Cash or Travellers Checks

[coco6]

I wanted to get anyone's opinnion on which way to go with this. I'm wanting to bring 1500.00 cash on the cruise...should I bring travellers checks or cash?

[cathyz]

We usually take about that much cash with no problems, once in the cabin, we lock the bulk of it in the safe and pull out as needed.

[rwilk1129]

Bring a few hundred in cash and the rest in travelers checks. It's easy to cash the travelers checks in casino as needed.

[coco6]

I will be staying 2 days at the interconntial resort and casino in san juan and we are renting a car for a day..so do you all think It will be safe with all cash? if not can I use travellers check at the hotel in san juan?

 

Thanks

[chipmaster]

I wanted to get anyone's opinnion on which way to go with this. I'm wanting to bring 1500.00 cash on the cruise...should I bring travellers checks or cash?

 

1500 doesn't sound like a large enough sum to sweat, if this is for carribean I would say do what makes you most comfortable.

 

If this is for trip to Europe bring cash or a good ATM card. Travelers checks are nothing but a headache for Europe.

[vakayaker]

Just about everyone will accept the American Express Travelers Cheques. It's better to have the bulk of your money in Checks in the event something happens that you need to make a report to AMEX. Just remember to keep the front page separate from the rest of the checks. I have never had a problem getting anyone to accept the checks.

[coco6]

so what about getting travellers checks thru my bank? does it have to be american express

[villager70]

Hi fellow crusier:

We use to carry travelers checks always especially before the safes were in cabins. We can get them free from Bank of America or AAA but got tired of bringing them back signing and not getting any points or bonuses for the dollars spent. We now carry a credit card (mastercard) take a pair of Visa cards as a backup and place in the safe. If something would happen to the card we are carring i can call and have a stop put on the card. We can then switch to a backup card. We also carry cash and place in the safe. Can also carry a couple personal checks and the purchers office will cash one or two per person per cruise if needed. Also RC not charging a service charge yet on cards in the casino can get chips or money . We tend to use cash in small out of the way areas I rather not have my card acess available. Bob & Nancy The villages florida:) :) :) :)

[coco6]

I'm not so much worried once I get on the ship because I then can use the safe. I worried about the ride from the airport to the hotel in my rent a car..what if I'm at a red light and I get robbed? I'm from new orleans, things like that happen alot :) I don't know how it is in Puerto Rico.

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

I will be staying 2 days at the interconntial resort and casino in san juan and we are renting a car for a day..so do you all think It will be safe with all cash? if not can I use travellers check at the hotel in san juan?

 

Thanks

I have cruised from San Juan twice. I would take half cash and half travelers checks.

[villager70]

Hi :

I can understand as was a cop for thirty years . If you feel more comfortable and get the checks for free take the bulk in them. Place cash on your person in several areas . Carry your cards if you use them. When you get on board you are going to put the bulk on sign & sail and can cash out as needed for tips and petty cash. Bob The Villages Florida:) :)

[GoinCruisin]

I always take several hundred in cash, and then the rest in travelers cheques. I cash a few hundred at a time and keep everything in the safe. I've never had a problem...

[coco6]

Well the easiest thing for me to do is just carry the cash :) but what is the practical thing to do? you know what I mean? What is the probability of me getting robbed at a red light? and is that worth the risk? normally I just carry the cash right onto the boat and put it in my safe..its just these two days in san juan that are making me get all freaky.

[GoinCruisin]

Well the easiest thing for me to do is just carry the cash :) but what is the practical thing to do? you know what I mean? What is the probability of me getting robbed at a red light? and is that worth the risk? normally I just carry the cash right onto the boat and put it in my safe..its just these two days in san juan that are making me get all freaky.

 

My concern has never been onboard the ship, it's on the way to the ship (traveling to and prior to boarding) ;) The way I see it, no skin off my nose if nothing happens, but if it does, I have a backup with travelers cheques... it's just for peace of mind.

[coco6]

yes I guess your right. I might get half in travellers checks. I can cash the checks on the ship if i need the cash right?

[GoinCruisin]

yes I guess your right. I might get half in travellers checks. I can cash the checks on the ship if i need the cash right?

 

Yup! No problem, just go to the pursers desk!! :)

[cathyoo]

Yup! No problem, just go to the pursers

desk!! :)

 

Is there a limit on how much you can cash in a day?

[GoinCruisin]

Is there a limit on how much you can cash in a day?

 

 

I'm not sure, but I doubt it... I think the most I've cashed at one time was about $700...

[deborahjo]

Hi fellow crusier:

We use to carry travelers checks always especially before the safes were in cabins. We can get them free from Bank of America or AAA but got tired of bringing them back signing and not getting any points or bonuses for the dollars spent. We now carry a credit card (mastercard) take a pair of Visa cards as a backup and place in the safe. If something would happen to the card we are carring i can call and have a stop put on the card. We can then switch to a backup card. We also carry cash and place in the safe. Can also carry a couple personal checks and the purchers office will cash one or two per person per cruise if needed. Also RC not charging a service charge yet on cards in the casino can get chips or money . We tend to use cash in small out of the way areas I rather not have my card acess available. Bob & Nancy The villages florida:) :) :) :)

 

 

Carnival no longer will cash personal checks. Seen this for a fact on our cruise last October. Some people were told Carnival would cash a check and they tried. The Purser refused. Said they no longer do it.

[GoinCruisin]

Carnival no longer will cash personal checks. Seen this for a fact on our cruise last October. Some people were told Carnival would cash a check and they tried. The Purser refused. Said they no longer do it.

 

I'm not sure if they still do it with Amex, but I cashed one once with an Amex card when I left my debit card at home, LOL!!! but I had also heard they were going to stop doing that.

[Gayle V]

We've done both, taken cash and taken Travelers's Checks. They both work fine. But if you're worried about being robbed, obvoiusly the Traveler's Check provide more security.

 

Depending on why you want to use cash, another or additional option is to get one of those pre-paid MasterCards. You can load it up with as much cash as you want, and use it like a credit card. If lost or stolen those cards can be replaced. Some even claim you'll have "zero liability". Although I don't know if they can be replaced quickly and while you are still on vacation, the way American Express Traveler's checks advertises.

 

You could take half your money that way, and the other half, as you will want cash if you shop at any of the straw markets, or little local vendors,and for tips.