euros on Oosterdam

[kathysails]

This is my first post. We will be sailing on the Oosterdam next week;) and I would like to know if you can get euros on the ship and if you can, is there a limit. Thank you for any information.

[AZjohn]

Hi Kathysails,

First, let me welcome you and your first post!

Yes, you will be able to exchange or get Euros on the Oosterdam. But, let me warn you the exchange rate is probably the worst you can find. And they will charge on top of that 3% if you pull it from your shipboard account.

I don’t know the max you can get but I would guess at least $500 per day (I’m sure someone else can correct me if I’m wrong). But again, it’s financially not advisable for a large amount.

Enjoy your cruise!
John

[KirkNC]

We have never cruised in Europe but we are in a few months and based on my reseach on this board almost everyone says the best bet is to use the ATMs. We will be flying into Venice and plan on getting euros at the airport.

[airhose]

Would getting some euros (cash and travellers cheques) from your bank (Canadian bank) get you a better exchange rate? ATM's will incur a transaction fee on my bank account. We are also looking for euro advice for our first HAL cruise this fall to the Med!

Sue

[Krazy Kruizers]

This is my first post. We will be sailing on the Oosterdam next week;) and I would like to know if you can get euros on the ship and if you can, is there a limit. Thank you for any information.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[the2ofus]

If you present US cash at the Front Office you can exchange it for euros. The exchange rate may not be as good as you could get at an ATM but there won't be an additional transaction fee.

Do not count on finding ATMs while you are on tour in port as your bus or van may not be able to park nearby or you may simply not be able to find one when you need euros. Also, if you are planning to use your bank card at the ATM, remember that there is usually a transaction limit or daily limit which is in dollars. Depending on the exchange rate at the time, that may mean fewer euros than you might want. It is good to have a supply of euros but you can use a credit card for many purchases.

Also, check which currency is accepted in the countries you will visit. In Turkey, for instance, you need US dollars, not euros.

[jhannah]

I suggest you get some "starter Euros" from your bank. Then, once you arrive in Europe, get what else you may need from an ATM. I've done this many times, and it works well for me.

You can also get Euros at the airport kiosks, but their exchange rate is usually not quite as good as the ATMs. But if you want to just eliminate hassle and "one-stop-shop," then getting them at the airport from Cook or Travelex will work just fine.

Oh, welcome to the HAL forum on Cruise Critic. The Oosterdam is a lovely ship, and I'm sure her crew will make your vacation a memorable one.

[mountainmare]

Kathy--are you on the March 14 transatlantic?
Welcome to cruise critic---and if you are on that cruise you are welcome to join our rollcall and come to the meet and greet. look here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=760821&page=34
See you in a couple of days.

[YXU AC*SE]

Would getting some euros (cash and travellers cheques) from your bank (Canadian bank) get you a better exchange rate? ATM's will incur a transaction fee on my bank account. We are also looking for euro advice for our first HAL cruise this fall to the Med!

Sue

Depends on your bank and service fee package. I am with TD CanadaTrust. Using an ATM overseas will get the current buy/sell exchange rate valid for the time of your transaction (eg the same as what you would get in-branch from your bank) and an international service charge (mine is 3$) versus whatever commission you would pay for your traveller's cheques and then the hassle of using them. Now, most forex currency transactions at major Canadian banks incur a service charge. I have been in restaurants in Italy speaking my mixture of Fr-italian (or more French-alian, really) to the server and getting by quite handily, until I lay a traveller's cheque upon the table -- then suddenly there is no mutual understanding whatsover, aside from 'non'.

I tend to pull out minimal amounts of local currency once at the beginning of the cruise so as to have walking around money / depanneur dollars / tips etc, and then use my credit card for pretty much everything else. In Europe, I find VISA(r) and American Express(r) to be more predominately accepted over MasterCard(r).

If you do go the ATM route, most overseas ATMs won't accept transactions if your Canadian banking card has a PIN that is five characters or more, so you would need to change that to a four character PIN before you leave.

Scott.

[red knight]

Just wondering, if you can get Euros on the Oosterdam, can you get Oosters on the Eurodam?:p:D

[mountainmare]

just wondering, if you can get euros on the oosterdam, canyou get oosters on the eurodam?:p:d

go to your room--you're getting silly!!!!

