Cash, Travelers Checks, or What???

[DaKingfish]

Hey Folks:

 

I went on my first cruise last year and basically took a wallet full of money, which I did not feel comfortable carrying.

 

I am getting ready to go on my second cruise next week, and was wondering what the best option is? Should I take the cash again, or get travelers checks? What about just using my credit card registered with the cruise line (PRINCESS)?

 

I plan on needing some cash to play some in the casino, but I would like cash for some tipping and perhaps if needed at some places during shore excursions.

 

Any advice???

 

Thanks!

 

-DaKingfish

[bigeagle12]

I usually take $100/$200 in cash then pre-order casino credits in increments of $100 to use for the casino and extra cash if needed. What I do not use I cash on the last day and take home. There is no charge for casino credits where as they charge you 3% fee if you get cash onboard.

[scmexico]

Buy casino credits on the Princess website before you go and they will be waiting in your cabin when you board. You can just go to the casino cage and cash them and get cash or chips. They are listed under bon voyage gifts etc.

[Janet Foster]

I usually take $100/$200 in cash then pre-order casino credits in increments of $100 to use for the casino and extra cash if needed. What I do not use I cash on the last day and take home. There is no charge for casino credits where as they charge you 3% fee if you get cash onboard.

Like that.... good tip

[caribill]

Real traveler's checks (hard to find these days, they prefer to issue a prepaid debit card) may be cashed at no charge at the Purser's desk.

 

As others have indicated, you can precurise gift yourself casino cash which may be redeemed a the casino at no charge.

 

In the casino you can also use the slot machines to "load" your cruise card with money that is charged to your room account. This is without the 3% commission and you can take your loaded card to the casino cashier to get the cash.

[D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL]

We have had no issue getting travellers cheques and usually take a small amount of cash and the balance in travellers cheques. This has worked fine for Caribbean cruises and the Panama canal since they predominantly deal in US $.

[Colo Cruiser]

We use travelers checks and cash them at the pursers desk with no limit. :)

[uppitycats]

Very few banks around here sell travellers checks anymore. The one time I DID use them, I found it really annoying to have to remember to go to the purser's desk to get them cashed. Now I just use my CapitalOne credit card, or get cash from an ATM machine on shore, if I need it. I usually start my vacation with $200 or so in cash, in small denominations, and generally that gets me through any purchases I can't otherwise charge.

[sultan_sfo]

Our bank sells TCs. We just go late in the evening, after dinner or show, to the Pursers desk and cash about $200 or more at a time. We feel comfortable with cash in the cabin safe. ATMs are more expensive for us with the charges and also a waste of time looking for one. Foreign currency we carry some and also use ATM.

[freddie1974]

Last year in Alaska I used a visa debit card for everything and just took about $300 in cash onboard for tips and small items in port etc.

 

On our upcoming cruise we are visiting Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Norway - given it starts in Southampton and everything onboard is in US$ (and I imagine staff would prefer tips in US$ too) I am having to carry 6 different currencies for a 7 day cruise!

[DrivesLikeMario]

It depends on where you're going. I didn't see the OP mention that.

 

I avoid travelers' checks now. I used to use them years ago, but it seems that they are more of a hassle anymore and vendors don't like taking them. We rely on ATMs, a credit card and some cash, then pay off the credit card online as soon as we get home.

[DaKingfish]

Thanks folks....I like the casino credit idea and keeping a couple hundred bucks cash handy for other items.

 

Going Eastern Caribbean on the Emerald Princess.....honeymoon....hope it goes well!

 

Thanks for all your informative responses.

 

-DKF

[caribill]

On our upcoming cruise we are visiting Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Norway - given it starts in Southampton and everything onboard is in US$ (and I imagine staff would prefer tips in US$ too) I am having to carry 6 different currencies for a 7 day cruise!

 

Unless you are using local public transportation (including taxis) or buying local trinkets, there is usually little need for local currency. Most tour agencies accept credit cards as do most restaurants, shops and other stores.

 

If you are on a Princess excursion, the guides will normally be happy with tips in US $.

 

Most credit cards do have a foreign charge fee of 2%-3%. Capitalone issues Mastercards and Visa cards that do not have any fee added for charges outside of your home country.

[Coral]

We use travelers checks and cash them at the pursers desk with no limit. :)

 

I continue to use them also with no problems.

[Coolmama_1]

We have taken traveler's checks in the past and cashed them at the purser's desk. This last time, we just took cash and left it in the safe.

[Colo Cruiser]

We have taken traveler's checks in the past and cashed them at the purser's desk. This last time, we just took cash and left it in the safe.

 

 

That was very thoughtful of you.

[FritzG]

We had not used traveler's checks in years, but we took them in US $ on our Ruby TA last month. Because of our relationship with our bank they were free. It turned out to be a very lucky choice because our ATM card didn't work in most ports. Our bank switched from a MC based card to a Visa card, and in 2 ports it didn't work at all, and in 2 others it would only give $100 at a time. We ended up using the ATM in the casino which charged $6 per transaction. That turned out to be the best transaction fee of the whole trip. The annoying part is that when we went to the bank to get the traveler's checks we checked our ATM cards to be sure that they were linked only to our checking account and not savings, and they never told us about the $100 limit on international ATM's. They knew we were traveling overseas.

Since the checks were free we got a lot more than we thought we'd need and just redeposited them into the checking account when we returned. We'll definitely use the traveler's checks again for our next cruise.

[jagsfan]

HA HA

Cool Cruiser.......do you sit and lie in wait for us to misstep?

[Colo Cruiser]

HA HA

Cool Cruiser.......do you sit and lie in wait for us to misstep?

 

 

No, just thought it was a clever way to leave "Stewart" some extra $$$. :eek:

[jagsfan]

Makes a change from leaving him dirty socks and underwear!!!!!

[chipmaster]

Pre-order using your CC is a great way if you don't have an ATM easily accessible on arrival or in port. The only downside and why its "free" esentaily you are giving the cruiseline a free loan so they are more than happy to give you the "credit" as they charge your credit card and they are giving the ship a free loan to you and the cruiseline so to speak. A nice loophole, have your cake and eat it too! :D

 

I usually take $100/$200 in cash then pre-order casino credits in increments of $100 to use for the casino and extra cash if needed. What I do not use I cash on the last day and take home. There is no charge for casino credits where as they charge you 3% fee if you get cash onboard.

[Seal]

I continue to use them also with no problems.

 

Me, too !!! Feel very comfortable with cash in the room safe also.

 

Nancy:D

[Jamietravelstheworld]

Buy casino credits on the Princess website before you go and they will be waiting in your cabin when you board. You can just go to the casino cage and cash them and get cash or chips. They are listed under bon voyage gifts etc.

 

Where on the Princess website do you buy these? I don't see bon voyage gifts anywhere.

[caribill]

Where on the Princess website do you buy these? I don't see bon voyage gifts anywhere.

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/onboard_credit/Index.jsp

[m steve]

Leave your money there and only take what you might need for the day. Casino expenses can be put on your cruise card and you won't be left w/ outdated currency like travelers checks that sit in a drawer until the next trip if you remember them. The companies that issue them make millions on those uncashed. Credit cards are still the best as you also get protection by using them. Get one w/o foreign transaction fees and they even give money back or airmiles.