500 Euro note

I would say your best bet is to break it at a bank and do it soon. While it will still be considered legal currency by the end of the year it is meant to be officially phased out, and they already stopped printing them two years ago. I have my doubts any cruise ship will accept notes that are disappearing from circulation. Even at the banks giving 500€ notes entails a lot of bureaucracy (bring all the ID you have and maybe some tax file numbers), that cruise companies may be reluctant to go through such a process, not to mention some banks charge a 0.15% fee for processing 500€ notes.

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Never had a problem spending $100 anywhere in the US, or exchanging it anywhere in all of Asia.

How many posters here have actually had $100's readily accepted in the US - or "in all of Asia"? I'd say that most have not tried - so they, of course, would not have had a problem

A 500 euro is worth about $625.

If you’re going to ask a bank to change it for you, definitely take your passport with you. I am sure that they will want to see ID.

My only encounter with a €500 note was about six years ago, when a friend gave us two of them in payment of a debt. Our Italian bank changed them into smaller notes for us, but they made it clear that they were only doing it as a kindness to us as customers who were personally known to the staff in the bank branch.

On MSC, in Europe, everyone will be billed in euros. So I will use it to pay my bill. They will have to accept it, right?

I would say your best bet is to break it at a bank and do it soon. While it will still be considered legal currency by the end of the year it is meant to be officially phased out, and they already stopped printing them two years ago. I have my doubts any cruise ship will accept notes that are disappearing from circulation. Even at the banks giving 500€ notes entails a lot of bureaucracy (bring all the ID you have and maybe some tax file numbers), that cruise companies may be reluctant to go through such a process, not to mention some banks charge a 0.15% fee for processing 500€ notes.

How many posters here have actually had $100's readily accepted in the US - or "in all of Asia"? I'd say that most have not tried - so they, of course, would not have had a problem

 

A 500 euro is worth about $625.

On MSC, in Europe, everyone will be billed in euros. So I will use it to pay my bill. They will have to accept it, right?

Legally businesses should probably accept it (though if the ship is registered in a non EU country maybe it is not subject to EU business rules) but if the on board MSC staff refuse to take it what can you do:o? I suppose you could try refusing to pay your bill till they accept your notes:confused: Maybe contact MSC customer service and find out what their on board policy is for 500 and 200 Euro notes. Maybe contact your hotel too, just so you can be prepared.

On MSC, in Europe, everyone will be billed in euros. So I will use it to pay my bill. They will have to accept it, right?

Especially if your bill is close to, or over €500, I think they’d be ok with this idea.

Please come back when your cruise is over and let us know how the cruise was, and how well your plan went.

OP, nobody is advising you to change them at a bank because they want you to waste your time ashore. They are relating their own experience with high denomination euros and warning you that they may not be accepted where you want to exchange them.

Do what you want. If MSC doesn't take them then don't come back to tell us how your time ashore was ruined because you had no pocket euros. But if they do exhange them then you are entitled to come back and say nah. nah, nah.

OP, nobody is advising you to change them at a bank because they want you to waste your time ashore. They are relating their own experience with high denomination euros and warning you that they may not be accepted where you want to exchange them.

 

Do what you want. If MSC doesn't take them then don't come back to tell us how your time ashore was ruined because you had no pocket euros. But if they do exhange them then you are entitled to come back and say nah. nah, nah.

Well, you got the chance to come back and say nah. nah, nah. Enjoy your trip and I hope it all works out for you.

Just phoned MSC on +1-877-665-4655 and they said that they would accept a 500 euro note onboard a Mediterranean cruise in Europe. Thanks everyone, for all your inputs and advice!

Well that is good to hear(y) Looks like problem solved:D.

Just phoned MSC on +1-877-665-4655 and they said that they would accept a 500 euro note onboard a Mediterranean cruise in Europe. Thanks everyone, for all your inputs and advice!

I’m really glad to hear that! Have a great cruise.

Just phoned MSC on +1-877-665-4655 and they said that they would accept a 500 euro note onboard a Mediterranean cruise in Europe. Thanks everyone, for all your inputs and advice!

That's good to know! Our family were left with a €500 note after an elderly author died- obviously paid by an agent for book sales abroad. No bank would accept it without a paper trail, which we didn't have; after various family members tried to get rid, the family eventually gave it to a charity. We're very glad to hear that MSC will accept yours. :)

OP was talking about a Mediterranean cruise - MSC uses euro for onboard currency on European sailings.

The MSC Magnifica took euros as their onboard currency. I think it would be no problem cashing it in the casino. They have counterfeit protection equipment and some guests drop $500eu like we drop $20s.

After n experience with large notes many years ago I.e nobody would take them we refuse anything bigger than a 50 when we get our currency for our trips

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After n experience with large notes many years ago I.e nobody would take them we refuse anything bigger than a 50 when we get our currency for our trips

 

 

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The MSC Magnifica took euros as their onboard currency. I think it would be no problem cashing it in the casino. They have counterfeit protection equipment and some guests drop $500eu like we drop $20s.

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k10347548-o10-Places_to_change_a_500_Euro_note-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

According to this, even the Louvre accepted it for ticket purchase, and a bank in Paris and a casino changed it without any fees.

After n experience with large notes many years ago I.e nobody would take them we refuse anything bigger than a 50 when we get our currency for our trips

 

 

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50s would no doubt be easier to use if you are only making small purchases at any one time. But we used €100 notes in several cities and towns in France, Germany and Italy last fall with no problem. But we used them when appropriate - when a meal or purchase was over at least €75. YMMV.

Yes, I just read in forums on tripadvisor, that they are accepted in high class restaurants and casinos all over Europe, even the ship casino (as lamchops mentioned). But I don't like to gamble and I have only one note of 500.

You don’t have to gamble. Just go to the cashier and ask for smaller bills. The slot machines take bills but not that high. They’ll assume you’re going to play slots.

You don’t have to gamble. Just go to the cashier and ask for smaller bills. The slot machines take bills but not that high. They’ll assume you’re going to play slots.