travelers checks and cash???

[kajohn]

One week and counting, so it is time to start packing!! DH, and 3DS's and myself will be on the Magic Eastern, and I am trying to figure out how much money I should get in travelers checks to bring with me.

We will be doing St. Maarten and St. Thomas on our own with taxis to the beaches. I'm guessing about $100 per day for each of those. (Water taxi in St. Maarten, not to the other side of the island)

Does guest relations on the ship cash the travelers checks, and is there a limit of how much can be cashed per day? I haven't used travelers checks in years, I always just use ATM's but I heard DCL doesn't have any, is this correct?

I am planning on putting my tips and ship charges on my credit card, (unless I have a lot of travelers checks left over).

Does $500 in travelers checks and $50 singles for tips sound about right for the week?

Thanks for all your help, I have learned so much from these boards!!!

 

[ducklite]

You don't want to use an ATM on St. Maarten, you will not get US currency from it!

On St. Thomas there is a Chase ATM right at the Pier, and a Banco Popular ATM downtown (they are a reputable, but smaller, US/PR Bank).

A lot depends on how much shopping you plan on doing, many places will accept CC's, but I'd be careful. I took a Visa with a low credit limit figuring the damage would be minimal if it were stolen or misused by a merchant. I didn't have any problems.

Most places will take travelers checks, but not all. The ship will cash them, the daily limit is probably around $500-1000.

Have a fun trip!

Anne