CUSTOMS IN SPAIN: Money and cards, tips, telephone, languages, documentation, business hours...

[alserrod]

 

Money and cards...

 

In Spain the legal currency is the EURO. It will be very difficult for them to accept you to pay in a different currency.
Until 2002, the year the euro was introduced, banknotes from other countries could be accepted in tourist areas, and especially in areas bordering France and Portugal.

 

Since the existence of the euro, it will be very difficult for them to accept it, and if they do, the exchange rate will be little advantageous. This includes paying for a taxi. If they accept it, it will be much more expensive (and the returns will be in euro coins)

 

Credit cards are widely used. Keep in mind that it is probably cheaper to pay with a card than with cash (you don't have to pay an exchange rate) and that makes the card cheaper for you.

 

Check if changing currency involves a percentage commission or has a fixed cost. If you only have a commission percentage, it is enough to obtain the minimum amount of euros you need and ask for more money later.

 

Also think that the money you get can not only be used in Spain but in all the countries in Europe that use it, as well as in the French islands of the Caribbean, in the Canary Islands and in some other places in the world.

 

There are many ways to get that money in euros. Check to see which is the most advantageous
- change currency at your bank before leaving on your trip
- change currency in a Spanish bank
- withdraw euros from an ATM.

 

Check what the commission is for withdrawing euros with your card and compare it with the commission for exchanging currency. It may be the most advantageous option. Also check with your bank if it doesn't matter where you withdraw money (or if it has to be from a specific banking network because the commission may be higher or lower).

 

There are many ATMs. So much so that if you don't care where to withdraw the money from, it will be the least of your worries. Much smaller towns will have ATMs without problems. In the center of big cities you will always have one close to you. If you are going to get the money in euros at ATMs, don't worry about having one nearby.

About paying with credit cards...

 

The use is very widespread and you can buy almost, almost everything with cards. So much so that your use of cash is very low.
In tourist (and not so tourist) places it is very common that when ordering a beer (or a coffee), the waiter expects you to pay with a card and not with cash.

 

Of course... to pay, only VISA and MASTERCARD.
American Express is very little spread. You will be able to pay in some hotels and large places only.
Diners club is almost non-existent.

 

Keep this in mind and travel with a Visa and Mastercard card (and this not only applies to Spain but to all of Europe)

[alserrod]

TIPS

 

 

If you live in North America, let's make it clear, in Spain tips are much more infrequent, and even non-existent, compared to what you are used to.

 

 

In Europe in general there is the impression (and desire) that money is earned honestly through wages, not tips. The worker is already assured of a salary before starting work and will carry out his or her work, with or without tips.

 

Therefore, the general rule is to tip if the service was extraordinary, if you would remember something special about that service. And the tips are always much lower than what you are used to. It is always considered that the service is included in the rate you are going to pay.

 

That means that services like a bus driver (where you are expected to take a very specific route without much option for change), just for example, are never tipped.

 

Where do you usually tip?

 

In restaurants, if you consider that the service has been special (if it has been normal service, you only pay the bill and nothing happens)

In a taxi if they have done something very special for you (for example carry a lot of luggage or give you valuable information)

In a hotel if they have provided you with something (if you have only asked for the room key, this is what was expected of them)
etc...

 

And remember that

In restaurants sometimes you prefer a 5-star review with photos and comments on Google or TripAdvisor instead of a tip

If you don't tip.... nothing just happens. The one who served you will also receive his salary. He has it included and it is very regulated

Oh, and if you tip, always in euros. Tipping in a currency other than the local currency is like going to your city and tipping someone in euros. What do you do with those bills?

[Harters]

21 hours ago, alserrod said:

withdraw euros from an ATM.

I visit Tenerife each year. As you suggest we either pay for things by card or withdraw euros from the ATM. Most banks make a usage charge (maybe 2 euro, sometimes up to 5). As at the time of writing, I know that the Banca March does not charge but all other banks do (unless you are an account holder).

 

Is it common for bank ATMs elsewhere in Spain to also make this charge or is it something specific to the Canaries?

 

Also worth mentioning that, when you pay by card or withdraw money from ATMs, you will be asked if you want to be charged in euros or your own home currency. Always, but always, select euros - that way you will be charged at the official interbank rate and not some potentially scam rate that the business has set up itself. 

Edited January 29 by Harters

[alserrod]

9 minutes ago, Harters said:

I visit Tenerife each year. As you suggest we either pay for things by card or withdraw euros from the ATM. Most banks make a usage charge (maybe 2 euro, sometimes up to 5). As at the time of writing, I know that the Banca March does not charge but all other banks do (unless you are an account holder).

 

Is it common for bank ATMs elsewhere in Spain to also make this charge or is it something specific to the Canaries?

 

 

Hello

 

All banks charge a commission. The difference is whether it is greater or less as well as whether your bank assumes it (they may have agreements between them) or you have to pay it.

 

That's why it's best to check with your bank about commissions and whether any Spanish bank or ATM network charges less commissions.

 

If they tell you that there are no commissions at Banca March, write down the addresses of the ATMs.

 

If you are going to pay up to 5 euros to withdraw 100 euros, ask how much it costs to change 100 dollars inside a bank

 

And also ask if there is any bank that offers a card without fees or with very small fees.

