CASH vs TRAVELLERS CHEQUES

[mlpreston]

I was thinking of taking about $1000 US for our trip (for spending in ports, in NOLA and in Buffalo) I just don't feel comfortable taking that amount of cash with me to a strange place. I don't want to use ATM's for the fees. Anyone ever use travellers cheques?

 

Can they be cashed on board? If so, what kind of fees do they charge to do this? Do banks charge fees for cashing travellers cheques?

 

 

Any advice on travelling with money is appreciated.

[pathiggy]

We always take travellers cheques. They can be cashed at the pursers office for free. We keep them in the safe until we need them.

[firefly333]

I put the extra cash in the safe when Im not using it.

[bubbles1209]

We've used traveler's cheques on both of our cruises, there's no fee to cash them, and if they get lost or stolen they can be replaced......cash cannot. We usually open our s&s account with so much, and lock the rest of them up in the safe. We'll cash some to take into ports with us, for souveniers, and some of the ports accept them also. Never had a problem.

[feelin_peachy]

I use them almost every time we travel. There is a charge for them, i think it's based on the dollar amount you get. Check with your bank though, I get mine free because of my type of checking account.

[cecilterwiliger]

Just be sure that shortly after you first board, you make note of when the hours are for cashing the checks on board. The last Carnival cruise we were on seemed to have limited hours and the last night they were not open at all. It was a separate desk on the Liberty.

[klfrodo]

and if they get lost or stolen they can be replaced......cash cannot.

 

I've thought about getting TC's, however, where exactly on a cruise ship will you get replacements?

You MIGHT be able to replace them at a port visit but I doubt it. With all the phone calls, fax exchange to PROVE (the burden of proof is on the consumer) that they were lost or stolen, you'd probably miss the ship.

 

When traveling, my wife and I just split the cash 50/50 until we get to the hotel or cruise ship. Then we put the cash in the hotel safe or pursers safe or room safe and just carry what we need in port.

[cruisinbuddy]

I always bring some cash and about $1000.00 for spending. Cash them at the pursers desk with no fees. Leave extra in the safe. On the 2nd last day, if I have a lot of tcs left over, I put them towards my S&S account. On my last cruise I ended up putting $800.00 on the account.

[Guienevere_Arianette]

Laugh if you want, but I've traveled abroad often, and I carry my large amounts of cash in my money belt until I get to the safe at the hotel/ship. The money belt goes beneath your underwear or pants; think about it; do you ever get up worried you're going to lose your undies? Nope, and you won't lose your money this way, either.

 

Girls, I recommend putting the money belt backwards, so that the pouch is in the small of your back; more comfortable that way.

[BottledRed]

I've thought about getting TC's, however, where exactly on a cruise ship will you get replacements?

You MIGHT be able to replace them at a port visit but I doubt it. With all the phone calls, fax exchange to PROVE (the burden of proof is on the consumer) that they were lost or stolen, you'd probably miss the ship.

 

When traveling, my wife and I just split the cash 50/50 until we get to the hotel or cruise ship. Then we put the cash in the hotel safe or pursers safe or room safe and just carry what we need in port.

 

On a past trip when my TC's were stolen, I just called home -- my relative I had left receipts with faxed my copies to American Express, and American Express had new cheques for me the next day where I was traveling.

 

Traveler's Cheques can be very safe when you make 2 photocopies, use a reliable company and know what to do if they're lost or stolen.

[claven]

What is the process to use ATM on the ship and ashore? Fees etc...

 

What about using Credit Card in ports or on ship, any fees?

 

Dennis

[Prairie_Gal]

Thanks for the information about traveller's cheques. I am thinking of purchasing some now also because our Canadian dollar is so high. Our cruise isn't until December, so I don't want a bunch of cash laying around the house for that long.

 

I think I can get them through AMA without a fee. I am going to check it out today.

[big_duck]

Thanks for the information about traveller's cheques. I am thinking of purchasing some now also because our Canadian dollar is so high. Our cruise isn't until December, so I don't want a bunch of cash laying around the house for that long.

 

I think I can get them through AMA without a fee. I am going to check it out today.

 

I'd wait a bit. Indications are that it hasn't topped out yet. ;)

[jlfros1]

I thought about taking travelers checks instead of cash.But I work at a Bank and there are alot of counterfit traverlers checks going around so I wasnt sure if that was happening in the everywhere or just in the US. So I have decided to take cash,would hate for someone to refuse my travlers checks. Took cash on the last cruise and we were fine,hope it prooves true this time. :o

[Wiseone24]

I just bring cash in a bunch of denominations. To me it is less hassle than cashing travelers checks. And I leave it in the safe.

