travelfool123 Posted May 30, 2023 #1 Share Posted May 30, 2023 I can't believe I only have 141 days for my European cruise! Excited. Lots to do to get ready. Why I start early. LOL 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvs2beachit Posted May 31, 2023 #2 Share Posted May 31, 2023 Europe in October is my favorite time to be there. Weather is cooler and the crowds have left. Have a wonderful cruise! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted June 17, 2023 Author #3 Share Posted June 17, 2023 I was thinking about the ports. I have 7 on this cruise. Any ideas on how many Euros to take just for souvenirs, food, etc. I'm doing excursions but will have opportunities to shop, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted June 18, 2023 #4 Share Posted June 18, 2023 2 minutes ago, travelfool123 said: I was thinking about the ports. I have 7 on this cruise. Any ideas on how many Euros to take just for souvenirs, food, etc. I'm doing excursions but will have opportunities to shop, etc. You can use a debit card in ports to get more euros if needed. Shops also take credit cards. Be sure to have one that does not charge a foreign transaction fee. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinqt Posted June 18, 2023 #5 Share Posted June 18, 2023 I’m doing Europe this summer and a transatlantic repositioning cruise this fall. I’m really excited too. One thing to remember when using credit cards in Europe is to never convert to euros when making purchases. Whether you’re getting cash at an ATM or making a purchase if it asks if you’d like for them to convert it to euros for you say no, the fees are usually very steep. Just leave it and let your credit card do the converting. Your credit card company won’t have crazy conversion rates or hidden fees. You won’t need much cash in Europe since everything (subways, restaurants, shops, tour operators etc) takes credit cards. But you’ll probably need some to tip your tour guide or if you need to use the bathroom (no it’s not free there.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising_Addict Posted June 18, 2023 #6 Share Posted June 18, 2023 2 hours ago, travelfool123 said: I was thinking about the ports. I have 7 on this cruise. Any ideas on how many Euros to take just for souvenirs, food, etc. I'm doing excursions but will have opportunities to shop, etc. I wouldn’t take any euros, personally. We live in a largely cashless world nowadays. Europe is no different. And tips aren’t a thing in Europe like they are in the US or the Caribbean. Personally, it’s one of my favorite things about cruising in Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted June 19, 2023 Author #7 Share Posted June 19, 2023 21 hours ago, cruisinqt said: I’m doing Europe this summer and a transatlantic repositioning cruise this fall. I’m really excited too. One thing to remember when using credit cards in Europe is to never convert to euros when making purchases. Whether you’re getting cash at an ATM or making a purchase if it asks if you’d like for them to convert it to euros for you say no, the fees are usually very steep. Just leave it and let your credit card do the converting. Your credit card company won’t have crazy conversion rates or hidden fees. You won’t need much cash in Europe since everything (subways, restaurants, shops, tour operators etc) takes credit cards. But you’ll probably need some to tip your tour guide or if you need to use the bathroom (no it’s not free there.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted June 19, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted June 19, 2023 Thanks for the tip, especally about the restroom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChinaShrek Posted June 19, 2023 #9 Share Posted June 19, 2023 I was in Amsterdam last summer for a cruise and I found out that even the homeless there take credit cards! I was eating outside in a cafe and someone came up to me asking me for money. I said I didn't have any cash on me (which was true) and he said, "we take cards now" and pulled out a small credit card reader. I laughed and said, "I'm still not giving you any money." So, now, you do not need any cash in Europe even if you wish to donate to the homeless. 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinqt Posted June 19, 2023 #10 Share Posted June 19, 2023 4 hours ago, travelfool123 said: Thanks for the tip, especally about the restroom! You’re welcome. I’ve been reading tons of reviews and that was the biggest complaint people had. Nobody from America would expect to pay for a restroom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Despegue Posted June 19, 2023 #11 Share Posted June 19, 2023 1 hour ago, cruisinqt said: You’re welcome. I’ve been reading tons of reviews and that was the biggest complaint people had. Nobody from America would expect to pay for a restroom. Well, it actually depends on the country. In Restaurants and bars, you normally do NOT need to pay for using the toilets, but you might if not a customer. and no, we do NOT tip in the EU, please respect this. We pay our staff actual salaries and everybody has great health care. I