Cash or Travelers Checks?

[lisakay927]

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is regarding cash vs. traveler checks? I've never dealt with the checks before but have never been to the Caribbean before either. Some of the excursions I have booked only allow to pay in cash or travelers check, no credit cards. I'm not comfortable carrying around a load of cash but I know I will need a small amount for gratuities, cab fare, etc. Do most other places (restaurants, shops, etc.) accept credit cards and travelers checks? Any input will be greatly appreciated. :)

[Johnthed0g]

We found that TC's were not that welcome, credit cards were, Mastercard & Visa, Amex less so. Don't know which ship, but you may be able to draw cash on your account, you can on P&O, ATM on the ship draw cash as you go, any cash you take is safe on the ship.

[cb at sea]

We just go the cash route...it's so much easier than having to go and get traveler's checks cashed. Unless it's a huge store in port, I wouldn't attempt traveler's checks at some of the small "straw market" type places....; Same with credit cards...the "real" stores take them, but not all vendors (streetside) do,.

 

If you bring large bills (with a few smaller for initial tips) the casino will break them down for you, if you need to.

 

We keep any excess money in the safe---we do NOT carry alot around with us in ports, and there's no need to carry ANY cash on the ship.

[Johnthed0g]

We just go the cash route...it's so much easier than having to go and get traveler's checks cashed. Unless it's a huge store in port, I wouldn't attempt traveler's checks at some of the small "straw market" type places....; Same with credit cards...the "real" stores take them, but not all vendors (streetside) do,.

 

If you bring large bills (with a few smaller for initial tips) the casino will break them down for you, if you need to.

 

We keep any excess money in the safe---we do NOT carry alot around with us in ports, and there's no need to carry ANY cash on the ship.

Just goes to show how things have to be explained, I didn't think when I posted about credit cards being accepted that anyone would think to use one at a market/street vendor...sorry for being vague.

[6rugrats]

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is regarding cash vs. traveler checks? I've never dealt with the checks before but have never been to the Caribbean before either. Some of the excursions I have booked only allow to pay in cash or travelers check, no credit cards. I'm not comfortable carrying around a load of cash but I know I will need a small amount for gratuities, cab fare, etc. Do most other places (restaurants, shops, etc.) accept credit cards and travelers checks? Any input will be greatly appreciated. :)

 

Many places no longer accept traveler's checks. You can withdraw cash from ATMs, or bring it with you and place in the safe if you can't use a credit card.

[diane.in.ny]

The purser's desk will, usually, cash a traveler's check for you. Even that, I would check ahead of time.

 

Otherwise, forget traveler's checks and stay with cash

Edited February 8, 2010 by diane.in.ny

[honneerider]

I just got back from a trip on the Grandeur (RCL) to Mexico.

I took cash, and actually paid my bill the last night at the Purser's desk in cash and an American Express Gift Check I had from 5 years ago.

For the straw markets, I found that the $5.00 bills and singles I brought along were the way to go. Not many vendors had change.

I did not make any large purchases.

[Alexis]

We take Travelers checks with us and cash them at the ships Pursers Desks or the ships casinos with no problems. On every ship we have sailed.

Then we take the cash ashore in the ports for shopping in small bills.

On the islands, they will give you back their currency too often if you give them large bills.

For large purchases in stores, I use my charge card.

I always call my bank before leaving home and let them know exactly where I will be traveling, also for how long I will be away in case I use that credit card. Most times they ask for more details. ;)

Edited February 8, 2010 by Alexis

[Johnthed0g]

One point though, always make sure you know which ''dollars'' you are being quoted in ....eg Barbados.. 1xUS$ = 2x $BDS so you see you can get stitched up if you are not aware! $BDS, $EC, $TT, $Jam... all different

[lovemylab]

I take a combination of cash and travellers cheques. Travellers cheques can easily be cashed on the ship at the guest relations desk.

 

I know a lot of people think travellers cheques are a hassle. However, I have to make a trip to my bank to buy some US cash before my cruise so while I am there I also get the travellers cheques.

 

I also second the suggestion of taking small bills onshore. I encountered a few vendors and taxi drivers that didn't have change.

[Hlitner]

TCs are pretty much obsolete having been replaced by ATMs. However, it is not a problem cashing TCs on cruise ships (one of the few places left that have no problem).

 

Hank

[grandmato4]

Cash. For preplanned excursions we know the exact amount we will need before leaving the ship for the excursion and allow for an extra tip for a great excursion. We've gotten pretty good at estimately how much we will spend while in port and only take a bit over that estimate. Any other purchases we might make while in port beyond excursions are almost always from small vendors that do require a cash transaction and we always take smaller bills to be able to make exact change. We're not taking into port with us what we would consider any large amount of money and honestly we are cash people at home so no different for us in the Caribbean than what we do in our everyday lives at home. The larger shops in port will almost always accept credit cards but unless we're purchasing something with a high cost, which is rare when we're cruising, we prefer not to use our credit cards while on port stops. We do often take one credit card on shore with us just in case but in our last 5 cruises I think it was used only twice.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We take traveler's checks and cash them on the ship -- no fee -- as we need the cash.