 

For example, I have a card from a very small bank that only operates online, but if I had to pay with it in dollars there would be no commission (they would charge me the equivalent in euros), and if I withdraw from an ATM, they would charge me the 1.7% only. I think it is very advantageous. Ask to see if you have something similar.

 

About the Canary Islands, and despite the distance, very, very few things change in general compared to the rest of Spain, so much so that it may seem to you that you have barely traveled by plane.

 

About the little that changes, that the time is different. The time zone is GMT+0 (GMT+1 in summer until 2026) instead of GMT+1 (GMT+2 in summer) as is the case in mainland Spain (and almost the entire European Union).

 

Regarding banks, money and ATMs, in the Canary Islands absolutely nothing of what I have indicated above changes.

 

For example, for any bank that has an office in the Canary Islands, they are just another office within the entire banking network.

[Harters]

2 hours ago, alserrod said:

If they tell you that there are no commissions at Banca March, write down the addresses of the ATMs.

The question about usage charges is regularly asked on the Tenerife Tripadvisor forum. It's asked regularly as banks change their policy about usage charges. It used the be the case that the Caixa bank also used to be charge free. Now it seems only Banca March operates ATMs which are free to use (although Santander is free to use for their customers who have accounts in other countries). Thanks for confirming that the usage charges will apply throughout Spain - our forthcoming cruise visits Cadiz and Malaga so, if I need cash, I'll look out for a Banca March ATM.  

 

 

Edited January 29 by Harters

[alserrod]

I have to say that I had not heard of Banca March. I have seen that there is a branch in my city.

Banco Santander is the largest in Spain, La Caixa is the third.
If they offer you interesting commissions, you know that in every city you visit you will have those ATMs (and more than one spread throughout the city).

The main difference between the Canary Islands and the rest of Spain are taxes. They do not pay VAT but rather pay a much lower local tax.
For a company it is like exporting to a different country due to tax issues.
For a citizen... it doesn't matter at all because you pay the price they ask for without caring about the percentage of the local tax (and if they don't tell you, you won't even notice).

But at the banking level there is no difference.
If I now had a bank account in Tenerife I should include it with the rest of my accounts to pay my taxes
If I go to Tenerife I can go to an office of the same bank I have and do operations from there.

[alserrod]

DOCUMENTATION IN SPAIN

 

 

Depending on your nationality, you must carry a passport. Check with embassies if you also need a visa and how to obtain it.
If you are an EU citizen, your national identity card will be sufficient. In the case of minors, only with ID, official parental authorization is required. If parents accompany you, it is obviously not necessary. If the minor has a passport, nothing else is necessary.

 

>> About entry into Spain

 

In Spain, the borders with countries in the Schengen area and with the rest of the countries are different.

 

Whatever nationality you have, they will not ask you for documentation for a trip within the Schengen area. This includes road trips from Portugal or France and any air or boat travel from any Schengen country. You will see that they indicate the destinations in this area as if they were domestic flights and there is no cabin for passport control.

 

That is, it doesn't matter what your nationality is. If you are coming to Spain from France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Belgium,... (or if you are leaving Spain for these countries) they will NOT ask you for documentation. You will only need valid documentation that proves your identity for the airline, not for border control.

 

If you come from a country other than the Schengen zone, they will ask you for documentation upon arrival as in a regular passport control.

 

>> Are you going to visit Andorra?

 

If you plan to travel to Andorra, remember that it is a small country nestled between Spain and France. It is not part of the European Union or the Schengen treaty.
Any document valid for Spain or France is also valid for that country and, although there are booths at the borders for passport control, they never ask for it.

 

 

>> Carry documentation with you

 

Spanish regulations require that you carry with you the documentation that allowed you to cross the border.

 

In other words.... you must carry your passport with you when you are in Spain.

 

Spanish citizens massively carry their documentation with them (an official card inside their wallet) for a historical reason. That makes it more difficult, in that case in which they require documentation, to try to explain why you don't have it.

[alserrod]

PHONES

 

 

The prefix of Spain is +34

 

ALL telephone numbers have 9 digits

Mobile phones almost always start with 6 (they can start with 7)
Landlines almost always start with 9 (they can start with 😎

 

Landlines in Madrid start with +3491..., Barcelona +3493, Bilbao +3494, Málaga +34951, Seville +34954, Valencia and Alicante +3496, Tenerife +34922, Las Palmas +34926, etc...

 

The 900 numbers are free and, therefore, will have no cost on your bill (+34900...)

 

Regarding smartphones, in Spain more than 75% have an Android device. iOS devices (iphone, Apple, etc...) are in the minority.

 

Despite this, practically all the mobile applications you need will have an Android version and an iOS version (the number of Apple users is enough to maintain both applications)

 

 

Check with your current telephone company about the cost of calling and receiving calls in Spain and surfing the Internet.

 

 

>> If it doesn't cost anything, great. Operate with your phone.
There are several telephone companies that offer service. In the ports where you are, you will receive enough signals from all four and your phone will choose which one to connect to (depending on the agreements your company has).
You won't find out and just talk on the phone and browse normally.

 

 

>> If your usual telephone has a cost in Spain, I invite you to provisionally buy a Spanish number.

