How to get cash onboard the Constellation?

[rmcruisers]

My husband and I will be sailing on the Celebrity Constellation starting October 25. We will need cash to pay for private tours we have booked. Rather than look for an ATM machine at the ports, we would like to use guest services on board the ship. When I called the concierge desk at Celebrity to ask how much cash we can get on a daily basis from Guest Relations I was told "it varies by ship".

 

Can anyone give me an idea of how much money we can get on a daily basis from guest services?

 

Also, will the cash be in US dollars or in the currency of the port?

 

Many thanks

[bigbenboys]

My husband and I will be sailing on the Celebrity Constellation starting October 25. We will need cash to pay for private tours we have booked. Rather than look for an ATM machine at the ports, we would like to use guest services on board the ship. When I called the concierge desk at Celebrity to ask how much cash we can get on a daily basis from Guest Relations I was told "it varies by ship".

 

Can anyone give me an idea of how much money we can get on a daily basis from guest services?

 

Also, will the cash be in US dollars or in the currency of the port?

 

Many thanks

 

Our friends were able to cash a check for $200 dollars max at guest services. And that was a one time only for the cruise, not daily. I do use my credit and debit cards when traveling. But I always like bring Dollars, Euros and Pounds when ever I travel. I was in Germany, got in the and off we went. I went to pay and he said cash only.

[spookwife]

$200 US dollars total for the length of the cruise.

[Phxazzcruisers]

I kust agree. One US$ check can be cashed up to $200.00. That has been our experience

[justcrusn]

many will say they are out dated but travellers checks work well for what you want to do.

Our bank doesn't charge for them, the cruise line doesn't charge to cash them, and they are safer than cash.

There are always atm's but the fees are not friendly.

You can also get a cash advance in the casino.

 

And i also highly recommend carrying some local currency with you on your trip.

[blindrid]

many will say they are out dated but travellers checks work well for what you want to do.

Our bank doesn't charge for them, the cruise line doesn't charge to cash them, and they are safer than cash.

There are always atm's but the fees are not friendly.

You can also get a cash advance in the casino.

 

And i also highly recommend carrying some local currency with you on your trip.

 

I'm surprised your Bank still sells them. A lot of places don't accept them as they are wrought of counterfeits. My Bank quit years ago.

 

On a cruise we carry about a grand + or so between in cash. I suppose you can use the casino, signing the voucher for chips if the 3% fee doesn't bother.

[Christine Frances]

many will say they are out dated but travellers checks work well for what you want to do.

 

Our bank doesn't charge for them, the cruise line doesn't charge to cash them, and they are safer than cash.

 

There are always atm's but the fees are not friendly.

 

You can also get a cash advance in the casino.

 

 

 

And i also highly recommend carrying some local currency with you on your trip.

 

 

We use Travellers Cheques as well (only for cruising). Can't use them anywhere else though. We brought TC's in both Euros and USD and had no problem cashing them as needed on the ship. We had a lot of our tours in Europe that wanted to be paid in cash.

 

 

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[cb at sea]

Bring what you need! No fees, no muss, no fuss! Your cabin will have a safe to store it. Bring larger bills, as they are easier to carry...the ship will break them down into smaller denominations.

Edited October 15, 2014 by cb at sea

[cruisestitch]

Assuming you don't want to carry large amounts of cash with you to the ship, here are your options:

 

1. Guest Services will cash one personal check for $200 each cruise. With two of your traveling, you might each get one check cashed, but it might be one per stateroom.

 

2. Guest Services will cash an unlimited amount of travelers checks at no charge. This is one of the few places where travelers checks still make sense in today's world. If your bank will sell them to you at no charge, this is by far the best, and safest way to get cash on a cruise ship vacation.

 

3. There is an ATM on board. The fee is pretty stiff, however, around $6 per withdrawal. Your bank will probably limit what you can withdraw each day. For me, it's $250 a day.

 

4. You can go to the casino and withdraw cash, which will be charged to your SeaPass account. There is a fee of 5% to do this. It used to be 3% but it has gone up to 5%.

[MicCanberra]

Assuming you don't want to carry large amounts of cash with you to the ship, here are your options:

 

1. Guest Services will cash one personal check for $200 each cruise. With two of your traveling, you might each get one check cashed, but it might be one per stateroom.

 

2. Guest Services will cash an unlimited amount of travelers checks at no charge. This is one of the few places where travelers checks still make sense in today's world. If your bank will sell them to you at no charge, this is by far the best, and safest way to get cash on a cruise ship vacation.

 

3. There is an ATM on board. The fee is pretty stiff, however, around $6 per withdrawal. Your bank will probably limit what you can withdraw each day. For me, it's $250 a day.

 

4. You can go to the casino and withdraw cash, which will be charged to your SeaPass account. There is a fee of 5% to do this. It used to be 3% but it has gone up to 5%.

 

My advice if the above is not palatable is to bring the cash you need from home or use the ATM in ports.:D

Edited October 15, 2014 by MicCanberra

[cruisestitch]

However, the OP already said that wasn't what they wanted to do; they need to get cash on the ship.

[blindrid]

Assuming you don't want to carry large amounts of cash with you to the ship, here are your options:

 

1. Guest Services will cash one personal check for $200 each cruise. With two of your traveling, you might each get one check cashed, but it might be one per stateroom.

 

2. Guest Services will cash an unlimited amount of travelers checks at no charge. This is one of the few places where travelers checks still make sense in today's world. If your bank will sell them to you at no charge, this is by far the best, and safest way to get cash on a cruise ship vacation.

 

3. There is an ATM on board. The fee is pretty stiff, however, around $6 per withdrawal. Your bank will probably limit what you can withdraw each day. For me, it's $250 a day.

