Rare jc foster Posted November 10, 2022 #1 Share Posted November 10, 2022 My wife is a shopper and I have had a bad experience while using a credit cards in foreign ports. I think I remember seeing an ATM onboard Princess ships ?. Is this the best way to get more cash ? THANKS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare roxievegas Posted November 10, 2022 #2 Share Posted November 10, 2022 I have not looked for an ATM so I can not tell you if there is one. If I need cash, you can go to the casino cage, but you will be charged for the money. You could sign in on a slot machine, charge $500 to your cabin (no charges), then gamble a bit, then go to the cage and cash out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Musky Ike Posted November 10, 2022 #3 Share Posted November 10, 2022 (edited) I presume you are using a bank debit card. Shipboard ATM's have a service fee as I recall but have not used one. The guest services desk may be able to help as well. Depending on the port, you may want local currency. ATM's onshore will usually also have a service fee but be sure to decline them doing the conversion. The default is that your bank will convert at a better rate. If you are only stopping at ports where USD are widely accepted, the better bet is to figure how much you will need and then double that to bring with you. Keep a supply in your cabin safe and only take ashore what you are willing to spend there. Carrying cash in some ports can also be risky but you can google some safety tips on that. Edited November 10, 2022 by Musky Ike 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted November 10, 2022 #4 Share Posted November 10, 2022 If you are shopping in Caribbean and Mexico ports where US$ are widely accepted then just bring along US$ cash and store it in the cabin safe. If you are shopping in a foreign country that does not accept US$ then even though you may not be comfortable, a credit card that does not charge exchange rate fees is the way to go. I would not use a debit card linked to your bank account for this purpose. You may be able to purchase a pre-paid debit card. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ombud Posted November 10, 2022 #5 Share Posted November 10, 2022 8 minutes ago, skynight said: pre-paid debit card. Great suggestion .... 1 hour ago, jc foster said: My wife is a shopper and I have had a bad experience while using a credit cards in foreign ports. I think I remember seeing an ATM onboard Princess ships ?. Is this the best way to get more cash ? THANKS No. Nope. Nada ..... fees way WAY too high 1 hour ago, roxievegas said: You could sign in on a slot machine, charge $500 to your cabin (no charges), then gamble a bit, then go to the cage and cash out. This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue. The casino is not an ATM 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted November 10, 2022 #6 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Assuming a Caribbean itinerary...just use US Dollars or a credit card. Credit cards are best but do not let them charge your purchase in US currency. Make sure it is charged in local currency. If your will be in Europe you need local currency or credit card. Again, credit card is best with charge in local currency. Use a local ATM in europe to get local currency. You can get it before you go (in the US) but you will be charged for the privilege. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted November 10, 2022 #7 Share Posted November 10, 2022 I used the onboard ATM once. At that time the fee was $6. It only dispensed US dollars. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roberto256 Posted November 10, 2022 #8 Share Posted November 10, 2022 8 hours ago, jc foster said: My wife is a shopper and I have had a bad experience while using a credit cards in foreign ports. I think I remember seeing an ATM onboard Princess ships ?. Is this the best way to get more cash ? THANKS You can compliment your bad credit card experience with a bad ATM experience. My recollection is that the transaction fee was $8 . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissP22 Posted November 11, 2022 #9 Share Posted November 11, 2022 On 11/10/2022 at 10:28 AM, Ombud said: Great suggestion .... No. Nope. Nada ..... fees way WAY too high This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue. The casino is not an ATM We've never been locked out but we only withdraw our money once on the last night before the end of the cruise. It's understandable that they lock some people out if they continually charge their credit cards just to make withdrawals. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindyJohn Posted June 10, 2023 #10 Share Posted June 10, 2023 On 11/10/2022 at 7:28 AM, Ombud said: This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue. The casino is not an ATM I realize this thread was from last year, but soon I'll sail Princess for the first time and am making plans about how much cash to take with me. On other lines I've transferred money from my cabin account to a machine, played a bit and cashed out. In your opinion if I do this one time for everything I need, do you think I'll run into any complications? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ombud Posted June 11, 2023 #11 Share Posted June 11, 2023 6 minutes ago, MindyJohn said: On 11/10/2022 at 5:28 AM, Ombud said: This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue. The casino is not an ATM I realize this thread was from last year, but soon I'll sail Princess for the first time and am making plans about how much cash to take with me. On other lines I've transferred money from my cabin account to a machine, played a bit and cashed out. In your opinion if I do this one time for everything I need, do you think I'll run into any complications? Thank you I transfer funds to the slots, play some, cash out some, play more & more, take final amount out the 2nd to last day on every cruise. Seems to work right now / 2023 if the interim withdrawal is less than 1/2. Once it's all out I'm blocked. Anyhow that's how it is today ... tomorrow might vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bgwest Posted June 11, 2023 #12 Share Posted June 11, 2023 38 minutes ago, MindyJohn said: I realize this thread was from last