 

At this moment I have seen this offer from the main Spanish telephone company:
- unlimited calls within Spain
- 200 minutes of calls to foreign numbers (the entire European Union and other countries such as Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and many more)
- 10 Gb to browse the internet (10Gb within Spain, of which 6Gb can be used in any EU country)
all for 10 euros, taxes included.

 

I have seen this offer with a specific company. The rest of the companies have very similar offers.

 

Therefore, if your usual company charges you costs to use the phone in Europe, consider buying a card for 10 euros (it would be a number that starts with +346...), replacing it in your device and using it while you are in Europe . You can surf the internet, call your country, make a local call, etc...

The biggest inconvenience you would have would be to occasionally check your personal number to check if you had missed calls, but even WhatsApp can be temporarily changed with another number while maintaining your contacts and previous conversations.

 

If you are going to buy a card like this, remember that you can use it interchangeably throughout the European Union.

For cruises that usually leave Spain it means that
- all ports in France, Portugal, Italy and Malta
- Does NOT include ports of Casablanca and Tunisia
- the ports of Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife, Las Palmas, etc... are Spanish ports for all purposes (and the use you make of your new card counts as made from within Spain)

[alserrod]

BUY WINE IN SPAIN

 

 

In Spain, as in many southern European countries, there is a lot of wine tradition. Virtually all regions of Spain have grape-growing areas (The northern coastal areas hardly have wine due to their climate. If you visit the Canary Islands, despite their location, there is also wine). For someone who barely knows the country, the wine will be neither better nor worse than other wines from other countries that they do know. It will simply be different (or maybe even very similar to other Mediterranean wines).

So... some tips and guides if you are going to be in Spain (both at the beginning or end of the cruise or on a stopover) and want to take a Spanish wine back with you.

 

==> WHERE TO BUY IT?

 

In any supermarket.

 

Of course there are specialized stores but unless you want a very specific wine that is only available there, you will have the best price in any supermarket. The supermarket brand doesn't matter. On any visit, if you see a supermarket, go in and visit the wine area. Choose the one you want, pay and take it. They won't give you a souvenir box, packaging, etc... but it will be much cheaper (and the wine is the same, of course). It doesn't matter if you buy it at Mercadona, Alcampo, Carrefour, Eroski, Dia, etc... any supermarket is worth it to bring you Spanish wine.

 

You will see that they have many local wines. And here I am not referring to Spanish wines but of all the wines you see, there will always be a very high percentage that will be close (no more than 150km away) from where the supermarket is. So, if you go into a supermarket in Barcelona, the number of wines from Catalonia will be very high compared to other areas. If you go into a supermarket in Malaga you will see the same thing but with Andalusian wines.

 

Yes, you will find wines, but with less emphasis, from other wine-growing areas, and in supermarkets it is not common for them to sell wines from other countries. You will see them but in small quantities (due to the distribution circuits they have. After all, they are dedicated to buying and selling a lot of food and drinks).

 

 

==> Spanish wine regions

 

I recommend you visit this Wikipedia article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_wine_regions

 

You will see that each wine indicates its area of origin according to these maps.
In supermarkets you will always see a lot of wine from nearby regions
In stores you will find any

 

==> Types of wine

 

Basically you will find:

* VINO BLANCO: White wine
* VINO ROSADO: Rosé wine
* VINO TINTO: Red wine
* VINO ESPUMOSO: Sparking wine
* VINO DE POSTRE: Dessert wine (or fortified)

 

In Spain the most popular wine is red wine (70% consumption in Spain according to a statistic that I have consulted). Next would be white wine.

 

Rosé wine is unusual. Of course you can order it in any bar and restaurant and they will have enough supply, but the custom in Spain is to associate food with either white wine or red wine.

 

Regarding red wine, you may be interested in these descriptions
All wines must spend some time in the bottle before being sold. In addition to being in the bottle, they can be previously in oak barrels.
Without being an exact rule (due to regulations there is a time frame that can be applied, not an exact figure):
- JOVEN (YOUNG) red wine. It hasn't been in barrel
- CRIANZA red wine. It has been in barrel for 6 months
- RESERVA red wine. It has been in barrel for 12 months
- GRAN RESERVA red wine. It has been in barrel for 24 months

 

Logic suggests that a Gran Reserva wine will be better and more expensive than a Reserva wine.

 

These are more expensive and better than a breeding one, etc.
It is common, but you can find wines from special wineries that have had a specific treatment and a YOUNG wine (without being barrel-aged) may be more expensive and better than a CRIANZA wine, etc... there is no exact rule. and the only thing you can do is research and try.

 

==> WHAT PRICE CAN WINE HAVE?

 

Of course whatever you want to spend but here you have too wide a margin.

Here is a recent article from a well-known financial newspaper in Spain. It is not in English but surely any translator can help you.

https://www.expansion.com/fueradeserie/gastro/2023/08/25/64d60577468aebb1658b45df.html

 

You will see 20 selected wines with the best quality-price ratio
The first of all is from a winery in my region. IT COSTS 5.20 euros ONLY and is an excellent wine. It will not be a wine to compete in large specialist competitions, but rest assured that if you buy some bottles, take them home, invite friends to dinner and take that wine out to them, they will ask you where you bought it... and you will be thinking that if they knew that in a bar they charge them per glass much more than what the whole bottle cost you...

