How Many Euros for Cruise?

[sjmbruce]

My husband and I are going on our first European cruise and are sailing for a week with Royal. We're staying in Venice for two days precruise, we'll want to buy food and souvenirs plus tip tour guides during the cruise, then we'll spend two days post cruise in Barcelona.  I have no idea how many euros will be needed. 

[neverbeenhere]

If you ever plan on traveling in Europe again get $1,000 worth. If not get $300.

[Tree_skier]

I'd bring the tip money only and perhaps <€100 for incidentals. I use a credit card overseas exclusively.  It is much more secure and if problems arise you have more recourse. 

[Wineaux007]

You can always get extra Euro if needed from a "bank" ATM, and I stress "bank" because other ATM's will rip you off (charge large fees).  Make sure you do all your credit card/ATM transactions in Euro and let your bank at home do the conversion.  

[ajtaylor29]

We're about to leave on a European cruise in 6 days, i always second guess myself about how much to take as well! Keep in mind that you can use your credit card for most purchases while on shore, so that's what i plan to do. Then figure out how much is needed for excursions (some require cash which we'll get in euros), tips etc. You can always get more if you need it. I'm pretty sure the ATM's will dispense euros so you can get more as you go along. Have fun!

We'll be in Venice this Friday!!

[orville99]

19 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

I'd bring the tip money only and perhaps <€100 for incidentals. I use a credit card overseas exclusively.  It is much more secure and if problems arise you have more recourse. 

+1

 

A credit card will give you whatever the current in country exchange rate is, a bank or ATM will tack on a service charge. I always do money exchange at my local US bank before I travel abroad.

[SPacificbound]

I also agree with use your credit card as much as possible.

 

As for Euros we go the bank ATM also, I would think 500 E should be more than enough.

 

[sjmbruce]

Thanks for all of the advice! I'm planning on using a credit card for everything I possibly can,  but figured there might be some instances where I can't (cheap food, gelato, unplanned gondola ride, smaller souvenir shops). 

[scooby1]

In Europe especially in the major locations contactless payments are very much in the majority, very very rare even in markets these days they won’t accept a card that way. 

[George C]

I would bring at least 500 and make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee . We try to prearrange tours . 

[jennmaybe]

We are also going on our 1st Mediterranean cruise and we are taking 800 Euros.  All cash in ports for us.  No lectures please.  We are very-seasoned travelers and had our CC compromised from vacation before and it was a miserable nightmare.  😰
 

(No, we are not carrying all that everyday.  Just what we need for each port)

[Driftwoodgal]

1 hour ago, ajtaylor29 said:

We're about to leave on a European cruise in 6 days, i always second guess myself about how much to take as well! Keep in mind that you can use your credit card for most purchases while on shore, so that's what i plan to do. Then figure out how much is needed for excursions (some require cash which we'll get in euros), tips etc. You can always get more if you need it. I'm pretty sure the ATM's will dispense euros so you can get more as you go along. Have fun!

We'll be in Venice this Friday!!

I am doing research on Venice. Could you share what excursions you are doing. We will be there three nights after sailing on the Explorer.

[ajtaylor29]

8 minutes ago, Driftwoodgal said:

I am doing research on Venice. Could you share what excursions you are doing. We will be there three nights after sailing on the Explorer.

We are in Venice for 2 nights before our Explorer cruise. The only excursion we've booked is skip the line for Doge Palace and St Marks Basilica. I've read that there can be long lines to get in to these so i'm hoping we'll avoid too much waiting this way. Other than that, we plan to just walk and get lost - that's what i've read is the best way to see Venice. Maybe take a water taxi over to Murano Island to see the glass blowers if we have time.

[njkruzer]

1 hour ago, sjmbruce said:

Thanks for all of the advice! I'm planning on using a credit card for everything I possibly can,  but figured there might be some instances where I can't (cheap food, gelato, unplanned gondola ride, smaller souvenir shops). 

Check to see which of your credit cards don't charge you a foreign transaction fee.  Those arecthe ones we take.

[little britain]

41 minutes ago, ajtaylor29 said:

We are in Venice for 2 nights before our Explorer cruise. The only excursion we've booked is skip the line for Doge Palace and St Marks Basilica. I've read that there can be long lines to get in to these so i'm hoping we'll avoid too much waiting this way. Other than that, we plan to just walk and get lost - that's what i've read is the best way to see Venice. Maybe take a water taxi over to Murano Island to see the glass blowers if we have time.

A taxi will be crazy $.
You buy the 24/48 hr Vaporetto pass and catch the ferry over. 
And you have to pay to see glass blowing exhibitions but there are lots and lots of shops selling it. 

