Euros vs. USD

[alfaeric]

One other thing for future travelers- we've found that the best of the best exchange rate to GET euros is going to a bank ATM in Europe.  The exchange rate + fees for ATM's is better than exchanging dollars for euros either in Europe or the US.  And using your CC is even better than that.  The fees have to be really high for a cc to make them really worse than exchanging paper money anywhere.

[ticketsunlimited]

1 hour ago, Jetdriver787 said:

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.

Excellent advice and very much appreciated!!  Thank you very much JET.

[bonsai3s]

@ticketsunlimited

 

I know you asked about euros vs dollars. Just a friendly reminder...

 

1. Be mindful of what you wear when visiting churches or any religious sites. For example, to visit inside St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican/Rome), shoulders and knees must be covered.

 

2. You can use the coins to pay for using the toilets.

 

Have a great time in Rome, and happy sailing.

[Wineaux007]

You can get a PIN for your credit card, but you don't need one.  European credit cards use the chip and pin and Tap, whereas U.S. credit cards will either use the Tap or insert the chip card into the reader, then sign -- called chip and sign vs European chip and pin. No PIN for U.S. credit cards.  If you have a cc with a pin, you can use it in an ATM, but it will be considered a cash advance, and you will pay interest from  the day of transaction.    This is different from the debit card/pin where the funds come out from your checking account. 

[Cruise5life]

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

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. 

I’m solo too.   But traveling with a group.    
im also using shared shuttle.it.    Just paying the driver.      I’m taking a few cards.  But only for emergency.    The just in case cards.   
I’ll be using my BOA Travel card that has no fees.   
I have about 200€ left after all my transfers.    Should last me for 2 days in rome.  And ports.   And I’ll use the travel card if needed.   
I don’t buy extravagant things so I should be just fine.     

[njkruzer]

2 minutes ago, Wineaux007 said:

You can get a PIN for your credit card, but you don't need one.  European credit cards use the chip and pin and Tap, whereas U.S. credit cards will either use the Tap or insert the chip card into the reader, then sign -- called chip and sign vs European chip and pin. No PIN for U.S. credit cards.  If you have a cc with a pin, you can use it in an ATM, but it will be considered a cash advance, and you will pay interest from  the day of transaction.    This is different from the debit card/pin where the funds come out from your checking account. 

We have pins for a couple of credit cards.  Only use ATM cards for money withdrawals from ATMs.  No interest charges.  Don't use debit cards.  Too hard to fix a problem.

[BirdTravels]

9 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

 

Unless you are in a touristy area, AMEX may be problematic. 

 

The currency of the ship is USD. That's what the crew use if they go to the crew store onboard. If you tip in Euros, they get the same crappy exchange rate as you would to do a currency exchange onboard. And, not all crew get the opportunity or take the opportunity to go ashore after working long, grueling days. 

[frank808]

10 hours 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.

I remember near Trevi fountain are some money exchange shops right on the main street. I found them to have better exchange rates than from Chase Bank in New York City from a day before.

 

Our next trip to Rome I will not be exchanging USD to EUR in America. I was told if the country has currency stronger than USD to exchange in the country going to. If USD is stronger than country currency you are exchanging for do it in the USA (USD to YEN do it in USA).

[firefly333]

38 minutes ago, frank808 said:

I remember near Trevi fountain are some money exchange shops right on the main street. I found them to have better exchange rates than from Chase Bank in New York City from a day before.

 

Our next trip to Rome I will not be exchanging USD to EUR in America. I was told if the country has currency stronger than USD to exchange in the country going to. If USD is stronger than country currency you are exchanging for do it in the USA (USD to YEN do it in USA).

In my case I'm doing a TA over to spain then a 10 day ending in rome where I have the last 4 days in rome. Not the other direction which most seem to be doing. I worry about the flight and thought I'd worry less if thr flight is behind me and I'm delayed just flying home. Too many I know have had flight issues. A friend just got home from Norway and her luggage didnt make it until her last port. I havent yet got worried about euros. But thanks for the advice. Idk even if my hotel has a safe in the rooms. Solo female and pick pockets so good to be reminded. Lol already worried and now worried more.

[little britain]

11 hours 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. 

How very strange. 
You tap your card for most payments up to €100 and on the machine you have an option to add a tip.  I have not seen or signed a paper receipt in Europe for years. And I mean years.

I thought it was only the USA with the very strange antiquated system whereby they bring you a receipt, you write in a tip amount and sign it and then they bring you another receipt!!!  How much till roll paper is wasted?!?! 🤷‍♀️

 

If you tap you don’t need a pin.

Always select the option to

pay in local currency 💶 and let the bank do the conversion. 

 

Little Miss Amsterdam would have got a €0.50 from us. 

[cruiseboy89130]

11 hours ago, willing292 said:

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

Not true!

[steamboats]

From a European:

 

I never carry 900 Euro for a cruise with me... Yes, AMEX is not widely accepted (I have one) so a VISA or Mastercard as backup is a good idea.

 

Yes, we do use PINs (4 digits). Most of our cards have a 50 Euro limit for just tapping. So all amounts up to 50 Euro I usually just tap my card not using a PIN. For more than 50 Euro I need my PIN (and almost all card readers are tap now no sliding anymore).

 

steamboats

[mets07]

It realizes if you are using a US credit card and does not require a pin. 

[Tin can]

1 hour ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Not true!

 

I'm afraid it is, American Express merchant fee's are very high compared to Mastercard and Visa. 

 

Even Ebay is stopping accepting it from next month due to the fee's it charges so personally I would not be relying on its acceptance at European cruise ports

Edited July 24 by Tin can

[FamilyCruiserUK]

Ok lots of great answers here. Here is my English take as a regular visitor to Europe, in fact heading on a cruise around Greece tomorrow with P&O.

