currency exchange/ Mediterranean cruise

[HALFAN1234]

Is a currency exchange available onboard the Noordam during a 10 day Mediteranean cruise? If not, what's the best way to exchange a bit of money for shore excursions at each port of call?

[kelleherdl]

If you are on a Western Med itinerary you will use Euros for all ports, even Tunisia. Just get them at any BANK ATM around town before you embark. Always be sure to check which you home bank before you leave to see which banks in your ports are cooperating banks. Watch out for the ATM's operated by Money Exchange kiosks. You will be charged exorbitant fees.

Dennis

[jtl513]

You can exchange money at the Front Desk, but the rate won't be as good as a shore ATM - so use that as a last resort. You can also exchange "left over" foreign money back to $US after leaving the last port where you'll need that type. Bills only, no coins.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Or maybe I should say welcome to posting, as I see you've been a member a few months. :)

[jhannah]

I usually get a small amount locally before I leave, just to have for taxis or train tickets from the airport and such. Then I use the ATM to obtain additional. Do notify your bank (you can do this online) that you'll be using your debit card overseas. And make sure your PIN is a 4-digit number. Avoid the ship exchange service if you can.

Enjoy your cruise!

[superoma]

Is a currency exchange available onboard the Noordam during a 10 day Mediteranean cruise? If not, what's the best way to exchange a bit of money for shore excursions at each port of call?

On our Eastern Mediterranean cruise in 2008 we only had EUros and US small bills and had no problems anywhere, even Egypt. Almost everyone will take EUros and I wouldn't get any other local currency. Having said that, you need to know that we took no local excursions ( only ship exc) and only bought small value souvenirs and snacks on the ground.

[TexasRCH]

If one of your ports is Croatia you may need some Kunas. Split is a great port.
If you go to Albania you may need some Leks but I would not bother getting off the ship.
These ports say they do not take Euros but if you are buying something, I have found that money (any kind) talks. The problem comes in with public transportation etc.

[Loreto]

We purchased Euro's at the Atlanta airport, from, I think, Travelex in June, 2009. If you buy a certain denomination you can exchange them back with no fee when you return to the US airport. This is what we did. We needed it for cab fare from the Livorno train station to the port. We missed embarkation on the Noordam from Civitevechia when our flight was cancelled and we had to take the train from Rome to catch up with the ship. We were glad we had Euro's in hand...you hope things will go smoothly, but sometimes they don't.:D

You will love the Noordam! We did the 10 day western med.

Karen

[calicruiser09]

We just got Euros at the ATM machine in the airport in Barcelona when we landed. Luckily, my cousin who I was with works at a bank so we were able to have all of our fees waived for using the ATM machines, probably saved us about $50 each I would think. It was nice because I didn't feel I needed to carry a lot of cash. The ATM machines were giving a way better rate than exchanging money on the ship.

I see someone already mentioned the 4 digit pin code...very important!! Was glad I read that before we left.

I had no problem using Euros in Croatia. We took a tour and only stopped for a short while and had a beer and a snack and I bought some post cards. I didn't go into Dubrovnik though so if you're going to be doing some shopping, Euros might not be the best.

[jtl513]

I see someone already mentioned the 4 digit pin code...very important!! Was glad I read that before we left. I've read on CC that the first digit can't be zero, but I can't confirm that yet. My pin does start with zero, but my DW's on the same account does not, so we're going to test the no-zero theory. :cool:

[fann1sh]

HALAFANS1234, my advice is to know the prevailing exchange rates.

Check at XE.com or any of the sites that give official rates for all currencies you might encounter just before you leave, write down the info, keep it handy.

Then, if a merchant says "I'll take $X in U.S. cash", you'll know if it's a deal - or not.

I'd also find out your own bank's rate of exchange (the rate which will apply for those ATM transactions). Some banks' rates are better than others. I expect to lose about 3% to exchange. That's fair.

While I'm happy Loreto was happy with Travelex, it's been my experience those companies located in the airports charge 10% - or more.

[KirkNC]

If you are on a Western Med itinerary you will use Euros for all ports, even Tunisia. Just get them at any BANK ATM around town before you embark. Always be sure to check which you home bank before you leave to see which banks in your ports are cooperating banks. Watch out for the ATM's operated by Money Exchange kiosks. You will be charged exorbitant fees.

Dennis

If you visit Carthage, ride the tram or go to the Bardo museum in Tunisia you must have dinars, they will not accept euros. Cab drivers and vendors will take euros.

Kirk

[whogo]

We purchased Euro's at the Atlanta airport, from, I think, Travelex in June, 2009. If you buy a certain denomination you can exchange them back with no fee when you return to the US airport. Travelex at the Atlanta airport just quoted an exchange rate of $1.464/€, a whopping 15% markup over the current interbank rate of $1.2727/€. Travelex is no bargain, you will do better almost anywhere else.

[jhannah]

Travelex is no bargain, you will do better almost anywhere else. That's been my experience. Airport exchange bureaus have a "captive audience" and price themselves accordingly.

[the2ofus]

See what rate is being charged by your local bank and if it is close to the interbank rate get your money before you go. It saves a lot of hassles.

If going to Turkey, they don't take euros but usually will take US dollars.

When on tours, don't count on finding an ATM. It eats up valuable sightseeing time. Also, there may not be any legal parking areas nearby so your guide and driver will not be willing to stop so you can get euros.

[Loreto]

That's been my experience. Airport exchange bureaus have a "captive audience" and price themselves accordingly.
Oh, am I getting it!:eek: We usually wait until we are in Europe to change money, but this time we were in an unsure situation, with our overseas flight cancelled last summer. As it turned out, Northwest never loaded the luggage on the plane, so we spent what little time we had in line filing a baggage claim before running to catch the train to Rome.

I did not feel I was being ripped off by Travelex. I got the option of getting small bills and coins, not what ATM's spit out. The exchange rate was very favorable when we cashed in the Euro's when we returned to Atlanta (we prefer to use credit cards when we travel.), so I think we were even.:)

I would certainly never change a huge amount of money with Travelex, I just mentioned it as an option!

Karen

[cruisemom42]

I've read on CC that the first digit can't be zero, but I can't confirm that yet. My pin does start with zero, but my DW's on the same account does not, so we're going to test the no-zero theory. :cool:

My pin starts with a zero and I have never encountered a problem in the last decade in any country where I've used an ATM including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Egypt, Germany, Denmark....and I'm sure others that I'm forgetting. ;)

[whogo]

The smaller your purchase, the worse Travelex looks. Their fee of $9.95 for purchases under $500 really hits hard. Today's figures:

With a no-fee ATM card, €100 costs $127.63.
With an ATM card (marking up 3% + $5), €100 costs $136.46.
At Travelex Atlanta (marking up 14.4% + $9.95), €100 costs you $155.95. The fee hikes the overall Travelex markup on €100 to 22%!

Does anyone want to figure the overall markup at Travelex for a €20 purchase?