mwh1 Posted June 19, 2018 #1 Share Posted June 19, 2018 I have read different information regarding the bank machines onboard the Reflection. Can anyone let me know if there is a way to convert dollars to Euros while onboard. We have a few tours that we need to pay cash and we were wondering if we should just get all of our Euros in Rome before we board. Thx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffb1062 Posted June 19, 2018 #2 Share Posted June 19, 2018 We just did that cruise and We didn’t see any or ask about that, you could exchange at the airport. Most places we came across won’t take USD, if they do they charge you extra and the VAT tax in Italy is 22% and in Greece it’s more. Have a great cruise Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swigso Posted June 19, 2018 #3 Share Posted June 19, 2018 There are cards available that allow you to withdraw $$$’s from ATMs in Europe without an exchange charge. The ship will give you a very very poor exchange rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NantahalaCruiser Posted June 19, 2018 #4 Share Posted June 19, 2018 The ship will be pleased to exchange your dollars for euros - but at a relatively expensive rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerelmx Posted June 19, 2018 #5 Share Posted June 19, 2018 It is best to ask your bank or a local exchange house Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Click Posted June 19, 2018 #6 Share Posted June 19, 2018 Airports and ships are about the worst place to exchange your currency. The rates are terrible. If you use the ATM on the ship they charge something like $6 for the transaction and then your home bank will add a fee too. Exchange rates at airports terrible. We were on a cruise through Norway last month and purchased some NOK before we left. At the end of the cruise we had some left over, about 800NOK. Had some time to kill at Heathrow and were just walking around looking in shop windows and saw the Travelex booth so out of curiosity I asked what I would get back in US$ for my 800NOK. The reply, $64. I said no thanks and took the money to my bank when I got home and got $97 and some change for the same 800NOK. There is a big lesson, do your currency exchange home and save yourself some money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwh1 Posted June 19, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted June 19, 2018 There are cards available that allow you to withdraw $$$’s from ATMs in Europe without an exchange charge.The ship will give you a very very poor exchange rate. Thanks. When you say cards do you mean credit cards? We have exchanged some through AAA here for our 3 days in Rome before the cruise, but just didn't want to be traveling with so much cash and were hoping to just get some more before we boarded the ship or onboard. Sounds like in town would be best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ghstudio Posted June 19, 2018 #8 Share Posted June 19, 2018 We use a schwab bank card when traveling. When used at a foreign atm, it acts as a debit card... but the money comes directly out of your bank account so no finance charges...they refund any atm fee and they don’t charge for converting currencies. Near as we can tell they build in a max of 1% into the exchange rate. You need a schwab brokerage account to get the bank account but it’s the best card we’ve found to use and to get cash in foreign countries. They issue a Visa card and there is no annual fee for the card. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaribbeanBound Posted June 19, 2018 #9 Share Posted June 19, 2018 Rome is a great place to locate good bank ATMs to get Euros. We each carried an ATM card from our bank (which rebates all ATM fees up to $5) and a credit card which doesn't charge foreign exchange fees. We notified our bank and credit card companies of the dates and countries we were visiting so they didn't refuse our overseas charges. When we took this cruise the US Dollar was worth about 0.82 to 0.84 Euros (€). In other words it took about $1.20 to $1.24 to buy 1 Euro. Despite the US Dollar being worth about 20% less than the Euro, the value received oversees was very good. Since bank ATM's are plentiful in most large cities, you should only need to take 1 to 2 days worth of Euros with you on your trip and hit the ATM as needed. Bank ATM's are generally more secure and will usually give you the best exchange rates. Use your debit/ATM card and never use your credit card for an ATM cash advance. Be sure to take your 4-digit numeric pin with you. When possible, withdraw cash from bank-run ATM's located inside, or just outside, the bank. Ideally use them while the bank is open so that you can go inside for help in the rare event the machine eats your card. Many European banks place their ATM's in a small entry lobby. If feels more secure and gets you out of the weather. Look for a credit-card-size slot next to the door and insert your card to gain entry. Avoid "independent" ATM's and currency exchange kiosks such as Travelex, Euronet, Moneybox, Cardpoint, and Cashzone. These have high fees and/or high exchange rates. "Independent" ATM's are often found near bank ATM's in the hopes of tricking travelers. By the way, we had no problem exchanging large euro bills for smaller euro bills (50's for 10s and 5s) at Celebrity's Guest Relations desk. No charge. Very detailed information on Rome and other ports as well as handy pre-cruise information: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/eastern-mediterranean.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted June 19, 2018 #10 Share Posted June 19, 2018 We have 3 different ATM/Debit cards (from three different banks) that charge zero foreign exchange fees and zero withdrawal fees. When using them in European bank ATMs you get the wholesale rate of exchange (this is the best rate you will find anywhere) minus a 1% International Transaction Fee..which is hidden in the exchange rate. If your ship does exchange money on board you will likely lose 4-7% on the exchange. Ships that have automatic exchange machines (Princess cruise lines has these on most ships) will cost you even more. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwh1 Posted June 20, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Thank you so much for all of the great info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted June 21, 2018 #12 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Of all the places to get Euro, AAA is probably the worst. Bank ATM in Rome probably the best. On the ship, will cost you around 5-7% getting them from the Purser at Guest Relations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted June 21, 2018 #13 Share Posted June 21, 2018 The OP asked: "is a way to convert dollars to Euros while onboard." Yes, Guest Relations will do this, but at a very bad rate of exchange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted June 21, 2018 #14 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Not exactly an answer to the OP's exchange question - but note that on European itineraries the ships usually have one ATM dispensing dollars (usually in the casino) and one ATM dispensing euros (usually in guest relations lobby area). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swigso Posted June 21, 2018 #15 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Rome is a great place to locate good bank ATMs to get Euros. We each carried an ATM card from our bank (which rebates all ATM fees up to $5) and a credit card which doesn't charge foreign exchange fees. We notified our bank and credit card companies of the dates and countries we were visiting so they didn't refuse our overseas charges. When we took this cruise the US Dollar was worth about 0.82 to 0.84 Euros (€). In other words it took about $1.20 to $1.24 to buy 1 Euro. Despite the US Dollar being worth about 20% less than the Euro, the value received oversees was very good. Since bank ATM's are plentiful in most large cities, you should only need to take 1 to 2 days worth of Euros with you on your trip and hit the ATM as needed. Bank ATM's are generally more secure and will usually give you the best exchange rates. Use your debit/ATM card and never use your credit card for an ATM cash advance. Be sure to take your 4-digit numeric pin with you. When possible, withdraw cash from bank-run ATM's located inside, or just outside, the bank. Ideally use them while the bank is open so that you can go inside for help in the rare event the machine eats your card. Many European banks place their ATM's in a small entry lobby. If feels more secure and gets you out of the weather. Look for a credit-card-size slot next to the door and insert your card to gain entry. Avoid "independent" ATM's and currency exchange kiosks such as Travelex, Euronet, Moneybox, Cardpoint, and Cashzone. These have high fees and/or high exchange rates. "Independent" ATM's are often found near bank ATM's in the hopes of tricking travelers. By the way, we had no problem exchanging large euro bills for smaller euro bills (50's for 10s and 5s) at Celebrity's Guest Relations desk. No charge. Very detailed information on Rome and other ports as well as handy pre-cruise information: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/eastern-mediterranean.html What great advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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