Why Would I Want to Bring.....?

[zorrosuncle]

Hi --

travelers checks on an 18-night North Cape Cruise, when I have credit cards.

ZU

[alpal1993]

Some places may not accept credit cards.If your traveler checks are lost or stolen you get them replaced

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely take Travelers checks -- when we were in Visby I needed to get a battery for my watch -- would not take credit cards at the shop we went to. Cash only!!

Also -- you may want to give extra tip money on the ship at the end of the cruise.

[ldog]

We take travellers' cheques when we have independant tours booked. We just cash them at the front desk the day before the port. That way we don't need to carry tons of cash.

[NMLady]

Hi --

travelers checks on an 18-night North Cape Cruise, when I have credit cards.

ZU

Not all establishments will accept a credit card.

It is not always convenient to find an ATM.

We take travelers checks which we can cash at the purser's desk since then we don't have to look for an ATM for cash when we're 'out and about'.


Actually, when we will be in a foreign country we order some of the local currency from our bank before we leave the US. That way we are prepared with local cash if the store doesn't accept credit cards, and we haven't had to use our time finding an ATM.

[cruisemom42]

I have not used traveler's checks in years and haven't ever missed them.

I use credit cards and my ATM debit card to obtain cash.

When my wallet was stolen in Barcelona, at least one CC company had a new card to me the next day.

[2ptu/000]

Take traveler's checks. Think of all the time it would take if everyone on an excursion had to stop at a ATM. I also just don't like to let any potential pick pocket know where my credit card is. I get some Euro's or local money from my bank before I go, also get traveler's checks. all is done before trip.

[m steve]

credit and debit cards are to way to go. Out of the country, Bank one w/o service fees or MC w/ photo from Citi. I have never lost any cash on a cruise except in the casino.

[Kween Karen]

Because I don't like to carry very much cash....and yet I often need some cash. Credit cards are not accepted everywhere....ATM's are sometimes hard to find....and charge a fee. The front desk cashes travelers checks with no fee.

[Cruising-along]

I have not used traveler's checks in years and haven't ever missed them.

I use credit cards and my ATM debit card to obtain cash.

When my wallet was stolen in Barcelona, at least one CC company had a new card to me the next day.

I agree. Rick Steves said long ago that travelers checks are outdated and unnecessary.

[sandthrush]

Can't remember when we last took traveler's checks on any trip. Credit cards and our ATM cards work fine.

[wander]

For land trips, I agree with Rick Steves 100%. I always use local ATMs there. (Love going on his tours and using his books for independent travel).

On a cruise ship I take travelers check for bits of cash. MUCH easier than finding an ATM on the run. Some ports it is so easy to find a ATM, other it is harder, and who wants to waste time looking? Also, I am fussy about which ATMs I use (home or travel.) I really like to get $50 or $100 at my own pace while at sea and use shore time for sightseeing, not ATM searching. I do not use the checks while on land from a cruise ship - use my bits of cash or credit cards then.

[Pam in CA]

I bought traveler's checks for a cruise several years ago and still have $300' worth. I bring them with me in case I run short of cash and can then cash them at the Front Desk. Many places no longer accept traveler's checks so I agree that they are outdated.

[cruisemom42]

I have never had trouble locating an ATM ashore fairly quickly. Here's a tip -- the staff and crew of the ship can always tell you where the closest ATM and internet cafes are. They use them frequently.

[peug]

In the past I always used my credit card. Last year on a 28 day cruise I took travelers checks. Why? We have 5 major credit cards and everyone now charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and my debit card charges a 5% foreign fee plus the ATM fees, these fees apply even when the foreign county uses the US dollar as their currency as several islands do. And yes I asked about this specifically. The travelers checks were free and are cashed for free on board the ship. Why should I pay 3% more than I have too?

[CaveDiving]

Hi peug,

You say << In the past I always used my credit card. Last year on a 28 day cruise I took travelers checks. Why? We have 5 major credit cards and everyone now charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and my debit card charges a 5% foreign fee plus the ATM fees, these fees apply even when the foreign county uses the US dollar as their currency as several islands do. And yes I asked about this specifically. The travelers checks were free and are cashed for free on board the ship. Why should I pay 3% more than I have too? >>

I think you might want to do some looking around at different credit cards. We have a Charles Schwab VISA card that charges no foreign transaction or ATM fees ( I have never used an ATM so I can't verify this part) and actually pays us back 2% of anything we spend on the card. This changes the playing field, wouldn't you say?

I have also heard, although not verified, that American Express has a similiar card.

Take care, Scott & Karen

[NMLady]

I have never had trouble locating an ATM ashore fairly quickly. Here's a tip -- the staff and crew of the ship can always tell you where the closest ATM and internet cafes are. They use them frequently.

And if I am on a tour, ship's or otherwise, leaving first thing in the morning, knowing where the nearest ATM is won't necessarily help me on the tour. Those tours often stop for meals or souvenir shopping or..

[NMLady]

Hi peug,

You say << In the past I always used my credit card. Last year on a 28 day cruise I took travelers checks. Why? We have 5 major credit cards and everyone now charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and my debit card charges a 5% foreign fee plus the ATM fees, these fees apply even when the foreign county uses the US dollar as their currency as several islands do. And yes I asked about this specifically. The travelers checks were free and are cashed for free on board the ship. Why should I pay 3% more than I have too? >>

I think you might want to do some looking around at different credit cards. We have a Charles Schwab VISA card that charges no foreign transaction or ATM fees ( I have never used an ATM so I can't verify this part) and actually pays us back 2% of anything we spend on the card. This changes the playing field, wouldn't you say?