[Essiesmom]

Curently on the Oosterdam, have been advised best way to get euros is to hit the atms in Madeira. Using my bank ATM card I have a $500/day limit. If I spend that, I'm really in trouble...EM

[airhose]

Scott -- thanks so much for your detailed response. I didn't know that about canadian PIN's, or about the hassles of travellers cheques in Europe. I am assuming that I could cash some on board if we go that route. Isn't it unfortunate how our dollar sank in the last few months? I'm glad I booked in Canadian funds! I haven't followed how well it's done compared to the euro, but am watching it now. It seems to be about equivalent to our all-time low against the US dollar a few years ago. Won't stop me from enjoying the cruise!
Sue

[TXFrank]

Keep in mind using a credit card such as VISA can incur fees as well. For US cards, they are allowed to charge either 2 or 3 % in addition to the banking conversion fee. I don't know if they still offer but as of one year ago, Capital One had a Visa card that was the only one I found that would not only waive any transaction fees but they absorbed the 1% international banking transaction fee. With all the changes in the world economies I have no idea if this has changed but it can be worthwhile to look into if you anticipate spending much when you are out of the country.

[mountainmare]

Kathysails--
If you are on the transatlantic then what Essiesmom says makes sense. The ship has not been to Europe, this is a repositioning cruise and it is heading into drydock when we get off so it is possible that the ship did not stock up on alot of euros.
We have never had any problems finding or using ATMs in European ports, they are easy to find.

[YXU AC*SE]

Scott -- thanks so much for your detailed response. I didn't know that about canadian PIN's, or about the hassles of travellers cheques in Europe. I am assuming that I could cash some on board if we go that route. Isn't it unfortunate how our dollar sank in the last few months? I'm glad I booked in Canadian funds! I haven't followed how well it's done compared to the euro, but am watching it now. It seems to be about equivalent to our all-time low against the US dollar a few years ago. Won't stop me from enjoying the cruise!
Sue


Au plaisir Sue. When the price of oil goes back, so shall our dollar :-) Good attitude on the cruise. My motto is stolen from St Augustine: "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Enjoy.

Scott.

[fpat]

Just to sum up what I learned on my Noordam cruise as I asked this very question as I am thinking of a Greek Island cruise with Hal in 10 or 11.

They will have Euros on board but the rate will be not good as others have said. As far as using your ship acount you will be charged the 3% and the limit is $1,000 per day.

IMO the best thing to do is to get the Euros before you go, you can also get Euro travelers checks which will be far more accepted. If in the US I would buy Euros now for this Summer if it is possible for you as the Rate is very good right now and IMO will be not as good come cruise time. I bought all my Euros this week for my trip in June.

You can just go to your local bank and they will order them for you. Only takes a couple of days for your cruise next week.

Best of Luck on your cruise

[KirkNC]

Keep in mind using a credit card such as VISA can incur fees as well. For US cards, they are allowed to charge either 2 or 3 % in addition to the banking conversion fee. I don't know if they still offer but as of one year ago, Capital One had a Visa card that was the only one I found that would not only waive any transaction fees but they absorbed the 1% international banking transaction fee. With all the changes in the world economies I have no idea if this has changed but it can be worthwhile to look into if you anticipate spending much when you are out of the country.

That is still in place for Capital One. I called them in February to alert them we were going on the Veendam and they might see some charges from Guatamala, Belize etc.. They told me there would be 0 fees. I did use it in Guatamala and guess what...no fees.


On euros now versus later, that is a risk either way you cut it. The general expectation is that the euro will weaken further as the EU is behind the US in rate cuts. Just in the last few weeks the rate has gone from over 1.30 to 1.25. I am waiting to buy some for "walking around" money closer to our July cruise. Given my track record over the last year, you should probably buy yours now:cool:. As soon as word gets out I am waiting the euro will soar in value!

[fpat]

On euros now versus later, that is a risk either way you cut it. The general expectation is that the euro will weaken further as the EU is behind the US in rate cuts. Just in the last few weeks the rate has gone from over 1.30 to 1.25. I am waiting to buy some for "walking around" money closer to our July cruise. Given my track record over the last year, you should probably buy yours now:cool:. As soon as word gets out I am waiting the euro will soar in value!

