4/10/2010 eb ta "bound for barcelona"

[woody73]

I'm curious as to what everyone is doing (or maybe not) to obtain Euros.

Any thoughts if using an ATM (credit card) to get Euros is the way to go, or bring U.S. traveller's checks and exchange at local bank or something?

We are bringing some Euros and G.B. Pounds with us from home.

Typically, using a local ATM is best way to get foreign currency. But one can encounter difficulty finding one, or finding one that takes a U.S.-issued ATM card.

We arrive in Madiera on a Sunday. Little chance of finding a bank to exchange travelers checks.

Whatever you do, try to get some small bills for souvenirs and refreshments. Many places will not accept large bills for small purchases.

Woody

 

[sdlong329]

As for Gibraltor, have emailed Gibraltor Tours twice in the past week with no response. Does anyone know if they are fully booked? Or perhaps can email me another email address to try and get a hold of them?

---If they are not responsive to an e-mail, personally, I would likely be skeptical about their same level of service - in person. Disclaimer: I have no previous experience with the company.

I'm curious as to what everyone is doing (or maybe not) to obtain Euros. I've read in some travel books that the rate of exchange is generally better over there than exchanging here in the US before leaving (also an inconvenience here).

Any thoughts if using an ATM (credit card) to get Euros is the way to go, or bring U.S. traveller's checks and exchange at local bank or something?

Plan is to us our credit card where ever possible, but I understand that cash/Euros will be handy and necessary at times.

---I am sure you will get various opinions. I am going to suck-up to a friend with AAA membership to order Euro's (small bills). We will bring a debit card for possible ATM use. Our bank does not add a surcharge for use in a foreign country ... but I figure an ATM will likely / somehow have a crappy exchange rate, and they will likely charge a fee for using the ATM as well. I feel like a tourist, look like a tourist, and feel like a fish in a fish bowl!

Ooops - just realized, my local Bank (Citizens Bank) has on-site Foreign Currency exchange. Some branches order currency, but there are a few local branches with foreign currency on-site (walk in with USD, walk out with Foreign Currency).

 

[KrisannB]

We are bringing some Euros and G.B. Pounds with us from home.

Typically, using a local ATM is best way to get foreign currency. But one can encounter difficulty finding one, or finding one that takes a U.S.-issued ATM card.

We arrive in Madiera on a Sunday. Little chance of finding a bank to exchange travelers checks.

Whatever you do, try to get some small bills for souvenirs and refreshments. Many places will not accept large bills for small purchases.

Woody

I was able to use American Express Travelers Cheques at the actual stores - I never exchanged one at a bank. I only took $20 ones though, nothing larger. Not all stores take them but enough did and the change was in Euro's. They did NOT take other brands of Travelers Checks though.

I feel safer carrying travelers checks because they can be replaced if lost or stolen, unlike actual money. I will still take about $100 in Euros, $500 in Travelers Cheques ( we are spending a week in Europe after) and then of course have our credit cards. I need to figure out when to go to the AAA office (it is an hour or more drive)

Krisann

 

[TheCruisers]

Same here...planning to do Madiera on our own.

As for Gibraltor, have emailed Gibraltor Tours twice in the past week with no response. Does anyone know if they are fully booked? Or perhaps can email me another email address to try and get a hold of them?

Thank you!

I contacted them twice at info@gibraltartours.org and both times they replied in less than a day.

Eleasa

 

[kileybeth]

We are bringing some Euros and G.B. Pounds with us from home.

Typically, using a local ATM is best way to get foreign currency. But one can encounter difficulty finding one, or finding one that takes a U.S.-issued ATM card.

We arrive in Madiera on a Sunday. Little chance of finding a bank to exchange travelers checks.

Whatever you do, try to get some small bills for souvenirs and refreshments. Many places will not accept large bills for small purchases.

