Question on Euros

[Nclcruise1415]

Going on the Jade out of Athens next month. Is it possible to get Euros on the ship? Maybe in the casino? If so, is there a fee? How much?

Lastly, how many Euros would YOU bring for a couple days pre and couple days post cruise? Or is it credit card most places? 

Thank you in advance! 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Unless something has changed, it has never been available before.  Most people get some euros at an ATM.  Even though the exchange rate is not always the best, I get a small amount from my bank before we leave home, just in case I need some before I get to the ATM or, heaven forbid, my card would not work.

[jamadeliz]

Hi,

 

We get Euros from an ATM when we get to whatever country we are going to.  You want to let your bank know that you are traveling and also check and see if any of the local banks don't charge a fee for withdrawals.  

 

[MeHeartCruising]

For cash, Use ATMs in Europe. They are everywhere.  Use a credit card that has no international transaction fees where you can.  If you want, get one or 2 hundred euros from your local bank so you have some in hand when you get off the plane.

[debenson0723]

Easiest way is to use an ATM at the Athens airport as soon as you exit customs (I needed to get a covid test so I did that first and got my Euros while waiting for the results). Exchange rate was better than the bank at home. One person in our party did not bring any Euros or a debit card to get some, thinking she would just use a credit card for everything.  Unfortunately, smaller vendors with handmade items did not except credit cards so she was out of luck with some of the things she wanted to buy. She finally ended up buying a large meal or two for the group on her credit card and we paid her back in Euros. 

[complawyer]

most international airports have money exchange counters where you can trade dollars for almost any foreign currency you want . we live in los angeles, and a chase bank will exchange currency for you but  you need to give them about a weeks notice. we were on a cruise from athens on the ncl jade april 8th through the 17th and bought about $300 worth of euros before we left the u.s. 

 

also, most taxi drivers prefer euros, and will not accept dollars,

[kochleffel]

2 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

Easiest way is to use an ATM at the Athens airport as soon as you exit customs

 

That's why I usually do. Sometimes in a Eurozone cruise the shipboard ATM (usually near the casino) dispenses Euros, but NCL operates worldwide in dollars so I wouldn't count on it. When I needed Euros aboard the Epic during a Mediterranean cruise, to reimburse another passenger who put a shared expense on a credit card and was staying in Europe after we disembarked, I got them at an ATM on shore.

[julig22]

For anyone doing a lot of foreign travel, you might look into getting a "foreign" ATM card.  I have one with no fees, no need to contact them in advance.  It's preloaded obviously but not attached to any other financial accounts so my risk is limited to the amount I've put into the account.

I got it when my local sources of currency started to impose minimums above what I wanted, couldn't get the currency I wanted, and charged a delivery fee because they had to FedEx it.

[KeithJenner]

Lots of Athens taxis don’t accept credit cards so it is useful to have cash for that.

 

When we arrived a there a few weeks ago we were able to go in front of a few other groups at the taxi line as they were all waiting for one that took cards.

[SpainAlien]

On the NCL Epic TA people were able to get Euros from guest services. I don't know how much they stock but certainly some people were able to get them

[geleisen]

If your flight has a stopover in any place before greece, I would recommend checking if they have free airport cashpoint with Euros because Greek cashpoints tend to charge a fee. 
But for Greece, you really shouldn't need too much cash. All of the shops and restaurants are legally required to accept cards these days, so only certain small stalls and certain taxis and buses on some of the islands require cash. But for me, within Greece I always just have 20 EUR in cash for a rare cash only situation, and generally just pay for everything with card. 

[phillygwm]

As others have stated, it's best to just hit an ATM in the country you're going to but you need to be careful.  A lot of the independent units in touristy areas are basically scams, offering bad exchange rates.  Bank ATMs do charge a fee but depending on the amount you're withdrawing, you'll be better off.  Also, if you can avoid the currency exchanges, do so.  Their rates aren't good.

 

One more thing:  Most ATM's ask something to the effect of whether you want them to do the foreign exchange or whether you want your bank to do it.  ALWAYS choose your bank; the exchange rate will be much better.

