ATM on Ship?

[SharonK]

I tried searching for this info but couldn't find anything so forgive me if its already been asked.

 

The last time I went on a Mediterranean cruise we underestimated the amount of euros we needed and used an ATM on the ship.  Do the ships still have ATMs where we can get euros?

[Georgia_Peaches]

There is definitely an atm in the casino but I have no idea what currency is dispensed on a Med cruise. I assume it’s USD. 

[Northern Aurora]

On all of our Med cruises there has been an ATM (generally located near Guest Relations) which dispenses Euro.  But you really don't want to use it -- you will pay heavily for the "convenience."  Find an ATM on shore.

[SharonK]

23 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

On all of our Med cruises there has been an ATM (generally located near Guest Relations) which dispenses Euro.  But you really don't want to use it -- you will pay heavily for the "convenience."  Find an ATM on shore.

Thank you. I would only use it if I were really desperate.

[Miaminice]

I agree, don’t use the one on board.
 

The ATM on board is usually USD. GR changes to Euro - for a horrible rate!
Plenty of ATMs in the Med and cards are widely accepted as well. No problem 👍

 

 

[Lena11033]

Also when I tried to use it - I was out of cash and being alone didn't want to be wandering around looking for a machine - the ship ATM was out of cash.

 

I ended up on an excursion asking the guide if they knew of a machine that was convenient, when we stopped for a break she took me to one - a lot better.

[TeeRick]

We have generally found 2 ATM's on board Celebrity ships in Europe.  One in $USD and one in $Euros.  We have used our bank debit card in the ATM on board for $Euros and received the current exchange rate of our bank, same as on shore.  But the per-transaction fee on the ship is much higher.  However, our bank refunds our debit card transaction fees so no problem.   If you use a credit card at the ATM on the ship it is much more expensive.  And of course never exchange cash at Guest Services on board- always a bad deal.

[Tierun]

The casino cash out trick is my way of getting cash. No fees and it’s just added to you onboard account.

[spammie]

You can also cash one check up to $200 per cruise at the guest services desk.  🙂 

[celebrity cruiser]

Has anyone checked to see if the GSD can change US to Euros in the Med?

[Joanne G.]

I got off the Equinox yesterday, Barcelona to Rome. I remember a note in the daily program that euros were available from the ATM at guest services and that euros could be purchased with dollars directly from guest services.  
 

I used my debit card in the ATM, as I had  neglected to allow for the amount I would use for tipping tour guides and other incidentals.  I needed a bit more cash for my post-cruise stay in Rome. I got just €50, and it came as one €50 note - not the most convenient, but my hotel was able to break into smaller bills.  
 

Yeah, I paid a fee and who-knows what exchange rate, but I was always on Celebrity excursions in the ports, and they don’t usually allow the opportunity to look for an ATM.   During any free time on excursions, I had other more interesting things to look for and do.  Some ATM’s that I randomly passed looked pretty sketchy;  I felt more comfortable using the one on the ship.  The fee was no different than other high-cost items on board, such as the wine and soda that I purchased.  Worth it to me; to each his own.

[SharonK]

8 hours ago, Joanne G. said:

I got off the Equinox yesterday, Barcelona to Rome. I remember a note in the daily program that euros were available from the ATM at guest services and that euros could be purchased with dollars directly from guest services.  
 

I used my debit card in the ATM, as I had  neglected to allow for the amount I would use for tipping tour guides and other incidentals.  I needed a bit more cash for my post-cruise stay in Rome. I got just €50, and it came as one €50 note - not the most convenient, but my hotel was able to break into smaller bills.  
 

Yeah, I paid a fee and who-knows what exchange rate, but I was always on Celebrity excursions in the ports, and they don’t usually allow the opportunity to look for an ATM.   During any free time on excursions, I had other more interesting things to look for and do.  Some ATM’s that I randomly passed looked pretty sketchy;  I felt more comfortable using the one on the ship.  The fee was no different than other high-cost items on board, such as the wine and soda that I purchased.  Worth it to me; to each his own.

you said you used your debit card in the ATM - can credit cards be used or only debit cards?

[Joanne G.]

1 hour ago, SharonK said:

you said you used your debit card in the ATM - can credit cards be used or only debit cards?

Sorry, I don’t know for sure, but I’m pretty sure credit cards could also be used. I remember seeing the Visa and Mastercard (and maybe some others) logos on the machine.  

[Tigermad]

On 9/10/2024 at 2:54 PM, Tierun said:

The casino cash out trick is my way of getting cash. No fees and it’s just added to you onboard account.

How do you do this in the casino?

[Arizona Wildcat]

On 9/12/2024 at 7:00 PM, celebrity cruiser said:

Has anyone checked to see if the GSD can change US to Euros in the Med?

Yes, but at a terrible exchange rate.

Am wondering why the need for cash?  5 weeks in Germany and Denmark - always a card.  Cash often not accepted.

Currently in the UK, since late August, no cash needed yet.  Still have the 20GBP left from the last trip.

Using a credit card in an ATM is considered a cash advance or loan.  Usually a 5% +/- fee added by the credit card company.

Edited Sunday at 07:13 PM by Arizona Wildcat

[Tierun]

4 hours ago, Tigermad said:

How do you do this in the casino?

Got to slot machine and insert your cruise card. Load up a few hundred bucks on it "to gamble with". Then you play a couple of dollars and cash out. Take your ticket to the cashier and paid out in cash. The money is that you loaded on the slot is posted to your onboard spending with no additional fees.

[SharonK]

The reason I want euros is I’m traveling with 3 friends.  When we’re off the ship and go to a restaurant we didn’t know if the restaurant would be able to give us separate checks which is common in the USA -   Or take 4 credit cards.  Does anyone have experience with this?

[Joanne G.]

23 hours ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

. . . Am wondering why the need for cash?  5 weeks in Germany and Denmark - always a card.  Cash often not accepted. . . 

 

I use cash for tipping tour guides and hotel housekeeping.  I tip cab drivers in cash even when paying the fare with a card.  Cash works for small purchases from street vendors - bottle of water, cold soda, snacks. I was glad I had cash when my card wasn’t read by a reader in a cab in Belfast, and just a few days ago in one of my ports, a merchant’s card reader (actually her internet) was down.  I agree cards are the way to go for most purchases, but I still always have some local currency on me - though much less than on trips in the past. 

Edited Monday at 06:14 PM by Joanne G.

[Joanne G.]

18 hours ago, SharonK said:

The reason I want euros is I’m traveling with 3 friends.  When we’re off the ship and go to a restaurant we didn’t know if the restaurant would be able to give us separate checks which is common in the USA -   Or take 4 credit cards.  Does anyone have experience with this?

That’s an interesting question.  I recently traveled with friends, and we either paid in cash or alternated - “I’ll get dinner tonight; you get it tomorrow.”  I can’t exactly say why, but we felt asking for separate checks and running cards separately seemed like an inconvenience.  I just don’t know if that’s as common as it is at home. 
 

Just make sure in advance that the restaurant accepts cash.   My experience is that most do, but I’ve encountered a few that do not and only accept cards.