Euro Traveler Cheques

[bluewhite]

Does anyone know if there is a charge for cashing euro traveler cheques on board the Solstice Class ships.

[Wine-O]

Does anyone know if there is a charge for cashing euro traveler cheques on board the Solstice Class ships.

 

I would think not, but you would be charged if you converted the Euro to Dollars. Basically, you would get a lousy currency conversion rate.

[Gracie115]

Does anyone know if there is a charge for cashing euro traveler cheques on board the Solstice Class ships.

 

 

no they don't charge to cash Euro T.C into euros...we cashed several on Silhouette last year...we found it easier on land to have actual Euros than trying to use the Travelers checks..

[orchestrapal]

Traveler Checks are really a thing of the past and not readily excepted anymore. Take cash and or an ATM card and you'll have no problems as well as fewer fees.

[Christine Frances]

We only take them for use on the ship. Would not think of using them ashore.

[KirkNC]

Traveler Checks are really a thing of the past and not readily excepted anymore. Take cash and or an ATM card and you'll have no problems as well as fewer fees.

 

Ditto

[cruisestitch]

While traveler's checks are harder to come by today, there are still some banks and credit unions who will issue them for no fee. If the ship cashes them for no fee, this would be a much cheaper way than using an ATM card and would certainly be safer than carrying a sum of cash. While no longer accepted at most retail establishments, they still have a place for some travelers, and as long as they are still available, will fulfill a need that neither cash nor an ATM do.

[Poppet1964]

I investigated this before my cruise in Europe this summer... Traveler's checks, whether U.S. or Euro, were pretty much totally vetoed! They're a pain to get, a pain to cash, no one accepts them...

 

I took all the Euro I needed for my excursions and transportation and some extra for spending money. I took a Capital One Debit ATM Card 'just in case' (only used it once when I actually forgot my envelope of cash on an excursion!).

 

There are definitely differing opinions on taking Euro or getting them from an ATM when you get there, but I didn't want to be searching for ATM's and I did see one eat a tourists's card in Barcelona... that would be terrible!

[Christine Frances]

Traveler Checks are really a thing of the past and not readily excepted anymore. Take cash and or an ATM card and you'll have no problems as well as fewer fees.

 

Please remember when recommending this option, that it only applies to Americans! There are no Canadian banks who's debit cards do not have a 2.5% ForEx fee plus an ATM fee of $5. For us, it is cheaper to buy USD or Euro's at home and cash the TC's on the ship. Please amend your blanket statements when you post that you are only referring to Americans. On the other hand, we have in Canada for a couple of years, "Chip & Pin" cards which will make your life easier in Europe:D

[Hawaiidan]

Traveler Checks are really a thing of the past and not readily excepted anymore. Take cash and or an ATM card and you'll have no problems as well as fewer fees.

 

I agree, many places do charge a fee however.

 

I suggest bring your credit card and charge just what you need. and earn miles while you do ! Maybe an ATM for those rare times you will need cash .

On a recent 30 day cruise to 8 counries I took $150 in cash and an ATM card and my credit card. I used the ATM once to pay for a tour in 45 day in Turkey, The rest of the time I used my card, Germany, Austria,Italy Switzerland, Slovenia, Greece ,Turkey, Spain, with no problem from a sanwitch to a train ticket..

 

Its crazy to have to cash a $100check when you only need$ 20 ! Besides a credit card has as much or more security than a Travelers Check... the went out in the 70's You will end up spending that $80 on trivial things and thus its a waste...

 

I travel and have traveled for 40 years world wide and found that cash is not only not necessary over about $100, but will cost you dearly to use and as much as a 10% conversion out and in .

 

Cash is a liability you do not want forget the travlers checks.

[cruisestitch]

Here's the rub --

 

There are some tour guides who want US dollars (or Euros ) cash. They don't take credit cards. It can be several hundreds of dollars (or Euros).

 

So how can the traveller get the cash most easily, and most cheaply?

 

1. ATM withdrawal -- incurs a fee, sometimes more than one fee, depending on bank and currency involved

 

2. Bring the cash with you from home -- make some people nervous

 

3. Draw out cash against your Visa/Mastercard credit card -- very pricey! You pay big interest on "cash withdrawal" on your credit card

 

4. Withdraw cash from the shipboard casino, to be charged to your XPress pass and from there to your credit card -- 5% on board fee

 

5. Buy traveler's checks for no fee from local bank, cash them for no fee on board the ship -- this may be the very best option for those who can get no-fee traveler's checks from their local bank

 

6. Celebrity will cash one personal check per passenger, for $200 -- also a good option, but $200 may not cover the cost of the excursion

 

Have I missed any options?

 

No, traveler's checks aren't a good idea for purchasing items in stores, and yes, banks will charge you to cash them and give you local currency, but they still may have a place for some traveler's, IMO

[cruisemom42]

Here's the rub --

 

There are some tour guides who want US dollars (or Euros ) cash. They don't take credit cards. It can be several hundreds of dollars (or Euros).

