$$$ for Western cruise??

[Mtdewbuzz]

Okay, I'm less than a month away from my cruise, so now is the time to ask, I guess:

In what circumstances will I need actual cash?

What % cash & what % traveller's checks should I take?

Do they still accept the good ol' US dollar in Cozumel and the other destinations?

Tips: added to KTTW, or pay in cash seperately?

How much should one take?

Can you lend me some money?

Thanks!!

 

[tkd lisa]

In Cozumel, they didn't want to take credit cards. They'd take travellers checks or cash. Something about the credit card companies charging them something like 10 - 15% to process the card from Mexico? The guide said he'd take us to an American Express office to turn it to cash if we wanted. But we just used our travellers checks.

In Grand Cayman, we had booked our snorkling excusion ahead of time, and left it on the credit card.

Obviously, Key West is just like your friendly neighborhood stores!

Have a great time!

 

[prymsu]

In Grand Cayman, there were a couple of shops that charged you extra if you used a credit card. These were T-Shirt shops just within a block or so from where you will tender. So in other words if you had paid with cash, you would have gotten a discount (ten percent if I am remembering correctly).

In Cozumel i had purchased an onyx bracelet that was supposed to be $110 total. Of course they put the charge down as pesos, and when I got my credit card bill the next month, it was actually charged for $125.00 so just beware when you are charging...

 

[Mtdewbuzz]

Thanks guys - anyone else have some answers for me?

 

[JLSE50]

SUE: Not sure if the difference in the cost of the bracelet was due to this or not, but when we went to England we were told that the cost would be determined by the exchange rate on the day they processed the charge bill. So if the exchange rate for pesos and dollars changed between the day you bought the bracelet and they day the bank processed the charge slip, that might have done it.

Of course, your advice is always valid--buyer beware.

Hoping you had a good time anyway!

Jan

 

[prymsu]

i had thought about the exchange rate. we have been to Mexico several times, and on previous trips, the price on my credit card was actually lower because the dollar is so strong and the peso was weak. I am just not sure that this was due to an exchange rate thing...

 

[mcnuss]

Depending on the type of card you used, you may have been charged a surcharge. I find that I have no problem abroad if I use my regular Visa but on occasion I've incurred fees on my check/debit card.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Travel writers used to advise you to use your credit cards when traveling abroad. The exchange rate used by the credit card was more likely to be "bank rate" which is more favorable than the "commercial rate" you'd get by going to a currency exchange booth. The credit card companies also charged a 1% service fee for the convenience... also favorable compared to currency exchange booths. However in recent years the credit card companies have been looking for new ways to make money, and they have increasingly been targeting the exchange of foreign currencies. They are more apt to use the "commercial rates" now and also charge service fees of 2% or even 3%. They've been raking in the dough from these increases... making it worthwhile for them to field the occasional complaint from their consumers.

 

[kamgen]

Dave - is this true for Canada as well? Should we steer clear of using CC in Toronto?? (We are going next weekend to see The Lion King).

Thanks!

Kamy

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Kamy -

Yes, that's true for all currencies that have to be exchanged to U.S. Dollars.

I think you'll still want to use your credit cards for the transactions where it makes sense (hotel, rental car, etc.)... just keep in mind that you're no longer getting the bargain that folks used to expect. And if you <i>can</i> pay for transactions in cash, you're probably better off doing so.

 

[kamgen]

Thanks Dave! Dh and I plan to use the CC for gasoline (we are driving) and the hotel. We'll exchange cash for everything else.
I appreciate the tip!!

Also, for the DCL western, should we exchange money BEFORE we leave the US, or do it once we get there?
Thanks!!!

Kamy

 

[llachance]

Just got back from the western - used cash in Grand Cayman for lunch and t-shirts (ate at Trifles great food). Used a credit card for the ring I bought my daughter and the price on the invoice was the price I paid. After lunch I asked for my change in local currency because my daughter collects it but everything was priced in dollars. In Cozumel used my credit card to buy shirts at Carlos and Charlies and cash at a local stall for a t-shirt for my daughter. The sales people seemed really pushy so didn't do a lot of shopping. Gave dollars to shore excursion guides as tips and they didn't seem to mind in either place. I took $200 in cash and had plenty - booked all my excursions with credit card before the trip.