Euros Question

[oufpat]

We will be taking our first Disney Cruise and first time to Europe in September. Where is the best place to get Euro's before going. We don't have a debit card, is there a specific one you would recommend for European travel?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We will be taking our first Disney Cruise and first time to Europe in September. Where is the best place to get Euro's before going. We don't have a debit card, is there a specific one you would recommend for European travel?

We got ours from our local Chase branch at the current exchange rate. They do typically charge a fee but my mom is a former employee so we didn't have to pay it. For purchases while we there I just used my AmEx which doesn't have a foreign exchange fee.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I definitely recommend getting a credit card that doesn't have foreign transaction fees. Don't use a debit card.

As the PP mentioned you can exchange the currency at your bank but you'll have to pay a fee so don't take too much because you're going to have to pay to have it converted again when you get back. Ideally, you want to spend your last euro walking back to the port. Almost all places in Europe now take the chipped credit cards.

 

[Gilland18]

We used some of our extra Euros to pay on our account onboard.

 

[jenf22]

We got ours from our local Chase branch at the current exchange rate. They do typically charge a fee but my mom is a former employee so we didn't have to pay it. For purchases while we there I just used my AmEx which doesn't have a foreign exchange fee.

Do you know if Chase will do it if you don't have a bank account there? We have multiple Chase credit cards, but no local bank account. (We moved to Colorado from Seattle 16 years ago and just kept Boeing Credit Union as our bank). Thanks!

 

[msmama]

It was years ago, but last time I was in Europe I was told to just get $$ out of the ATM when I got there. Often they have the most current exchange rate with minimal fees depending on the bank/card.

 

[KDG]

I like to order a small amount of Euros (50-100) from my bank, Wells Fargo, before I go to Europe. If you pick up the currency at the bank, there is just a small fee. I charge most things I buy in Europe to my credit card that has no foreign exchange fee. Make sure it has a chip. I also use my debit card to get cash at ATMs because they offer the best exchange rates. Be sure to save your receipts from the ATMs to make sure you were accurately credited.

Some countries you visit on your cruise may not use Euros so check that out.

Also, be sure to notify your bank when you are traveling and which countries you will be visiting so your credit card is not frozen when you try to use it.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Do you know if Chase will do it if you don't have a bank account there? We have multiple Chase credit cards, but no local bank account. (We moved to Colorado from Seattle 16 years ago and just kept Boeing Credit Union as our bank). Thanks!

I'm not positive but am pretty sure any of the large banks will do it even if you don't have an account.

 

[cruiser21]

You can get Euros from the ATM's. You can use credit card for a lot of things, but if you plan on taking taxis, trains, etc. It's easier to use Euros. I would get a Visa or MC without the foreign transaction fee. The 3% can add up quickly.

 

[beckicnm]

Do you know if Chase will do it if you don't have a bank account there? We have multiple Chase credit cards, but no local bank account. (We moved to Colorado from Seattle 16 years ago and just kept Boeing Credit Union as our bank). Thanks!

Does Boeing CU participate in Co-op? I still have an account in an out of state CU and there are many CU's here in Colorado that I can use.

 

[jenf22]

Does Boeing CU participate in Co-op? I still have an account in an out of state CU and there are many CU's here in Colorado that I can use.

I think so. We can get cash at the credit union ATM that's really close to the house without a fee. I'll give them a call and see. Thanks!

 

[algae]

We just converted to Euros at Guest Services. If you have cash, checks or traveler's checks, GS will convert to local currencies using the exchange rates in place at the start of a sailing. If you have left overs and the receipt, they will exchange local currencies back at the same rate that you bought at. Can't beat that at any bank.

 

[Donathius]

We went to Ireland a few months ago and everyone said to use my debit card at the ATM to get cash, and get a no-foreign fee credit card. That worked well for us - just make sure you use a "known" ATM. We got a Capital One Venture credit card just for the trip and that worked out very well for us.

 

[aggiedog]

Are you doing the Med cruise or the Baltic? In the Baltic area, euros will not help you for 2/3 of the countries. As for the credit card, I've heard that using it to get money from an ATM can often incur serious charges, so I'd double check with your CC company before going that route.

ETA - Ah, I see September, so that's probably the Med. Make sure your CC has a chip with a PIN.

We use our debit card at ATM's all over the world. We did change some money on the ship.

 

[joan4mickey]

Shop around online. I think travelex was the best option last year. My DH and I travel in Europe for a month to six weeks every year. We always take a large amount of euros and then use our bank debit card to get cash out of machine at about $5 a transaction, but for us it is insurance as we can call our bank if needed, and not have too much cash on us. Make sure you contact your bank before you leave the country so your card will work and you will need a four digit PIN number and more and more cash machine in Europe only take cards that are chip embedded. Also Northern Irleland and Ireland are two separate countries so inform and educate your bank. We had an isssue a few years ago with that.