Onboard Cash

[jc foster]

  My wife is a shopper and  I have had a bad experience while using a credit cards in foreign ports. I think I remember seeing an ATM onboard Princess ships ?. Is this the best way to get more cash ?  THANKS

[roxievegas]

I have not looked for an ATM so I can not tell you if there is one.  If I need cash, you can go to the casino cage, but you will be charged for the money.

You could sign in on a slot machine, charge $500 to your cabin (no charges), then gamble a bit, then go to the cage and cash out.

[Musky Ike]

I presume you are using a bank debit card. Shipboard ATM's have a service fee as I recall but have not used one. The guest services desk may be able to help as well. Depending on the port, you may want local currency. ATM's onshore will usually also have a service fee but be sure to decline them doing the conversion. The default is that your bank will convert at a better rate. If you are only stopping at ports where USD are widely accepted, the better bet is to figure how much you will need and then double that to bring with you. Keep a supply in your cabin safe and only take ashore what you are willing to spend there. Carrying cash in some ports can also be risky but you can google some safety tips on that. 

Edited November 10, 2022 by Musky Ike

[skynight]

If you are shopping in Caribbean and Mexico ports where US$ are widely accepted then just bring along US$ cash and store it in the cabin safe.

If you are shopping in a foreign country that does not accept US$ then even though you may not be comfortable, a credit card that does not charge exchange rate fees is the way to go. I would not use a debit card linked to your bank account for this purpose. You may be able to purchase a pre-paid debit card. 

[Ombud]

8 minutes ago, skynight said:

pre-paid debit card. 

Great suggestion ....

1 hour ago, jc foster said:

  My wife is a shopper and  I have had a bad experience while using a credit cards in foreign ports. I think I remember seeing an ATM onboard Princess ships ?. Is this the best way to get more cash ?  THANKS

No. Nope. Nada ..... fees way WAY too high

1 hour ago, roxievegas said:

You could sign in on a slot machine, charge $500 to your cabin (no charges), then gamble a bit, then go to the cage and cash out.

This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue.  The casino is not an ATM

[thinfool]

Assuming a Caribbean itinerary...just use US Dollars or a credit card.  Credit cards are best but do not let them charge your purchase in US currency.  Make sure it is charged in local currency.

If your will be in Europe you need local currency or credit card. Again, credit card is best with charge in local currency.  Use a local ATM in europe to get local currency.  You can get it before you go (in the US) but you will be charged for the privilege.

[Thrak]

I used the onboard ATM once. At that time the fee was $6. It only dispensed US dollars.

[Roberto256]

8 hours ago, jc foster said:

  My wife is a shopper and  I have had a bad experience while using a credit cards in foreign ports. I think I remember seeing an ATM onboard Princess ships ?. Is this the best way to get more cash ?  THANKS

 

You can compliment your bad credit card experience with a bad ATM experience.

 

My recollection is that the transaction fee was $8

.

[MissP22]

On 11/10/2022 at 10:28 AM, Ombud said:

Great suggestion ....

No. Nope. Nada ..... fees way WAY too high

This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue.  The casino is not an ATM

We've never been locked out but we only withdraw our money once on the last night before the end of the cruise. 

It's understandable that they lock some people out if they continually charge their credit cards just to make withdrawals. 

[MindyJohn]

On 11/10/2022 at 7:28 AM, Ombud said:

This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue.  The casino is not an ATM

I realize this thread was from last year, but soon I'll sail Princess for the first time and am making plans about how much cash to take with me.  On other lines I've transferred money from my cabin account to a machine, played a bit and cashed out.  In your opinion if I do this one time for everything I need, do you think I'll run into any complications?  Thank you.

[Ombud]

6 minutes ago, MindyJohn said:

On 11/10/2022 at 5:28 AM, Ombud said:

This will get you locked out of your casino account. Happened 2× to me. Then the casino mgr was able to make it so I could load cash (but not transfer funds) to continue.  The casino is not an ATM

I realize this thread was from last year, but soon I'll sail Princess for the first time and am making plans about how much cash to take with me.  On other lines I've transferred money from my cabin account to a machine, played a bit and cashed out.  In your opinion if I do this one time for everything I need, do you think I'll run into any complications?  Thank you

I transfer funds to the slots, play some, cash out some, play more & more, take final amount out the 2nd to last day on every cruise. Seems to work right now / 2023 if the interim withdrawal is less than 1/2. Once it's all out I'm blocked. Anyhow that's how it is today ... tomorrow might vary. 

