7/14/2014 - 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise (with Greece) Venice to Barcelona

[keenercam]

Well, I was totally off on what it would cost to buy Euros at our bank. When I was buying them in 2011, there wasn't a huge disparity between the interbank rate and the exchange rate. But, here is what I experienced today.

1,000 Euros = $1,382.49. $7.00 was a service fee.
The 0% interbank rate is 1USD/.78E or 1.28USD/1.0E
My purchase was 1USD/.727E or 1.375USD/1.0E

UGH!
I wonder if there is a cheaper way to purchase?

 

[SailingSeas]

You may want to consider a Travelex prepaid Mastercard. You can purchase at today's rates, and then add to the funds throughout the year as you wish, at those rates. Overseas, you can withdraw EU from ATM's, etc, without paying a conversion fee. It's like $10, and I believe it's actual conversion rate. You can learn more at http://www.cashpassport.com/1/en/us/

 

[MPS516]

Here is a site listing the exchange rate on credit card purchases, you plug in your banks fee for total amount.
http://usa.visa.com/personal/using_visa/consumer_ex_rates_us.jsp

 

[keenercam]

Thank you for this great information, MPS516!

 

[keenercam]

Okay, I just checked out that website, and to purchase what I purchased yesterday to put on that pre-paid Mastercard would cost $1,444.46. I paid $1,382.49 with the $7.00 service fee. So, I guess I didn't do too badly. I saved $61.97, comparatively.

So, check your bank. Many banks will only do currency exchange for their own customers, and I know that at some banks you have to order the currency and then go pick it up when it comes in. My bank, M&T Bank, had Euros there, and apparently at a decent exchange rate.

 

[MPS516]

We have an International Visa Card with the chip and our bank does not charge a conversion fee so it will be just what the exchange is. But, we always take cash in addition to pay cabs or tips once we arrive. Our experience with ATMs in Europe was that most had a fee, some not bad, some relatively high.

Read on another thread someone re-booked on board for a western Caribbean and they honored her opening day rate she had booked, same stateroom, only downside (not what i would consider downside) she did not get a refund on the difference of the deposit. Don't see how that matters since it will all be part of the final cost.

 

[denise]

We have two cards that charge no fees for using them out of the US. One is Capital One that we got before our MED '07 cruise and now we were told our Chase Marriott card is the same. The Chase card has the little chip in it that means something in Europe we will have to find out how it works.
But the fact that neither charge fees is great!!!

 

[SailingSeas]

Chips enable embedded security, rather than the magnetic strips which can be easily scanned. I think the US is the last major holdout on the strip technology. With chips, you can feel safe at ATM's and POS stations, without someone coming in behind you and 'reading' the information post-use with a strip card.

I hope that helps.

 

[denise]

Chips enable embedded security, rather than the magnetic strips which can be easily scanned. I think the US is the last major holdout on the strip technology. With chips, you can feel safe at ATM's and POS stations, without someone coming in behind you and 'reading' the information post-use with a strip card.

I hope that helps.

I think it does... We never use our credit cards at ATM's only POS..(point of sale right?)
We tried using it in Sicily once but was so freaked out that it would keep our card we had to get help from another Disney sailor on our cruise...
We have never had any problems using it in Europe when we bought things. Only times our numbers have been captured where in Orlando!!

 

[SailingSeas]

lol that happened with me with my Disney Visa card - i was so upset because I lost my 11XX XXXX number. The woman at Chase was incredulous that I wasn't more upset about my identity being stolen. I was like "...but... but... but... it's a DAY ONE LOW NUMBER!!! *sob*"

Yes, POS is Point of Sale terminal. And I have never had anything stolen overseas either, but do take many precautions (two charge cards with limits; traveler's checks, etc)

 

[NicoleKristal]

Hi Everyone! I'm traveling with my DH (rounderjd). We can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[MPS516]

Hi Everyone! I'm traveling with my DH (rounderjd). We can't wait to meet everyone!

Welcome to you and rounder,you jointed a fantastic cruise I am not sure if we have a roll call going yet

 

[keenercam]

Hi Everyone! I'm traveling with my DH (rounderjd). We can't wait to meet everyone!

Welcome to you both!

For anyone new-ish here, and to make it so you don't have to go so far backwards to find it, I am posting a link to our Facebook Group (which isn't too active yet, but I am sure will become more so as time goes on).

Here is the link to the group.
Facebook Group for July 14, 2014 Med Cruise

 

[keenercam]

Oh, and I just noticed that the exchange rate has gone up 2 cents since I purchased last week. Hopefully, it is just a temporary upward flux, and it will go back down and move downward even more. I am really wishing I'd bought Euros when it was down to the low 1.20s

 

[SailingSeas]

Welcome Nicole and Rounder! Can I ask why you picked this itinerary? I love hearing the stories. Seems to be a very devoted group of passengers, rather than just jumping on a Caribbean cruise.

 

[MPS516]

Just checked DCL website for pricing, up $ 350, still a chance to book onboard in Sept.

 

[denise]

Just checked DCL website for pricing, up $ 350, still a chance to book onboard in Sept.

fingers crossed for you....discounts are nice!!! We were able to move out a cruise we had booked on board to this one!!!

 

[denise]

anyone else getting weird pop ups on the Disney Cruise Line page? I tried to look at our cruise and stuff came up saying I was selected to win an Ipad from Disney Cruise lines if I answer a survey. I was reading it all, before clicking on anything, and then the tab closed and was gone! Scanning my computer now but it is only happening on DCL page!

 

[poohmomof5]

anyone else getting weird pop ups on the Disney Cruise Line page? I tried to look at our cruise and stuff came up saying I was selected to win an Ipad from Disney Cruise lines if I answer a survey. I was reading it all, before clicking on anything, and then the tab closed and was gone! Scanning my computer now but it is only happening on DCL page!

I've been on the website several times in the last 2 days and haven't gotten any pop ups at all. Be careful!

 

[denise]

I've been on the website several times in the last 2 days and haven't gotten any pop ups at all. Be careful!

think I found it...got it on FB too. Scrolled over and it said "Solid Savings plugin" Now I know I didn't install it so qoogled it and found out it is a spyware. I deleted it and another I found called "get Savings"

Gonna run a full scan...I did a partial one before I found them myself and it didn't find them....

The "get savings" one was the one that was on the Disney site....