Traveller Cheques exchanged for U.S. Cash

[LeDemonBlond]

Were taking U.S. traveller cheques with us to pay for expenses on the ship as well as pay for some items while were in port. Were on the Mercury in October cruising the U.S. coast. I would like to exchange some cheques for U.S currency while on the ship. I contacted Celebrity and they indicated to me that this can be done but there is a charge for the service. Unfortunately, the person I spoke with did not know the fee. Anyone know what Celebrity Charges?

 

Regards

[Luckyladym]

Were taking U.S. traveller cheques with us to pay for expenses on the ship as well as pay for some items while were in port. Were on the Mercury in October cruising the U.S. coast. I would like to exchange some cheques for U.S currency while on the ship. I contacted Celebrity and they indicated to me that this can be done but there is a charge for the service. Unfortunately, the person I spoke with did not know the fee. Anyone know what Celebrity Charges?

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

 

We have always cashed our US travelers checks aboard the ship and have never paid a fee. Is it possible that the X agent thought you were cashing Canadian travelers checks?

[happicruzer]

There has been no charge on any ship I've been on to cash US Travelers Checks at the Pursers Desk.

 

The individual that answered your question may have thought you were cashing them at the casino, where there is a 3% fee, or were exchanging currency; i.e., Canadian to US.

 

Anytime we've cashed in for a local currency exchange there has been a handling fee.

 

One suggestion, lines do get long. I found it best to go before breakfast or later in the evening, after dinner and not try just before I was due to catch an excursion.

[hugger]

something to do with how weak our US dollar is at the current time (hope this is NOT the case).

We have several friends who have traveled out of the US in the past few months. Most places they found that people wouldn't accept US dollars.

Very upsetting to say the least.

[dkjretired]

Times are changing and many places do not take travelers checks anymore. The ship will take them but many stores and shops on land do not. There are just too many other easier forms of paying for things. It is just the way things are going, ten years from now, I'll bet travelers checks are gone.

[bamboo29]

something to do with how weak our US dollar is at the current time (hope this is NOT the case).

We have several friends who have traveled out of the US in the past few months. Most places they found that people wouldn't accept US dollars.

Very upsetting to say the least.

Where did they travel? Most of Europe expect people to use the local currency.

[Napi's Mom]

Where did they travel? Most of Europe expect people to use the local currency.

We had Travelers Checks in Egypt to pay for our tours (After asking if this was OK with online communications with tour Co.) The result was...he charged us extra $$ (like 10% ) and had a fit we didn't have cash!! Even in 1998 we paid a large premium to cash them in London. After that we used credit cards and ATM's for cash. Some of our tours in NZ are asking for cash (NZ!! ours not as welcome as once...tho their$$ is still only .77 of ours I guess) and we are not sure how available ATM's are there. Shipboard ones gave cash but paid a premium too...and only US bills in Mexico/So America! I too believe they are on their way out...not even in US are they very popular.:confused:

[halbfl2]

Were taking U.S. traveller cheques with us to pay for expenses on the ship as well as pay for some items while were in port. Were on the Mercury in October cruising the U.S. coast. I would like to exchange some cheques for U.S currency while on the ship. I contacted Celebrity and they indicated to me that this can be done but there is a charge for the service. Unfortunately, the person I spoke with did not know the fee. Anyone know what Celebrity Charges?

 

Regards

Why would a person bother with Traveler's Checks? Use your credit card (my understanding is that Capital One has the best conversion rate) and an ATM. If someone wants to be pd. in cash, then go to the ATM and get the amt. of cash you need. Be sure you check with your bank before you leave so there isn't a small daily limit on your cash withdrawal.

[Addict]

something to do with how weak our US dollar is at the current time (hope this is NOT the case).

We have several friends who have traveled out of the US in the past few months. Most places they found that people wouldn't accept US dollars.

Very upsetting to say the least.

 

Why is this upsetting?

 

I wouldn't bring British Pounds to the U.S. and expect them to be accepted (and they wouldn't be).

 

Most places want you to use the currency of their country - and why not?

[KevinNYC]

Why is this upsetting?

 

I wouldn't bring British Pounds to the U.S. and expect them to be accepted (and they wouldn't be).

 

Most places want you to use the currency of their country - and why not?

 

Finally the voice of reason! Other than a few Caribbean islands, it would never even occur to me to try to use anything but the local currency in any country outside my own. It's simple common sense.:rolleyes:

[KevinNYC]

Dreaded double.........

[LeDemonBlond]

Thanks for the responses. I'll definetly exchange them well before I know I'll need the cash, good bit of advice.

 

Biggest reason I'm taking U.S. traveller cheques is to avoid any more currency conversion. I realize I could use a credit card or even my Canadian bank card( it should work on most U.S. Bank ATM's). But I would have to pay the current Canadian-U.S. conversion rate at the time of using it. When I purchased my traveller cheques, the Canadian-U.S. $'s were at par (right now our loonie is at 95 cents and falling). Its also for convienence, I don't want to spend time searching for a bank. I have also heard that many stores/vendors are not excepting traveller cheques any more.

 

I did call celebrity again and the call person I spoke with this time indicated that when exchanging U.S. traveller cheques for cash on the ship, there is no fee. I'll report back when I'm back from the cruise on what exactly happened.

[Luckyladym]

In our experience, there is NO fee for cashing travelers checks anywhere on the ship including the casino.

 

The 3% fee in the casino is if you want cash or chips charged to your room account, not to exchange your traveler's checks for cash or chips.

 

Even this 3% fee is a new policy.

 

Don't know about other cruise lines. I am most recently experienced only on RCCL owned vessels.