Euros vs. USD

[ticketsunlimited]

Jill and I have cruised for years and we are finally doing one out of Europe.  We are doing 4 nights in Rome (Pre cruise) and then the 12 day cruise on Odyssey that was supposed to go to Israel... this August/September.

I have 900.00 in Euros to start out with and wanted to get the opinions from the savvy European cruisers on a few things.  First off does the Casino continue to use USD while overseas?  We where just on Odyssey and most of the crew we spoke to will be on our cruise as well.  Saying that, while cruising out of Rome do they prefer to be tipped in USD or Euros or does it even matter?

Will guest services exchange USD to Euros if we need more as the trip progresses?  Will the Casino exchange funds for you if needed? We try to tip as often as possible when we get the service that is expected like most of you do. I know that in the US tipping is expected a bit more than what they may expect in Italy, Greece, and Turkey.  Saying that I would love to get a few thoughts on what most of you do on land for tipping for restaurants, excursions, drinks...

We will pay for most of our land based fees with our AMEX whenever possible.  Thanks very much in advance for your thoughts, advice, and opinions.  Dan

[twangster]

Royal casinos are all USD.

 

Guest services will exchange currency but not likely at a favorable rate.  

 

I don't bring nearly that much in Euros electing to use my credit card for things in Europe.  My card doesn't charge for foreign transactions beyond the exchange rate.  I bring cash for occasions I don't trust a merchant with my card or at places that don't accept credit cards much like when I travel at home in the US.

 

Crew will gladly take either currency for tips.

[Wineaux007]

I think 900 Euro is a little overkill.  Just about all places in Europe take credit cards, but not necessarily AMEX.  I would bring a VISA for those merchants who don't take AMEX.

 

I would bring Dollars for on board tips to your favorite bartender.  You can leave extra tips to your room attendant & wait staff at guest services on your on board account.

[ARandomTraveler]

Not sure about Rome, but when I was in Florence I actually found that I needed euros more than I expected, as a lot of cafes and shops and taxis only took cash. I was able to buy tickets to museums and tours online using a credit card, but some of the daily shopping and spending I needed cash for. 

[ticketsunlimited]

3 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Not sure about Rome, but when I was in Florence I actually found that I needed euros more than I expected, as a lot of cafes and shops and taxis only took cash. I was able to buy tickets to museums and tours online using a credit card, but some of the daily shopping and spending I needed cash for. 

Good to know.  We have four days in Rome.  Doing the usual tourist stuff.  Colosseum/Forum booked, Vatican booked,  and Audio tour of Pantheon. We are staying a stones throw from the door of the Pantheon so we will wander around to all the other sites in the mean time. Plan on paying for our dinners with the AMEX and tipping in Euros.

[little britain]

7 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Good to know.  We have four days in Rome.  Doing the usual tourist stuff.  Colosseum/Forum booked, Vatican booked,  and Audio tour of Pantheon. We are staying a stones throw from the door of the Pantheon so we will wander around to all the other sites in the mean time. Plan on paying for our dinners with the AMEX and tipping in Euros.

AMEX is not really liked ( some places refuse to accept it and have signs stating that) in Europe. 
Can you get a Chase card which charges no fx fees? 
 

Given the number of thieves and pickpockets I certainly would not be carrying large sums of cash around with me. 

Please remember that tipping in Europe means rounding up ( €66 to €70) or at most 10%.  

Edited July 23 by little britain

[firefly333]

I'm in the same boat. But too soon to convert and decide. I'm not going until next may. I'm on voyager b2b ending in rome. 4 days then fly home. Hotel already paid for but not shuttles etc as of yet or food. I dont plan on eating 900 euros worth, but not sure what a good number is.

[ARandomTraveler]

8 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Good to know.  We have four days in Rome.  Doing the usual tourist stuff.  Colosseum/Forum booked, Vatican booked,  and Audio tour of Pantheon. We are staying a stones throw from the door of the Pantheon so we will wander around to all the other sites in the mean time. Plan on paying for our dinners with the AMEX and tipping in Euros.

