Cruising in Europe

[kandj05]

When you cruise in Europe, do you always change your money to their currency, (Euro's)? My DH believes they will take dollars and I am unsure. For those who use a credit union, do they offer exchange to different currency?

 

As of last night $1 equaled 1.15 Euro.

[Clarea]

We use an ATM in Europe to get Euros. We have found that the ATMs have a very good exchange rate.

[cinnamon]

Do not expect other countries to accept US dollars. Would your local restaurant accept Euros?

[caseymorgan]

US Dollars on the ship and in the casino. Euros on shore. Yes, ATMs work just like in the states with a 4 digit pin number, and have good exchange rates.

[susancruzs]

My small regional bank carries Euros, and last year I got some ahead of time. I use ATMs overseas all the time, but I like to have currency on hand right away. Last year I needed British Pound also, and they had those for me a day later.

[blackshirt]

US Dollars on the ship and in the casino. Euros on shore. Yes, ATMs work just like in the states with a 4 digit pin number, and have good exchange rates.

 

Of course this depends on the countries you travel to. We did the Baltic last year and not all port stops did Euros.

[Enforcer]

Hi,

 

Some places will accept US$ but they won't give you a good exchange rate.

Some people get confused about the Euro, thinking that you need the Euro issued by that country - this isn't the case - E.G. Spanish Euros will be accepted in Italy.

Be careful about some Bureau de change as they will advertise exchange rates that you need to change large amounts of cash to receive.

Virtually everywhere accept credit cards - all that do will take Mastercard or Visa, some will take American Express and a few Diners.

Don't take large amounts of cash with you when visiting cities, basic safety rules apply everywhere.

 

Pete

[impatientlywaiting]

When you cruise in Europe, do you always change your money to their currency, (Euro's)? My DH believes they will take dollars and I am unsure. For those who use a credit union, do they offer exchange to different currency?

 

As of last night $1 equaled 1.15 Euro.

 

I have found that my credit union (Boeing Employees Credit Union) and their partners do not offer the option of exchanging US currency to foreign currency, only banks. We take our credit card that charges no international fees and has the chip (you need a pin instead of a signature) which Europe has had in place for years.

[alfaeric]

US Dollars on the ship and in the casino. Euros on shore. Yes, ATMs work just like in the states with a 4 digit pin number, and have good exchange rates.

 

We go to Turkey in a month- their currency is the Turkish Lira. Not sure if the port will accept euro or not.

[k8ster72]

Some ATMs in Europe require a 6 digit PIN. Check with your bank before you go. Mine had me tack two 0's to the end and it worked.

 

Also some vendors such as automated train ticket machines require a chipped credit card.

 

Always notify your bank of your travel plans so they don't block your card.

[9876]

We go to Turkey in a month- their currency is the Turkish Lira. Not sure if the port will accept euro or not.

 

We got a couple of things (inexpensive) in Turkey and we used dollars. Actually we used dollars for a tip for the excursion too. No problems.

Edited August 26, 2015 by 9876

[9876]

While Europe does in fact primarily use a chip and pin card I have found that many of the tourist destinations are able to accommodate the swipe card. If you have a chip and signature that would probably work too.

 

DS just did a semester in Germany. He traveled many areas and had little problem with the swipe card. The only issue was with the French trains which required the chip and pin. I understand gas stations are the same. These are not going to be issues that you will most likely have on a cruise though.

[reedy8]

When you cruise in Europe, do you always change your money to their currency, (Euro's)? My DH believes they will take dollars and I am unsure. For those who use a credit union, do they offer exchange to different currency?

 

As of last night $1 equaled 1.15 Euro.

Hi Jackie

I have found its always good to have a little of the local currency before you get there just so you don't have to find an ATM as soon as you arrive. I'm a bit of a planner (OK I admit, I'm a lot of a planner!) so if I was cruising in Europe (I've only done independent travel there before) I would be googling " currency of ****" (all the countries you are visiting) so I know who uses what. Quite often when I have done this, I have seen US dollars widely accepted, but don't rely on that.

[ms8654]

When you cruise in Europe, do you always change your money to their currency, (Euro's)? My DH believes they will take dollars and I am unsure. For those who use a credit union, do they offer exchange to different currency?

 

 

 

As of last night $1 equaled 1.15 Euro.

 

 

My credit union does not handle foreign currency. I had my father who uses a big bank order it for me. I don't like to arrive with no money In case I have credit card or ATM issues. Use a money belt due to pick pockets. Only carry what you need that day or for that outing. Notify your bank ahead of time that you will be using your credit card and ATM card. As others said, Google currency for each country to see what they use. A euro is a euro regardless of which country is pictured on the particular bill. If you get euros ahead of time try to get smaller bills. Using $50s and $100s or larger aren't great for small purchases if you need change. Very few places will take the US dollar in the places I traveled.