Okay so I just caught my son on the fly and he is saying it is actually best (exchange rate wise) to exchange in Europe, better rate and best place to do it (best rates he's seen are actually through ATM's?) My retired banker husband will give me a tutorial on which ATM's are safe and what to look for I am certain. The DH also now works for the FED GOVT so who knows what he will now have to say! More reseach, more research. . .but one way or another? I will shop!

Woody

oh gosh, had not even thought about this yet at all. . .so sad, I am sooo American!

Our son has spent 1.5 years in Cambodia on college internship, 5 trips to Russia on short term missions trips and is headed to Hungary in 2 weeks for a survey trip for future ministry. Guess it's true, our kids are smarter then us. . .

So my AAA office can do conversion for me before I go and do all our ports take Euros? Is the AAA office conversion rate going to be better then my local bank or do I just call and ask their rates? A little out of my league here. . . at least it's not reils or rubels or kopecs or something

 

[kileybeth]

Oh my! The edited portion of my above reply ended up in Woody's comment box! I am hopeless!

 

[spyles]

I'm curious as to what everyone is doing (or maybe not) to obtain Euros. I've read in some travel books that the rate of exchange is generally better over there than exchanging here in the US before leaving (also an inconvenience here).

Any thoughts if using an ATM (credit card) to get Euros is the way to go, or bring U.S. traveller's checks and exchange at local bank or something?

Plan is to us our credit card where ever possible, but I understand that cash/Euros will be handy and necessary at times.

IMHO, Traveller's Checks have gone the way of the dinosaur. Sure, you can get them, but they're a pain to cash out if you're planning to get cash for them and not use as purchases. Some places actually charge fees to cash them, and if you bring US$ ones, be prepared for some very non-favorable rates of exchange.

ATM cards are good for cash. ATMs are much more readily available, and many are open when the bank is not. I've had positive experiences everywhere with ATMs, and I can say for certain that in Cadiz and Barcelona, they're all over the place. Check with your bank to see what they charge, so you're not in for some sticker shock.

Credit Cards might be an even better bet for purchases overall. With the exception of some bars I went to, credit card use was fairly ubiquitous. Some machines you may encounter may require chip-and-pin enabled cards, but if there's a human around, you'll likely have no issue. I have one Capital One card I only use overseas because there's no POS fee or additional charge for currency conversion, and their rates are very close to interbank. Everywhere I wanted to use my credit card, I did, with the exception of buying a train ticket, which required a chip-and-pin card. The office was open, so I just queued and swiped my card with the clerk.

Wells Fargo has a decent program for purchasing cash, and the rates are generally OK (it's about a 5% markup between interbank rates and what they're selling for) if you're going to buy more than $1000 worth - for free shipping. Many banks will charge you 1-3% on top of the interbank rates for ATM use, so keep that in mind when weighing your options... https://www.wellsfargo.com/foreignexchange

Here's a chart to do some preliminary research for US/Canadian cards:
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange

-Steve

 

[kileybeth]

I really have to get off here now BUT one last question for those who have gone before,

Is the weather going to be conducive to swimming/sunning anyplace other then on Castaway Key and on deck around same time frame?

Such a funny time of year here in DE, just a mixed bag and you never know.

I've been planning for HOT HOT in Sept and am trying to shift my expectations but find I suddenly have none and no information!

Okay, two questions, who is Rick Steves? A tour guide book person or online? Is this a book I should be looking at my library or bookstore for?

Anyone have any insider info as to when in April new Passporters will ship? I have 2009 Cruise one but hate to buy 2010 (due out in April) if I won't even get it before we go. . .

Yikes! I need information folks, Information I tell you!

 

[kumquat88]

Ugh...I just called our local AAA office and apparently AAA no longer processes currency exchanges or provides traveller's checks.

Does the ship offer these services? Up to a certain amount?

Otherwise, may need to resort to AMEX traveller's checks and local ATMs.

 

[kileybeth]

IMHO, Traveller's Checks have gone the way of the dinosaur. Sure, you can get them, but they're a pain to cash out if you're planning to get cash for them and not use as purchases. Some places actually charge fees to cash them, and if you bring US$ ones, be prepared for some very non-favorable rates of exchange.