[jaybird from SC]

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is regarding cash vs. traveler checks? I've never dealt with the checks before but have never been to the Caribbean before either. Some of the excursions I have booked only allow to pay in cash or travelers check, no credit cards. I'm not comfortable carrying around a load of cash but I know I will need a small amount for gratuities, cab fare, etc. Do most other places (restaurants, shops, etc.) accept credit cards and travelers checks? Any input will be greatly appreciated. :)

 

We used to use TC's all the time but was told by our bank that once they get rid of the ones they have on hand, no more will be available as they are discontinuing them altogether. We still carried some this last trip and cashed them at the purser's office on the ship.

[uppitycats]

Very few of the banks around here even have travellers checks anymore! We've always used cash, credit cards, and either gotten cash from the purser's desk or from an ATM on shore, when we travel.

[phoenix1181]

We always use travelers checks. We've never had a problem cashing them onboard but generally do not use them in port. If we're in a location that uses US currency, like Aruba, we may use them there.

 

The only time they're ever a problem is if you're using a large denomination to make a small purchase. But that's no different than trying to use a $100 bill to make a $5 purchase.

[lisakay927]

We take Travelers checks with us and cash them at the ships Pursers Desks or the ships casinos with no problems. On every ship we have sailed.

Then we take the cash ashore in the ports for shopping in small bills.

On the islands, they will give you back their currency too often if you give them large bills.

For large purchases in stores, I use my charge card.

I always call my bank before leaving home and let them know exactly where I will be traveling, also for how long I will be away in case I use that credit card. Most times they ask for more details. ;)

Thank you for the information. Question: Does the ship charge a fee to cash Travelers Checks? If so, approximately how much?

[ehfl]

I would do cash or debit/credit/gift cards. Traveler's checks are too much of a pain....and contrary to popular belief, they are not good forever, and you could be stuck with unusable checks.

 

You don't need that much cash on a cruise...just enough for trinkets, tips, meals ashore, etc. So just take whatever cash you need. If you need more, most ships have an ATM, or you can get cash from the purser, and of course, there are ATMs in all major ports.

[Bowie MeMe]

As OP has said the traveler's checks are obsolete. I don't even know where to get them anymore. I knew they were in the past when my local large grocery store did not want to accept them (this was 4 years ago).

 

We use ATM's on shore and get local currency. We carry VISA because that is most accepted and we also have MASTERCARD. Check with issuer before your trip to see what the fees are -- we have one that has no fees for ATM's. Also be aware that there are diffrent groups of ATMS. One card last year would not work in Spain but worked fine in Turkey. google the card and the port name and it will list where the banks accepting the card are located. Know the difference on the CREDIT Card and the debit card and if you are getting a cash advance (additional fees or interest.) Keep asking questions until you get the answers you need.

[cruiserbryce]

cash has always been easier

[Alexis]

Thank you for the information. Question: Does the ship charge a fee to cash Travelers Checks? If so, approximately how much?

 

I have used them on every cruise and never paid a fee to cash them. ;)

That is both at the Pursers Desk or in the Casino.

Edited February 10, 2010 by Alexis

[yogi2929]

How are you setting up your Sail & Sign? If you are setting it up with a credit card you can get money from the casino using the slot machines. No (ATM-like) fee to do this. It goes against your account as 'entertainment'. The casino attendants will show you how to do this.

 

Basically you take money off your S&S, putting it onto the machine. Then uploading the money to your Player's bank. The player's bank gets cashed out. Easier done than said.

We have been able to break larger bills down at the casino cashier also.

[phoenix1181]

How are you setting up your Sail & Sign? If you are setting it up with a credit card you can get money from the casino using the slot machines. No (ATM-like) fee to do this. It goes against your account as 'entertainment'. The casino attendants will show you how to do this.

 

Basically you take money off your S&S, putting it onto the machine. Then uploading the money to your Player's bank. The player's bank gets cashed out. Easier done than said.

We have been able to break larger bills down at the casino cashier also.

 

This sounds like a great idea until you look at the fees involved. Although the transaction doesn't appear as a cash advance on your credit card, the cruise line will more than likely charge you 3% for the convenience.

 

Travelers checks cost 1% and are easy to cash onboard. If you lose them, you'll be able to recover at least some of your money when you get home. Lose cash or a prepaid debit card and you're out of luck.

 

That said, when you're traveling in Europe, you'll get the best exchange rate using ATM's.

[bar_20]

I used to get them at the AAA office but that was a long time ago. You can probably get them at an American Express office. The problem with TC is no one wants to take them any longer because with the ease of getting a quality color printer, people were making copies at home and cashing them in stores. If a store takes a homemade TC they are out of the money. Everybody takes ATM cards and you can use them at foregin banks. I used them in Italy. They come out of your checking or savings account and should be able to get one from your bank. I usually take $500.00 in cash and use the ATM when I run through that. TC's are very old school.

[travlnblueberries]

We take Travelers checks with us and cash them at the ships Pursers Desks or the ships casinos with no problems. On every ship we have sailed.

Then we take the cash ashore in the ports for shopping in small bills.

On the islands, they will give you back their currency too often if you give them large bills.

For large purchases in stores, I use my charge card.

I always call my bank before leaving home and let them know exactly where I will be traveling, also for how long I will be away in case I use that credit card. Most times they ask for more details. ;)

This is exactly what we do. For all the years we've been sailing, I never encountered a problem cashing in a TC. And on another note, if your cash is lost or stolen, you're out of luck.

We also always call our CC and tell them where we will be on what days.