 

If You go to places other than euro zone use a currency converter app or make a note of the exchange rate so you can figure out how much things actually cost.

Edited August 27, 2015 by ms8654

[Alohaaloha]

We go to Turkey in a month- their currency is the Turkish Lira. Not sure if the port will accept euro or not.

 

 

We used Euros in Turkey without a problem- Kusadasi port.

 

 

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[Deeliteful]

We used Euros in Turkey without a problem- Kusadasi port.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Most EU countries will not accept dollars but will take credit or debit cards. Turkey will take anything, euros, £,$ or Turkish

Lira.

UK will only tak £sterling not dollars or Euros.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Also, you might want to confirm that your CC does not charge a fee for exchange and/or purchases over seas. Some do!

[TheGinBoy]

Almost nowhere in Europe will accept dollars. It's not our currency and the shop/bar owners would have to pay to have it converted.

 

You can use your visa/MasterCard most places, but possibly not small little touristy shops or cafes. Again as someone pointed out your card issuer may charge you a card-fee for overseas transactions PLUS a commission on the conversion. If you do use your card and the card-reader gives you the option to pay in your home currency (dollars) ALWAYS choose that. Your bank's rate will be far better than the shop's.

 

You can use ATMs in port, but the above mentioned fees may apply. NEVER use the onboard RCCL cash machines - the fees and exchange rates are hideous.

 

It is ALWAYS wise to get yourself some local currency before you travel at a proper bureau-de-change. Also never change your currency at a port/airport they'll charge you a premium.

[lisaloo]

Local currency in Europe - adapt to the culture you are traveling to

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Yes Kusadasi Turkey will take Euros, prices marked in Euros.

 

Our last TA was a currency nightmare

 

Canadian Dollars to get to the airport

US Dollars while in Boston and on the ship

Euros in Cobh, Ireland

British Pounds in the Portland, UK

Euros in Cherbourg & Le Havre, France, Bruges, Belgium, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Swedish Krones in Goteburg, Sweden

Danish Kroners in Copenhagen, Denmark getting off the ship

Euros with family in Belgium

British Pounds back in London, Uk after the chunnel

Canadian dollars to get back home from the airport

[tidygirl]

Not sure if you are a member of AAA but you can buy Euros from them. If you buy over a certain amount there is no charge. We have to take cash to them and they will have it in a couple of days.

As of today the rate was 1.2177. We went to Spain in Sept and we took the cash with us, as I didn't feel like trying to find ATM's and hoping my cards would work.

I also don't understand how you are better off doing that if you are charged a cash advance fee every time you get cash and if you have a limit on how much you can take out? 200e for a family of 5 or 6 won't go too far!

Edited August 28, 2015 by tidygirl

[Gordo]

We typically take both US dollars, for gambling and crew tips on the ship, and purchase Euros through our bank to spend on tours and while in port (we like smaller, private tours over the ship's excursions).

 

If you will book mostly the ship's excursions, you probably won't need to convert too much money.

[HappyCampers3]

We typically take both US dollars, for gambling and crew tips on the ship, and purchase Euros through our bank to spend on tours and while in port (we like smaller, private tours over the ship's excursions).

 

If you will book mostly the ship's excursions, you probably won't need to convert too much money.

 

 

When cruising in and out of Europe, wouldn't the crew prefer to receive (extra cash) tips in euros, so they can spend when they get off the ship in ports? Extra cash tipping in US dollars wouldn't do them much good if they will be sailing in and out of Europe for several months?

 

We are doing a repo/transatlantic from US to Europe, then doing their first European round trip as a B2B. Should we plan to tip (extra) in euros the entire time?

[hun]

We just took our first Med cruise last fall and were very happy we brought enough Euros from home for our days of private shore excursions and daily spending money. We also used a chip credit card without transaction fees, but we're glad we didn't opt to wait for the Euros until arriving at European ATMs.

We have about 150 Euros which we're saving for our next fall's European cruise! :)

[UpcountryTravelers]

On our last couple of European trips, we got the AAA travel card. You load it with dollars before you leave, and can get just about any currency wherever you are. We got Euros in Italy, Greece and Spain, Pounds in UK. Easy and good rate. (And some places in England will not accept non-England pounds, just so you know. I had to wait until we were in Scotland to use my Scottish pounds.)