Cash vs Travelers Checks vs Credit Cards on Eastern Cruise

[QueenTrident]

Quick question. I have to go to the bank this afternoon, so I figured I'd just get my cash and travelers checks for the cruise sorted out today.

Besides tips, what else would I need cash for? Do the stores on St. Thomas and St. Maarten take travelers checks or MasterCard? On St. Maarten, do they even take U.S. Cash? Will DCL cash Travelers Checks for me? I'm uncomfortable traveling with a lot of cash, but don't want to have a lot of travelers checks left over either.

Sorry, I know my PassPorter has the answer to some of these, but I'm at work and heading to the bank at lunch.

Thanks!

 

[kcashner]

Ok, first of all, you don't have to tip in cash. You can, but you can also have your tips applied to your stateroom account at guest services, which ultimately can be paid off in any way you'd like (trav. cheques, credit card).

Most of the stores in St. Thomas/St. Martin take credit cards, but you will need some cash for taxis and possibly some smaller street vendors. It is always a good idea to take some cash when on land as you do occasionally hit people/places that don't take anything else. An example of this would be entry to Chaankanab park on the Western! Despite what the tourist agency told us, when we got there, entrance was cash only--vendors inside took plastic. Yes, every place takes US cash

DCL guest services will cash travellers cheques.

We travel with very little cash, planning on placing most things on the credit card (including tips). If your bank does free traveler's cheques, that's a very easy way to get more cash if you need it. The easiest thing is to place all on-board expenses on your shipboard account and then pay that off in whatever way is easiest for you. If you want to get rid of your "leftover" traveler's cheques, apply them to your stateboard account toward the end of the cruise.

 

[ChattyKathy]

Originally posted by QueenTrident
but don't want to have a lot of travelers checks left over either.

You know Queen Trident...if in fact you have any of your travelers cheques left over, you can turn those back into cash/money at a bank. They are accepted anyplace in the US... as cash.
Bet your very excited, 8 days is soooo close!!


Kathy

 

[LAMPSKIES]

On our last 3 DCL cruises I brought cash, plastic and my checkbook. I put the cash in 500.00 wraps with a rubberband that way I could keep track of how much we were spending. I would carry 500.00 with at a time and the rest would be in my room safe. I used my plasic for my KTTW card and large purchases on shore and cash for the "vendors". The smaller vendors seemed more negotiable when you had cash in hand! On all three cruises we averaged around 300.00 per day spending $$.

 

[TiggerPU88]

Hi QueenTrident!!!

We're almost there!

We use plastic for almost everything, since we REALLY like earning those Disney Dollars...

See you there!

-- Adrienne ; )

 

[Scratch42]

Ok, this is what I did last year. Used my cc for account but paid off with travellers checks.

Also, don't forget to get a couple of singles for tips for Room Service!

See you next week!



Scratch

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Must be thinking alike - DH went to the bank today to get them! We're using CC mostly...we like the cash back. But we'll have the travelers cheques just in case!

 

[QueenTrident]

Thanks for all the info...

I got some Travelers checks and some cash, but will mostly use the CC (for the miles!)

Scratch - Sorry, I didn't get your note until after I came back. Otherwise, while I was there....

 

[Born 2 Cruz]

Mostly I think travel with what you know you will need CC would probably be the safest, even if it gets stolen you are only responsible for $50.. Then bring some TC to cash in if you want for spending. But most anywhere in the US TC are as good as cash except if you want the miles then use the CC as much as you can.

Hope that helps ..

Dave