Exchanging a large bill for smaller ones at the Passenger Service Desk

Can one exchange a large bill for smaller ones of the same currency at the PS desk? Is there a charge? We will be in a European port and will need 34€ for an add-on to a (non-ship) shore excursion. Exact change is requested. We will have Euros, but may need smaller denomination to make exact change. We will not have time to go to an ATM. I’m not even sure that an ATM will dispense lower denomination currency (?)

You don't say which cruise line but most will happily break large bills for you at no fee.

Thank you. The cruise line is Princess. Because we cruise other lines, I thought that this would be good information generally speaking.

Thank you. The cruise line is Princess. Because we cruise other lines, I thought that this would be good information generally speaking.

This is done frequently. I want to say it's done "all the time", but someone will come up with the/an exception.

The onboard currency for Princess ships (except for the three permanently based in Australia) is the US Dollar, even when sailing in Europe. And when in Europe, they will have an ATM-style machine for converting Dollars to Euros on the ship rather than doing so at the Purser's desk. So there is no guarantee they will have small-denomination Euros available simply for breaking large ones.

Are you ordering Euro from your bank? I do it on the phone, and always ask them for "as small as possible". They will not give you coins, but the smaller paper bill is 5 Euro, so the worst case scenario you will overpay by 1 Euro.

Should do

Not too much of an issue if they have it available. May end up 35 though

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Once you exchange you Euro to US Dollars in the machines, you can go to the Passengers Service Desk and they will break them down for you. No charge to break them down. :)

LuLu

Can one exchange a large bill for smaller ones of the same currency at the PS desk? Is there a charge? We will be in a European port and will need 34€ for an add-on to a (non-ship) shore excursion. Exact change is requested. We will have Euros, but may need smaller denomination to make exact change. We will not have time to go to an ATM. I’m not even sure that an ATM will dispense lower denomination currency (?)

The desk will break large US dollars for smaller dollars but I don't think they will change larger Euro currency for smaller Euro currency.

Easily done.

Have a great cruise.

Keith

Can one exchange a large bill for smaller ones of the same currency at the PS desk? Is there a charge? We will be in a European port and will need 34€ for an add-on to a (non-ship) shore excursion. Exact change is requested. We will have Euros, but may need smaller denomination to make exact change. We will not have time to go to an ATM. I’m not even sure that an ATM will dispense lower denomination currency (?)

Tried and true (so far). We get our currency from ATMS at the airport we arrive at. It really is the cheapest way to go. Also they are typically plentiful (though sometimes confusing). Most dispense in increments of somewhere around $20 US - BUT - you can get smaller change by entering an odd amount. E.g. 405 SEK etc... Great for tipping the cab driver or buying a rail pass. :)

Is this your first stop?

The smallest we've received out of a bancomat is an €20.

Don't know if they will have coins onboard as the smallest Euro note is €5.

Exact change requested for a €34 charge is lousy customer service given that foreigners are likely to be able to come up with either €30 or €35 at best.

They likely are aware that most will be paying the extra Euro for all the reasons discussed here. They set the price knowing they will get more from most of their customers. IMO

If you manage to get euro in coin be sure to some 50 cent coins also.