Getting cash

[FlyGirl22]

I don't like to carry lots of cash on vacation, but travelers checks are kind of a pain too. We usually just use our credit card. But since we have a couple of excursions booked that require cash payments when we get there, it's starting to add up to more than I'd like to carry.

 

What is the best way to get cash on board the ship? I see from X's website that there is an ATM, but I'm assuming it has some type of (probably hefty) service fee attached. In the past, I think we could cash a personal check at the purser's desk or somewhere, but I don't see any info on the website. Or can we cash a traveler's check there?

 

Thanks for your help, just a couple of days to go!!! :cool:

[2ptu/000]

We carry travelers checks and get them cashed at pursur's desk. No fees. We carry our credit card for larger purchases on shore. I know everyone likes to use ATM's but I think on the ship traveler's checks are safer and easier.

[Veronica13]

I don't like to carry lots of cash on vacation, but travelers checks are kind of a pain too. We usually just use our credit card. But since we have a couple of excursions booked that require cash payments when we get there, it's starting to add up to more than I'd like to carry.

 

What is the best way to get cash on board the ship? I see from X's website that there is an ATM, but I'm assuming it has some type of (probably hefty) service fee attached. In the past, I think we could cash a personal check at the purser's desk or somewhere, but I don't see any info on the website. Or can we cash a traveler's check there?

 

Thanks for your help, just a couple of days to go!!! :cool:

Do you accept personal checks, travelers cheques and foreign currency?

Subject: Payments

The shops, lounges, shore excursions, and AquaSpa operate on a cashless system, therefore guests must use the Celebrity Signature Account card when purchasing beverages and services throughout the ship. The card will be validated upon embarkation by using a Visa, Master Card, or American Express credit card. Accounts can also be settled by cash or travelers checks.

 

Unfortunately, we cannot accept personal checks and only U.S. currency is accepted onboard.

 

Credit cards can be used to secure cash by using the ATM located near the casino onboard.

[Denny01]

We were on a cruise which the ATM quit dispensing. Told it was a loss of 'connection', but it went for more than a few days. So we have a backup of cash.

 

For excusions that required cash payment, since we knew the amount before, we would bring it as cash in separate envelopes for each tour and keep it in the safe. Never had an issue.

 

I also bring a wad (nice word when you are talking about money!) of $1's and $5's for individual tips. When we get special service, I'll add the little extra. They could use it for calling cards and so on.

 

Also used the cash for trinket-buying in port - enjoy the small stalls that don't take cc's.

 

 

Denny

[texancruzer]

We cashed Am. Express travellers checks at the pursers desk last Med trip on Brilliance (RCI) and then purchased euros with cash. Small fee - fairly good exchange rate.

[Veronica13]

We cashed Am. Express travellers checks at the pursers desk last Med trip on Brilliance (RCI) and then purchased euros with cash. Small fee - fairly good exchange rate.

 

You can no longer purchase foreign currency aboard X - US currency only.

[bikerunner]

Unless its stopped I always got cash at the casino cage. They figure you use if for gambling...ummm I refuse to pay fees on the atm on ship...I think its like $8.00 per transaction. The cash you get from the casino just goes to your celebrity account as a casino charge. There were no xtra fees there. I did a little gambling but mostly took out the cash for buying things. I dont like carrying it around at al.

[Ships R Great]

Didn't I read on these boards that there is now a 3% charge for getting cash in the casino? And I think the ATM charge might be higher than 8$.

 

So---definitive word? Can you cash travelor's checks on board or not?

[Veronica13]

Unless its stopped I always got cash at the casino cage. They figure you use if for gambling...ummm I refuse to pay fees on the atm on ship...I think its like $8.00 per transaction. The cash you get from the casino just goes to your celebrity account as a casino charge. There were no xtra fees there. I did a little gambling but mostly took out the cash for buying things. I dont like carrying it around at al.

 

Yes, it stopped. Over a year ago. The company line was "people were abusing the system" (taking the cash and not gambling). I think it was just another way to get a fee. Yes, there is a 3% cash charge on all cash given at the casino.

 

I posted your answer above from the website. YES, you can cash your travelers cheques

[Wine-O]

You can no longer purchase foreign currency aboard X - US currency only.

 

You mean I can't get Euro on board? When did this start?

[dkjretired]

Unless its stopped I always got cash at the casino cage. They figure you use if for gambling...ummm I refuse to pay fees on the atm on ship...I think its like $8.00 per transaction. The cash you get from the casino just goes to your celebrity account as a casino charge. There were no xtra fees there. I did a little gambling but mostly took out the cash for buying things. I dont like carrying it around at al.

 

 

They knew people were using it for non casino uses, all they had to do was read this board. We were all recommending getting cash from the casino whenever someone asked the question. The money was being used for tips, purchases off ship and in some cases for the casino. It was a matter of time before they put in the fee.

[bikerunner]

Guess its back to american express checks for me. Simple enough but I did like the casino for the cash. Guess it means I wont spend as much. Have the mercury booked for nov 30 out of baltimore right now. Nice price and hits all islands I like.

[bikerunner]

Thanks for the update on the casino money. I was not aware of it.

[Veronica13]

You mean I can't get Euro on board? When did this start?

 

According to their website, you can. My last two M Class sailings I was told currency exchange was no longer available.

"Currency exchange services are available onboard at the Guest Relations Desk."

