Disagreement about how much cash to take

[grummanyankee]

My husband and I disagree about how much cash to take for a 10 day vacation. His argument is that, since we use the credit card, we don't need a lot of cash. My argument is that I feel insecure without a wad of cash. I ALWAYS secure our cash and carry very little in my purse except en route. My purse loops around my neck and I don't hang it on restroom hooks in airports or sit it down anywhere. What does your family do? (please don't name amounts for your own security)

[Wine-O]

I agree with hubby. You don't need a lot of cash when going on a cruise except for tipping or use in the casino. We split anywhere between $200-$300 between us. Compromise and take a batch of travelers checks. They'll cash them for free onboard the ship.

[geojobes]

We usually take a good amount of cash & some traveler's checques. We use the traveler's checques to pay down the on board account, if we don't use need them for anything else. The left over cash goes home with us... that's seed money for our next cruise!

[dkjretired]

Although the ship will cash travelers checks, less and less vendors are accepting them on land. Just too many other options. I carry very little cash and hit an ATM when needed.

[choochoocruiser]

I agree with your husband. I only take the amount of cash I will definitely need for costs I can't cover with a credit card such as excursions not arranged thru the ship and some incidentals. If I find that I need more, I have never had a problem cashing a check at the purser's desk.

[Wine-O]

Although the ship will cash travelers checks, less and less vendors are accepting them on land. Just too many other options. I carry very little cash and hit an ATM when needed.

 

Yes, travelers checks are a thing of the past, not to mention the poor rates and conversion fees you will be charged. ATM's are the way to go.

 

Other than tips/casino on board the ship, we found the only time we needed dollars was pre/post cruise for taxis/limos getting to/from the airport, and the like.

[FinelyCruising]

We usually take cash for what we anticipate we will spend for transportation, tour tips, walking around money while in port and for casino fun while on board. We utilize the credit card only for ship account and as security in the wallet for unplanned emergencies while in port.

 

I have yet to feel comfortable enough to take an ATM card and use it for any reason while cruising although I may be forced to move beyond my comfort zone about that for our November trip.:)

 

I have never worried about taking cash.

[BrendaJ]

The OP didn't mention where she was travelling, but in Europe, we've always used ATM's with great success. Just be sure that your debit card has a 4 digit PIN code, because many of the European ATM's don't accept a 6 digit pin. We found that out the hard way on our first stop in Santorini when the ATM responded with "Insufficient funds". We raced to an internet cafe where we checked and our account was in order - the rather misleading error message was caused by our 6 digit PIN.

[FinelyCruising]

The OP didn't mention where she was travelling, but in Europe, we've always used ATM's with great success. Just be sure that your debit card has a 4 digit PIN code, because many of the European ATM's don't accept a 6 digit pin. We found that out the hard way on our first stop in Santorini when the ATM responded with "Insufficient funds". We raced to an internet cafe where we checked and our account was in order - the rather misleading error message was caused by our 6 digit PIN.

 

Brenda...you remind me to mention to the OP that if it is Europe being travelled that a credit card used for transactions that need to be converted to Euros will result in that transaction being considered a cash advance rather than a purchase and will carry a higher rate on the account. That's why the push to ATM for Europe travel over credit card.

[JanineM]

I carry some cash - enough for my minor addiction to slots on the ship, plus ones and fives for tips and a bit for taxis and small purchases on shore. And I use credit cards or ATMs on shore, but I'm judicious about it. I wouldn't give a credit card number to a small vendor. When we were in Europe I didn't think twice about using it at department stores. ATMs are really the best way to get cash when you're overseas. They give you a better exchange rate.

 

If you're going to use cards either for the ATM or in shops when you're outside of the US, be SURE to advise your credit card company in advance or they'll cut you off immediately, and it will take a long distance call from wherever to get the card authorized.

 

I would never feel secure with a bunch of cash in a purse. Thieves aren't necessarily lurking around restrooms waiting for you to hang your bag - they're watching you pull your wallet out and they'll see a bundle of cash which will make you a target. If you feel you must carry cash then leave most of it in the safe on the ship and only carry a small amount with you for walking around money.

 

JMHO!

[tdk1938]

Hi,

I carried large denomination traveler's checques ($100) in money belt and cashed them at bursar's (guests' relation) office as needed without service charge. My DD borrowed my money belt and now she is visiting New York.

 

Most of the ATM impose extra service charge when you withdraw cash from it. I didn't use ATM from ship casino during my last cruise.

[ellbon]

Since I do many tours that are paid in cash i take cash and travelers checks. Plus taxis and tips are cash. Mnay of my drink stops are cash too. i would take cash. plus if you shop the street vendors only take cash.

[ecooper05]

Can you cash a personal check on the ship? or does it have to be a travelers check?

Thanks

Liz

[dkjretired]

We usually take cash for what we anticipate we will spend for transportation, tour tips, walking around money while in port and for casino fun while on board. We utilize the credit card only for ship account and as security in the wallet for unplanned emergencies while in port.

 

I have yet to feel comfortable enough to take an ATM card and use it for any reason while cruising although I may be forced to move beyond my comfort zone about that for our November trip.:)

 

I have never worried about taking cash.