advise to get a Revolut debit card and take-out cash from the atm’s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinqt Posted June 19, 2023 #12 Share Posted June 19, 2023 30 minutes ago, Despegue said: Well, it actually depends on the country. In Restaurants and bars, you normally do NOT need to pay for using the toilets, but you might if not a customer. and no, we do NOT tip in the EU, please respect this. We pay our staff actual salaries and everybody has great health care. I advise to get a Revolut debit card and take-out cash from the atm’s. In America there’s lots of free bathrooms everywhere and they don’t care if you’re a customer or not. It’s a bit different here so we’re trying to be prepared for the change because while we’re out sightseeing we will likely need bathroom breaks. I don’t mind paying a small fee for the bathroom though. I’ve heard that London tips 10% but I haven’t researched Spain or our other ports. I like the idea of not tipping. Here in America even if they’re paid well they still want a tip. The tipping situation is out of hand. Thanks for the info on the card I'll look into it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartgrove Posted June 19, 2023 #13 Share Posted June 19, 2023 Not all counties in Europe use the Euro. There are seven in the EU plus the United Kingdom that use their own currency. This is important for restrooms. We were in Sweden at the Stockholm Central Station and the unisex pay restroom was 1 Swedish Krona but 2 Euro. Using the Euro cost about ten times more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinqt Posted June 19, 2023 #14 Share Posted June 19, 2023 4 hours ago, Heartgrove said: Not all counties in Europe use the Euro. There are seven in the EU plus the United Kingdom that use their own currency. This is important for restrooms. We were in Sweden at the Stockholm Central Station and the unisex pay restroom was 1 Swedish Krona but 2 Euro. Using the Euro cost about ten times more. Really? That’s crazy. It’s good to know, thanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartgrove Posted June 19, 2023 #15 Share Posted June 19, 2023 1 hour ago, cruisinqt said: Really? That’s crazy. It’s good to know, thanks. Crazier was Montenegro not in the EU but using the Euro for currency and until just January 2023 Croatia in the EU but still used their own Kuna for currency. We carry a small amount of Euros and if we don't spend them save them our next trip. Still have 50 Euro from last years trip but will use them in September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted June 20, 2023 Author #16 Share Posted June 20, 2023 Thanks everyone for the tips. I can't believe the homeless had a credit card reader! So excited. Trying to gather as much info as I can without being overwhelmed! 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinqt Posted June 20, 2023 #17 Share Posted June 20, 2023 10 hours ago, Heartgrove said: Crazier was Montenegro not in the EU but using the Euro for currency and until just January 2023 Croatia in the EU but still used their own Kuna for currency. We carry a small amount of Euros and if we don't spend them save them our next trip. Still have 50 Euro from last years trip but will use them in September. That’s a good idea to just save what you don’t use. I’ll keep that in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted September 27, 2023 Author #18 Share Posted September 27, 2023 So excited! Europe trip is in 21 days! Fly out the 15th. So looking forward to this! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john91498 Posted September 27, 2023 #19 Share Posted September 27, 2023 Have a good trip!!!!! 😃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted September 27, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted September 27, 2023 Thank you! A little nerve wracking to get ready but once I'm on that plane.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsglow Posted September 28, 2023 #21 Share Posted September 28, 2023 So are you doing the last 10 day Med lap on Pride? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted September 28, 2023 #22 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Coming back from Europe, we missed our connecting flight, and had to wait for many hours for the next flight! It was brutal. I hope you have a better flights! Enjoy the cruise. It should be fabulous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ncovert Posted September 28, 2023 #23 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Happy sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted September 28, 2023 Author #24 Share Posted September 28, 2023 I am doing the 10 day Mediterranean. I hope I don't have any flight problems. Not a good thought and sorry you had to go through that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool123 Posted October 5, 2023 Author #25 Share Posted October 5, 2023 On 9/27/2023 at 8:51 PM, jsglow said: So are you doing the last 10 day Med lap on Pride? Yes! So excited . Can't believe it's almost here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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