 

Don't you care how much to spend?
Here you have some of the most expensive wines in Spain.
Many of them are very limited edition wines.
https://www.vinissimus.com/es/content/10-vinos-tintos-mas-caros-de-espana/
There is one (Vega Sicilia) that has a much larger edition.

[alserrod]

BUY OIL IN SPAIN

 

 

OLIVE OIL is a "juice" that is obtained naturally from olives (or olives, in each place they will be called differently).

 

It is an essential element in the diet and foods of the Mediterranean countries. Not only because it accompanies salads or because potatoes are fried in it, but because of how the dishes are cooked. Many flavors are achieved by frying some vegetables in olive oil beforehand. Its quality is important to give it a good flavor.

 

In some restaurants there may be a dish on the menu that is "cheese and oil" and they offer you several types of cheese on the plate and a sample of various types of oils and bread. It's about trying and alternating the cheese and oil as you prefer. Each oil will be a little different from the previous one and surely there is one that you prefer more than the rest (and here everyone has their taste. They are all exceptional and everyone likes one or the other more).

 

As with wine, no two oils are the same so here are some lines that can help you and give you ideas.

 

 

>> Why buy olive oil?

 

And why not?. In Spain (and other Mediterranean countries) it costs even more than wine and is an essential food. How much does it cost in your country? (compared to the price of wine). Is it easily distributed in supermarkets?

 

There are several more aspects. Another is the ease of purchase and transportation. It is sold by liters, but since it has a lower density, a liter only weighs 700-800 grams. The containers are always made of plastic and that makes transportation back home much easier since it will weigh less than other bottles.

 

Since it is not an alcoholic beverage in customs in your country, you do not introduce it as alcohol but as food. Check the accepted quantities but it is easier than with alcohol.

 

 

>> What type of oil to buy? Where to buy it?

 

In any supermarket. There are gourmet food stores but, unless you are an expert in oils (in which case you don't need this explanation) any supermarket is enough to buy.

 

Make sure the label says "extra virgin olive oil." "Extra virgin" is the qualification it has according to the production process and which ensures a final flavor.

 

For distribution reasons, it is most common for supermarkets to offer several brands of oil and, always, one of the brands will be the supermarket's own. This will be the easiest to see (the one that is most present and will also be the cheapest due to cost savings in distribution). Unless they have recommended a specific brand, the one from the supermarket is perfectly valid. It will be 10% cheaper than the rest and the savings are in transportation and logistics, not in its quality (each supermarket has its own).

 

They offer them in one-liter and five-liter bottles. The vast majority of sales are in bottles of one, but if you are going to buy more, the bottle of five has two advantages: it is a little cheaper and it is easier to transport (it is easier to carry a large bottle than five small ones).

 

>> Types of oil and tasting.

 

A very important section is the "acidity of the oil". Without going into technical topics, you will find
- SOFT (suave) oil, with an acidity of 0.4%
- STRONG (fuerte) oil, with an acidity of 0.8%

 

If you are not used to it, my recommendation is to buy mild oil. If you buy it strong, do not use it for frying, only to accompany salads.

The quality of the oil is the same in both cases. The only difference is the flavor (that's why, for those who are not used to it, I recommend the mildest of all)

 

>> Where can you choose and know a little more?

 

At breakfast and in the food itself, both on the cruise and in restaurants.

Have you ever spread a little butter on your bread while waiting for food?
I invite you to ask for oil and salt and spread pieces of bread with them. If you look, the basis is the same but in this case without cooking.

 

The oil can be provided to you in the cruise restaurant and you have it at the buffet. Likewise in any restaurant they will offer it to you if you ask for it (if in any Mediterranean country, from Israel to Portugal, they don't give you oil when you ask for it, I would doubt their quality and service).

 

When you have tried it a few times you will see that the oils are not the same. When there is one you like, ask the restaurant what it is and what its label is. Surely they will show it to you (everyone wants to show their food when it makes a good impression).

 

It is not about taking all the bread with the oil before starting to eat. Just a few small portions, what you would usually do with butter.

 

 

[IRMO12HD]

On 1/30/2024 at 2:32 AM, alserrod said:

DOCUMENTATION IN SPAIN

 

 

Depending on your nationality, you must carry a passport. Check with embassies if you also need a visa and how to obtain it.
If you are an EU citizen, your national identity card will be sufficient. In the case of minors, only with ID, official parental authorization is required. If parents accompany you, it is obviously not necessary. If the minor has a passport, nothing else is necessary.

 

>> About entry into Spain

 

In Spain, the borders with countries in the Schengen area and with the rest of the countries are different.

 

Whatever nationality you have, they will not ask you for documentation for a trip within the Schengen area. This includes road trips from Portugal or France and any air or boat travel from any Schengen country. You will see that they indicate the destinations in this area as if they were domestic flights and there is no cabin for passport control.

 

That is, it doesn't matter what your nationality is. If you are coming to Spain from France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Belgium,... (or if you are leaving Spain for these countries) they will NOT ask you for documentation. You will only need valid documentation that proves your identity for the airline, not for border control.

 

If you come from a country other than the Schengen zone, they will ask you for documentation upon arrival as in a regular passport control.

