Writing cheques

[elaine61]

Well as I never really have to think about this problem I've never really thought about it. But can you tell me can I write a personal cheque (UK based bank) out on board the QM2 or do I need travellers cheques???

 

Elaine

[mufi]

Elaine - Once you have registered your credit card you should not need to think about money again on board. Everything is done with your i.d. card, even unlocking your cabin door. I would doubt that a cheque would be accepted, and foreign exchange is cash only. Can't think why you would need a cheque or travellers cheque on the ship.

 

David.

[elaine61]

Elaine - Once you have registered your credit card you should not need to think about money again on board. Everything is done with your i.d. card, even unlocking your cabin door. I would doubt that a cheque would be accepted, and foreign exchange is cash only. Can't think why you would need a cheque or travellers cheque on the ship.

 

David.

 

Hi David

 

We already have quite a bit of money in dollars and there is always our credit card for shopping. I assume you need cash for the casino and that it is dollars!! Last time we were on QE2 it was a med cruise and everything was sterling anyway. Hopefully we've got enough dollars and the credit card can take care of the rest!!

 

Ta

 

Elaine

[stowaway2k]

You can pay all or part of your account with travellers checks, if you wish.

 

 

Kyle

[Baxterburdis]

I've saved loads in US travelers cheques for our upcoming cruise can anyone tell me if it makes any differance paying in travellers cheques, do i have to use a credit card? and would i be able to exchange some for currency for port.

 

Thanks

Lisa

[mufi]

You can pay your on board account in travellers cheques or cash, just means a trip to the pursers desk on your disembarking morning after receiving your final account. I think the casino runs on id cards.

 

Normally foreign currency bought on board is cash only, but guess Travellers cheques would be regarded as cash so should be ok.

 

David.

[transat_jon]

On QM2 last year, the credit card I used would have expired (date) during the trip. I did not realise until I got a letter from the pursers informing me.

 

So I paid my bill up to date on the card before it expired and as I had a good amount of dollars with me I opted to pay the remainder cash before leaving the ship instead of swiping another card : now this was a mistake on my part.....I was to find out later.

 

At the end of the last night I cleared my bill at the purser's desk (when it was quiet) but then on the morning of disembarcation was paged to go to the pursers and stand in a long line for over half an hour with everyone else with bills to settle just to confirm payment. After that I was stopped when leaving the ship until the purser was contacted to confirm I was able to go.

 

Everyone else who was paying by cash / travellers cheques had to go through a similar rigmarole. The morale is always swipe a credit card! I now know.

 

You can make cash payments towards your account with travellers cheques or cash and they will take that off whatever is charged to your credit card at the end. As the currency is dollars, I do not know if they will take personal cheques drawn on a UK bank. They might but as with anything out of the ordinary it is only going to cause hastle during your vacation so best avoiding for an easy life.

 

Also, in the casino I do not think you can charge chips unless you are paying by credit card.

[jbailey]

I don't believe they will accept any personal checks, regardless of country of origin. The problem is that they do not have any way of verifying their validity during the voyage. For that same reason they do not accept ATM cards either.

 

You also might want to notify your credit card company that you are traveling abroad so they do not become suspecious of "foreign" activity and cut off your credit, thinking a thief has stolen your card.

 

I always travel with at least two credit cards and some backup travelers checks. The worse that can happen is that you bring them home unspent. I have had trouble with an ATM card being de-magnetized in London and therefore useless, and a credit card company leaving me frantic messages at home about potential unauthorized use. Thankfully, they did not cut off credit, merely called me to warn me.

[elaine61]

Good Idea about informing the credit card companies about our travels. Will make a note for early next month to do that.

 

Still I can't say I blame them for being so observant and checking up in this day and age!!

 

Have just read in the pre cruise booklet that personal cheques or letters of credit (!) cannot be honoured. Cash advances are not permitted against your onboard account or any form of credit card. - So that answers that question for me.

 

We have plenty of US and Canadian dollars here and should we need more cash then we can just use our credit/debit card in an ATM machine.

 

As the gratuities on board get put on to your on board account then there isn't much else that you really need money for! I'm sure all the big department stores take credit card!! ;)

 

Elaine

[Ab Ovo]

Any credit card you're going to carry on a trip, it's a wonderful idea to call their 800 numbers and tell them you'll be out of your usual area and the country.

 

ATM machines are convenient anywhere for quick local cash..........but you don't want the machine being a machine and thinking -- well, I suppose machines do some form of pre-programmed "thinking" -- and wondering why you were in some odd new place from your usual draws and eating your card!

[Baxterburdis]

I am now a little worried i have saved and bought US travellers cheques for this tripand am wondering wether to just cash these in clear a little more from the credit card. Can anyone Help???:confused:

[mufi]

You can pay your account with them and buy currency if needed. I would keep them, you will be fine aboard as they class as cash really.

 

David.