Cashing American Express Traveller's checks onboard

[MAHA]

I did a search before starting this thread and could not find out any information. Has anyone had any problems cashing American Express Traveller's Checks onboard Royals' ships recently? We usually take most of our cash in traveller's checks as it is safer than carrying cash and doesn't cost ATM fees, etc. We get our traveller's checks at our credit union without any fees. They told my husband today that it is the last day they are issuing the traveller's checks as most places are not accepting them lately. We have never had a problem in the past and are not wondering if we need to cash them and just take cash for tips, etc.

Thanks!

Mary Anne

[NorbertsNiece]

There's no indication on the website of the policy of travellers cheques not being accepted any longer.

 

Foreign Currency and Travelers Checks:

Guests cannot exchange more than USD $1000 in travelers checks and foreign currency per day.

Guests can only exchange foreign currency and travelers checks for cash at the Guest Relations or Guest Services Desk.

Guests can only exchange foreign currency and travelers checks for chips and tokens in the Casino.

[Ruby71]

Mary Anne,

We have always taken travellers checks on our cruises. We used them this last April with no problems. I get from from our local bank. I cash them on the ship for cash for the ports. Sometimes at the end of the cruise if I haven't used them all I will pay down our bill with them. They have always worked fine for us.

Sharon

[andersonrm]

We also have taken traveler's checks with us on every cruise. The primary reason is unlimited check cashing privileges with no fees. It eliminates the worry of carrying large sums of cash. Whatever we don't cash we take home and redeposit in our bank account. Yes, they are a bit 'old school', but anytime I can avoid paying a fee to access my own money, I will! As long as they are available, we will continue to use them while cruising!

[megr1125]

No problems...

 

however, with the Travelers Cheque "Cards"--those can be an issue, and at one point, RCCL said in their documents that those were NOT able to be used on the ship...

[nancronin]

We also have always brought American Express Traveler's Checks (free with AAA membership) - last time was March and we have never had a problem cashing them - we always go to casino and cash them there. I'd hate to see them stop cashing them - so much easier than cash. :eek:

[johneeo]

traveller's checks as it is safer than carrying cash and doesn't cost ATM fees,

 

Seriously. How many times have you taken travelers checks and lost them or had them stolen?:rolleyes:

 

Just take a bunch of $100 bills and put them in your pocket.

[bouhunter]

Seriously. How many times have you taken travelers checks and lost them or had them stolen?:rolleyes:

 

Just take a bunch of $100 bills and put them in your pocket.

 

Exactly!. Travelers checks are a pain in the rear and a thing of the past.:rolleyes:

[Ashland]

We actually got Travelers Checks in Euros recently to pay for our private tour in Rome..as they (RomeInLimo) didn't accept credit cards..we found this safer and easier than carring a large amout of cash to pay for this...I always take extra cash in the form of CK's that I can cash onboard if necessary..I usually end up taking them back home with me and redeposit them into my account..

[johneeo]

Exactly!. Travelers checks are a pain in the rear and a thing of the past.:rolleyes:

 

I would like to hear from someone that lost their travelers checks and how they got their money back.

 

I could just hear it.

 

Loser: I lost my travelers checks.

 

AMEX: And how did you do something so stupid?

 

Loser: I don't know.

 

AMEX: Where did this happen?

 

Loser: Somewhere between Philadelphia and the Caribbean.

 

AMEX: What are the serial numbers on the checks?

 

Loser: HUH?

 

AMEX: The serial numbers.

 

Loser: Oh, yeah, here they are .... 10000001111, 100000001112 etc.

 

AMEX: They were legitimately cashed in Port o Prince. There is nothing we can do. In the future, do not be such a moron. Have a nice day.

[MAHA]

We actually got Travelers Checks in Euros recently to pay for our private tour in Rome..as they (RomeInLimo) didn't accept credit cards..we found this safer and easier than carring a large amout of cash to pay for this...I always take extra cash in the form of CK's that I can cash onboard if necessary..I usually end up taking them back home with me and redeposit them into my account..

 

That's an interesting idea as we are going to the Mediteranean next May/June and are looking into booking with private tour companies. Travelling with that much cash scares me.

[CalicoskiesNC]

Travelers checks really are a thing of the past. I work at a bank and we stopped carrying them 2 yrs ago. There is a big issue with fraudulent TCs that originate from overseas. We have to call Amex and verify anytime someone brings them to the bank. Your credit card and some cash in small bills is much safer and easier.

[MAHA]

Travelers checks really are a thing of the past. I work at a bank and we stopped carrying them 2 yrs ago. There is a big issue with fraudulent TCs that originate from overseas. We have to call Amex and verify anytime someone brings them to the bank. Your credit card and some cash in small bills is much safer and easier.

 

 

In foreign countries, you are carged fees for using credit cards as well as ATM's. We are trying to avoid bank fees as we feel banks are ripping people off left and right.

[Host Kewlguy]

In foreign countries, you are carged fees for using credit cards as well as ATM's. We are trying to avoid bank fees as we feel banks are ripping people off left and right.