I have also heard, although not verified, that American Express has a similiar card.

Take care, Scott & Karen

That's fine for you, but the Charles Schwab Visa card is no longer being offered.

[cruisemom42]

And if I am on a tour, ship's or otherwise, leaving first thing in the morning, knowing where the nearest ATM is won't necessarily help me on the tour. Those tours often stop for meals or souvenir shopping or..

Ah, I guess that's a different situation. I rarely take ship tours. Private tours I've been on have been only too happy to make a brief stop at an ATM en route.

[cruisemom42]

That's fine for you, but the Charles Schwab Visa card is no longer being offered.

The Capital One Visa has no foreign transaction fee. I use it almost exclusively when traveling now.

[Boytjie]

I have not used traveler's checks in years and haven't ever missed them.

I use credit cards and my ATM debit card to obtain cash.

When my wallet was stolen in Barcelona, at least one CC company had a new card to me the next day.

Same here.

I lost my wallet in Hong Kong in 1997 and was able to walk into American Express and get a replacement IIRC.

[Cruising-along]

And if I am on a tour, ship's or otherwise, leaving first thing in the morning, knowing where the nearest ATM is won't necessarily help me on the tour. Those tours often stop for meals or souvenir shopping or..

I'm not pushing using ATMs/credit cards solely, to each their own. But one time when we needed an ATM on a HAL excursion the guide was more than happy to point one out to us. Her only request was that we catch up with the group (at point A) in 5 minutes. We did, and all was fine.

Our getting local cash was to her benefit too, as we'd have cash for her tip. ;)

[ironin]

Fidelity's SmartCash accounts have a VISA debit card with no additional foreign transaction fees and full reimbursement of ATM fees worldwide. I use this account for traveling only and only deposit what I expect to spend. Works great for me. As others have said, Bank One offers an excellent product.

Years ago, when I lost my wallet, AMEX had a card delivered to my hotel by 10AM the next morning while replacements for my other cards were mailed to my house and arrived a week later. I've had a few other unfortunate experiences over the years (sudden serious illness 9,000 miles from home, etc.) and I believe that no other card delivers the kind of service & support AMEX consistently provides. I never leave home without it.

[m steve]

they make millions every year on the uncashed travelers checks that people hold for emergency use in the future. They are earning interest on your $300 and you are not getting any benefit. I recently read that there is an average balance over $100,000,000 in uncashed travelers checks.

[srlafleur]

I can't even remember the last time I used traveler's checks! We don't spend a boatload of money off the ship, cash or credit, so we just take a couple hundred or so in local currency, divvy it up between us while travelling to the port, then keep the bulk of it in the stateroom safe. I've never found it necessary to hit an ATM overseas, and have never run out of money. (aside from gambling money, that is). I suppose the story would be different on a cruise longer that 2 weeks.

[m steve]

Just put your $$ there and take out what you think you will use that day before disembarking.

[janmcn]

OK, if you cash Traveler's Checks on board...what currency do they give you? The next stop's? i.e. we'll be in Amsterdam, Denmark, UK, and Canada...so will need various currencies. I agree, we usually find ATMs when traveling, but for shore excursions, you're limited to the time/place you have to be.

[Kween Karen]

They give you what you want...........for US dollars there is no fee. For foreign currency there is a fee.
I would think for the major countries they would have the currency on board. For my trip they had Australian and New Zealand dollars. They may have had a few of the smaller island nations but not all.
Keep the fees in mind......I paid a fee to GET the money and then I paid another fee to change leftover money back.

[Hlitner]

About 10 years ago we bought $1000 worth of American Express travelers checks. Now 10 years later, more then 450 cruise days later, more then 40 countries later (both land and cruise trips) we still have $700 of those TCs (the $300 was used in a casino). We now get almost all of our cash via ATM machines which is quick, convenient, and cheap. To put it bluntly, TCs are obsolete! In fact, they can be difficult to cash in many places (off ships).

Hank

[docksider21]

Traveler's checks are definitely outdated.
But, I do not have an ATM card nor a debit card
and I don't want one.
Don't want anything linked directly to my bank account.
I would just put cash in my room safe.
But traveler's checks are an option.

PS -- I still have rotary phone on my kitchen wall.
PPS -- It's yellow.

[Sprocket]

I like to take traveler's checks on the ship, helps keep my spending in the Casino down. Or it did, now I can just get money on my room key. :o

I prefer them because I have easy access to cash on board the ships. Without actually carrying $$$. We used to have a debit Master Card, it was great, could charge on it but the money came directly out of our checking account. The bank forced us to give it up when someone fraudulently charged $750 on it, without actually producing the card at the point of sale.

Everyone's comfort level is different, I prefer not to charge on my CC's when I am on vacation. YMMV

[m steve]

Just make a deposit at your bank and get the use of the money now.

[luvs2travl]

Just put your $$ there and take out what you think you will use that day before disembarking.

That's exactly what we do, msteve. It works for us & is so easy. No ATM searching, check-cashing, or paying any fees on any CC. We travel with a CC in case of any emergency situation, but we leave the $$$ in our cabin safe & take out what we we'll need for that particular day. We also purchase foreign currency from our local AmEx office before leaving.

We each have those around-the-neck wallets, and we put our chip's card, CC, ID, and cash in there - tuck them inside our shirts/blouse, and we're good to go. DH never takes a wallet - I leave my purse on board as well (both wallets are in the safe). We've never had a problem. May not be everyone's 'thing' - but like I said, it works for us! :)

[gisnered]

<snit>
PS -- I still have rotary phone on my kitchen wall.
PPS -- It's yellow.

WOOOOH! Ever think of selling it?

Al