question about money in europe

[referee]

Need some advice although our voyager trip is over a year away, i was curious about bringing money with us we are sailing from Barcelona, and going to Italy and France, probably spending 2 days in Barcelona before cruise.Do we bring Euros with us(getting from a currency exchange here) or do we wait till we get to Barcelona airport? If we do get euros here, How much do you suggest we bring....Thanks .

[TYTY]

We flew into Madrid first and then went to Barcelona. We got Euros from an ATM machine at the Madrid airport. Was quick and easy.

[operafan]

We usually bring €300-350 with us for food, taxi's etc then get more as we need it. The exchange rate in the airport is pretty lousy. You'll get a better rate at an atm.

[emdia43]

I took 300 Euros for taxis, incidentals, snacks. Taxis won't take credit cards. You can use the ATM onboard - it gives dollars, then guest relations exchange it- the exchange rate was a bit better but I can't remember numbers.

I didn't want to rely on ATM's off the ship, as I dread the machine swallowing my card and being stuck with no cash...:eek:

[nednrom]

Need some advice although our voyager trip is over a year away, i was curious about bringing money with us we are sailing from Barcelona, and going to Italy and France, probably spending 2 days in Barcelona before cruise.Do we bring Euros with us(getting from a currency exchange here) or do we wait till we get to Barcelona airport? If we do get euros here, How much do you suggest we bring....Thanks .

 

 

We took our Euros with us because we heard that in some places the fee for exchanging currencies was too high and since we were unfamiliar with the area we opted to exchange here. You don't necessarily need euros, you can use your credit card but you have to be careful because they also have fees and do not always exchange at the current rate, it depends on your credit card. In terms of how much to take, depends on what you plan on doing and how much you plan on buying.. If it's only for food and misc, about 150-200 Euros should be plenty.

[xpcdoojk]

I take dollars, and if I can't get money from an ATM I will get a few euros at an exchange desk or better a bank. I just make sure that my bank has my ATM card allowed for overseas transactions. For most big purchases you can use your credit card. So, I wouldn't ever carry more than a 200 dollars worth of euros.

 

jc

[xpcdoojk]

We took our Euros with us because we heard that in some places the fee for exchanging currencies was too high and since we were unfamiliar with the area we opted to exchange here. You don't necessarily need euros, you can use your credit card but you have to be careful because they also have fees and do not always exchange at the current rate, it depends on your credit card. In terms of how much to take, depends on what you plan on doing and how much you plan on buying.. If it's only for food and misc, about 150-200 Euros should be plenty.

 

O, I forgot to add. Almost all credit cards will tack on a 3% foreign exchange fee on all transactions. The only card that I know of that doesn't is some of the Capital One cards (there may be others I just don't know of any). So, if you are traveling overseas a 3% discount is a good thing, so get a card that won't hit you for that fee.

 

jc

[dutchess43]

We usually change US money at the airport in the US for Euros. We do not like to use the ATM abroad.

[xpcdoojk]

We usually change US money at the airport in the US for Euros. We do not like to use the ATM abroad.

 

Why??? You get the best exchange rate and they are conveniently located everywhere.

 

jc

[Merion_Mom]

O, I forgot to add. Almost all credit cards will tack on a 3% foreign exchange fee on all transactions. The only card that I know of that doesn't is some of the Capital One cards (there may be others I just don't know of any). So, if you are traveling overseas a 3% discount is a good thing, so get a card that won't hit you for that fee.

 

jc

 

I obtained a CapitalOne credit card for this exact reason. I just used it in Italy last month, and I was very pleased with the way that charges were handled. The lack of the additional fee charged by other companies was very welcome and refreshing.

 

I also suggest using an ATM machine as the easiest and cheapest way to obtain euros while traveling.

 

You will have a flat fee tacked on, so get the maximum amount each time, instead of a lot of little withdrawals, since the same fee is assessed whether you are asking for the equivalent of $20 or $250.

[lv2bcruzin]

I would order a few hundred euros from wells fargo or the such so you have cash on hand before you leave. Unless you have a bank that has an international relationship with a bank in Europe you won't be able to use your debit card at the atm in most cases, at the minimum you will have foreign transaction fees of some sort. If you use a regular credit card obviously you will then have a high cash advance charge, usually 20% or more and there is no grace period so you begin accruing interest immediately.

 

You can exchange onboard which has a rate almost comparabe to the raw rate and there is not a fee for doing this, so that will be your best bet. If you don't have any dollars just go to the casino take it out against your SeaPass account then go to guest relations to exchange. Be sure you plan ahead though as the casino is only open when not in port. The Independence, Brilliance, and Legend still allow this so don't worry about the rumors going around saying they are cutting off getting cash in the casino. The DO allow it. We just did it on the Brilliance 3 weeks ago. They even mention doing this during announcements.