 

Capital One credit cards do not charge foreign transactions fees.

[Ashland]

Capital One credit cards do not charge foreign transactions fees.

Nor does my Chase BA visa...

[Merion_Mom]

In foreign countries, you are carged fees for using credit cards as well as ATM's. We are trying to avoid bank fees as we feel banks are ripping people off left and right.

 

In 2007, I was in Paris, cashed some AmEx TC's that were in EUROS (I had the same thought that you did) at a bank, and they STILL charged me a fee!!!!!!!!

 

:eek:

[Shining Clem]

To johneeo-

 

We recorded our TCk #'s in various places (including home) before going to England & Denmark in the 1980's. Then, distributed enough for the day between us in different body locations. During the Changing of the Guard, I either lost mine, or someone very skillfully changed a couple for nothing. Since it was London, we had no problem locating an AmEx office, filling out paperwork and getting replacements. More paperwork awaited us at home, but that was it, no problem. When my husband traveled abroad (Europe, Mexico, Brazil, etc. US) for business, the company gave him TCks.

 

Now our local Credit Union & even commercial banks in our area no longer offer them - but we can get them at AAA. AAA also offers exchange of Euros for a small fee/no fee.

We did have occasion to wish to use the ATM aboard the Constellation in the spring. But found it not operating, near the end of the voyage. A bit of panic!

 

I would check with the cruise companies or TA about current policies a month before you sail. As shown by our experience 25 yrs ago and more recently, it's good not to put all your currancy needs in one basket or pocket. Although rare, it is not unheard of for things to disappear from room safes, and having recorded TCk #s if stored within, it is another back-up. No big thing, but some of us just do it!

 

We don't like to pay fees to access our own money either, but even more distasteful is having to deal with large chunks of our money being stolen.

 

As an aside, my husband was in need of a new wallet, and when in Lisbon, he found a very nice one, which accommodated the larger Euro bills. Beautifully made, with features never seen on this side of the Atlantic.

[nancronin]

Nor does my Chase BA visa...

 

My Chase Visas all have fees for foreign transactions - as do Barclay, AT&T Universal, B of A, and Discover so we always bring Traveler's Checks along - besides I do not want to use my credit cards in foreign ports. :(

[setsail]

Used TC's for every cruise we have been on. No problems, any left we just cash in the night before at the PD and apply it to the SS account. Never lost or stolen. Our CU has them all the time.

[MAHA]

Thanks for all of the information and ideas. We do have a Capital One Visa, so we will plan on using that in port. I still am concerned about carrying a lot of cash as there are pickpockets in Europe. If we do private excursions, the companies that I am checking out require payment on the day of the excursion in cash. They do not take credit cards. That can be a lot of cash for a family of 5.

Mary Anne

[bouhunter]

Forget the travelers checks and stuff ben franklins in a money belt if you're really that worried.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Big vote for travellers checks .....

 

We were in the Caribbean a few years ago and had a huge tropical storm. Enough to put the power out at our hotel and all the surrounding properties, restaurants, casino, etc. This was in Aruba - the storm was highly unusual for that part of the world. Most of the island had no power for close to 48 hours.

 

The number of people with no money - ATMs would not work, stores/restaurants would not take credit cards - no electrical hookup, etc. Our hotel, Holiday Inn, and the Marriott close by, took traveller's checks (if you were a guest). We felt very fortunate to have money to spend when so many people did not.

 

We have also used travellers checks on cruises without any difficulty for all the reasons already mentioned - they do not cost us anything, no ATM fees, no credit cards to carry (unless we want to). So easy just to cash as needed when going ashore or when we need cash.

[love2vacation]

My bank suggested I use a Visa card that can be reloaded form my checking account. I have not tried it yet but they tell me that I can go on line to my bank account and just reload it from my checking account so it is much safer that carrying my Visa debit card.

 

Can be reloaded as needed.

[Ashland]

Thanks for all of the information and ideas. We do have a Capital One Visa, so we will plan on using that in port. I still am concerned about carrying a lot of cash as there are pickpockets in Europe. If we do private excursions, the companies that I am checking out require payment on the day of the excursion in cash. They do not take credit cards. That can be a lot of cash for a family of 5.

Mary Anne

As I said in my post above..We got Travelers Checks in Euros..The private tour company we used (RomeInLimo) also said cash payment or TC's in Euros....We had the exact amount and just signed them over to our driver at the end of our tour....and gave him his tip in Euros (cash)....I also felt more comfortable with TC's than carrying that large amount of cash...Verify this with what ever tour company you are considering..Best of luck and enjoy your tour...

[MadManOfBethesda]

My Chase Visas all have fees for foreign transactions -

 

Chase eliminated foreign transaction fees earlier this year on some of their travel-branded cards. Here's a link to which cards have this provision:

 

https://creditcards.chase.com/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-cards.aspx

 

Another advantage is that they now also provide free trip cancellation coverage if you pay for your cruise using one of the branded cards.