 

So how can the traveller get the cash most easily, and most cheaply?

 

1. ATM withdrawal -- incurs a fee, sometimes more than one fee, depending on bank and currency involved However, when you do a comparison with the lousy rates banks and other "money changers" give, ATMs nearly always come out on top, especially if you make a few, larger withdrawals rather than several smaller ones.

 

2. Bring the cash with you from home -- make some people nervous See #1 above, for Americans anyway, getting euros in the US is definitely a losing proposition in terms of how much extra you pay. The bank may not charge a fee, but have a look at the exchange rate, it's generally abysmal and it's where they make their money.

 

3. Draw out cash against your Visa/Mastercard credit card -- very pricey! You pay big interest on "cash withdrawal" on your credit card

 

4. Withdraw cash from the shipboard casino, to be charged to your XPress pass and from there to your credit card -- 5% on board fee

 

5. Buy traveler's checks for no fee from local bank, cash them for no fee on board the ship -- this may be the very best option for those who can get no-fee traveler's checks from their local bank Again, be sure to check out the ship's exchange rate. I'd venture to guess, based on what I've seen onboard various lines, that you will do better getting cash from an ATM in terms of the exchange rate.

 

6. Celebrity will cash one personal check per passenger, for $200 -- also a good option, but $200 may not cover the cost of the excursion

 

Have I missed any options?

 

No, traveler's checks aren't a good idea for purchasing items in stores, and yes, banks will charge you to cash them and give you local currency, but they still may have a place for some traveler's, IMO

 

 

See above. I travel quite a bit internationally and always price out the various options. So far, ATMs nearly always come out ahead. For Canadians, who have access to fairer rates of exchange in some places, that may not be the case. But for Americans, ATMs win in terms of value.

[Lsimon]

I always take as much in Euros cash as the minimum I think I'll need, and supplement that with ATM use if I run low.

 

I don't want to have to find an ATM, yes I know everyone thinks that there are a zillion ATM's everyplace - except I never seem to see one close when I need one and I don't want to hold up our group while we find an ATM. I've also had issues getting our card to work in ATM's in Europe and had to find a second or third ATM that would take it. Then you are limited by the daily limit (remember that your daily limit is in dollars not Euros).

 

Finally, I figure the cost for getting $1,000 worth of Euros is about $25 higher at my local bank than at ATMs - and that is presuming I can find a way to pay no atm fees and that I'm using a credit card or ATM card that has no foreign transaction surcharge. Most bank accounts and credit card companies charge both ATM fees and a 2 or 3% foreign transaction fee surcharge for ATM use. There are exceptions, notably Capital One, but you better check your card ahead of time to be aware of the fees involved in using it in Europe.

 

ATM's seem the most popular among travelers, but not for me. For me cash is king!

[cruisestitch]

1. ATM withdrawal -- incurs a fee, sometimes more than one fee, depending on bank and currency involved

 

However, when you do a comparison with the lousy rates banks and other "money changers" give, ATMs nearly always come out on top, especially if

you make a few, larger withdrawals rather than several smaller ones.

 

But maybe I wasn't clear -- we aren't talking about changing money, simply withdrawing money.

 

Yes, if you need a currency other than your own, a local ATM is best.

 

But if, say, the tour guide takes USD, you need to get USD on board, the ATM on board dispenses USD, you pay a fee of at least $6 per transaction.

 

2. Bring the cash with you from home -- make some people nervous

 

See #1 above, for Americans anyway, getting euros in the US is definitely a losing proposition in terms of how much extra you pay. The bank may not charge a fee, but have a look at the exchange rate, it's generally abysmal and it's where they make their money.

 

Right, but again, I wasn't talking about exchanging money. I was talking about getting dollars (or Euros if you are European). Not making an exchange for your own currency.

 

3. Draw out cash against your Visa/Mastercard credit card -- very pricey! You pay big interest on "cash withdrawal" on your credit card

 

4. Withdraw cash from the shipboard casino, to be charged to your XPress pass and from there to your credit card -- 5% on board fee

 

5. Buy traveler's checks for no fee from local bank, cash them for no fee on board the ship -- this may be the very best option for those who can get no-fee traveler's checks from their local bank

 

Again, be sure to check out the ship's exchange rate. I'd venture to guess, based on what I've seen onboard various lines, that you will do better getting cash from an ATM in terms of the exchange rate.

 

Yes, you would get a better exchange from an ATM. But if you aren't exchanging money, then I stand by all my previous comments :):):)

[bluewhite]

Thank you everyone for your very good advice. One of the banks we talked to here in Canada can't get Euro traveler cheques.!!!!!!!! Seems a bit strange.When we travel in the U.S. our debit cards don't often work.So a bit leery of relying on it in the Med. I guess credit cards are the way to go.

[Christine Frances]

Scotiabank has Euro Travelers Cheques!! And euro bank accounts. We buy euro's on a regular basis and then take euro TC's when we cruise.