 

We applied for a Capital One card for large purchases while in Europe since they do not apply the normal 2% fee of their own and they eat the 1% charge from Visa. It's the best card for a European vaca, unless you can find another that does the same thing. I don't know of one.

 

Most people says use ATM's but these are people can use their debit card. It is usually the worst idea if all you can use is a regular card for reasons I mentioned above.

 

Hopefully this helps.

[Merion_Mom]

By the way, if you are ever stuck (or the machine eats your ATM card and you don't have time to wait until the bank opens to get it back), you can rely on your American Express card.

 

If you don't have one, get one.

 

You can get emergency cash at any Amex machine or office.

[xpcdoojk]

I obtained a CapitalOne credit card for this exact reason. I just used it in Italy last month, and I was very pleased with the way that charges were handled. The lack of the additional fee charged by other companies was very welcome and refreshing.

 

I also suggest using an ATM machine as the easiest and cheapest way to obtain euros while traveling.

 

You will have a flat fee tacked on, so get the maximum amount each time, instead of a lot of little withdrawals, since the same fee is assessed whether you are asking for the equivalent of $20 or $250.

 

All true DAT!:D

 

jc

[Merion_Mom]

This is crucial.

 

Before you travel, CALL YOUR BANK that issued your ATM card.

 

Notify them of exactly WHEN and WHERE you will be likely to be using your ATM card.

 

Then hang up.

 

The next day, call back again. Go through the same process with a different person TO BE SURE that they have noted this on your record.

 

Otherwise, every time you stick your card into a European ATM, it will refuse to serve you.

 

Then you will have to call your bank BACK IN THE U.S. to go through the whole stupid thing all over again, when you just KNOW that you did it already.

 

:eek: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

Yes, this just happened to me.

 

15 minutes on a call from Italy to U.S. And the 800 number only works IN the U.S. :rolleyes:

[xpcdoojk]

I would order a few hundred euros from wells fargo or the such so you have cash on hand before you leave. Unless you have a bank that has an international relationship with a bank in Europe you won't be able to use your debit card at the atm in most cases, at the minimum you will have foreign transaction fees of some sort. If you use a regular credit card obviously you will then have a high cash advance charge, usually 20% or more and there is no grace period so you begin accruing interest immediately.

 

You can exchange onboard which has a rate almost comparabe to the raw rate, so that will be your best bet. If you don't have any dollars just go to the casino take it out against your SeaPass account then go to guest relations to exchange. Be sure you plan ahead though as the casino is only open when not in port. The Independence, Brilliance, and Legend still allow this so don't worry about the rumors going around saying they are cutting off getting cash in the casino. The DO allow it. We just did it on the Brilliance 3 weeks ago. They even mention doing this during announcements.

 

We applied for a Capital One card for large purchases while in Europe since they do not apply the normal 2% fee of their own and they eat the 1% charge from Visa. It's the best card for a European vaca, unless you can find another that does the same thing. I don't know of one.

 

Most people says use ATM's but these are people can use their debit card. It is usually the worst idea if all you can use is a regular card for reasons I mentioned above.

 

Hopefully this helps.

 

I have used my ATM card for the last 5 years from a tiny credit union in a small to medium sized city. I am certain my credit union does not have any international affiliates. The president of the credit union a friend of my wife's told her to just go to any bank ATM that supported the Cirrius network. I used it in the last 30 days at an ATM in Frankfurt, Salzburg, Zermatt and Fussen. We always check with them before we leave to make sure that they know I intend on using it overseas because one time I didn't and I had to email her to get them to allow its usage overseas. Again, I always carry a good supply of dollars that I can change at a currency exchange office or bank in case of a real emergency.

 

In the past I have used my ATM card in London, Spain, Canary Islands, Italy, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and in Mexico.

 

jc

[lv2bcruzin]

I have used my ATM card for the last 5 years from a tiny credit union in a small to medium sized city. I am certain my credit union does not have any international affiliates. The president of the credit union a friend of my wife's told her to just go to any bank ATM that supported the Cirrius network. I used it in the last 30 days at an ATM in Frankfurt, Salzburg, Zermatt and Fussen. We always check with them before we leave to make sure that they know I intend on using it overseas because one time I didn't and I had to email her to get them to allow its usage overseas. Again, I always carry a good supply of dollars that I can change at a currency exchange office or bank in case of a real emergency.

 

In the past I have used my ATM card in London, Spain, Canary Islands, Italy, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and in Mexico.

 

jc

Yes, you are correct, either an international affiliation or on the same network. Sometimes neither guarantees it will work.

[xpcdoojk]

This is crucial.

 

Before you travel, CALL YOUR BANK that issued your ATM card.

 

Notify them of exactly WHEN and WHERE you will be likely to be using your ATM card.

 

Then hang up.

 

The next day, call back again. Go through the same process with a different person TO BE SURE that they have noted this on your record.