 

2 minutes ago, little britain said:

AMEX is not really liked ( some places refuse to accept it and have signs stating that) in Europe. 
Can you get a Chase card which charges no fx fees? 

Please remember that tipping in Europe means rounding up ( €66 to €70) or at most 10%.  

Would agree about the tipping. Most places don't even provide an opportunity to tip (for example, if they do take credit cards, they'll give you a receipt that doesn't include a line for tipping), and leaving cash as a tip can often be seen as kind of weird. You'll get used to it, it's kind of nice. 

Edited July 23 by ARandomTraveler

[MadManOfBethesda]

53 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

 

Would agree about the tipping. Most places don't even provide an opportunity to tip (for example, if they do take credit cards, they'll give you a receipt that doesn't include a line for tipping), and leaving cash as a tip can often be seen as kind of weird. You'll get used to it, it's kind of nice. 

That may be true in southern Europe, but it certainly hasn't been my experience in northern Europe. My wife and I are just finishing up a 3-week trip which included land stays in Reykjavik, Edinburgh, and Amsterdam, and virtually every establishment we visited included a tip line on their credit card receipts. And that was even when there was already a 10% service charge added on. In fact, we went to one bar in Amsterdam where I handed the server a 20 Euro bill for a 9.50 tab, and she returned with a 5 Euro bill and 5.50 in coins, with the clear implication that I not only would leave a tip, but that I would leave a tip in excess of 50 cents. That slick little move is something that I've only heretofore encountered in U.S. bars and restaurants. 

[willing292]

2 hours ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Jill and I have cruised for years and we are finally doing one out of Europe.  We are doing 4 nights in Rome (Pre cruise) and then the 12 day cruise on Odyssey that was supposed to go to Israel... this August/September.

I have 900.00 in Euros to start out with and wanted to get the opinions from the savvy European cruisers on a few things.  First off does the Casino continue to use USD while overseas?  We where just on Odyssey and most of the crew we spoke to will be on our cruise as well.  Saying that, while cruising out of Rome do they prefer to be tipped in USD or Euros or does it even matter?

Will guest services exchange USD to Euros if we need more as the trip progresses?  Will the Casino exchange funds for you if needed? We try to tip as often as possible when we get the service that is expected like most of you do. I know that in the US tipping is expected a bit more than what they may expect in Italy, Greece, and Turkey.  Saying that I would love to get a few thoughts on what most of you do on land for tipping for restaurants, excursions, drinks...

We will pay for most of our land based fees with our AMEX whenever possible.  Thanks very much in advance for your thoughts, advice, and opinions.  Dan

most shops, restaurants in Europe don’t take AMEX.  

[ARandomTraveler]

41 minutes ago, MadManOfBethesda said:

That may be true in southern Europe, but it certainly hasn't been my experience in northern Europe. My wife and I are just finishing up a 3-week trip which included land stays in Reykjavik, Edinburgh, and Amsterdam, and virtually every establishment we visited included a tip line on their credit card receipts. And that was even when there was already a 10% service charge added on. In fact, we went to one bar in Amsterdam where I handed the server a 20 Euro bill for a 9.50 tab, and she returned with a 5 Euro bill and 5.50 in coins, with the clear implication that I not only would leave a tip, but that I would leave a tip in excess of 50 cents. That slick little move is something that I've only heretofore encountered in U.S. bars and restaurants. 

Yikes!!

[Roybthered]

Every RCL ship uses USD wherever they are sailing. When we sail in Europe we always take some Euro in cash say couple of hundred for drinks/snacks etc but also take a credit card (Visa) as you can use it in most places. Tipping with Euro or USD is acceptable as the crew if getting off in port will not have to change USD into Euro's.

[gavvy]

There is one port- I thnk Palma where the shuttle bus is cash only I think E10,

 

You should have no issues using credit cards in most areas just have some Euro as a backup.  There is a cash machine on board that dispenses Euro - for a fee of course, I personally would not bring more than a few hundred Euro as I don't think you will need much more if using cards.

