Med Cruise Question - Exchanging/Converting Money On-Board (U.S. $ to Euros)

[nyjoet]

I have read you can exchange the U.S. Dollar for Euros on board at guest services - and if you keep your receipt - can exchange the money back if you didn't use it all.....

My question is aside from a potential lower exchange rate from a bank - does Disney charge fee's for the money exchanve/conversion?

 

[NancyIL]

I can't answer your question about converting dollars to euros on DCL. However, I have cruised in Europe several times, and I get local currency from an ATM machine when I am there. I would estimate how many euros you will need for any private tours, tips, toilets, taxis - and get that amount at an ATM when you arrive at the Barcelona airport. Wear a money belt and watch out for pickpockets!

If I have leftover currency, I save it for a future trip or spend it.

 

[Kaleigh]

I agree with the above poster. The exchange rate onboard is almost always way worse than what you would get just using an ATM.

 

[keenercam]

For anyone who has bought Euros on board, can you tell me if they have coins? Or just the larger currency of 5 Euro paper and larger?

 

[maria-fan-22]

we've been to Europe many times and Anyplace that "advertises" that they exchange money usually has a bod exchange rate, especially airports. We usually just use an ATM.

P.S. Be sure to let your credit card companies know you are going to Europe before you spend a lot of money on them. We used to get a call saying that someone is going crazy with our cards in Europe!

 

[sayhello]

I have read you can exchange the U.S. Dollar for Euros on board at guest services - and if you keep your receipt - can exchange the money back if you didn't use it all.....

My question is aside from a potential lower exchange rate from a bank - does Disney charge fee's for the money exchanve/conversion?

The ship did not charge a fee. Their rate wasn't the best in the world, but it wasn't that bad, either. Your US dollars have to be in cash or traveler's checks. They won't charge it to a credit card or to your room. You can cash a personal check for up to $100 US. I'm pretty sure it was only one check per person for the voyage.

Sayhello

 

[dylan'smom]

I have read you can exchange the U.S. Dollar for Euros on board at guest services - and if you keep your receipt - can exchange the money back if you didn't use it all.....

My question is aside from a potential lower exchange rate from a bank - does Disney charge fee's for the money exchanve/conversion?

Nope, no fee. :] the exchange rate was very close to what the atm gave us & it was nice to have some cash ready before we got off the boat to find an atm. The rate was $1.47 on the ebta - set the same for the whole trip according to GS.

For anyone who has bought Euros on board, can you tell me if they have coins? Or just the larger currency of 5 Euro paper and larger?

They used larger paper currency when I got it last month, but I have been told that they will accept coins back (no direct experience since we used it all up - the last coins for tips!).

I did write a check ($200.00) & it had to be a personal account (couldn't use my business acct), and they call it in for verification.



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[woody73]

My question is aside from a potential lower exchange rate from a bank - does Disney charge fee's for the money exchanve/conversion?

Disney does not charge a "fee" per se, but makes money on the exchange rate.

Woody

 

[keenercam]

Yes, I love how our bank doesn't charge a "fee", but when the exchange rate was 1.45USD to 1EUR, they charged 1.52USD.

 

[nyjoet]

Everyone refers to using an ATM card. Is this your normal bank in the U.S ATM card? I called my credit card company and asked if there was fees for using my credit card to get Euro's......and if I use my credit card with my pin number - they charge interest immediately. So when everyone refers to ATM - what exactly are you referring to?

 

[NancyIL]

Everyone refers to using an ATM card. Is this your normal bank in the U.S ATM card? I called my credit card company and asked if there was fees for using my credit card to get Euro's......and if I use my credit card with my pin number - they charge interest immediately. So when everyone refers to ATM - what exactly are you referring to?

Yes, I mean an ATM or debit card that is tied to a checking or savings account. If you use a credit card to get cash, it's considered a cash advance. Besides being charged interest immediately, you will pay a hefty transaction fee.

 

[johnlatte]

They used larger paper currency when I got it last month, but I have been told that they will accept coins back (no direct experience since we used it all up - the last coins for tips!).

Didn't take coins the last time I tried. Had to exchange them once we were off ship.