 

We use the ATMs all the time and have done so in London, Paris and Brussels as well as many islands in the Caribbean. Never had a problem except for being locked inside one in Brussels and I couldn't get out....

[D4]

I think traveler checks are great, unless your cruise goes to Europe. We always bring a lot because we need cash for private tours and souveniers. We cash how ever many we think we need at the purser's desk the night before each port to avoid lines in the morning.

 

There is no exchange fee unless you're want money back in another currency.

[ellbon]

as far as i know you can not cash a personal check on board and at a bank you need to much ID. i just take travels checks.

[lifevicarious]

Brenda...you remind me to mention to the OP that if it is Europe being travelled that a credit card used for transactions that need to be converted to Euros will result in that transaction being considered a cash advance rather than a purchase and will carry a higher rate on the account. That's why the push to ATM for Europe travel over credit card.

 

I've never seen or heard of this. I have traveled extensively through Europe (months in total not including cruises) using both credit cards and ATM cards and it has never been considered a 'cash advance' on my credit card. ATM's typically charge a transaction fee but no different then any other ATM transaction from an out of network machine.

[uppitycats]

I don't think you need a lot of cash. ATMs are everywhere, credit cards are accepted everywhere, and usually the exchange rate on ATM transactions and credit card transactions are better than you can get in a bank.

 

I quit using traveler's checks long ago. Very few places accept them, and why go through the extra steps of "cashing" them at the purser's desk, or trying to find a bank in a strange city, when a credit card will work quickly and efficiently?

 

Do tell your bank and your credit card company that you're going out of town, though. At least my companies are pretty vigilant about watching for fraudulent transactions on my account, so I always tell them when I'm leaving town and my itinerary, so there is never any question about something I've charged along the way.

[Wine-O]

I've never seen or heard of this. I have traveled extensively through Europe (months in total not including cruises) using both credit cards and ATM cards and it has never been considered a 'cash advance' on my credit card. ATM's typically charge a transaction fee but no different then any other ATM transaction from an out of network machine.

 

ATM cards are usually tied into your checking account at your bank or credit union. European Bank (emphasize bank) ATM's do not charge you a fee to use their ATM's to withdraw Euro. The only charges you will incur will be those levied by your hometown bank/CU.

 

Credit cards used in an ATM to withdraw money (I had a pin associated with my credit card for emergencies only) will be considered a cash advance by your credit card company, and the APR for some cards is higher than regular transactions with a balance.

 

If you use your credit card in the ATM to get cash, it is considered a cash advance, and interest will incur from the date of transaction, unlike if you used your credit card for purchases -- you have the grace period of up to 45 days or more, depending on when your credit card cycles.

 

In Europe, I always use my ATM card to get cash, and my credit card for purchases, hotel, rental cars, dinner, etc.

[elleluv]

Can you cash a personal check on the ship? or does it have to be a travelers check?

Thanks

Liz

 

 

On RCCL ships, you can cash one personal check up to $200... $250 if you have an American Express card. I'm not sure if that's Celebrity's policy as well.

 

DH and I don't travel with a lot of cash... we generally use our credit card and really don't spend a lot of cash off the ship.

[Wine-O]

They have an ATM on the ship (Solstice) that dispenses Dollars, but they charge you $6 per transaction. Not sure what the maximum per transaction, but if you could get $500 per transaction, that would be a tad over 1% and would beat the seapass 3% that the casino would charge you.

 

Then I guess you'd have to factor in what your bank charges to use an out-of-network ATM.

[Wine-O]

The ship has an ATM that dispenses Dollars.

 

Oops, sorry for double post -- couldn't figure out how to delete this one.

[BananaAnna]

I tend to carry cash & travelers checks & credit card. I break down cash and put small amounts in several areas. I usually also carry what I call 'mugger money". A wallet with not-my-real identification, one or two empty or nearly empty 'reloadable' credit cards, and maybe $35 or so. Enough to pass for real if I were being robbed, but not enough that I'd be devastated if it were stolen.

 

Shhhh, but don't tell anybody :).

[grummanyankee]

I don't think you need a lot of cash. ATMs are everywhere, credit cards are accepted everywhere, and usually the exchange rate on ATM transactions and credit card transactions are better than you can get in a bank.

 

I quit using traveler's checks long ago. Very few places accept them, and why go through the extra steps of "cashing" them at the purser's desk, or trying to find a bank in a strange city, when a credit card will work quickly and efficiently?

 

Do tell your bank and your credit card company that you're going out of town, though. At least my companies are pretty vigilant about watching for fraudulent transactions on my account, so I always tell them when I'm leaving town and my itinerary, so there is never any question about something I've charged along the way.

I must be the last person on earth to not have an ATM card. Our trip is to Alaska and I did call our credit card company. I wear a waist belt and carry very little cash in my purse. We're going to Bermuda next year and I keep reading in the Bermuda papers where so many purses are snatched by people on motor scooters. Guess it will be credit card, cash and some traveler's checks just in case. Thanks to everyone!

[JennAngel9]

As a sidenote, and I must preface that I say this as a lay person and not in any legal capacity, depending on the country you are in and the "fake i.d." you are carrying-- you could find yourself with anything from a minor headache to extended jail stay. Our own country takes fake identification ownership seriously (note: not necessarily use, just purchase/ownership) at least on paper, and I'm sure others do as well.