 

If I am a US Citizen on a ship originating in the US (Florida) and stopping in the Azores, Malaga, and Cartagena before heading to our final destinations in Italy, do you know if I can request a Schengen stamp in my passport at our first stop in the Schengen area?  This will simplify my subsequent travel plans after the cruise ends.  From what I understand, there probably won't be an opportunity to get it stamped in Civitavecchia.

 

>> Carry documentation with you

 

Spanish regulations require that you carry with you the documentation that allowed you to cross the border.

 

In other words.... you must carry your passport with you when you are in Spain.

 

Spanish citizens massively carry their documentation with them (an official card inside their wallet) for a historical reason. That makes it more difficult, in that case in which they require documentation, to try to explain why you don't have it.

 

[alserrod]

10 hours ago, IRMO12HD said:

 

 

Hello:

 

I am not sure if an officer will want to stamp your passport, but anyway, you can first try in Funchal. It is part of Portugal, therefore Schengen area

 

[Hlitner]

When we travel from the USA to Europe, our Passports are normally stamped at our first port of entry.  If that place is NOT a Schengen country, our Passports are normally stamped at our first "Schengen" port of entry be it on a ship or at an airport.  That being said, 3 years ago we had problems because our Passports were never stamped (by anyone) despite having been in multiple European countries (including Spain and Monoco).  For some weird reason, it was never done.  We debarked our Seabourn cruise at Monte Carlo where there were no authorities and simply walked down the gangway onto the pier where we were met by our car/driver.  We drove to Nice (so crossed the border into France) where we spend a few days.  We than flew from Nice to Amsterdam where we changed to a flight which took us to Prague.  Again, nobody stamped our passports.  Very strange.

 

Three weeks later we flew from Prague to Munich where we were to catch our flight back to Newark.  Germany, unlike most Schengen countries, always has passport control (even on domestic flights such as our flight from Amsterdam).  The German official was very "unhappy" to not find any Schengen entry stamp.  It took about 15 minutes of explaining (and showing all kinds of supporting documents including cruise ship ticket, airline boarding passes, hotel receipts, etc. until the German official finally let us go (he did put a Schengen entry stamp into our Passport).  What made the experience so much "fun" was that his partner (who shared the same counter) was laughing and kept rolling his eyes (out of sight of his partner) as he watched the situation unfold.

 

Our experience with Europe is that both Germany and the UK will carefully follow their own procedures (which are strict) while most of the Schengen countries (other then Germany) are hit/miss on how they handle entrees.  

 

As to those who want Passport stamps (some travelers have this desire) it is also hit/miss if an official will do it when they do not deem it necessary.  My advice to any traveler is always print-out hard copies of documents (i.e. cruise tickets, airline reservations/boarding passes, etc) and have them with you (in a pocket or carry-on) just in case!  Border/immigration officials have respect for real documents, and much less respect for what comes out of one's mouth.

 

Hank

[alserrod]

24 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

When we travel from the USA to Europe, our Passports are normally stamped at our first port of entry.  If that place is NOT a Schengen country, our Passports are normally stamped at our first "Schengen" port of entry be it on a ship or at an airport.  That being said, 3 years ago we had problems because our Passports were never stamped (by anyone) despite having been in multiple European countries (including Spain and Monoco).  For some weird reason, it was never done.  We debarked our Seabourn cruise at Monte Carlo where there were no authorities and simply walked down the gangway onto the pier where we were met by our car/driver.  We drove to Nice (so crossed the border into France) where we spend a few days.  We than flew from Nice to Amsterdam where we changed to a flight which took us to Prague.  Again, nobody stamped our passports.  Very strange.

 

Three weeks later we flew from Prague to Munich where we were to catch our flight back to Newark.  Germany, unlike most Schengen countries, always has passport control (even on domestic flights such as our flight from Amsterdam).  The German official was very "unhappy" to not find any Schengen entry stamp.  It took about 15 minutes of explaining (and showing all kinds of supporting documents including cruise ship ticket, airline boarding passes, hotel receipts, etc. until the German official finally let us go (he did put a Schengen entry stamp into our Passport).  What made the experience so much "fun" was that his partner (who shared the same counter) was laughing and kept rolling his eyes (out of sight of his partner) as he watched the situation unfold.

 

Our experience with Europe is that both Germany and the UK will carefully follow their own procedures (which are strict) while most of the Schengen countries (other then Germany) are hit/miss on how they handle entrees.  

 

As to those who want Passport stamps (some travelers have this desire) it is also hit/miss if an official will do it when they do not deem it necessary.  My advice to any traveler is always print-out hard copies of documents (i.e. cruise tickets, airline reservations/boarding passes, etc) and have them with you (in a pocket or carry-on) just in case!  Border/immigration officials have respect for real documents, and much less respect for what comes out of one's mouth.

 

Hank

 

Hello:

 

First of all, a few small comments... but I think they are important in the context.
- Morocco is not Europe but Africa. It is not an opinion but simply a reality. It is not part of the European Union and to travel between Morocco and any EU country you must present a passport and have all customs control. Furthermore, for immigration reasons, it is a border that has a lot of control
- Berlin - Amsterdam is not a domestic flight. They are two different countries (yes it is a flight within the Schengen zone)
- Monaco (for Monte Carlo) is an independent country. It is not part of the Schengen area but has an agreement with France. Honestly, if your port of entry was Monaco I have no idea how customs formalities are carried out (be careful, you can only enter Monaco without entering France if you do it on a yacht through the port. Anywhere around it is already France)

 

I have been on cruises with stops outside the Schengen area twice and I had very few formalities. I don't know if it helps you since the departure and arrival were in the Schengen zone.