[Lisab733]

On all three of our cruises we took about 2/3 of our money in TC and the other 1/3 cash. I used the TC for our S&S account, gas, meals, etc then put the rest in the safe onboard. Then the night before our port I would go to the purser's desk and cash them in, it was soooo easy (they did require a photo ID and S&S card and MAKE SURE to sign them exactly as you did the first time!!!!) and they would cash them anytime (usually did ours after the show, never a line!). FYI on the onboard ATM..... by the 4th day of a 7 night cruise both ATM's were out of money...:( There were a lot of unhappy people since this had been their means of getting money. Any TC we didn't use we brought home and I took them to my CU and deposited them into our account. I couldn't imagine carrying $1000.00 in cash, :eek: I would be a nervous wreck......:D

[skyscanr]

You can also cash them in the casino. :)

[smashley]

Thanks for the info everyone, I think I might look into doing this... especially for the S&S money.

[redlef]

Laugh if you want, but I've traveled abroad often, and I carry my large amounts of cash in my money belt until I get to the safe at the hotel/ship. The money belt goes beneath your underwear or pants; think about it; do you ever get up worried you're going to lose your undies? Nope, and you won't lose your money this way, either.

 

Girls, I recommend putting the money belt backwards, so that the pouch is in the small of your back; more comfortable that way.

 

I did the money belt in Europe last year, but it had my passport & credit card as well as some emergency cash (like $100).

 

I carry very little cash, no more than a few hundred dollars, and what I do have I spread around. Some in my wallet, some in a money clip, some in the camera bag. You're not going to lose EVERYTHING simultaneously.

 

Also, I use a credit card as much as possible.

 

There are ATM fees for getting cash. You have to decide if they are worth the extra security of not carrying the money around.

 

As for all the people who said "I carry $1000 . . . . ." If your signature shows the date and location of your cruise, and you've posted in another thread about the great cabin you're in, you have just told the entire world where your cash will be that week. Maybe you should be a little more careful.:o

[Prairie_Gal]

I'd wait a bit. Indications are that it hasn't topped out yet. ;)

 

I wonder how high it will go? Maybe par? It's fun to speculate (dream) isn't it?

 

Wow! I just checked www.xe.com, and it is quoting .94173! :D

[Traveling Bob]

I did the money belt in Europe last year, but it had my passport & credit card as well as some emergency cash (like $100).

I carry very little cash, no more than a few hundred dollars, and what I do have I spread around. Some in my wallet, some in a money clip, some in the camera bag. You're not going to lose EVERYTHING simultaneously.

Also, I use a credit card as much as possible.

 

Once upon a time, TCs were a necessity. But today they are obsolete. Unless you get them under some kind of deal, their fees are about the same as using cash machines. On the ship, you only need cash for the casino, and on some lines even that can go on your sign account. The balance can go to a credit or debit card. I also charge everything I can in port, so cash is only needed for the little things.

 

I travel a fair bit, and these days, I don't do anything different in foreign countries than I would at home: Very little cash (gotten from machines as I need it) and everything else on charge or debit cards. However, I do move extra $ into my checking account before I go, just in case I can't do the transactions from the foreign cash machines.

[arby70]

We just got back from a 2 week trip down to Texas (my daughter got married there and then we took some time to visit Galveston), and I had some traveler's checks left over from a trip several years ago. Some places won't take them, as there has been a rash of counterfeiting of them. I have always loved using them, but now it may be a problem at some places. I managed to use them up (I only had $180 left when I started), and I have decided to not use them again.

 

My bank does not offer them any longer because of this, so they now offer kind of a debit card (looks like a Visa) that you buy however much money you want to be put on it We tried that and I didn't like it either, because some purchases (ie. hotels, fancy restaurants) will perhaps put a "hold" on some of the money available on the card as a damage deposit or minimum tip money. I also didn't like not being able to look in my wallet to see how much money we have left. There's an 800 number you can call to find your balance, but it didn't work for me. Otherwise, you have to keep very close track kind of like a check book.:mad:

 

I'm just using my credit card now for bigger purchases on a trip and the rest I carry in cash. I don't plan on bringin that much cash. I will leave most of the cash in either my room safe or my cabin safe, so if I lose what I am carrying that day, I am not totally desitute.

[Calicruiser101]

When you board the ship can you go to the pursers's desk and instead of putting a credit card down, can you use T.C. instead? For example, if I put $500 down and then in a few days I reach that amount, how am I notified that I need to put more down? I don't use credit cards and I heard that using a debit card is not a good idea????