do have a daily limit set my me.

 

 

 

FYI:You also can purchase tickets on line for Borghese. Not too pricy plus they have headsets for a minimal fee. Seems like a private tour is very expensive, but you will love the tour and adjacent park.

 

 

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[waterbug123]

I was wondering for transportation, food, souvenirs and excursions how much extra money we should bring? I was thinking on maybe an extra 3K but I don’t know if that would be to much or to little to bring.

 

Depends entirely on what you plan to do. Some people could get by with a couple hundred bucks at most....they always return to the ship to eat meals, don't buy souvenirs or maybe just get a few trinkets, walk around on their own in port, etc. Others would need several thousand dollars....they always eat at local restaurants in port, book private tours, and do serious shopping.

 

 

That said, if you plan to do a lot of excursions they can usually be booked and paid for ahead of time, either via the cruise line or via a private tour company. You'll want some cash to tip the guide, and driver if applicable. Typically it is suggested to tip a guide 5-10€/pp depending on the length of the tour, and another 1-2€/pp for the driver if there is a separate driver. Most large tourist sites like museums, castles etc. that have an entrance fee will take cards.

 

If you plan to eat a lot of meals at local places ashore, most will take plastic, but tips are often preferred in cash. Check your bill, as they are often added in automatically in tourist areas. I also prefer to pay cash for small purchases like just getting a coffee, gelato, or a single beer or something like that.

Cabs are a mixed bag. Sometimes they take cards, sometimes you need cash. Train tickets can be purchased with cards. May help to have cash if you are riding something like a tram, subway or funicular that only costs 1-3€.

Souvenirs are entirely up to you. If you are doing serious souvenir shopping in stores, they'll likely be happy to take cards. If you are mainly buying trinkets from street vendors, I'd have cash for that, though as if it's trinkets you won't need much.

[vickykay]

Most US cards only have a chip. Most places in Europe now also “slide” cards that don’t use a PIN number. US is behind the times.

[PelicanLvr]

Credit Cards in Europe: Mastercard & Visa widely accepted. Others (including American Express) less widely taken. Make sure at least one of your cards is MC or Visa.

 

Another vote for get euros before you leave home. It's nice to have local money when you land without having to worry about finding a working ATM and dealing with that. Yes, it a bit more expensive to get the euros here, but to us it's worth the cost.

 

Always get some small bills (5 and 10 euro notes). You don't want to take out large bills in a crowd.

 

Keep some small notes in a secure pocket when touring(ie one that have a button or zip). Don't have to take wallet out in a crowd.

 

Get a money pouch you wear under your clothes for traveling (ie on the plane or between hotels) . Once you arrive, put your excess cash in the hotel/ship safe and just take what you need each day.

 

As others have said- Get a card with "no foreign transaction fees". Many cards just add 3% to any foreign purchase....even if it is made in US dollars from a foreign location.

 

Have a wonderful trip!!

[Sam.Seattle]

It would be interesting to know the age of the folks who purchase foreign currency at home vs those who will pick it up once they arrive at their desination.

[Gordoncruickshank]

We always take a mix of currency UK, US and Euros, a prepaid currency card along with a couple of credit cards each. We split the cash over a number of places until we reach the hotel safe and then only take out what we need each day. In some of the places the cruise is going beware of pickpockets so if you take 200 Euros, split is between every pocket you have and watch your back.

 

Europe is pretty much chip and pin everywhere including ATMs so make sure that your cards can handle that.

 

You can cover the hotels with your cards. I usually work on around 150 to 200 (£,E or $) a day for meals not included in hotel stays and incidentals. There will be little that you can buy on your trip that you can't get as cheap in the US so why carry it home.

[bigbenboys]

It would be interesting to know the age of the folks who purchase foreign currency at home vs those who will pick it up once they arrive at their desination.

 

I'm 60 and have been traveling the world since 1984. Last year I did purchase at home about 100 USD's in Yuan as after the cruise we were staying at Shanghai Disney. I call it seed money. I also bought British Pounds after the Brexit vote. In my eyes the 3 main currencies are (€, £,$). When traveling overseas I will have some of each. On our next cruise I would be fine with €100 when getting to Barcelona. If I want I could get more money from the ATM at the airport. My favorite ATM machine was in Kusadasi, Turkey. The machine gave you your choice of (€, £,$)

Problems I have had with credit/debit and cards with chips. I was in London each day I would go Starbucks. My credit card with chip stopped working. I called the credit card issuer and they said nothing wrong on their end. I was staying in Kumamoto, Japan and again my credit stopped working. I had to pay my hotel bill with a different credit card. Another time in Shanghai my debit card was not working in the ATM machine. Someone said the ATM needs 5 numbers put a 0 in front of your pin number and yes that worked. Just last week my debit card with chip started having problems. I would rub the chip and it would worked, but it had a dent in it. So now I have a new debit card for our next vacation. I now look for dents in my cards with chips in them. Maybe I need a thicker or different wallet.

[waterbug123]

It would be interesting to know the age of the folks who purchase foreign currency at home vs those who will pick it up once they arrive at their desination.

 

I'm 52 and Mr. Waterbug is 63. We travel to Europe often enough that our custom is to obtain/keep some extra euros at the end of each trip to have on hand to begin the next trip. Not a lot, around 100 or so (although if we end up with more, so be it). That covers us in the unlikely event that there is no working ATM at the airport AND the cab to hotel does not take credit cards. Otherwise, we stop at ATMs as needed throughout the trip, relying on credit cards for large expenses like hotels, big meals in restaurants, etc. We do like to keep some cash in our pocket for tips, small purchases, local public transit etc.