[KeithJenner]

27 minutes ago, geleisen said:

If your flight has a stopover in any place before greece, I would recommend checking if they have free airport cashpoint with Euros because Greek cashpoints tend to charge a fee. 
But for Greece, you really shouldn't need too much cash. All of the shops and restaurants are legally required to accept cards these days, so only certain small stalls and certain taxis and buses on some of the islands require cash. But for me, within Greece I always just have 20 EUR in cash for a rare cash only situation, and generally just pay for everything with card. 

I found Greece to be very bad for places not taking card payments

 

Usually, anywhere in Europe, I very rarely use cash, but I needed it for taxis as well as a couple of bars in Greece.

[geleisen]

2 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

I found Greece to be very bad for places not taking card payments

 

Usually, anywhere in Europe, I very rarely use cash, but I needed it for taxis as well as a couple of bars in Greece.

I spend about 6 weeks per year in Greece and I find that since they changed the law in 2017, the only time I have needed cash is certain taxis (which I rarely use) and public transport on some (but not all) of the islands. Greek government has also taken other measures to encourage card use by the Greek people, as it is an extremely effective way to combat tax evasion. So while it is surely a good idea to always carry some emergency cash in your wallet, in Greece, you really don't need as much today as you would have 5 years ago.

[KeithJenner]

43 minutes ago, geleisen said:

I spend about 6 weeks per year in Greece and I find that since they changed the law in 2017, the only time I have needed cash is certain taxis (which I rarely use) and public transport on some (but not all) of the islands. Greek government has also taken other measures to encourage card use by the Greek people, as it is an extremely effective way to combat tax evasion. So while it is surely a good idea to always carry some emergency cash in your wallet, in Greece, you really don't need as much today as you would have 5 years ago.

Well that shows how different peoples experiences can be.

 

You have far more experience than me in Greece (I am basing my recent experience on a one week cruise last week), but as someone who rarely uses cash at all I was very surprised at the number of places that I couldn’t use a card last week. I used more cash last week than I have in years in other European countries.

[the_scarecrow_in_oz]

Use your credit card for big purchases, like rooms at major hotel chains (Hyatt, etc). Notify your credit card and debit card company that you are going to travel overseas and check your daily limit with each. Also, if you don't know your cards PIN, ask your credit/debit card provider for them well in advance of your trip - they can't give you the PIN over the phone, so you'll get it through the mail. Many places in Europe require you to enter your PIN (instead of scrawling your signature on a touchpad as we do in the U.S.) to complete your transaction.

 

Many smaller businesses and vendors will not accept credit cards. Get local cash (Euros) from an ATM (preferably a bank ATM) once you are in the country using a debit card (preferably) or your credit card. If any business or cash machine asks you if you want your purchase/withdrawal "converted" into dollars, decline that offer - there's a large fee usually associated with this minor convenience of seeing your withdrawal displayed in dollars instead of Euros. Try to use a bank ATM. It's safer to withdraw where there are security cameras around, and if something should happen to your card, you can always go in the bank to resolve the issue. Avoid "independent" ATM's such as Travelex, Euronet, Moneybox, Cardpoint, and Cashzone as they charge large commissions and have lousy exchange rates.

 

Rick Steves (who has built a dynasty around traveling through Europe safely and frugally) has great advice on how to prepare for and handle monetary transactions in Europe. Check out his website at Money Travel Tips: Traveling Smart with Cash and Credit Cards in Europe by Rick Steves, and ATM Tips: Using Cash Machines in Europe by Rick Steves.

[BirdTravels]

In the past, we have always ordered Euros from AAA in advance. For us, they had the most favorable exchange rates (much better than airport change booths). If you are only getting a small amount for pocket money, it really does not matter. We like to have cash on hand when we arrive. 

[geleisen]

4 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

Well that shows how different peoples experiences can be.

 

You have far more experience than me in Greece (I am basing my recent experience on a one week cruise last week), but as someone who rarely uses cash at all I was very surprised at the number of places that I couldn’t use a card last week. I used more cash last week than I have in years in other European countries.

Interesting. Yeah in most cases, the shops are supposed to be accepting cards, (even lawyers have to accept payment with cards, which caused a bit of a stink) but when you get to some of those small places, they can sometimes get away with their POS machine being out of order. Ha. 

[cwsdks48]

16 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Unless something has changed, it has never been available before.  Most people get some euros at an ATM.  Even though the exchange rate is not always the best, I get a small amount from my bank before we leave home, just in case I need some before I get to the ATM or, heaven forbid, my card would not work.

