Who's in for GREECE and TURKEY, June 15 2003????

[puredata]

Please remind me of where I can find the FE Exchange list. Is it on the roll call? I am planning on putting them together this weekend.

Thanks!

Yes, but there is some that may not be on the list yet...

 

[nzdisneymom]

Will our FE Exchange be one large group or will it be broken up?

I was thinking one group. I know that is my preference and if it is split up, we are still planning to deliver to everyone.

I was also thinking there was an early April sign up day, but the volunteer in charge of compiling the list can say for sure.

 

[DL1957]

I was thinking one group. I know that is my preference and if it is split up, we are still planning to deliver to everyone.

I was also thinking there was an early April sign up day, but the volunteer in charge of compiling the list can say for sure.

DH and I agree with you Cindy for one group. Sue

 

[scubadiver]

We would like to purschase some Euro before we leave. Does anyone have a good sight that could be used to monitor the exchange rate? It would be nice to see a historical rate exchange to determine if it is a 'good' or 'bad' rate.

 

[puredata]

We would like to purschase some Euro before we leave. Does anyone have a good sight that could be used to monitor the exchange rate? It would be nice to see a historical rate exchange to determine if it is a 'good' or 'bad' rate.

www.xe.com

 

[nzdisneymom]

www.xe.com

That's exactly where we look
We have pre-ordered euro in the past through AAA online - I think they use TravelEx. It's really easy - just don't use a credit card to do it or they will treat it like a cash advance - unless you have a credit card with no balance and pay it back right away. We've used our debit card with no worries.

This time we have a local friend who is a Wells Fargo customer and he's going to exchange some US for Euro for us before we leave.

I have to say that once the currency is in my hand, it makes it all the more exciting and real feeling!
We also make envelopes for each port and divide up what we need between them. Or at least have a sticky-note to say what we need to add to it once we access an ATM overseas.
This has helped us not overspend in one port and be short in another. Like we know we need a lot of our Rome tour so we want to make sure we have the minimum necessary for the driver before we head out and then we can get an ATM if we need to - I don't want an issue of not having the right amount of cash to pay.

 

[pxlbarrel]

It's my brother's 50th birthday 3 days after we disembark but I'm going to tell DCL we're celebrating his birthday onboard. That should be ok, right?

 

[mindelmouse]

It's my brother's 50th birthday 3 days after we disembark but I'm going to tell DCL we're celebrating his birthday onboard. That should be ok, right?

That is fine

 

[nzdisneymom]

I asked our TA to check about currency exchange onboard and here's what she found out:

They said that you can use traveler’s checks or personal checks to exchange money and they don’t have a limit, but that most people just use their Mastercard/Visa if possible. The personal check amount, of course, is provided it clears the bank clearing house (duh LOL). I do know you can also get money at your local bank and it usually has less exchange rate, so you might want to check with them. They did say you can sell back unused Euro at the current exchange rate.



I had her check because I know you can cash a personal check up to $100 but didn't know they would take them for currency exchange.

 

[Deb in IA]

I asked our TA to check about currency exchange onboard and here's what she found out:

They said that you can use traveler’s checks or personal checks to exchange money and they don’t have a limit, but that most people just use their Mastercard/Visa if possible. The personal check amount, of course, is provided it clears the bank clearing house (duh LOL). I do know you can also get money at your local bank and it usually has less exchange rate, so you might want to check with them. They did say you can sell back unused Euro at the current exchange rate.



I had her check because I know you can cash a personal check up to $100 but didn't know they would take them for currency exchange.

Thanks, Cindy.

I am just going to check with our local bank and probably take a small amount ($50 - $100) in euros. I like to have a little cash on hand when we travel, just for emergencies.

Also, you may want to call your credit card company to let them know that you will be in Europe during that time, so that they don't question purchases suddenly coming in from Italy and Greece. We did that when we went to China, and they were happy to know this in advance. I know our card number has been hacked before and our CC company always calls to verify any sketchy charges - which is GREAT if you are worried about fraud on your account, but not so good if you get cancelled while on vacation!

 

[mindelmouse]

Thanks, Cindy.

I am just going to check with our local bank and probably take a small amount ($50 - $100) in euros. I like to have a little cash on hand when we travel, just for emergencies.

Also, you may want to call your credit card company to let them know that you will be in Europe during that time, so that they don't question purchases suddenly coming in from Italy and Greece. We did that when we went to China, and they were happy to know this in advance. I know our card number has been hacked before and our CC company always calls to verify any sketchy charges - which is GREAT if you are worried about fraud on your account, but not so good if you get cancelled while on vacation!

Great advice. We do this whenever we travel.

 

[DL1957]

I asked our TA to check about currency exchange onboard and here's what she found out:

They said that you can use traveler’s checks or personal checks to exchange money and they don’t have a limit, but that most people just use their Mastercard/Visa if possible. The personal check amount, of course, is provided it clears the bank clearing house (duh LOL). I do know you can also get money at your local bank and it usually has less exchange rate, so you might want to check with them. They did say you can sell back unused Euro at the current exchange rate.

I had her check because I know you can cash a personal check up to $100 but didn't know they would take them for currency exchange.

Cindy
Just so I am clear TA found out you can put on you credit card? When we went in 2010 to the Baltic. That is great.