[ngrund]

It might also depend on where you are getting the Euros. I'll be getting some Canadian $ for a trip next year.

 

Bank of America charges for under $1K, so I'm getting at least $1K, and probably $2K, since I will be checking out some casinos. If I have any left when coming home, they will exchange back.

[Charles4515]

On 9/16/2023 at 2:15 PM, orville99 said:

+1

 

A credit card will give you whatever the current in country exchange rate is, a bank or ATM will tack on a service charge. I always do money exchange at my local US bank before I travel abroad.

There are no ATM fees in Europe. Your bank may charge an out of network or foreign transaction fee. Ergo use a bank that does not charge those fees. .I don't get charged any fees for withdrawing cash from an ATM. My checking account debit card is Captal One 360. 

 

Also beware. Some will banks and merchants will offer to do currency conversion in US currency. . That confuses some Americans. Say no. There is a fee for that. Pay in the local currency.

Edited September 18, 2023 by Charles4515

[Wineaux007]

43 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

There are no ATM fees in Europe. Your bank may charge an out of network or foreign transaction fee. Ergo use a bank that does not charge those fees. .I don't get charged any fees for withdrawing cash from an ATM. My checking account debit card is Captal One 360. 

 

Also beware. Some will banks and merchants will offer to do currency conversion in US currency. . That confuses some Americans. Say no. There is a fee for that. Pay in the local currency.

ATM's are now prompting you if you want them to do the transaction conversion in $$$.  Always check local currency.  Let your bank do the conversion.  Most do not have any conversion fees.  

[orville99]

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

There are no ATM fees in Europe. Your bank may charge an out of network or foreign transaction fee. Ergo use a bank that does not charge those fees. .I don't get charged any fees for withdrawing cash from an ATM. My checking account debit card is Captal One 360. 

 

Also beware. Some will banks and merchants will offer to do currency conversion in US currency. . That confuses some Americans. Say no. There is a fee for that. Pay in the local currency.

Unfortunately, you have missed the point.

[cruisin73]

When we went in May we brought 300 and got about another 300  from a bank ATM.

[Wineaux007]

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

Unfortunately, you have missed the point.

Really?  I thought he was spot on, providing useful information for the non-Europe savvy traveler.  

[orville99]

10 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

Really?  I thought he was spot on, providing useful information for the non-Europe savvy traveler.  

Tips on Using ATMs in Europe

How to use a European cash machine: Insert card, pull out cash.

By Rick Steves

Throughout Europe, ATMs are the easiest and smartest way for travelers to get cash. You'll usually pay withdrawal fees, but you'll still get a better rate than you would exchanging dollars for local cash at a currency exchange booth.

[Wineaux007]

3 hours ago, orville99 said:

Tips on Using ATMs in Europe

How to use a European cash machine: Insert card, pull out cash.

By Rick Steves

Throughout Europe, ATMs are the easiest and smartest way for travelers to get cash. You'll usually pay withdrawal fees, but you'll still get a better rate than you would exchanging dollars for local cash at a currency exchange booth.

My bank reimburses me if on the rare occasion I am charged an ATM withdrawal fee.  In my experience, it is the exception rather than the rule for a Bank ATM to charge you a fee to withdraw Euro.  

 

The currency exchange booths will rip you off, and should be avoided along with EURONET ATM kiosks/machines.

[orville99]

20 minutes ago, Wineaux007 said:

My bank reimburses me if on the rare occasion I am charged an ATM withdrawal fee.  In my experience, it is the exception rather than the rule for a Bank ATM to charge you a fee to withdraw Euro.  

 

The currency exchange booths will rip you off, and should be avoided along with EURONET ATM kiosks/machines.

You also missed the point. My recommendation was to use a credit card for all purchases, and to avoid ATMs(especially non bank ATMs), European banks, and money exchanges. You are fortunate that your bank reimburses. Not all do.

 

Fortunately, the travel experts agree with my recommendations (which are based on more than 30 years of travel throughout Europe for business during my career).

Edited September 19, 2023 by orville99

[Wineaux007]

3 hours ago, orville99 said:

You also missed the point. My recommendation was to use a credit card for all purchases, and to avoid ATMs(especially non bank ATMs), European banks, and money exchanges. You are fortunate that your bank reimburses. Not all do.

 

Fortunately, the travel experts agree with my recommendations (which are based on more than 30 years of travel throughout Europe for business during my career).

I didn't miss your point.  I was commenting on your post about Ricky Steves about paying withdrawal fees at the ATM.  You posted that article.  That's not the case in 99% of the times I've used ATM's over the past 40 years.