 

Any place that is pushing tips in Europe is probably a tourist trap used to USA tourists, the vast majority do not expect a tip, and most places do not give an option when paying via card.

[Roybthered]

17 minutes ago, gavvy said:

There is one port- I thnk Palma where the shuttle bus is cash only I think E10,

 

You should have no issues using credit cards in most areas just have some Euro as a backup.  There is a cash machine on board that dispenses Euro - for a fee of course, I personally would not bring more than a few hundred Euro as I don't think you will need much more if using cards.

 

Any place that is pushing tips in Europe is probably a tourist trap used to USA tourists, the vast majority do not expect a tip, and most places do not give an option when paying via card.

Yes the cost is 10 Euro for the shuttle and to be honest worth it.

[Cruise5life]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I'm in the same boat. But too soon to convert and decide. I'm not going until next may. I'm on voyager b2b ending in rome. 4 days then fly home. Hotel already paid for but not shuttles etc as of yet or food. I dont plan on eating 900 euros worth, but not sure what a good number is.

I’m bringing enough euros to pay cash for all my transfers to save the 10% credit card fee.    And that’s about it.   I’ll have like 200 euros extra for a total of about 500€. And I got that from my bank.     I’m sure I’ll be able to use up that much on stuff.   Pizza mainly lol.   I’m only staying 2 days in rome.   But all my ports are €.  So it’ll get used when I purchase magnets in ports. Lol.   

Edited July 23 by Cruise5life

[firefly333]

13 minutes ago, Cruise5life said:

I’m bringing enough euros to pay cash for all my transfers to save the 10% credit card fee.    And that’s about it.   I’ll have like 200 euros extra for a total of about 500€. And I got that from my bank.     I’m sure I’ll be able to use up that much on stuff.   Pizza mainly lol.   I’m only staying 2 days in rome.   But all my ports are €.  So it’ll get used when I purchase magnets in ports. Lol.   

Are you solo? Is this for 1 or 2 people? It's just me. I could book the shared shuttle ahead and pay now. There is also a last minute shared shuttle site. 

 

I had some cabins booked as canadian group rates this oct and paid 3 foreign fees, so I checked and my Kroger card doesnt charge a foreign fee, neither does ubs. So I'll not use my chase card for this cruise lol. Idk before I used it, didnt have time to check. My TA had the good rates so I jumped on them. Sure enough a fee from chase. I was going to cancel my Kroger card but now I'll keep it. Though I think it's a Mastercard not a visa. I hate to take all 3 cards, but I may. 

 

People say just take a taxi home from excursions. I suspect euros will add up faster than I think. Especially if I take taxis. I plan on eating pizza too. I dont eat pasta. 

[ticketsunlimited]

1 hour ago, willing292 said:

most shops, restaurants in Europe don’t take AMEX.  

Just got off the phone with Bank of America.

 

The Royal caribbean Visa Signature card does not charge foreign transaction fees.  This will be our back up card in case Amex is not accepted.

[njkruzer]

4 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Just got off the phone with Bank of America.

 

The Royal caribbean Visa Signature card does not charge foreign transaction fees.  This will be our back up card in case Amex is not accepted.

Do they still require pin codes to use credit cards?  I remember when we needed those in Europe. 

[ticketsunlimited]

1 minute ago, njkruzer said:

Do they still require pin codes to use credit cards?  I remember when we needed those in Europe. 

I asked them if it is still a good idea to contact them to let them know we are traveling out of the country.  The rep said it is no longer required and as long as your phone and email is up to date there should be no issues.  If suspicious activity is suspected they will text and or email us to verify we are the people doing the transaction.

Not sure of any pin verification.  I have only heard of that for ATM transactions.

[Roybthered]

9 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

Do they still require pin codes to use credit cards?  I remember when we needed those in Europe. 

In the UK it is pin or tap your card, in mainland Europe am unsure.

 

[njkruzer]

4 minutes ago, Roybthered said:

In the UK it is pin or tap your card, in mainland Europe am unsure.

 

UK and had tap or pin long before we had tap so needed to use pin. This was maybe 9-10 years ago.