ATM cards are good for cash. ATMs are much more readily available, and many are open when the bank is not. I've had positive experiences everywhere with ATMs, and I can say for certain that in Cadiz and Barcelona, they're all over the place. Check with your bank to see what they charge, so you're not in for some sticker shock.

Credit Cards might be an even better bet for purchases overall. With the exception of some bars I went to, credit card use was fairly ubiquitous. Some machines you may encounter may require chip-and-pin enabled cards, but if there's a human around, you'll likely have no issue. I have one Capital One card I only use overseas because there's no POS fee or additional charge for currency conversion, and their rates are very close to interbank. Everywhere I wanted to use my credit card, I did, with the exception of buying a train ticket, which required a chip-and-pin card. The office was open, so I just queued and swiped my card with the clerk.

Wells Fargo has a decent program for purchasing cash, and the rates are generally OK (it's about a 5% markup between interbank rates and what they're selling for) if you're going to buy more than $1000 worth - for free shipping. Many banks will charge you 1-3% on top of the interbank rates for ATM use, so keep that in mind when weighing your options... https://www.wellsfargo.com/foreignexchange

Here's a chart to do some preliminary research for US/Canadian cards:
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange

-Steve

Thanks Steve! My DH will like that kind of response! Good solid financial sense!

 

[spyles]

Ugh...I just called our local AAA office and apparently AAA no longer processes currency exchanges or provides traveller's checks.

Does the ship offer these services? Up to a certain amount?

Otherwise, may need to resort to AMEX traveller's checks and local ATMs.

Guest Services performs currency exchange. You may pay much more of a premium for the currency exchange service...don't expect the best rates.

 

[mommyto3princesses]

For those who took the galley tour on either PC's, I was looking for my notes on the info they told us.

Specifically,

-how much soft serve ice cream they stocked for the 15 days at sea?
-how long it took them to carve the ice sculpture of the Magic?

I am working on my photobook for the WB PC -- finally!

They gave us great info on how much food and stuff was brought and I thought it would be fun to add to my Galley Tour page.

TIA

 

[joius24]

While the topic is on about ATMs

When I called my bank about exchange rates they asked me to give them the dates I will be in europe so that they will be sure to approve purchases from me on those dates....otherwise they said there is so much fraud, especially in spain, that they may have denied my purchases if they did not have on record that I was traveling there.... so....

I am not sure if this applies to all cards but...just in case it may be a good idea to call you CC company and let them know your dates of travel...if you plan on using you CC card.

okay I promised myself I woudl not go onto disboards from work .....uh oh...broke that promise

BTW

 

[bound2travel]

I contacted them twice at info@gibraltartours.org and both times they replied in less than a day.

Eleasa

The best way I was able to contact them was by clicking on the "booking" link on their website. If I did a straight email to them, it was harder to make contact. Clicking on the booking link gave me info within a day or so.

Kristi

 

[kumquat88]

IMHO, Traveller's Checks have gone the way of the dinosaur. Sure, you can get them, but they're a pain to cash out if you're planning to get cash for them and not use as purchases. Some places actually charge fees to cash them, and if you bring US$ ones, be prepared for some very non-favorable rates of exchange.

ATM cards are good for cash. ATMs are much more readily available, and many are open when the bank is not. I've had positive experiences everywhere with ATMs, and I can say for certain that in Cadiz and Barcelona, they're all over the place. Check with your bank to see what they charge, so you're not in for some sticker shock.

Credit Cards might be an even better bet for purchases overall. With the exception of some bars I went to, credit card use was fairly ubiquitous. Some machines you may encounter may require chip-and-pin enabled cards, but if there's a human around, you'll likely have no issue. I have one Capital One card I only use overseas because there's no POS fee or additional charge for currency conversion, and their rates are very close to interbank. Everywhere I wanted to use my credit card, I did, with the exception of buying a train ticket, which required a chip-and-pin card. The office was open, so I just queued and swiped my card with the clerk.