 

Flip a coin? :p

[emjsea]

Last cruise (early this March) I got all the cash I needed at the casino cage with my sign-n-sail card. There is a small 3% fee. So I paid $3 to get $100 which I thought was pretty reasonable.

 

This was on the Solstice

[grace504]

You mean I can't get Euro on board? When did this start?

 

My question is similar...if I take Euro Traveler's Checks onboard, can I cash them at the Purser's Desk and receive Euros? Or will they give me US Dollars for my Euro Traveler's Checks? Does anyone know? :)

[Wine-O]

According to their website, you can. My last two M Class sailings I was told currency exchange was no longer available.

"Currency exchange services are available onboard at the Guest Relations Desk."

 

Flip a coin? :p

 

We're doing a Transatlantic. All the ports we hit take Euro, so I would assume they would have some Euro transactions thru the Purser. It will matter to some, but won't matter to me as I will be getting my Euro from the ATM's in the ports.

 

Different story for Caribbean cruise where everyone takes dollars -- I wouldn't expect them to make any foreign currency transactions.

[2ptu/000]

This post is from recent experience on South America cruise.

Celebrity gave out only USD at pursur's desk.

Take traveler's checks for money you need for excursions

[2ptu/000]

Sorry, I did something and message posted before I was done.

Celebrity gave out only USD at pursur's desk.

Take traveler's checks for money for excursions. Get then cashed at pursur's desk. Make sure excursions take USD.

Before you leave for cruise, get some Euro's from your bank. There is a fee for this. This will give you some pocket money.

Use credit card for major purchases on shore. We use a credit card that doesn't charge a fee for using in another country.

Hope this helps

[dkjretired]

Guess its back to american express checks for me. Simple enough but I did like the casino for the cash. Guess it means I wont spend as much. Have the mercury booked for nov 30 out of baltimore right now. Nice price and hits all islands I like.

 

Be careful of Travelers Checks, many locations do not take them anymore, too many other options. The ship will still cash them but many stores, etc. on land will not.

[grace504]

Be careful of Travelers Checks, many locations do not take them anymore, too many other options. The ship will still cash them but many stores, etc. on land will not.

 

 

We don't normally use Traveler's Checks but somewhere on this board someone had suggested getting Euro Traveler's Checks and then cashing them at the Purser's desk before going into a port city. Thus, eliminating having to find an ATM and/or carrying a large amount of cash with us from the outset that would have to be converted to Euros. It seemed simple enough. I think we will just order some Euros from our bank here and find an ATM when and if we need it in Europe. Those Euro Traveler's Checks just seemed like the ideal solution......guess not.:)

[robtulipe]

I took Euro traveler's checks on our Century TA in Dec. and had no problems getting euro cash on board at the purser's desk and did so many times without any service fees. All of our port stops were on the other side of the Atlantic from NA. I believe the ships don't carry Euros over on this side of the Atlantic and on the west coast of NA as only a few places such as the French Caribbean islands use them and these islands readily accept USD so there isn't any demand for or need to have Euros over here.

[Putterdude]

I haven't purchased TC's in years but I started to run out of cash on a recent cruise so am now thinking of at least having a few hundred dollars in them.:)

[PetalMel]

What I did before our cruise a few weeks ago was took out a few hundred dollars right before we got on the ship. Kept it on my person then put it in the safe once we got into our room. That way we had cash for excursions when we needed it and used credit cards for everything else merely for the convenience.

 

 

I also pulled out a few extra bucks when we stopped at Wal Mart to pick up water and soda to take on. With my debit card I can take out extra with no fees at the register. I don't like having lots of cash on my person, but for the fairly short time it takes to check in it works okay.

 

 

There is a 3% fee to get money at the casino, as has been mentioned. I didn't check out the ATM on board so can't speak to that. But I think if you are comfortable with carrying some cash onto the boat you should feel comfortable putting it in the safe in your room. We have never had a problem with feeling the safe was tampered with, and often change the combination through out the trip just for added security.

 

Enjoy!

[texancruzer]

I think when a thread talks about getting euros they are mostly referring to a Mediterranean or European cruise.

 

We have done 3 Caribbean cruises and 1 Med one. The Mediterranean one took ALOT MORE $$$$$.

 

But either way we always take $ 1000.00 in American Express travellers checks. We put these in the safe and keep them for emergencies. In the Caribbean we always come with home with them and then I use them to pay the American Express bill that comes in for our Seapass account. On the Med cruise we started cashing them at the pursers desk and buying euros.

 

Bear in mind we also take a couple thousand in cash. Along with an array of credit cards. We always try to use our Amex first (get rewards points) and then another MC or Visa. Then cash.

 

You can really spend cash quickly in Europe. Taxis (airport to hotel and back) rides to port (as in Rome) tips, tours (that won' take credit cards) meals, drinks, gelato, entrance fees to sites, souveniers and the list goes on. Even room service on the ship you need to tip in cash. Only place you need cash on the ship ;)

 

My best advice is to budget what you can and then figure it will be more. You can always take money out of ATM but that can sometimes be a hassle just looking for one or getting enough out of one (some tours can be pricey) as there are limits on how much you can get out of any one ATM. Also remember you don't get as many euros as dollars due to the conversion rate ($ 1.35526 as of a few minutes ago) All things to consider when it comes to $$$ and a Med cruise.