 

4. You can go to the casino and withdraw cash, which will be charged to your SeaPass account. There is a fee of 5% to do this. It used to be 3% but it has gone up to 5%.

 

Didn't know it was now 5%. Also it's important to remember cards are not infallible. Last year, my bank was getting a ton of fraud out of Tenn. so they blocked all transactions in Tenn.

 

That was the week I visited my son in Nashville thank God for cash and credit cards.

 

Always have a Plan B. Accordingly, I'm into cash when I leave the country.

[rucruisn2]

Currency used onboard is US$$. I had a few euros left on one trip and they converted them for me, so maybe you can buy whatever currency you need, their rate of exchange wasn't much higher than a banks. I am so suspicious that I don't trust atm's I don't know. Guess that comes from 27 years in banking.

[blindrid]

Currency used onboard is US$$. I had a few euros left on one trip and they converted them for me, so maybe you can buy whatever currency you need, their rate of exchange wasn't much higher than a banks. I am so suspicious that I don't trust atm's I don't know. Guess that comes from 27 years in banking.

 

I'm with you - too many years in Banking. I know I don't trust ATM/debit cards.

 

I have spent a ton of time converting currency to find out that USD was preferred.

 

Brain damage for nothing.

[Sloop-JohnB]

Travellers Checques still have their purpose in a well organized travel plan (cruising would be one of those situations... And as part of an Emergency Financial Plan is another)

 

The big benefit here besides ease of cashing on ships, is the freedom you will feel not having to worry about carrying around a large sum of money while in transit.

 

I know that would certainly make me very uneasy, and I cannot believe the amount of travellers who do this (Tourists / Travellers are common marks by thieves... Particularly so when they are in transit to & from airports, ports, hotels etc)

 

The other good thing about Travellers Cheques... And why they are an essential part of an Emergency Financial Plan is they are replaceable if lost / stolen. Usually within 24 Hours... Not so for Cash or Plastic (can take up to 5 days to get plastic replaced)

 

Stuff worth considering

 

Cheers!

Edited October 15, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[blindrid]

John, I agree to a certain extent. Maybe it's a Canadian / US thing. Paper travelers checks here can be wrought with counterfeits and are becoming less and less acceptable.

 

If anything, go to a reputable currency purchase company and they will provide you with a ATM card to access local currency (can be $USD, Lira, whatever you need). Easily replaceable, etc.

 

I'm still old school and carry cash, split between DW and I and travel no differently. Know your surroundings, don't flash cash as crime as you worry about rarely happens.

 

Moral of the story is do what you feel the most comfortable with.

Edited October 18, 2014 by blindrid

[johhnnyt]

They also have two ATM's onboard, one at guest relations and the other at the casino. I think there is a $6 charge, but still much easier and more convenient than travelers checks (plus in the days I used to use travelers checks, half the places wouldn't accept them, and gave a bad exchange rate)

 

Another option I always use is my debit card from my credit union, they don't surcharge ATM withdrawals from foreign ports, and there are at least a dozen banks (and a lot of credit unions) that do same thing

[WestLakeGirl]

Cruises are one of the places where travelers checks sill make sense assuming they aren't too difficult to buy where you live. No, many if not most stores won't accept them, but the OP is only wanting cash for Shorex operators. They are safe, probably cheaper than the casino withdrawal or the on board ATM, and are the best solution when you don't want to carry lots of cash while making your way to the cruise

[keishashadow]

...

 

4. You can go to the casino and withdraw cash, which will be charged to your SeaPass account. There is a fee of 5% to do this. It used to be 3% but it has gone up to 5%.

 

This would avoid any possible credit card foreign transaction fees not to mention surcharge for cash withdrawal & typical higher interest rate. At least it's an option.

 

After experiencing credit card fraud when on cruise years ago, we have been traveling with a backup credit card(s) and $1K in travelers checks jik

 

Will this work same way in casino to utilize an OBC? Since it was 'free' not concerned about the possible fee

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Anita Latte]

4. You can go to the casino and withdraw cash, which will be charged to your SeaPass account. There is a fee of 5% to do this. It used to be 3% but it has gone up to 5%.

 

Someone recommended to me the idea of using the slot machines for cash? You can swipe your Sea Pass card, which will incur a charge on your account...and then you can immediately cash out the machine.

 

Not sure there is a fee, if you do it this way?

 

Adding...just realized this was a rec on the Carnival board. Would this idea work on Celebrity?

Edited October 18, 2014 by Anita Latte

[cruisestitch]

Keishashadow, the casino withdraw is a popular way to utilize OBC that is otherwise non refundable.

[MicCanberra]

Keishashadow, the casino withdraw is a popular way to utilize OBC that is otherwise non refundable.

 

I have done this (casino machines) with no penalty.:D

[WestLakeGirl]

Haven't tied the slot machine method but nearly every cruise we have leftover niot refundable on board credits that we end up withdrawing at the casino teller desk for a fee of 5 per cent, also not too worried about the fee since it was "free"

[MicCanberra]

Haven't tied the slot machine method but nearly every cruise we have leftover niot refundable on board credits that we end up withdrawing at the casino teller desk for a fee of 5 per cent, also not too worried about the fee since it was "free"

 

Anything left after a cruise is a bonus anyway.:D

[hamrag]

Keishashadow, the casino withdraw is a popular way to utilize OBC that is otherwise non refundable.

 

On our upcoming cruise, there is no way we will use all our OBC because most of our tours are self organised with small groups and we will be paying the local agents in US $'s. We are not casino users, so can you explain how I would go about withdrawing US $ cash...the 5% fee does not bother me.

Many thanks in advance.