Buy half now and half later and average in :). AS you said it is a risk either way but as we come out of this first as you say, as the EU is behind us in the curve the dollar should start to weaken VS the Euro with all the money that we are printing. That being said I bought mine now this past week If it goes down more I made the wrong decision but I am happy with the price I got VS the $1.60 last summer:eek:.

[KirkNC]

Buy half now and half later and average in :). AS you said it is a risk either way but as we come out of this first as you say, as the EU is behind us in the curve the dollar should start to weaken VS the Euro with all the money that we are printing. That being said I bought mine now this past week If it goes down more I made the wrong decision but I am happy with the price I got VS the $1.60 last summer:eek:.

There you go, you are right, average in. You are also right on the amount of $$$$ we are printing to bail every one out of their bad decisions. Maybe we need a cruiser bail out:cool:

[gentlemancruiser]

If you want to avoid bank fee's and you are in the GTA you should try guardian, they don't charge a service fee and thier rates a 1% off the current rates. Just google them, I've used the several times.
If you will be using your Visa or MC you should let your bank know, we had a terrible time using my partner's PC Mastercard in Europe.


Depends on your bank and service fee package. I am with TD CanadaTrust. Using an ATM overseas will get the current buy/sell exchange rate valid for the time of your transaction (eg the same as what you would get in-branch from your bank) and an international service charge (mine is 3$) versus whatever commission you would pay for your traveller's cheques and then the hassle of using them. Now, most forex currency transactions at major Canadian banks incur a service charge. I have been in restaurants in Italy speaking my mixture of Fr-italian (or more French-alian, really) to the server and getting by quite handily, until I lay a traveller's cheque upon the table -- then suddenly there is no mutual understanding whatsover, aside from 'non'.

I tend to pull out minimal amounts of local currency once at the beginning of the cruise so as to have walking around money / depanneur dollars / tips etc, and then use my credit card for pretty much everything else. In Europe, I find VISA(r) and American Express(r) to be more predominately accepted over MasterCard(r).

If you do go the ATM route, most overseas ATMs won't accept transactions if your Canadian banking card has a PIN that is five characters or more, so you would need to change that to a four character PIN before you leave.

Scott.

[fpat]

On euros now versus later, that is a risk either way you cut it. The general expectation is that the euro will weaken further as the EU is behind the US in rate cuts. Just in the last few weeks the rate has gone from over 1.30 to 1.25. I am waiting to buy some for "walking around" money closer to our July cruise. Given my track record over the last year, you should probably buy yours now:cool:. As soon as word gets out I am waiting the euro will soar in value!


Back over the $1.30s I guess the word got out;):):rolleyes:

IMHO it will be in the $1.40s this summer as to why if you have not bought yet it might still be a good time to pick up some Euro's again IMO.

[jtl513]

Just wondering, if you can get Euros on the Oosterdam, can you get Oosters on the Eurodam?:p:DOnly Oosters Rockefeller. :D

Back over the $1.30s I guess the word got out.It fluctuates constantly. Instant rates on www.xe.com (http://www.xe.com)

[vanrhyn]

Depends on your bank and service fee package. I am with TD CanadaTrust. Using an ATM overseas will get the current buy/sell exchange rate valid for the time of your transaction (eg the same as what you would get in-branch from your bank) and an international service charge (mine is 3$) versus whatever commission you would pay for your traveller's cheques and then the hassle of using them. Now, most forex currency transactions at major Canadian banks incur a service charge. I have been in restaurants in Italy speaking my mixture of Fr-italian (or more French-alian, really) to the server and getting by quite handily, until I lay a traveller's cheque upon the table -- then suddenly there is no mutual understanding whatsover, aside from 'non'.

I tend to pull out minimal amounts of local currency once at the beginning of the cruise so as to have walking around money / depanneur dollars / tips etc, and then use my credit card for pretty much everything else. In Europe, I find VISA(r) and American Express(r) to be more predominately accepted over MasterCard(r).

If you do go the ATM route, most overseas ATMs won't accept transactions if your Canadian banking card has a PIN that is five characters or more, so you would need to change that to a four character PIN before you leave.

Scott.

If any Canadians are interested, Citizens Bank offers accounts that are fee free when withdrawing funds while overseas. The only fee that you would pay would be the convenience fee that the operator of the ATM charges you!

Rod