 

Otherwise, every time you stick your card into a European ATM, it will refuse to serve you.

 

Then you will have to call your bank BACK IN THE U.S. to go through the whole stupid thing all over again, when you just KNOW that you did it already.

 

:eek: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

Yes, this just happened to me.

 

15 minutes on a call from Italy to U.S. And the 800 number only works IN the U.S. :rolleyes:

 

Again, ALL TRUE DAT!!!:D That is why after last year in London, I have my credit unions presidents email! That and I do carry some dollars, that I can change at a crappy exchange rate. 800 numbers do not work overseas!

 

jc<----thinks he may be related to Carol!:eek:

[Merion_Mom]

Just to add to jc's comments:

 

 

Most people says use ATM's but these are people can use their debit card. It is usually the worst idea if all you can use is a regular card for reasons I mentioned above.

 

Hopefully this helps.

You use an ATM in a European bank the same way that you do at home: to withdraw cash from your own bank account.

 

There are no "cash advance fees" or anything else.

 

The only fee is the ATM fee, which some people pay at home anyway, in any machine that does not belong to their specific bank.

[Floflegs]

Using the ATMs is the way to go. However do try to use one at a bank as they usually don't charge for getting Euros. You may still have to pay your own cards exchange. Another tip - if the machine asks charge in $s or £ say no or there will be a conversion charge. Hope this helps.

[xpcdoojk]

Yes, you are correct, either an international affiliation or on the same network. I will say, that just because it is on the same that doesn't mean it will as we could use one of our cards on for cc purchase, but it would not work in an atm and that card was also on the Cirrius network.

 

I am guessing that without telling your bank that you would be using your ATM while overseas they automatically denied its usage, experiences that Carol and I have both had. Once, I made them aware I had no problem using the ATM. When it happened to me, it would go thru the process and then when it contacted my bank to see if I had funds it would say something like this account not authorized to withdraw money. Which means that the bank was automatically blocking it usage. Which means you need to contact the bank to make sure that they allow it.

 

jc

[lv2bcruzin]

For our Brilliance cruise we had called the card company for every card we own, just in case of emergency we could use any of them. And we still had issues. Not even the different countries, just different shops. One shop it works, the next two it didn't, the fourth one did. It's basically a crap shoot. Which is really irritating. Cash is always the best, but not always the easiest. Granted we didn't buy much because the exchange rate is bad right now, we only spent about $500. Somehow we still blew a bunch of money. Oh ya it was a 12nt cruise... damn that SeaPass acount. :p

[lv2bcruzin]

You use an ATM in a European bank the same way that you do at home: to withdraw cash from your own bank account.

 

There are no "cash advance fees" or anything else.

 

The only fee is the ATM fee, which some people pay at home anyway, in any machine that does not belong to their specific bank.

Right, but as I mentioned you can also use regular credit cards at ATM's, and this is a problem that has been mentioned for years, that sometimes your debit card won't work. So some people use their actual credit cards when this happens. Then your euros are costing you a ton.

[xpcdoojk]

For our Brilliance cruise we had called the card company for every card we own, just in case of emergency we could use any of them. And we still had issues. Not even the different countries, just different shops. One shop it works, the next two it didn't, the fourth one did. It's basically a crap shoot. Which is really irritating. Cash is always the best, but not always the easiest. Granted we didn't buy much because the exchange rate is bad right now, we only spent about $500. Somehow we still blew a bunch of money. Oh ya it was a 12nt cruise... damn that SeaPass acount. :p

 

We just got back from 2 weeks in Europe on the 9th, and I was shocked at how small my customs list was. I put everything on it and it came to less than $300 for both of us. I was glad they didn't compare it to some of past trips! They would know that we had to be lying this time.

 

I have related this elsewhere here, but I paid $125 for a pair of Salomon tennis shoes before I left and they were $225 in Switzerland for the exact same shoe!

 

So, we concentrated on eating and wine! Probably saved us a lot of money! Plus the sights are just as beautiful without a new purse or leather coat.

 

jc

[lv2bcruzin]

We just got back from 2 weeks in Europe on the 9th, and I was shocked at how small my customs list was. I put everything on it and it came to less than $300 for both of us. I was glad they didn't compare it to some of past trips! They would know that we had to be lying this time.

 

I have related this elsewhere here, but I paid $125 for a pair of Salomon tennis shoes before I left and they were $225 in Switzerland for the exact same shoe!

 

So, we concentrated on eating and wine! Probably saved us a lot of money! Plus the sights are just as beautiful without a new purse or leather coat.

 

jc

Our list was also small, mostly wine. We pretty much used our card for food as well. Lunch and dinner in venice, monte carlo. But considering our 50 euro meal turned into $85, it didn't take long to make it to $500.

[referee]

Man O' Man You Guys Are Good..there's So Many Varying Opinions, But, All Very Useful Information.....thank You Very Much