 

[MinnieDiva]

That's exactly where we look
We have pre-ordered euro in the past through AAA online - I think they use TravelEx. It's really easy - just don't use a credit card to do it or they will treat it like a cash advance - unless you have a credit card with no balance and pay it back right away. We've used our debit card with no worries.

see below

Thanks, Cindy.

I am just going to check with our local bank and probably take a small amount ($50 - $100) in euros. I like to have a little cash on hand when we travel, just for emergencies.

Also, you may want to call your credit card company to let them know that you will be in Europe during that time, so that they don't question purchases suddenly coming in from Italy and Greece. We did that when we went to China, and they were happy to know this in advance. I know our card number has been hacked before and our CC company always calls to verify any sketchy charges - which is GREAT if you are worried about fraud on your account, but not so good if you get cancelled while on vacation!

I'm actually looking into using AAA's "travel card" this time around. Their terms and conditions are here:

https://www.aaa.myprepaidbalance.com/AAAOnlineSales/TandC_Travel.aspx

Essentially you pre-load a Visa and get a PIN for it. You can order additional cards that will access the same pool of pre-paid funds but HAS A DIFFERENT # so that if it is lost that one card can be turned off and the other still used. You can pull out $1000/day at ATM's! I'd really like to not come back to a CC bill.....

The CC/bank notification thing...We moved here from CO and drove the truck and the moving truck, filling up both every 300-miles or so. Flagged by both CC's as there was a pattern to the charging that wasn't normal. Hadn't notified anyone...and our credit union was only open weekdays and it was Memorial Day weekend. Able to get the lock off Amex, but what a pain! Lesson learned.....never again!

And for those of you with smaller banks or credit unions...I can't get Euros thru mine. I used my dad's connection to BoA to prepurchase some last time. This time, just gonna rely on the ATM at the airport on arrival. I still have a few Euros floating around from last time....

 

[DL1957]

BFF & DSIS have used the AAA visa travel card and it has worked well for them. Not only can you use at ATM but it can also be used as a cc. We were thinking about getting a couple of them just in case the number gets stolen we don't loose to much money.
Sue

 

[MichaelH]

Got a question. We can book our excursions this weekend. We have everything picked out, but no times were posted. How do you find out the times of the excrusions?

 

[nzdisneymom]

Got a question. We can book our excursions this weekend. We have everything picked out, but no times were posted. How do you find out the times of the excrusions?

You can't see the times until you're actually booking and it "checks availability" - but if you want to know the times of specific excursions, post them here and someone can look them up for you and let you know.

 

[DL1957]

Got a question. We can book our excursions this weekend. We have everything picked out, but no times were posted. How do you find out the times of the excrusions?

As Cindy indicated just let us know and we can get the times for you. This was my first time as Platimum and I got times for folks who are gold. Sue

 

[rossjen2]

As Cindy indicated just let us know and we can get the times for you. This was my first time as Platimum and I got times for folks who are gold. Sue

I have a similar question -
We can't book excursions until 4/1. We have picked out 2 or 3 excursions that we really, really want to do. It sounds like for some of them, they will add more slots if they underestimated interest and of course folks may change their minds about which ones they want so I am not super, super worried, but I was curious if the platinum/gold/and soon silver folks can see how much availability is remaining for certain excursions? Or just if there is still availability?

The excursions we are interested in are:
-Jumping back to eternal Rome
-Ephesus and Sirince Village (all ages one)
-Blue Grottos and Fishing Village

I am wondering if I should figure out some 2nd or even 3rd choice excursions for those ports so even if our first choices are booked, we can grab a different one for now and then keep checking for availability.....

thanks in advance for your advice!
-jen

 

[mindelmouse]

I have a similar question -
We can't book excursions until 4/1. We have picked out 2 or 3 excursions that we really, really want to do. It sounds like for some of them, they will add more slots if they underestimated interest and of course folks may change their minds about which ones they want so I am not super, super worried, but I was curious if the platinum/gold/and soon silver folks can see how much availability is remaining for certain excursions? Or just if there is still availability?

The excursions we are interested in are:
-Jumping back to eternal Rome
-Ephesus and Sirince Village (all ages one)
-Blue Grottos and Fishing Village

I am wondering if I should figure out some 2nd or even 3rd choice excursions for those ports so even if our first choices are booked, we can grab a different one for now and then keep checking for availability.....

thanks in advance for your advice!
-jen

Jen. We can't see how many spots are left but we certainly can see if its available at this point. I will look and get back. I would have other choices just in case

 

[mindelmouse]

I have a similar question -
We can't book excursions until 4/1. We have picked out 2 or 3 excursions that we really, really want to do. It sounds like for some of them, they will add more slots if they underestimated interest and of course folks may change their minds about which ones they want so I am not super, super worried, but I was curious if the platinum/gold/and soon silver folks can see how much availability is remaining for certain excursions? Or just if there is still availability?

The excursions we are interested in are:
-Jumping back to eternal Rome
-Ephesus and Sirince Village (all ages one)
-Blue Grottos and Fishing Village

I am wondering if I should figure out some 2nd or even 3rd choice excursions for those ports so even if our first choices are booked, we can grab a different one for now and then keep checking for availability.....

thanks in advance for your advice!
-jen

All three are currently still available