[Bgwest]

38 minutes ago, MindyJohn said:

I realize this thread was from last year, but soon I'll sail Princess for the first time and am making plans about how much cash to take with me.  On other lines I've transferred money from my cabin account to a machine, played a bit and cashed out.  In your opinion if I do this one time for everything I need, do you think I'll run into any complications?  Thank you.

See previous posts.

The casino is NOT an ATM. 

SMH

[Thrak]

I only cash out the night before the cruise ends.

 

The exception to that rule is: If your last stop before disembarkation is Victoria don't wait until the last night before the cruise ends as the casino won't be open and you will have to wait for Princess to mail the money to you. I learned that the hard way.

[memoak]

14 hours ago, Thrak said:

I only cash out the night before the cruise ends.

 

The exception to that rule is: If your last stop before disembarkation is Victoria don't wait until the last night before the cruise ends as the casino won't be open and you will have to wait for Princess to mail the money to you. I learned that the hard way.

Yes and on the Discovery yesterday there were reminders all day long in the casino and the patte showed the casino as closed after 4:00

[Thrak]

We were just "lucky" to be on a cruise with zero notice about the closure. It's good that they are making announcements and putting it in the Patter. Hopefully it was also included on the Wake Show.

[Steelers36]

6 minutes ago, Thrak said:

We were just "lucky" to be on a cruise with zero notice about the closure. It's good that they are making announcements and putting it in the Patter. Hopefully it was also included on the Wake Show.

Q:  Are late night gamblers awake for the Wake Show?

Edited June 11, 2023 by Steelers36

[Thrak]

1 minute ago, Steelers36 said:

Q:  Are late night gamblers awake for the Wake Shoq?

 

Probably not. I used to watch it around 11:30 at night which is the show for the next day. Lately it hasn't been worth watching.

[donaldsc]

On 11/10/2022 at 10:22 AM, thinfool said:

Assuming a Caribbean itinerary...just use US Dollars or a credit card.  Credit cards are best but do not let them charge your purchase in US currency.  Make sure it is charged in local currency.

If your will be in Europe you need local currency or credit card. Again, credit card is best with charge in local currency.  Use a local ATM in europe to get local currency.  You can get it before you go (in the US) but you will be charged for the privilege.

 

If you use USD anywhere outside of the US you may be ripped off on the exchange rate and will almost certainly get change in local currency.  That means that if you buy something for $1 and give them a $10 bill you will get $9 back in local currency.  If you plan to pay w USD bring a bunch of small denomination bills.  Also make sure that the bills are in pretty decent shape as many vendors will not accept bills that are in bad shape.

 

DON

[MissP22]

13 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

If you use USD anywhere outside of the US you may be ripped off on the exchange rate and will almost certainly get change in local currency.  That means that if you buy something for $1 and give them a $10 bill you will get $9 back in local currency.  If you plan to pay w USD bring a bunch of small denomination bills.  Also make sure that the bills are in pretty decent shape as many vendors will not accept bills that are in bad shape.

 

DON

Maybe in Europe but I've never had it happen in the Caribbean. If they insisted in local currency, I would leave & go to the next shop. 

[Thrak]

On 6/11/2023 at 2:39 PM, donaldsc said:

 

If you use USD anywhere outside of the US you may be ripped off on the exchange rate and will almost certainly get change in local currency.  That means that if you buy something for $1 and give them a $10 bill you will get $9 back in local currency.  If you plan to pay w USD bring a bunch of small denomination bills.  Also make sure that the bills are in pretty decent shape as many vendors will not accept bills that are in bad shape.

 

DON

 

At Hussong's in Ensenada the exchange rate was clearly posted on the wall and reflected the proper rate. We each had 2 margaritas - which were excellent - and I had a shot (looked more like a double shot) of Cazadores tequila. Total bill: $15 US (Try getting that kind of pricing in a regular "tourist bar".) I solved the issue of change by putting a US $20 bill on the counter, giving the bartender a smile and a nod, and strolling out the door. The $5 was nothing to us but a very good tip for the bartender. (He probably laughed at the crazy tourists over tipping but he was a calm and professional bartender and made very good drinks.) My wife's onboard "profile picture" is from Hussong's. We definitely look like tourists.

 

 

 

 

[Mike45LC]

On 6/11/2023 at 12:20 PM, Steelers36 said:

Q:  Are late night gamblers awake for the Wake Show?

I have never seen the Wake Show.  In fact, except for the Safety At Sea lecture, I have never turned on the television in my cabin.  I don't care to learn to use the new-fangled remote, and I don't care to watch the TV.  

[Thrak]

Just be sure to not only suffer through the Safety Video - your Medallion must be in the cabin while it plays - but you also have to be sure to visit your muster station and press your Medallion to the reader.