Wells Fargo has a decent program for purchasing cash, and the rates are generally OK (it's about a 5% markup between interbank rates and what they're selling for) if you're going to buy more than $1000 worth - for free shipping. Many banks will charge you 1-3% on top of the interbank rates for ATM use, so keep that in mind when weighing your options... https://www.wellsfargo.com/foreignexchange

Here's a chart to do some preliminary research for US/Canadian cards:
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange

-Steve

Steve - incredibly great information. Thanks for sharing!

 

[kumquat88]

The best way I was able to contact them was by clicking on the "booking" link on their website. If I did a straight email to them, it was harder to make contact. Clicking on the booking link gave me info within a day or so.

Kristi

Let me try that. I've been sending them email directly via my work computer, will need to try using the direct link tonight.

 

[bound2travel]

Yes my gift would would seem weird if I was to give more than one to a "family" group (even if the family was spread out over 2 cabins) but I do want "each" family group to have one because it is something that cannot be shared between 2 family groups (like parents and grandparents).




Yes the one gift for cabin is the general idea but some cabins (like Dee and Carla) have 2 people who do not live together but are sharing a cabin and for me my gift "per cabin" would be weird because it is not something people from 2 different families can share. This is the exception - Dee and Carla may be the only cabin that is like this - not sure.


Krisann

I think I need to clarify what I meant. My main FE gift is not something that can be shared between 2 family groups or friends in one cabine (i.e. Dee and Carla). But it is also something that a single family group (that all live in the same house) does not need two of.

If a single family group (same house) are spread between two cabins AND no other type of family member is in either cabin (i.e. grandparents or something), then it might be better for me to give my main FE gift to one of the cabins and something else to the other cabin. For example, say a single family has 7 people (Mom, Dad and 5 kids) spread between 2 cabins - then I would put my Main gift in the extender at one cabin and something else in the other extender.

If there are multiple family groups (people who live in separate houses) spread between two (or three) cabins then it would be appropriate to put one of my Main FE gifts in each FE extender. For example, Cabin one has Mom, Dad and 2 kids and Cabin two has grandma and two kids - then I would put my Main gift in the extender for each cabin.

I'm trying to keep from making too many items and causing anyone from having to carry home more items than they need as we all need all the room we can get. At least my gift is flat (or at least flatish). Also, my main source of buying the base material just went out of business so I can't get anymore without special ordering it.

I hope this better explains what I was trying to say in my earlier post. I didn't mean to start any trouble or cause problems.

 

[KrisannB]

While the topic is on about ATMs

When I called my bank about exchange rates they asked me to give them the dates I will be in europe so that they will be sure to approve purchases from me on those dates....otherwise they said there is so much fraud, especially in spain, that they may have denied my purchases if they did not have on record that I was traveling there.... so....

I am not sure if this applies to all cards but...just in case it may be a good idea to call you CC company and let them know your dates of travel...if you plan on using you CC card.

okay I promised myself I woudl not go onto disboards from work .....uh oh...broke that promise

BTW

Yes do this for ALL your credit cards - I have even called them sitting on the ship before we left - so even if you forget call before we leave the country.

Krisann

 

[mdvasquez]

I have a FE question- there are many families listed multiple times on the list above-- I am planning on giving one gift per stateroom (started them today!) For the families listed multiple times, do we one gift to each family or each separate stateroom? For instance, if your family is listed 2 or 3 times are you all giving different FE gifts or a single one as a family? Even though my parents are in a separate stateroom, we are all sharing 1 FE, so I will be giving 1 gift from all of us, but they had their own FE, we should give 2 gifts, correct? Sorry if I am not wording this right. I just want to make sure I have enough gifts for all!

We are listed twice on the list, one room is mine and one is my parents. we both will have fish extenders and will be doing two gifts, one from each room.

 

[FirstTimeCruiser]

Foreign currency

Ok, so just to make sure I'm straight here...

Madeira, Cadiz & Barcelona - Euro
Gibraltar - Gibraltar Pounds which is different than British Pounds?