 

1- Flight from Madrid to Athens. No passport control upon arrival (it is the European Union and Schengen zone, the strange thing is that they would have asked for it)

One of the stops was in Dubrovnik. Croatia (before it was part of the EU, and later the Schengen area). I had a passport and they didn't ask me for anything at the port. Best of all, there were some passengers who missed the boat and the agent helped them organize a flight so they could get on board two days later. They did not have any problems leaving the country (or entering Italy).

I returned with a Venice - Madrid flight in which there was, logically, no passport control either.

 

2- Departure and arrival from Barcelona (and logically only the documentation control requested by the shipping company)
One of the stops was Tunisia. There the police asked us to fill out a "visa" with our information. They checked (very quickly) that the information we had written matched the passport and stamped the passport and visa.

 

Upon leaving the boat, the police asked us for half of the visa (a small piece of cardboard) and to show our passport (just to see that we had it on us). They already had all the data on the possible passengers who could disembark.
Upon returning to the boat, the Tunisian police asked us for the other half of the visa. If the visas when entering and leaving coincided, then everything was perfect and no one had been left on the ground.
The closest thing to what appears in the Argo movie.

but I don't know if it can help you. I don't know, exactly, how travelers from another country enter the Schengen zone.

 

What is worth noting is that if your ship stops in Funchal, that is Portuguese territory and it would be your first entry into the European Union.

 

On flights within the Schengen area (includes the entire EU except Ireland and some nearby and not so close countries like Iceland) there is NO passport control.

 

It is possible that some country establishes controls (as is the case of Germany that you mentioned) but you can change countries so many times without controls.

 

 

I invite you to use Google Maps and see two curiosities about all this
- the first is to choose several international borders by road. Look on Google Maps as there are no customs of any kind in either of the two places.
- the second... look for the Schengen location. It is in the country of Luxembourg. Think about what their life would be like before the free movement treaty and why they chose that small town to name it.

 

 

 

[IRMO12HD]

52 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

When we travel from the USA to Europe, our Passports are normally stamped at our first port of entry.  If that place is NOT a Schengen country, our Passports are normally stamped at our first "Schengen" port of entry be it on a ship or at an airport.  That being said, 3 years ago we had problems because our Passports were never stamped (by anyone) despite having been in multiple European countries (including Spain and Monoco).  For some weird reason, it was never done.  We debarked our Seabourn cruise at Monte Carlo where there were no authorities and simply walked down the gangway onto the pier where we were met by our car/driver.  We drove to Nice (so crossed the border into France) where we spend a few days.  We than flew from Nice to Amsterdam where we changed to a flight which took us to Prague.  Again, nobody stamped our passports.  Very strange.

 

Three weeks later we flew from Prague to Munich where we were to catch our flight back to Newark.  Germany, unlike most Schengen countries, always has passport control (even on domestic flights such as our flight from Amsterdam).  The German official was very "unhappy" to not find any Schengen entry stamp.  It took about 15 minutes of explaining (and showing all kinds of supporting documents including cruise ship ticket, airline boarding passes, hotel receipts, etc. until the German official finally let us go (he did put a Schengen entry stamp into our Passport).  What made the experience so much "fun" was that his partner (who shared the same counter) was laughing and kept rolling his eyes (out of sight of his partner) as he watched the situation unfold.

 

Our experience with Europe is that both Germany and the UK will carefully follow their own procedures (which are strict) while most of the Schengen countries (other then Germany) are hit/miss on how they handle entrees.  

 

As to those who want Passport stamps (some travelers have this desire) it is also hit/miss if an official will do it when they do not deem it necessary.  My advice to any traveler is always print-out hard copies of documents (i.e. cruise tickets, airline reservations/boarding passes, etc) and have them with you (in a pocket or carry-on) just in case!  Border/immigration officials have respect for real documents, and much less respect for what comes out of one's mouth.

 

Hank

Thanks for the background!  What you experienced in Germany is exactly what I'm trying to be proactive about.  Our first stop in the Schengen area will be Punta Delgado in the Azores, so theoretically that is my first port of entry into Schengen, and where/when I should get the stamp.  I just haven't been able to figure out who to check with to see if it will be possible.

 

Frankly, I'm not a "passport stamp collector," I just want to make sure that I grease the skids as much as possible.

 

Great advice on maintaining hard copies of my transportation documents; will definitely do that.

Edited February 11 by IRMO12HD

[IRMO12HD]

23 minutes ago, alserrod said:

 

Hello:

 

First of all, a few small comments... but I think they are important in the context.
- Morocco is not Europe but Africa. It is not an opinion but simply a reality. It is not part of the European Union and to travel between Morocco and any EU country you must present a passport and have all customs control. Furthermore, for immigration reasons, it is a border that has a lot of control
- Berlin - Amsterdam is not a domestic flight. They are two different countries (yes it is a flight within the Schengen zone)
- Monaco (for Monte Carlo) is an independent country. It is not part of the Schengen area but has an agreement with France. Honestly, if your port of entry was Monaco I have no idea how customs formalities are carried out (be careful, you can only enter Monaco without entering France if you do it on a yacht through the port. Anywhere around it is already France)

 

I have been on cruises with stops outside the Schengen area twice and I had very few formalities. I don't know if it helps you since the departure and arrival were in the Schengen zone.