 

[Anal Annie]

My bank will charge a fee if I use an ATM that is not one of theirs and I don't want to mess with having to LOOK FOR an ATM in every port so I want to bring the right amount of Euros with us. (The other problem with using ATM's is you need to be sure you actually have the MONEY in the bank to cover them!) It is VERY HARD to estimate how much we'll need for 2 weeks tho. I thought there was something in Europe called Chip & Pin or something that prohibits our US credit cards from working in EU?! When does that problem occur?

 

[dylan'smom]

Yes, I mean an ATM or debit card that is tied to a checking or savings account. If you use a credit card to get cash, it's considered a cash advance. Besides being charged interest immediately, you will pay a hefty transaction fee.

Yes, I agree this is a good way to go usually & we get extra cash this way too, but it also depends on individual bank policies. Mine doesn't add any exchange fees and will use a competitive rate, but...... charges a flat fee of $5.00 every time I use the atm (be it for cash or balance inquiry).

So depending on how much we were needing, it was not always the best option (using it as a MC was a charge of 2%, exchanging on board was helpful for a smaller amt).



.

 

[NancyIL]

Yes, I agree this is a good way to go usually & we get extra cash this way too, but it also depends on individual bank policies. Mine doesn't add any exchange fees and will use a competitive rate, but...... charges a flat fee of $5.00 every time I use the atm (be it for cash or balance inquiry).

So depending on how much we were needing, it was not always the best option (using it as a MC was a charge of 2%, exchanging on board was helpful for a smaller amt).

My local bank charges a $1 fee for foreign (not their own) ATMs. I try to get as much cash as my daily limit allows ($500 US/day) to minimize trips to the ATM as well as fees.

About chip and pin - that should be a problem only if you use a credit card at an unattended machine. I had no problem using mine in Europe where the card was swiped and I signed.

 

[johnlatte]

My bank will charge a fee if I use an ATM that is not one of theirs and I don't want to mess with having to LOOK FOR an ATM in every port so I want to bring the right amount of Euros with us. (The other problem with using ATM's is you need to be sure you actually have the MONEY in the bank to cover them!) It is VERY HARD to estimate how much we'll need for 2 weeks tho. I thought there was something in Europe called Chip & Pin or something that prohibits our US credit cards from working in EU?! When does that problem occur?

Some banks will waive that fee if you are traveling internationally. Never hurts to ask. Mine did. The pin and chip problem usually occurs when you try and use the credit card at an ATM. Some merchants also will have an issue, but most will just type in the number for you. They would rather do that than watch a sale go out the door. Small merchants won't do it and probably wouldn't take a credit card anyway. So having some Euros in hand is a good idea. I've never had a problem using my credit cards in Europe though. (traveled a lot)

 

[Anal Annie]

Nope, no fee. :] the exchange rate was very close to what the atm gave us & it was nice to have some cash ready before we got off the boat to find an atm. The rate was $1.47 on the ebta - set the same for the whole trip according to GS.




They used larger paper currency when I got it last month, but I have been told that they will accept coins back (no direct experience since we used it all up - the last coins for tips!).

I did write a check ($200.00) & it had to be a personal account (couldn't use my business acct), and they call it in for verification.



.

Won't they exchange up to $200 USD per day (either by personal check, cash or travelers checks)?!


I thought someone else had posted on an earlier thread (after the EBTA) that the exchange rate would change daily.

 

[nyjoet]

Is there a max amount per day that disney will exchange from us cash to euros on board?

 

[dylan'smom]

Won't they exchange up to $200 USD per day (either by personal check, cash or travelers checks)?!

I thought someone else had posted on an earlier thread (after the EBTA) that the exchange rate would change daily.

I'm not sure of the limit with exchanges, but it was a fixed rate on the ebta, at least when I did my exchange before we got to Europe. I had to go back to GS 3 different times to get this done (one time they couldn't get a phone line out, one time I forgot to bring my DL, and one time it worked!)... anyway....

I did read that the rate changed too, but 3 different CMs told me it was set for the cruise when I was doing my comedy of errors...lol Maybe when they got to the port-intensive Med it was easier to go with a daily rate - not sure.


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[thinkoflaura]

yes -
i think when we need cash, this will be a better option for us as well because my bank (Wells Fargo) will charge up to $5 for using a non-wells fargo ATM PLUS 3% transaction fee... I think that will add up!

good to know you need actual dollars to exchange (not credit/debit cards)...