Traveler's Checks

[Belinda45]

This is my first cruise and I know most of my costs will be put on a credit card. However, I do plan to bring some cash.

 

What about traveler's checks? Are these a pain to get cashed? Should I just bring all cash instead of checks?

 

Thanks!

[CL-JW]

When we did our first cruise, we brought a lot of travelers checks (too many), but . . . they are more secure than cash and they were quite easy to cash in at the Purser's Office. I don't know if Princess have a daily limit of how much you can cash in though.

[TwoCruisers]

I also have never had a problem cashing travelers checks on board at the Purser’s desk. Each day, before going ashore, I would stop by the Purser’s desk and cash any amount I thought I would need for the day.

[Belinda45]

Thanks for the heads-up - I know I will feel more comfortable with traveler's checks.:)

[espmass]

We always take some along and if we have any left, we pay off our ship account. That way we don't get a large charge bill when we get home.

[Belinda45]

Hey that's a good idea - but odds are I won't have any left over!!!!!:D

[Technomage]

Has anyone done this for a European cruise? Will the pursers desk cash the traveller's checks in Dollars and exchange them for Euros or is it better to get the Euros before the cruise?

[jhannah]

They will change them for Euros ... but they'll soak you on the rate. You're better off using ATMs in port to get Euros and saving your traveler's checks to pay off your shipboard account. Traveler's checks are an increasing pain to use on shore. Many places simply won't take them.

[Colo Cruiser]

No limit on Princess.

[tjatczak]

Hey ColoCruiser...

 

Off subject - but should I know you?

 

You left a post on an old thread from a Golden Princess cruise - and I am having trouble remembering if we met on cruise critic threads past????

 

Let me know,

Ted

[garycarla]

Always amazed when people will go out of their way to get travelers checks vs. using plain old cash.

 

Sort of like people where I work. They will do a small cash deposit at the bank, but are afraid to do a large cash deposit as the risk of a holdup increases.

 

HOW DOES THE BAD GUY KNOW HOW MUCH CASH YOU HAVE?

 

We travel 2-3 times a year. Use mainly credit cards, but take along $1000 in cash which we usually do not use.

 

And ALWAYS, ALWAYS take at least two credit cards. This will be the time one of them gets a hold or something stupid.

[land lover]

Will princess cash my travelers checks for american dollars in foreign ports..?

and is there a fee?

[cruiselifers]

We always use Travelers Checks and have never had a problem getting them cashed on board or using them on the islands. Everyone has taken them. We do not like to use our CC as we only bring what we can afford to spend. You should have no problems using them to buy items in shops.

[D4]

Just cash them at the purser's desk. We always bring a lot of traveler's checks and cash part of them before each port day. We need the cash for independent tours and for buying souveniers from the street vendors. We use credit cards at real stores.

 

Someone suggested not bothering with traveler's checks and bringing all cash. If traveler's checks are lost or stolen, you'll be reimbursed.

[FredS]

On our just completed Royal Princess cruise there was no problem with getting Euros for travelers checks. The problem was that they sometimes run out of certain denominations; e.g. ones and fives. We found that in Europe Euros were wanted, not US dollars. At one point I went to the Purser's desk and could not get the amount of Euros I wanted as they had run out of them. ONe had to wait until we docked and they were resupplied. Best to do any exchangine early. The ship did not have any worse exchange rate than in town.

[worldromer]

This is my first cruise and I know most of my costs will be put on a credit card. However, I do plan to bring some cash.

 

What about traveler's checks? Are these a pain to get cashed? Should I just bring all cash instead of checks?

 

Thanks!

 

Have a blast! And remeber, your ship has a CASINO. That means they will take your travelers checks and shirt off your back if given the opportunity.

Really, NO PROBLEM cashing Travelers checks at the pursers (front desk) or the Casino when it is open (only when at sea). Now that tipping is also put on our credit cards virtually ALL ship board expenses are paid on credit cards which should mean more frequent flyer miles! Cruises are meant to be cash free fun affairs.