[Tin can]

I'm another saying do not rely on your AMEX in Europe.

 

I don't know why it is but it is not widely accepted and I think you will find most places will actively state that they will not accept it.

 

Here in the UK I cannot remember seeing anyone use one in years, strange really as they are heavily advertised and actually sponsor a Premier League football teams stadium. 

[Roybthered]

5 minutes ago, Tin can said:

I'm another saying do not rely on your AMEX in Europe.

 

I don't know why it is but it is not widely accepted and I think you will find most places will actively state that they will not accept it.

 

Here in the UK I cannot remember seeing anyone use one in years, strange really as they are heavily advertised and actually sponsor a Premier League football teams stadium. 

I am from the UK and have an AMEX, I use it quite often ( good cash back % at the minute) but do have to ask everywhere if they take it.

[LittleJoefromKokomo]

You don't need your pin when buying with Visa or Mastercard if tapping the card when it's a smaller sum, I belive it's 40 Eur or something. If buying for more or inserting the card in the reader (sometimes tapping doesn't work) the pin is needed.

If you have added yor card to your phone and tap the phone no card pin is needed either.

[Jetdriver787]

5 hours ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Jill and I have cruised for years and we are finally doing one out of Europe.  We are doing 4 nights in Rome (Pre cruise) and then the 12 day cruise on Odyssey that was supposed to go to Israel... this August/September.

I have 900.00 in Euros to start out with and wanted to get the opinions from the savvy European cruisers on a few things.  First off does the Casino continue to use USD while overseas?  We where just on Odyssey and most of the crew we spoke to will be on our cruise as well.  Saying that, while cruising out of Rome do they prefer to be tipped in USD or Euros or does it even matter?

Will guest services exchange USD to Euros if we need more as the trip progresses?  Will the Casino exchange funds for you if needed? We try to tip as often as possible when we get the service that is expected like most of you do. I know that in the US tipping is expected a bit more than what they may expect in Italy, Greece, and Turkey.  Saying that I would love to get a few thoughts on what most of you do on land for tipping for restaurants, excursions, drinks...

We will pay for most of our land based fees with our AMEX whenever possible.  Thanks very much in advance for your thoughts, advice, and opinions.  Dan

To be honest I would have thought that 900 Euro is more than enough to be holding in cash, and if it were me, I would leave most of that in the hotel/ship safe when you go out. If you do find you need more cash, then my advice from a lifetime of world wide travel, would be to take your bank ATM card. Two rules here: Firstly, only use it at Commercial bank ATMs and not those “convenient” but strangely located ones. Secondly, always, ALWAYS, decline the “helpful” option to convert the withdrawal to your home currency. Let your own bank deal with that, as it will always be much less favourable to you if you fall for that trap.

 

On board the ship, it will be all USD just as in the Caribbean. Off the ship, all Euro or credit card. Whilst tipping is regarded as more of a “thank you” and 10% would be considered quite reasonable, it is still regarded as a normal expectation for good service in most  places. On that score “Good service” is usually a more relaxed affair than is the norm back home.

 

Amex is widely accepted but some institutions balk at the higher merchant fees, and either don’t accept it, or discourage it in favour of Visa/Mastercard, so worth checking first. There will usually be signs on the door, window, or point of sale, with the relevant card symbols. 
 

Rome, Barcelona and Lisbon have a not undeserved reputation for pickpocketing and other tourist scams. They can happen everywhere, but with the usual basic precautions you are unlikely to have any problems on this score. Nevertheless, I would advise maybe taking a credit card or 2, an ATM bank card, and a reasonable amount of cash in smaller bills (5,10,20.) when you leave the ship or hotel.
 

Worth also bearing in mind that in Europe currency in note form usually starts at 5. Below that, coins are the norm. 1 Euro, 2 Euro etc. As you are likely to acquire quite a collection it’s worth spending these or using them for tips in taxis, hotels etc. This is especially true towards the end of your trip, as coins are usually difficult or impossible to exchange should you want to when you are on the ship or back home.

Edited July 23 by Jetdriver787