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P&O Iona cash machines onboard

Babynan

By Babynan,
in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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Babynan

Babynan

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Hi everyone. My wife and I are going on the Iona on 11th September, and I was wondering with everything onboard being cashless now, are there still Cash machines, and if so, what are the charges for withdrawing cash?

Thanks

James

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john watson

john watson

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26 minutes ago, Babynan said:

Hi everyone. My wife and I are going on the Iona on 11th September, and I was wondering with everything onboard being cashless now, are there still Cash machines, and if so, what are the charges for withdrawing cash?

Thanks

James

 

You just draw cash from reception, typically pounds sterling.  Other currency is generally available dependant on location of cruise.  Conversion rates may not be the best however sterling is charged at face value.  It should be noted that whereas your credit card charges cash withdrawals at a higher interest rate.  Using your credit card against your cruise account P&O does not identify cash obtained at reception as anything different from the  general other on board account expenses items. I think there is a £300 daily limit.

 

Regards John

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Babynan

Babynan

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Hi John. Thanks for your quick reply. I had a feeling that there were no cash machines onboard. So does that mean that I can use my Debit Card at the Customer Services to withdraw cash? (I don't really use My Credit Card for cash withdrawals)

Thanks

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wowzz

wowzz

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22 minutes ago, indiana123 said:

Me too but didn't post as I thought there must be a reason.

 

Enjoy the cruise!

I'm sure there must be a reason, but I couldn't think of one,  other than for tipping, and one would think that the OP could bring cash with him for that. 

I love a mystery!

 

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terrierjohn

terrierjohn

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9 hours ago, Babynan said:

Hi John. Thanks for your quick reply. I had a feeling that there were no cash machines onboard. So does that mean that I can use my Debit Card at the Customer Services to withdraw cash? (I don't really use My Credit Card for cash withdrawals)

Thanks

Any cash withdrawal would be charged to your on board account and settled up at the end of the cruise. But I too am intrigued as to what you intend to spend it on?

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davecttr

davecttr

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Maybe the casino which still takes cash but also takes your cruise card, so to speak ☹️

 

I don't think you can use onboard credit with cash withdrawals, you certainly can't in the casino to buy chips or credit for the machines which at least on Iona are cashless.

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Son of Anarchy

Son of Anarchy

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I usually take out cash whilst on board as my credit card issuer has a loyalty scheme based on spend.  I can use points from that scheme for things like some chain restaurants and hotels.

 

My other credit card issuer recently had a limited time offer of cashback.  A total of £1000 withdrawn as cash on board would have earnt £5!

 

The only problem is that I have to go to the bank to pay the cash back in!

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john watson

john watson

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16 hours ago, Babynan said:

Hi John. Thanks for your quick reply. I had a feeling that there were no cash machines onboard. So does that mean that I can use my Debit Card at the Customer Services to withdraw cash? (I don't really use My Credit Card for cash withdrawals)

Thanks

 

You use your cruise card to withdraw cash on board.  At the end of the cruise whatever card, debit or credit you have registered to settle your on board account total balance will be charged to settle the total bill.  Cruise lines prefer you to register a credit card to settle your account as they will know to some extent that you have funds.  A debit card might only be backed by a few pounds and is less preferable to cruise lines.

 

Most people do not use credit cards for cash withdrawals because credit card cash withdrawals attract a higher rate of interest.  This is not so on a cruise as all withdrawals get lumped into a single cruise bill.  People rack up bills sometimes to get loyalty points or cashback etc.

 

Regards John

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john watson

john watson

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18 minutes ago, wowzz said:

But, the big unanswered question is: why does the OP need to withdraw cash, when, apart from tips, no cash is required? 

 

Are you serious? The promenade balcony cabins are often crammed with a row of enterprising cruisers who take suitable items to run car boot sales to passers by over the rail.  Often a specialist rare collectors item is there on board but only available immediately for purchase by people with actual cash.  

 

Regards John

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Babynan

Babynan

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Thanks everyone for your help. I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner but I'm still getting the hang of replying to posts.