year, but soon I'll sail Princess for the first time and am making plans about how much cash to take with me. On other lines I've transferred money from my cabin account to a machine, played a bit and cashed out. In your opinion if I do this one time for everything I need, do you think I'll run into any complications? Thank you. See previous posts. The casino is NOT an ATM. SMH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted June 11, 2023 #13 Share Posted June 11, 2023 I only cash out the night before the cruise ends. The exception to that rule is: If your last stop before disembarkation is Victoria don't wait until the last night before the cruise ends as the casino won't be open and you will have to wait for Princess to mail the money to you. I learned that the hard way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memoak Posted June 11, 2023 #14 Share Posted June 11, 2023 14 hours ago, Thrak said: I only cash out the night before the cruise ends. The exception to that rule is: If your last stop before disembarkation is Victoria don't wait until the last night before the cruise ends as the casino won't be open and you will have to wait for Princess to mail the money to you. I learned that the hard way. Yes and on the Discovery yesterday there were reminders all day long in the casino and the patte showed the casino as closed after 4:00 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted June 11, 2023 #15 Share Posted June 11, 2023 We were just "lucky" to be on a cruise with zero notice about the closure. It's good that they are making announcements and putting it in the Patter. Hopefully it was also included on the Wake Show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted June 11, 2023 #16 Share Posted June 11, 2023 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Thrak said: We were just "lucky" to be on a cruise with zero notice about the closure. It's good that they are making announcements and putting it in the Patter. Hopefully it was also included on the Wake Show. Q: Are late night gamblers awake for the Wake Show? Edited June 11, 2023 by Steelers36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted June 11, 2023 #17 Share Posted June 11, 2023 1 minute ago, Steelers36 said: Q: Are late night gamblers awake for the Wake Shoq? Probably not. I used to watch it around 11:30 at night which is the show for the next day. Lately it hasn't been worth watching. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted June 11, 2023 #18 Share Posted June 11, 2023 On 11/10/2022 at 10:22 AM, thinfool said: Assuming a Caribbean itinerary...just use US Dollars or a credit card. Credit cards are best but do not let them charge your purchase in US currency. Make sure it is charged in local currency. If your will be in Europe you need local currency or credit card. Again, credit card is best with charge in local currency. Use a local ATM in europe to get local currency. You can get it before you go (in the US) but you will be charged for the privilege. If you use USD anywhere outside of the US you may be ripped off on the exchange rate and will almost certainly get change in local currency. That means that if you buy something for $1 and give them a $10 bill you will get $9 back in local currency. If you plan to pay w USD bring a bunch of small denomination bills. Also make sure that the bills are in pretty decent shape as many vendors will not accept bills that are in bad shape. DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissP22 Posted June 12, 2023 #19 Share Posted June 12, 2023 13 hours ago, donaldsc said: If you use USD anywhere outside of the US you may be ripped off on the exchange rate and will almost certainly get change in local currency. That means that if you buy something for $1 and give them a $10 bill you will get $9 back in local currency. If you plan to pay w USD bring a bunch of small denomination bills. Also make sure that the bills are in pretty decent shape as many vendors will not accept bills that are in bad shape. DON Maybe in Europe but I've never had it happen in the Caribbean. If they insisted in local currency, I would leave & go to the next shop. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted June 12, 2023 #20 Share Posted June 12, 2023 On 6/11/2023 at 2:39 PM, donaldsc said: If you use USD anywhere outside of the US you may be ripped off on the exchange rate and will almost certainly get change in local currency. That means that if you buy something for $1 and give them a $10 bill you will get $9 back in local currency. If you plan to pay w USD bring a bunch of small denomination bills. Also make sure that the bills are in pretty decent shape as many vendors will not accept bills that are in bad shape. DON At Hussong's in Ensenada the exchange rate was clearly posted on the wall and reflected the proper rate. We each had 2 margaritas - which were excellent - and I had a shot (looked more like a double shot) of Cazadores tequila. Total bill: $15 US (Try getting that kind of pricing in a regular "tourist bar".) I solved the issue of change by putting a US $20 bill on the counter, giving the bartender a smile and a nod, and strolling out the door. The $5 was nothing to us but a very good tip for the bartender. (He probably laughed at the crazy tourists over tipping but he was a calm and professional bartender and made very good drinks.) My wife's onboard "profile picture" is from Hussong's. We definitely look like tourists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted June 12, 2023 #21 Share Posted June 12, 2023 On 6/11/2023 at 12:20 PM, Steelers36 said: Q: Are late night gamblers awake for the Wake Show? I have never seen the Wake Show. In fact, except for the Safety At Sea lecture, I have never turned on the television in my cabin. I don't care to learn to use the new-fangled remote, and I don't care to watch the TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted June 12, 2023 #22 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Just be sure to not only suffer through the Safety Video - your Medallion must be in the cabin while it plays - but you also have to be sure to visit your muster station and press your Medallion to the reader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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