Question with traveler's checks on cruise?

Question

I'm going on my first cruise in a few weeks and was curious about traveler's checks and money in foreign countries. Would just cash be acceptable and safe (about 1,000$), or should i mix it up with travelers checks?

Also i wouldn't think i would need to convert some money to the peso for example, b/c i'm not sure how much $ i'm going to spend on the island's anyway. What do you all think?

i'm going to cozumel, costa maya, belize and nassau.

Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

Forget the traveler's checks and take your credit card instead and a few hundred dollars cash. You can charge most of your purchases or use an ATM to get the correct currency. Many places do not like traveler's checks because they are a hassle, and will charge extra to accept them.

Answer 2

Forget the traveler's checks. And also forget about taking that much cash unless you do not have any credit cards.  When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port.  All of your on-ship charges for souvenirs and drinks will go on this card and you will settle this bill at the end of the trip, either by credit card or cash.  Your tab after the cruise will include, souvenirs,  drinks (alcoholic and sodas), tours, and gratuities.  Many ships now add the recommended gratuity to your on-board tab. The gratuity is about $10 to $12 per day per person. You can give more if you want.   The only thing you will need cash for on ship is the casino (also a few dollars if you order room service to tip the person who brings it)

If you are planning to do some serious shopping, like some jewelry, then use a credit card.  But do this in the ship's recommended shops and not in the market.  Most of the stuff you will see in the markets will be in the $10 to $20 range and you can pay for that in American dollars cash.  Remember that market prices are negotiable.  If they say $20, you say $12, and go from there.  They will be happy to get the dollars. Here's a helpful tip.  A day or so before you arrive at a port, go to the purser's desk and get 10 or 20 one dollar bills and some 5 dollar bills.  Take these when you go to the markets so when you are done hassling you give them exact money, no change needed back (also if you are bartering the price, pull out 8 dollars and say, "hay, this is all I have".  That works some times for stuff not too expensive.

Now if you run out of money here's another tip.  Instead of using your ATM card and incurring ATM fees, just go to the casino (its only open when you are at sea and not in a  port) and ask for a $100 or $200, or whatever, casino credit.  Give them your cruise card and you will sign a chit for the cash and they will add it to your cruise tab.  But no ATM charges; its just like any other purchase on your cruise card.

Answer 3

If you are going on a cruise, on a cruise ship, it's cash free.  You don't pay for anything - you just sign the voucher.  At the end of your cruise, everything you purchase will be billed to you.  Then you pay for the whole thing.

On ports of calls, they accept American dollars.  BUT, usually, there is nothing much that you'd want to purchase, unless you like cheaply made suveniors.  Few hundred dollars is more than enough for this purpose.

I also recommend you carry credit card, or a debit card, and enough cash for things like water or soda.  Much easier than TC.

Answer 4

Use nothing but Traveler's Checks...and one word of warning...in Mexico, if you pay in US dollars, they try to give you peso's as change...DO NOT accept that..the exhange rate is so lopsided..you'll end up the sucker...

On most ships, you give them a credit card when you board, and the ship will issue you a ships card..(some call it a "booze and cruise card" or a "drink and sink" card!! LOL!!)...that will track your purchases and at the end of the cruise, they take that amount and run the total through on your card...makes it REAL easy to spend too much...just beware....

Trust me when I tell you that some countries are well "schooled" in trying to rip you off...as they depend on the tourist trade....just be careful, be aware and NEVER let ANYONE see how much $$ you have on you, where you keep it (on your person...and by the way, NEVER leave any in your cabin)...or what you may be willing to pay...there are some restaurants in Cozumel who have no phones, and therefore you cannot use a credit card at these places...(their sewer facilities also leave a lot to be desired...)...

Just a friendly word of warning...have fun, but ALWAYS be aware...

Answer 5

All the answers listed here are very good.

I have been to all your ports and never have converted money into the local "funny money".  All would rather have US dollars due to conversion.

If you do get some pesos in your change, use them at the port for such things as cheap souveniers or a bottle of beer.  

Use your credit card for large purchases.

Do not take travelers checks.  They are a waste of time.

Take US dollars in small bills like 1s and 5s.  These are good for small purchases.

Answer 6

We have been to both Cozumel and Nassau and they both just took good ol' US dollars

most port will

on the ship you will not need cash at all a check card or credit card will be fine and with carnival you get a "sail and sign" card that is your room key and the card you buy everything on the ship with, that is linked to the check card or credit card or even a cash deposit if you want.