Traveler Cheques or Cash?

[maf101]

Does anyone use traveler cheques? I don't want to use my credit card and I think I read somewhere they don't have EFPOS.

 

Would it be safe keeping cash in the cabins safe deposit box?

[Skyrules]

Does anyone use traveler cheques? I don't want to use my credit card and I think I read somewhere they don't have EFPOS.

 

Would it be safe keeping cash in the cabins safe deposit box?

 

You can put all of your cash on your cruise card when you board, that way you don't have to keep cash at all. They do also accept travellers cheques. And you are right - they don't have EFTPOS.

 

Don't forget that the only place on board the ship that you can actually use cash is in the poker machines, for the 'horse racing' and for a couple of other minor activities. For everything else you have to use your cruise card (although you can use your credit card in the duty free shops). On Pacific Sun you put an amount of money on the card at the start of the cruise - either by cash, credit card or travellers cheques, and then use the cruise card. When the balance is getting low you can top up the card.

[maf101]

You can put all of your cash on your cruise card when you board, that way you don't have to keep cash at all.

 

Hmm... does this mean I can use the cruise card like a bank? Can I put all my cash on the card and make cash withdrawals in whatever currency I need for the ports?

[Skyrules]

Hmm... does this mean I can use the cruise card like a bank? Can I put all my cash on the card and make cash withdrawals in whatever currency I need for the ports?

 

I would keep some money aside to exchange for local currency - as they can sometimes make it difficult to get cash advances for currency conversion.. I had two different pursers tell me two different things on Pacific Sun.

 

What ports are you going to?? In Noumea you will definetly need Central Pacific Francs.

 

In Vila, most shops will take Aussie dollars (at a favourable exchange rate). If you have overseas access (Maestro or similar) to your Australian bank account you can withdraw Vatu (local currency for Vanuatu) from banks in town. Alternatively Visa & Mastercard are widely accepted.

 

Also in Vila you will only be able to pay for the taxi or bus ride into town from the ship in Australia dollars (A$2 per person for bus or A$10 for a taxi).

 

At most of the Island ports the locals will take Aussie dollars (and most things are priced in both currency's) but make sure you take small denominations. If you are going to Wala and plan to do the walking tour of the Island take plenty of gold coins for donations (get them from the Casino before you go ashore).

 

If you are going to Suva you'll need Fijian Dollars, but a representative from the bank comes on board on arrival and sells the currency at a good exchange rate - and is there until the ship sails to buy back any un-used currency.

[maf101]

I would keep some money aside to exchange for local currency - as they can sometimes make it difficult to get cash advances for currency conversion

My mother is taking travelers cheques. Can they be cashed for local currency?

 

What ports are you going to??

Um... okay I'm back from the P&O site. We're going to Noumea, Suva, Vila, Dravuni Island, Yasawa-I-Rara, Mystery Island and Ouvea.

 

So I need:

Noumea - Central Pacific Francs

Villa - Aussie dollars ($10 notes for taxi)

Suva - Fijian Dollars (buy onboard)

Most Islands - Aussie dollars (gold coins for donations & small denominations)

 

Thank you Skyrules. This is very helpful.

[Skyrules]

My mother is taking travelers cheques. Can they be cashed for local currency?

 

I guess so. Never taken travelers cheques on a cruise so I'm not sure.

 

 

Um... okay I'm back from the P&O site. We're going to Noumea, Suva, Vila, Dravuni Island, Yasawa-I-Rara, Mystery Island and Ouvea.

 

So I need:

Noumea - Central Pacific Francs

Villa - Aussie dollars ($10 notes for taxi)

Suva - Fijian Dollars (buy onboard)

Most Islands - Aussie dollars (gold coins for donations & small denominations)

 

Thank you Skyrules. This is very helpful?

 

Sounds about right. A word of warning about the Fijian currency exchange.... While you are on board people (other passengers, not the cruise staff) might try to tell you that you'll be ripped off buying currency from the people who get on in Suva - don't believe them... In fact they give a really good exchange rate and they don't charge a commission for doing it - both for Aussie -> Fijian and Fijian back to Aussie.

 

Glad to be of assistance. It can all be a bit confusing if you've not done it before.

 

Kym

[howsthis]

Whatever you do, don't take $50 notes and expect change. Take coins and $5 or $10 notes, nothing bigger. I think the cruisecard is a great idea, no worries about losing money, expect the pokies, and you have your card around your neck wherever you go on ship anyway so it's always there when you need it.

[chaz cruiser]

Hi All,

 

I have never had any problem leaving cash in the safe in the cabin. I like the fact that the "new" ships (Sun & Star) have separate safes per person which are opened using a 4-6 digit code that you set yourself.

 

I remember in the Sky & other ships I have cruised on there was only one safe per cabin. I'm not sure what those who travelled with strangers would have done then. I have only travelled with family and usually Mum held the key, even when we didn't share a cabin!!

 

If you ever forget the code to the safe you have to get someone from the Pursers desk to reset it with the master key. Your cabin steward cannot open it.

 

You can remove cash from your cruise card at either the Pursers Desk or the casino. You need photo ID (passport or licence) to do this. From memory you could only remove cash from your card in the casino on the Star if you were using your Credit Card to pay the account (strange I know but hey that's the rules). There is also a daily & cruise limit to how much you can withdraw from your cruise card, but from memory it was more than sufficient unless you had a huge gambling habit (I think it was $1,000 per day & $5,000 for entire cruise).

 

The major disadvantage I would see with putting all your cash onto the card on the Star is that you do not get a balance on the receipts. It's always easier to know how much you have left if you can see the cold hard cash! Other disadvantages include: having to line up on the last night to remove your balance if you haven't spent it all; having to "withdraw" cash to take part in the cash only activities including Sea Horse Racing, T Shirt painting, Jewellery making and casino games; and having to "withdraw" cash to take off the ship for souvenirs.

 

Cheers,

Chaz:)