Exchange rates at purser's desk

[jimpod]

Is there a charge for exchanging dollar travellers cheques for local currency at the purser's desk?

[paul929207]

Not a charge per se, but the exchange rate Princess uses is not the best.

[Colo Cruiser]

No charge, as stated only the exchange rate.

[Toto2Kansas]

Is there a charge for exchanging dollar travellers cheques for local currency at the purser's desk?

 

What we have found on previous sailings is that the purser's desk didn't exchange currency for us. We could cash US travelers checks for no fee at the purser's desk or in the casino at the cage. But we received only US dollars in return, then we had to take those dollars to the exchange machine where we were charged a fee and received a terrible exchange rate in the process.

 

Maybe it's different on some ships that sail for Princess, but this is what we have found on the larger ships.

 

Edited-Opps, just realized you are from Europe. So, if you are just looking to cash US travelers checks and get US dollars in return, then there is no charge at all. It is exchanging US for other currencys where the machine comes into play.

[chipmaster]

Is there a charge for exchanging dollar travellers cheques for local currency at the purser's desk?

 

My experience is that the Pursers desk only deal in dollars. They will change USD denomination travelers chques for USD but you have to use a machine to convert to other currencies or vice versa.

 

You should call princess to confirm if they convert other currency cheques as I don't know if the machine does that.

 

Frankly I avoided the machine once I saw the USD to Euro rate. If I needed anythign I'd have used my ATM with what I saw :eek:

[caribill]

Is there a charge for exchanging dollar travellers cheques for local currency at the purser's desk?

 

 

I have only seen local currency available at the purser's desk when the Tahitian Princess was spending all of its time in Tahiti.

 

As others have posted, you can get US $ for your US $ based travelers' checks at no charge. Also as posted, the use of the onboard ATM to convert to local currences could cost you as much as 10% more due to the poor exchange rate and the per-transaction fee.

 

Best way to obtain local currences is using an onshore ATM with a debit card from your home financial institution.

 

In Europe, Euros are accepted widely even in countries that have their own currency (Russia, Poland, for example) except when using local public transportation. In Caribbean ports, US $ are usually accepted. Thus, you may not need too many local currencies.

 

Credit and debit cards are accepted widely, further reducing the need for local currency.

[coo359a2]

On the Crown Princess last Sept used the ship's ATM to get some foreign currency for one of our ports. Had some money left over after our port visit and took it to the purser's desk to exchange back to US$'s. Boy did we lose money doing that. Next time when I need foreign currency I will wait and get it off ship and make sure I spend it all or use my Capital One credit card for purchases.

[Colo Cruiser]

To the OP, you mentioned dollar to dollar, so no transaction fee. :)

[koolforkatz]

Unless you're cashing US travelers cheques to US cash, exchange anywhere else. Their exchange rates are jaw dropping.

[jimpod]

Thanks everyone who has replied. We are going to need Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Canadian and US money so wondered if it was easier to exchange the US dollar travellers cheques we have left from a previous trip as we go along. Looks like we'll be bringing some curreny for each country and relying on Credit/debit cards for some purchases.

[Pam in CA]

Thanks everyone who has replied. We are going to need Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Canadian and US money so wondered if it was easier to exchange the US dollar travellers cheques we have left from a previous trip as we go along. Looks like we'll be bringing some curreny for each country and relying on Credit/debit cards for some purchases.

Yes, you will definitely have to get those currencies before you board the ship. I wouldn't depend on the ship's ATM as they may run out of currency or not have Internet connection.

[coiran]

DO NOT - DO NOT exchange money at the pursers desk - the exchange rate they charge is very different than you could get at a bank or any of the $ exchange places. They do not charge a fee but the exchange rate is far different than reality.

 

Ron

[hightownCO]

Hope I can add a question with mentioning of cashing travelers checks (US Dollar) at Purser's desk....Is there a limit to how much in travelers checks you can cash per day?

[Toto2Kansas]

Hope I can add a question with mentioning of cashing travelers checks (US Dollar) at Purser's desk....Is there a limit to how much in travelers checks you can cash per day?

 

No, you can cash as many as you would like! ;)

[Rockymountainsparky]

The Purser shouldn't have any problem with any amount you have.

[hightownCO]

Thanks Toto and Rockymountainsparky (ps my user name stands for Highlands Ranch, CO- wish I still lived there)

 

Will need some pretty big $$ for excursions (Cairo overnight) and this will sure be easier - and safer - than carrying cash.

[chipmaster]

Hope I can add a question with mentioning of cashing travelers checks (US Dollar) at Purser's desk....Is there a limit to how much in travelers checks you can cash per day?

 

i don't believe there is a limit. My tour share partners cashed 1000 and then turned around and gave it to me this past summer.

[satxdiver]

There is not a charge but the exchange rate is really poor. The best way to get local currency is to use a local ATM at a bank. Traveler's checks are getting harder to cash since they can be stolen or counterfeit. A lot of places will not take them.

[azalice]

We are getting some British pounds for our trip but decided not to get Norwegian krona as we will probably use our credit card there. But when we checked on exchange rate for Iceland, the computer told us "no exchange possible." No bank we use wanted to deal with Icelandic money. We have been told our US or British pounds will work just fine in Iceland.

 

Alice

[Cyberhwk]

On the Crown Princess last Sept used the ship's ATM to get some foreign currency for one of our ports. Had some money left over after our port visit and took it to the purser's desk to exchange back to US$'s. Boy did we lose money doing that.

I made a similar mistake last time I vacationed to Victoria, Canada. Funny story...

 

The Canadian Dollar was was close to the US dollar, but still slightly less. However, most places were taking it straight across so tourists could avoid the hassle, provided they then get to pocket the slight difference.

 

I, however, sage financial guru that I am, objected on principle. So I hit the exchange place and they charged $5 CA + 5%. So I put down my $200. They calculate the exchange rate, I got $212. Minus the $5 fee, minus 5% left we with...

 

...you guessed it $198 Canadian.

 

I lost two more dollars than had I just paid with US money and ate the conversion difference. The fact I didn't see this coming, I think my pride as more hurt than anything.

[hillslife]

In our experience - the exchange rate is terrible at the pursers office; they don't have all currencies (usually just US and Euro); and now many ships have the machine you have to use and it is $3.50 per transaction.

 

ATM off the ship is the best option for a good exchange rate - even if you have to pay a fee to use them.

[hillslife]

Just did the World Cruise for 107 days and we visited many different countries with many different currencies. You would be surprised how many place take US $....even small, out of the way islands would accept our dollars.

 

Just know the approximate exchange rate, so you can do some quick math in your head, so you don't get taken. You would be surprised what a $1 will buy in some spots - even if it is more than they are asking for the product. But we did not have to get all the different currencies for the various ports - which made it much easier for us.;)

[mucknuggle]

We are getting some British pounds for our trip but decided not to get Norwegian krona as we will probably use our credit card there. But when we checked on exchange rate for Iceland, the computer told us "no exchange possible." No bank we use wanted to deal with Icelandic money. We have been told our US or British pounds will work just fine in Iceland.

 

Alice

 

With the current banking situation there I think they would probably jump over the counter and hug you if you were paying in dollars, pounds, euros, etc. You might also be able to negotiate a pretty good price with those currencies.