 

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

In the past, we have always ordered Euros from AAA in advance. For us, they had the most favorable exchange rates (much better than airport change booths). If you are only getting a small amount for pocket money, it really does not matter. We like to have cash on hand when we arrive. 

If you are a Bank of America customer, order online whatever currencies you need, link under ‘help’ section. For amounts under $1000, currencies will arrive via FedEx at your address within a couple of days. For elite customers there is a discount and no fee.

We always take cash and use for smaller amounts and if a place is somewhat ‘sketchy’.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

I too, like to have some cash on hand when I arrive in a foreign country.   We have found in our area Chase had the best rates.  We are AAA members because of our auto insurance and I had not thought to see if they offered that service.  Thanks, I’ll check that out.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

I too, like to have some cash on hand when I arrive in a foreign country.   We have found in our area Chase had the best rates.  We are AAA members because of our auto insurance and I had not thought to see if they are comparable in rates.  So…. Just now I checked the AAA website and they say  that due to covid their currency exchange program is not available at this time.   Will try again as our Iceland. Raise gets closer.

[Joanne G.]

10 hours ago, the_scarecrow_in_oz said:

 . . . . Rick Steves (who has built a dynasty around traveling through Europe safely and frugally) has great advice on how to prepare for and handle monetary transactions in Europe. Check out his website at Money Travel Tips: Traveling Smart with Cash and Credit Cards in Europe by Rick Steves, and ATM Tips: Using Cash Machines in Europe by Rick Steves.

 

I am a big fan of Rick Steves, and I have learned a lot from his guidebooks.  But I part company with him on the ATM issue, especially for a cruise vacation.   

 

I find my cash needs to be very low on a cruise. I am not buying meals, and I typically take pre-paid ship's excursions.   Small souvenirs, bottles of water, maybe a snack, maybe a taxi ride or two, those are my likely cash expenditures.   I find it convenient to get currency in advance at my local bank, which they exchange at a decent rate for customers, and then not need an ATM during my trip.   I may not be able to find an ATM while on a ship's excursion, and even if I am exploring on my own, I may not want to spend valuable port time looking for one.   (Yes, I know an ATM at the airport is an option, but my preference is to land with currency on hand. Maybe I want a cup of coffee before passing the ATM LOL.)

 

In answer to the OP's question about how much I would get for a cruise plus a couple pre- and post-cruise days, I would say 500 euros, maybe more based on anticipated taxi needs.

 

 A useful tip I learned on one of these boards is that if you have currency left over before heading home and don't want to save it for another trip, put it towards your post-cruise hotel bill.   

 

[TrumpyNor]

Just a side note:

In most (probably all?) Western Europe countries, the most used form of payment is a DEBIT CARD and not a credit card. We use our debit cards for "everything" - even for very small amounts. Even in a regular supermarket you may experience not to be able to pay with a regular credit card....

[jennjess]

3 hours ago, TrumpyNor said:

Just a side note:

In most (probably all?) Western Europe countries, the most used form of payment is a DEBIT CARD and not a credit card. We use our debit cards for "everything" - even for very small amounts. Even in a regular supermarket you may experience not to be able to pay with a regular credit card....

In this country it's not possible to use a credit card in supermarkets or most other shops.  Debit cards or cash, and some don't accept cash either. 

[Sue Do-Over]

On 4/27/2022 at 7:26 AM, phillygwm said:

As others have stated, it's best to just hit an ATM in the country you're going to but you need to be careful.  A lot of the independent units in touristy areas are basically scams, offering bad exchange rates.  Bank ATMs do charge a fee but depending on the amount you're withdrawing, you'll be better off.  Also, if you can avoid the currency exchanges, do so.  Their rates aren't good.

 

One more thing:  Most ATM's ask something to the effect of whether you want them to do the foreign exchange or whether you want your bank to do it.  ALWAYS choose your bank; the exchange rate will be much better.

A guide on YouTube (sorry, I don't have the link) does a great summary of the ATM fees and how the exchange rates work.  He stresses to use your own banks' exchange rate, and to watch out for fees... one ATM example collected almost 50% between fees and poor rates, and he explained how to minimize the damage.

I recall that he also strongly recommends using ATM at actual banks, not those in tourist zones.

 

That said, we carry enough $ for a cab, lunch and snacks.  A purchase too big for pocket-change is probably not made on the street.