 

1- Flight from Madrid to Athens. No passport control upon arrival (it is the European Union and Schengen zone, the strange thing is that they would have asked for it)

One of the stops was in Dubrovnik. Croatia (before it was part of the EU, and later the Schengen area). I had a passport and they didn't ask me for anything at the port. Best of all, there were some passengers who missed the boat and the agent helped them organize a flight so they could get on board two days later. They did not have any problems leaving the country (or entering Italy).

I returned with a Venice - Madrid flight in which there was, logically, no passport control either.

 

2- Departure and arrival from Barcelona (and logically only the documentation control requested by the shipping company)
One of the stops was Tunisia. There the police asked us to fill out a "visa" with our information. They checked (very quickly) that the information we had written matched the passport and stamped the passport and visa.

 

Upon leaving the boat, the police asked us for half of the visa (a small piece of cardboard) and to show our passport (just to see that we had it on us). They already had all the data on the possible passengers who could disembark.
Upon returning to the boat, the Tunisian police asked us for the other half of the visa. If the visas when entering and leaving coincided, then everything was perfect and no one had been left on the ground.
The closest thing to what appears in the Argo movie.

but I don't know if it can help you. I don't know, exactly, how travelers from another country enter the Schengen zone.

 

What is worth noting is that if your ship stops in Funchal, that is Portuguese territory and it would be your first entry into the European Union.

 

On flights within the Schengen area (includes the entire EU except Ireland and some nearby and not so close countries like Iceland) there is NO passport control.

 

It is possible that some country establishes controls (as is the case of Germany that you mentioned) but you can change countries so many times without controls.

 

 

I invite you to use Google Maps and see two curiosities about all this
- the first is to choose several international borders by road. Look on Google Maps as there are no customs of any kind in either of the two places.
- the second... look for the Schengen location. It is in the country of Luxembourg. Think about what their life would be like before the free movement treaty and why they chose that small town to name it.

 

 

 

Thank you!  Our first port stop in Schengen is Punta Delgado in the Azores.  According to what I can find about Schengen stamps, that's where I should get one.

[alserrod]

6 minutes ago, IRMO12HD said:

Thank you!  Our first port stop in Schengen is Punta Delgado in the Azores.  According to what I can find about Schengen stamps, that's where I should get one.

 

 

Respecting differences and distances....if a traveler went on a cruise from Asia to the United States and had a stopover in Honolulu, would customs formalities be carried out there? Would the Honolulu entry stamp be valid for the rest of the United States?

 

The same answer applies to Funchal

 

I don't know very well how customs works in the case of intercontinental cruise trips, but the truth is that if in Funchal you start a trip with several planes to get to Helsinki (or Athens, or Tallinn, or...) they will not ask you for a passport in no scale.

 

Madeira and the Azores islands are another region of Portugal, so for all intents and purposes, you will be in Portuguese territory (your phone will be serviced by a Portuguese company).
Portuguese language (if you have learned something in Brazil you can use it), Euro currency and absolutely anything that corresponds to the European Union will apply there.

 

An important thing if you are going to make multiple stops: the ports of Casablanca, Gibraltar and La Goulette (Tunisia) ARE NOT Schengen Zone (and they are not European Union either)

Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands (they belong to Portugal and Spain) are Schengen area and do belong to the European Union

[Hlitner]

9 minutes ago, IRMO12HD said:

Thanks for the background!  What you experienced in Germany is exactly what I'm trying to be proactive about.  Our first stop in the Schengen area will be Punta Delgado in the Azores, so theoretically that is my first port of entry into Schengen, and where/when I should get the stamp.  I just haven't been able to figure out who to check with to see if it will be possible.

 

Frankly, I'm not a "passport stamp collector," I just want to make sure that I grease the skids as much as possible.

 

Great advice on maintaining hard copies of my transportation documents; will definitely do that.

We do understand your issue.  I think we are trying to say that there is not likely anyone who can answer your question about the passport stamp.  And even if you call O and do get an answer that answer is likely based on an educated guess.  The reality is that you will need to deal with the moment and do what feels right at the time.  If your Passport is not stamped, ask one of the Portuguese officials if anyone can stamp your Passport (assuming the cruise line even lets you have your Passport).  You can also speak to the Guest Relations desk folks onboard the ship (who work with the Purser) who may have the correct answer.  

 

I think one advantage to having a lot of international travel experience is the knowledge that there are always some issues/problems that are best handled at the moment.  Learn your options (which you are doing) and then be prepared to do what works best at the time.  And just when you think you do have all the answers, there will be another issue :). Hank's Law!

Hank

[alserrod]

ELECTRICITY IN SPAIN

 

As in the rest of European countries (and African countries, half of Asia and some American countries), electricity is 220V and 50Hz and the plugs have two round pins.

 

If you come from any of these countries you should not worry.

