Travellers' Cheques, cash or credit card?

[smazerolle]

This will be our first cruise, and we were wondering if we should bring traveller's cheques, cash or credit card? We are staying two nights in Miami pre-cruise, and we would like to take advantage of the exchange rate right now (we're from Canada).... we're just wondering if traveller's cheques are accepted everywhere...we don't want any problems while on vacation.

 

Thank you

[spongerob]

All of the above. We take a small amount of cash for incidentals, including small bills for the inevitable tips, taxis, etc. Most of our spending money is in the form of travelers' checks (that's cheques to you) which are easily cashed on board the ship either at the purser's desk or in the casino. I like to use plastic if we purchase any items of significant value for the loss/damage protection.

[cmason]

Second that...all of the above. Take a limited amount of cash, as you will need it for tips, incidentals, etc as you make your way to the ship. The rest of your cash should be in travelers checks, and there is no limit at the pursers deck in cashing them (there is a limit on seapass advances, and personal check cashing, I think). Use the credit card where it is convenient and accepted. Travelers checks seem to be accepted worldwide, but cashing them in a store can be a real pain, therefore when shopping I either cash them on the ship before, or use my credit card.

[smudge's mom]

We charge everything. We get any cash we need in the casino - you can get cash at the cashier's desk - it's treated as a "purchase" on your sail card - most charge no cash advance fees, no fees of any kind. (There are some cruise lines now charging a fee to get cash at the casino - check with your individual cruise line.)

 

DH and I clean out our wallets before traveling. He takes a couple of credit cards, I take one he doesn't have on him. That way, if one of us gets our wallet stolen, we still have another credit card to use. We leave all the department store credit cards, etc. at home. (If you end up shopping at your favorite department store while on vacation, they will take major cards like Visa MC, so leaving the other charge cards at home is not a hardship.)

 

I suggest leaving the debit card at home. While on vacation in Puerta Vallarta, we had our credit card number stolen (we still had the physical card on us) and it was used for $7,000 worth of fraudulent purchases. With a credit card, this problem is easily remedied. With a debit card, you could find your "cold, hard cash" frozen while the problem is resolved. Personally, I think debit cards are "evil" but that's another story.

 

Have fun on your first cruise. Take more film/memory cards than you ever think you will need. You'll find you'll want to take tons of photos.

[StephenJohnson]

I do recommend you having a small amount of US cash for minor stuff, like cabs and we usually have some Traveller's checks for emergency funds.

 

The rest we charge, including cash from the casino.

[timcarley]

I'm a banker that sell travelers checks and think they're a nuisance. Skip them, take enough cash to pay tips and put everything else on a card that's going to give you air or sea milage. Just settle the account 30 days after billing and you're way ahead of the game.