 

Anyway to explain why I asked about withdrawing cash. We will be taking cash with us because 4 years ago on a Royal Caribbean cruise I registered my Debit Card and paid my onboard account with it. Unfortunately, it was a Natwest Debit card and they put a hold on all my account until the cruise line took their payments, about 4 weeks later. It put us in such a financial mess I said we would never do that again.

 

The last cruise we did in 2019 was with Carnival from Miami around the Caribbean. We paid cash into our onboard account at the check-in, and topped it up throughout the cruise by withdrawing money from the ATM on the ship with our Debit cards. This worked well for us as we don't use Credit cards very often.

 

On the IONA I wasn't sure how it worked now with the pandemic. I thought we could do the same. I didn't really want to carry a large quantity of cash with us to pay our onboard bill, I was hoping do the same as Carnival and just withdraw from the ATM what I need to top up our account and then pay cash at the end of the cruise.

 

From what I am reading, it looks like this will not be possible, so I will have to make sure that I take enough cash with us.

 

John, I do like the idea of the enterprising cruisers with the Boot sale on the Promenade deck. I have a few things I could sell. Unfortunately we are on Deck 5.

James

 

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BrianI

BrianI

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You have just outlined the pitfalls in using a debit card. Cruise lines, and most hotels, take a hold, or reservation on the card registered. This is usually done on a daily basis. This means that the money is ring fenced and cannot be used for anything else. Using a debit card could stop other payments going through if you have a low balance. This problem does not arise using a credit card as many have a high credit limit.

 

My advice therefore is to always register a credit card. You also have the benefit that you don’t have to pay the credit off for around four weeks or so after you return.

Brian

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jeanlyon

jeanlyon

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2 hours ago, Babynan said:

Thanks everyone for your help. I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner but I'm still getting the hang of replying to posts.

 

Anyway to explain why I asked about withdrawing cash. We will be taking cash with us because 4 years ago on a Royal Caribbean cruise I registered my Debit Card and paid my onboard account with it. Unfortunately, it was a Natwest Debit card and they put a hold on all my account until the cruise line took their payments, about 4 weeks later. It put us in such a financial mess I said we would never do that again.

 

The last cruise we did in 2019 was with Carnival from Miami around the Caribbean. We paid cash into our onboard account at the check-in, and topped it up throughout the cruise by withdrawing money from the ATM on the ship with our Debit cards. This worked well for us as we don't use Credit cards very often.

 

On the IONA I wasn't sure how it worked now with the pandemic. I thought we could do the same. I didn't really want to carry a large quantity of cash with us to pay our onboard bill, I was hoping do the same as Carnival and just withdraw from the ATM what I need to top up our account and then pay cash at the end of the cruise.

 

From what I am reading, it looks like this will not be possible, so I will have to make sure that I take enough cash with us.

 

John, I do like the idea of the enterprising cruisers with the Boot sale on the Promenade deck. I have a few things I could sell. Unfortunately we are on Deck 5.

James

 

Do you not have a credit card>  That's what we always use.  No restrictions on there.

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wowzz

wowzz

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2 minutes ago, Babynan said:

We never really use our credit cards anymore. We are quite happy to pay as we go with Debit cards. 

But you get so much more consumer protection with a credit card. 

Seriously, you should really consider using a CC in future. 

And what do you do when abroad  - please don't say you use cash!

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terrierjohn

terrierjohn

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24 minutes ago, Babynan said:

We never really use our credit cards anymore. We are quite happy to pay as we go with Debit cards. 

 

19 minutes ago, wowzz said:

But you get so much more consumer protection with a credit card. 

Seriously, you should really consider using a CC in future. 

And what do you do when abroad  - please don't say you use cash!

I agree with all wowzz's comments, especially as during covid credit card acceptance by even small shopkeepers has increased significantly, and cash is no longer all that desirable for them anyway when it is so easy to steal. In addition I find the benefits of a monthly credit card statement, along with monthly salary, pension, or OAP income help me to better control my finances, just as long as I resist any urge to spend more than I can afford.

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