 

AMEX, will hardly be taken, i was given an american express amex card with work and was refused in most places. 

 

Euros, take small dominations, we only take 5, 10, and 20s....a lot of places do not or will not take 50s or above do to too many forgeries.

 

Never had to tip in Europe, granted some of it has made it way across the pond the more expensive resturants, but at most, most resturants and stalls have tip jars most people throw their change in. No need to tip more then a Euro or two.

 

There are pick pockets eps in rome/Greece on the public transport. If you have a bag keep it at front of you and dont have anything in easy access pockets. They are usually women with big bags as they use the bags to cover their hands. Usually in groups of three, a distractor, watcher and picker. But tbh ive never been pick pocketed so its not as bad as been made out. 

 

Its very hot in Europe at the mo, averaging around 38-40c in Rome and Athens so just be aware of that.

 

Lastly have a great time 👍

[crazyank]

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Unless you are in a touristy area, AMEX may be problematic. 

 

3 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

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

 

1 hour ago, Tin can said:

Not true!

It is VERY true.  most shops, restaurants, tourist attractions, etc will not take AMEX

[little britain]

3 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Not true!

Do you just post the opposite to what everyone else says to get your post count up? 🤷‍♀️

 

 

[Norwich Cruiser]

4 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Not true!

Yes it is 100% true.

 

Visa and Mastercard are what you need to use in Europe or in the UK

[MadManOfBethesda]

Do I actually need to post copies of all of my AmEx receipts to show that AmEx is accepted in many of the retail locations I just now visited this past month? (Rhetorical question; I'm obviously not going to do that.) How many of you posting about AmEx not being accepted actually inquire rather than just whipping out your Visa or M.C? AmEx is my preferred card and I always ask and I've found it to be about 50-50. And if you're talking about hotels, high-end shops/department stores, and expensive restaurants, then it is almost always accepted. Now, it is true that I've found in small, locally-owned, shops, bars, and restaurants, it's either discouraged or not accepted, but again, that is not universal.

[gavvy]

In regards to Amex, most smaller shops and restaurants will not take it, larger chain stores may.  I would def not rely on it and take a visa / Mastercard which are universally accepted, Amex is a bit of a pain to use even in the UK.

[TeeRick]

On European itineraries they usually have at least 2 ATM's on board - one for USD and one for Euro's.  You will get the best exchange rate at an ATM either on the ship or in port.  Guest Services has horrible exchange rates.  Our bank refunds all ATM fees.  So we just use ATM's.  We carry a travel debit card with a limited amount of funds in that account.  We turn off overdraft protection.  Or sometimes we take a VISA prepaid debit card with us (most like the traveler's checks of past days).

[mil76]

Did 19 days on Anthem last month (Spain/Portugal/Norway) along with a few days in London.  My wife still thinks you need lots of local currency when traveling in Europe.  This is despite the fact that we spent a week in Ireland last year and I told her we'd just use an ATM once we needed cash, and it never happened.

 

For this trip I managed to get her to limit our currency to "just in case" amounts, like 40 pounds and 40 Euros and the completely unnecessary Norwegian Kroners, but we still found ourselves rummaging around in tourist shops and airports on our last day in the last country with the currency buying up sweets and junk to get rid of the cash.

 

The issue with getting cash from your local bank before you leave or from an ATM once you get there is it will be in denominations too big for those situations where it would warrant using cash, so you will end up having to buy something to break that 20 Pound/Euro note to get your 1 Pound/Euro coins to use the pay toilet (which will probably have a card reader anyway).  Then you end up walking around with a pocket full of heavy change the rest of the day (UK change is the worst).

 

On the ship I took my usual stack of 1 dollar bills to tip for my drinks.  Wife had no issues charging gambling cash to the room (she never does).

 

I used Google pay on my watch or a credit card for 99% of my purchases off the ship.  No pin needed.  We went on private tours in port with other couples and the drivers had a point of sale credit card machine for us to split the bill.  Just let them know ahead of time that you want to pay with a card.  I chuckled at the tourists in a state of confusion trying to buy Underground tickets in London while I walked up and tapped my watch to get through the turnstile.  In the shops/restaurants you just ask if they take cards.  Almost all of them do, but some might say they don't if you try to charge a small amount, but usually if you start to walk out without buying they magically are able to charge.  If not, the shop next door sells the same crap anyway and will likely take your card.  Even the buskers had non-cash payment options.

[Jetdriver787]

Whilst it is certainly true that plenty of merchants won’t subscribe to Amex, it is just as true that plenty do. Particularly if they are looking at selling to that particular financial demographic.

 

I would say that around 90% of all my credit card spending each year is on Amex, in the UK, Europe, North and South America and Asia. If it was being refused as widely as suggested here, I wouldn’t be shelling out £250 ($360) on an annual subscription. That said, and given the demographic, there must be very few Amex card members who don’t also carry around at least one (and probably more) Visa or Mastercards so it it’s probably a moot problem? 
 

 

[erby2283]

We are heading to Rome in September. I'm a little bit of a planner (🤣) so I actually have a spreadsheet for each day which includes tours that have already been paid - which tours I can pay in cash - and in which currency they want to be paid. Add in estimated tips, lunches, etc. - and then I can get a feel for how many euros I want to bring. I can also charge the meals and souvenirs as needed. 

[ticketsunlimited]

I will use a majority of my Euros to pay the Rome Cabs car service we booked for Airport to hotel, hotel to port, and port back to airport on last day. I went heavy on FIVES so they will be easier to use up at the end if needed.

As always a wealth of information from well traveled cruisers and it is truly appreciated.  You can never learn enough when you ask a question on this site.  Once again, thanks for all the input from everybody.  Dan