 

If you come from another country you must take this into account

 

 

What current does your appliance support? Read the label on it.

 

If it says (for example) 100V-240V and 50-60Hz, a small plug adapter will be enough to connect it. You can find it in many electrical stores.

 

If it says 110V and 60Hz, you will necessarily need a power converter (and a plug adapter, although both may come together). If you connect it without a converter you will break it.

 

ALL chargers (for phones, laptops and small appliances) support 100V-240V and 50-60Hz. If you are going to buy other appliances to use on trips, keep this in mind.

[alserrod]

TRADITIONAL DAYS
LA NOCHE DE SAN JUAN (St. John's night)

23rd June at night

 

 

 

There are some festivals and traditions that, if you are going to be there on those dates, you may be more interested in enjoying them than knowing cities to which you can come again.

One of them is "The Night of San Juan"

Considered the "shortest night of the year" (really the shortest night is June 21, the day of the solstice), summer is welcomed with bonfires at night.

If your stay is on a day in port you will be able to see how they prepare for that party (unless the ship leaves the port at night). If you have the opportunity to be before or after a cruise, it is something that will not go unnoticed.

 

They are celebrated throughout Spain but in the towns of Catalonia (ports of Barcelona, Tarragona and Palamós) and in Alicante they have much more relevance.

 

In many cities, fireworks are fired at night to celebrate the beginning of summer. It will be very difficult for you to be in these areas and not realize it.

If you are going to start or end a cruise on these dates, try to make it coincide with "St. John's night."

In the photo, the beach of the city of Alicante during the night of San Juan

 

 

 

[InnerChild]

Thank you for all of this information - your English is so much better than my Spanish - your information is clear and so appreciated.

 

[alserrod]

EASTER

 

 

The most important day is GOOD FRIDAY
and for clarification
March 29, 2024
April 18, 2025
April 3, 2026
and search for later dates on Google

 

 

In Spanish cities, very striking traditions of religious origin are followed. They are based on holding parades or processions through the streets with large religious images and accompanying them with the sound of drums and bass drums.

 

The origins are very ancient and the reasons for participating are very diverse. During the previous months, those participating have rehearsed with the drums. Even though there are no other instruments, you can perceive a melody made with them, which is not easy to improvise.

 

Those who play the drums wear clothing that comes from centuries ago and their faces are covered. There are several reasons to do so. One of them is for considering himself a "penitent" and wanting to purge his sins but not knowing his identity.

If you are in a Spanish port you can try to see these processions during Holy Week. Rest assured that the streets will be closed and traffic will be very difficult (don't even think about taking a ho-ho bus on those days).

 

There may even be special hours with the monuments and... these parades will have something to make so many people pay attention.

 

Be careful, it does not mean spending the entire afternoon watching processions but rather pointing out the ones there are and trying to see them. You won't spend more than ten minutes with each one you see, but they are very interesting from a cultural point of view.

 

I have indicated above the day of Good Friday because it is the day that you will surely find the most processions in any city, but really from the Sunday before to the following Sunday there will be some in all cities.

 

The city in Spain that is most famous for its processions is Seville. However, in many other cities you will have these curious representations.

 

If you are interested in them, I invite you to delve into their history and remember that it is something that comes from several centuries ago. And above all, it has no relationship with any other manifestation of the 20th century that maintains similar garments.

 

 

 

 

[lakegirl16]

On 1/29/2024 at 11:18 AM, Harters said:

I visit Tenerife each year. As you suggest we either pay for things by card or withdraw euros from the ATM. Most banks make a usage charge (maybe 2 euro, sometimes up to 5). As at the time of writing, I know that the Banca March does not charge but all other banks do (unless you are an account holder).

 

Is it common for bank ATMs elsewhere in Spain to also make this charge or is it something specific to the Canaries?

 

Also worth mentioning that, when you pay by card or withdraw money from ATMs, you will be asked if you want to be charged in euros or your own home currency. Always, but always, select euros - that way you will be charged at the official interbank rate and not some potentially scam rate that the business has set up itself. 

Question on tipping for tour guides and bus drivers.  What is customary in Europe?  Thank you

[Harters]

22 minutes ago, lakegirl16 said:

What is customary in Europe?

You cannot assume that what is the custom in one country is the same as the next country. We all have our own cultures and that includes different  relationships with tipping. Check out specific websites advising about tipping - and try to find one that isnt American led - they always over estimate the need to tip.

 

You've posted to a Spain related thread, so I'll offer an opinion about that country (which I visit every year for several weeks). Spain is a low/no tip country. Employees are paid proper wages so there is no need to tip. And, indeed, it would never occur to me to tip and guide or driver in Spain. 

 

 

[lakegirl16]

12 minutes ago, Harters said:

You cannot assume that what is the custom in one country is the same as the next country. We all have our own cultures and that includes different  relationships with tipping. Check out specific websites advising about tipping - and try to find one that isnt American led - they always over estimate the need to tip.

 

You've posted to a Spain related thread, so I'll offer an opinion about that country (which I visit every year for several weeks). Spain is a low/no tip country. Employees are paid proper wages so there is no need to tip. And, indeed, it would never occur to me to tip and guide or driver in Spain. 

 

 

Thank you and no assumption meant, just inquiring.  Appreciate the input on Spain.  Thank you.