Cruising Discussion: Euros or U.S. Dollars?

We are going on a Mediterranean cruise and I'm not sure what currency
would be better (just for small amounts that we wouldn't use credit cards
for). Our stops include Athens, Ephesus, Cairo, Alexandria and Naples. Can
anyone recommend what would be more accepted in these destinations? Thanks.

Lynn

Athens - Euros
Turkey - Turkish Lira or Dollars, small stores will want Lira, they are not
on the Euro.
Naples - Euros

No clue in Egypt.


"Lynn and George" <ljv@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:KkWnb.1776$9j3.352999@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> We are going on a Mediterranean cruise and I'm not sure what currency
> would be better (just for small amounts that we wouldn't use credit cards
> for). Our stops include Athens, Ephesus, Cairo, Alexandria and Naples.
Can
> anyone recommend what would be more accepted in these destinations?
Thanks.
>
> Lynn
>
>

"Lynn and George" <ljv@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:KkWnb.1776$9j3.352999@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> We are going on a Mediterranean cruise and I'm not sure what currency
> would be better (just for small amounts that we wouldn't use credit cards
> for). Our stops include Athens, Ephesus, Cairo, Alexandria and Naples.
Can
> anyone recommend what would be more accepted in these destinations?
Thanks.
>
> Lynn

Definitely Euros, except in Egypt, but . . .

Major European cities, which would include Athens and Naples, have ATMs
(usually called Bancomats) which will work with your U.S. ATM card. These
offer the best exchange rate, and generally better than you'll get if you
purchase currency from your bank or American Express in the U.S. Do _not_
exchange US dollars at so-called Cambios (private currency exchange booths),
or at hotels -- you'll get fleeced on the exchange rate.

As of yesterday, the official exchange rate was about $1.16 for a Euro.
American Express was selling Euros for $1.25. Wells Fargo Bank had them for
$1.22.

I haven't been to Egypt, but have to Morocco. You'll definitely need local
currency.

>
>

We just came back from Europe and we took Euro travellers checks from Amex,
and some banks and hotels *wouldn't cash them!* because they have a hard
time getting Amex to pay up. My advice is to take an ATM card, know your
PIN by numbers and corresponding alphabet (look at a dial telephone) and
that way, the bank charges you the conversion and takes the money out once.

Walnut

In article <-OCdnU-h2P1SoD2iRVn-iQ@>, "Walnut" <Walnut@org>
wrote:

> We just came back from Europe and we took Euro travellers checks from Amex,
> and some banks and hotels *wouldn't cash them!* because they have a hard
> time getting Amex to pay up. My advice is to take an ATM card, know your
> PIN by numbers and corresponding alphabet (look at a dial telephone) and
> that way, the bank charges you the conversion and takes the money out once.
>
> Walnut
>
>

I doubt that Amex doesn't 'pay up' -- more likely they just don't want
the hassle since traveler's checks are pretty much obsolete.

Know your PIN by numbers, and make sure it's a 4 digit PIN. Don't learn it
only by letters, as some machines have the letters arranged differently then
we do here, they are in the opposite order.




"Walnut" <Walnut@org> wrote in message
news:-OCdnU-h2P1SoD2iRVn-iQ@...
> We just came back from Europe and we took Euro travellers checks from
Amex,
> and some banks and hotels *wouldn't cash them!* because they have a hard
> time getting Amex to pay up. My advice is to take an ATM card, know your
> PIN by numbers and corresponding alphabet (look at a dial telephone) and
> that way, the bank charges you the conversion and takes the money out
once.
>
> Walnut
>
>

take euro's they are accepted in the most part of europe en the north of
africa(egypt)
only little stores could be a problem but also take no dollars

Hans
"Lynn and George" <ljv@sympatico.ca> schreef in bericht
news:KkWnb.1776$9j3.352999@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> We are going on a Mediterranean cruise and I'm not sure what currency
> would be better (just for small amounts that we wouldn't use credit cards
> for). Our stops include Athens, Ephesus, Cairo, Alexandria and Naples.
Can
> anyone recommend what would be more accepted in these destinations?
Thanks.
>
> Lynn
>
>

Very few shops took CC, most took Euros. We sail Med on the Golden
Princess that had a USD to Euro machine that gave you the currency
both ways (to Euros & then back to USD). Best rates also.....

"Lynn and George" <ljv@sympatico.ca> wrote in message news:<KkWnb.1776$9j3.352999@news20.bellglobal.com> ...
> We are going on a Mediterranean cruise and I'm not sure what currency
> would be better (just for small amounts that we wouldn't use credit cards
> for). Our stops include Athens, Ephesus, Cairo, Alexandria and Naples. Can
> anyone recommend what would be more accepted in these destinations? Thanks.
>
> Lynn

We will have to deal with Euros for the first time on a cruise in the
Med that will hit Italy + Greece. Is the best way to deal with Euros
by using my credit card? If they don't take credit cards what is the
best way to handle transactions?
Thanks for the help.

Depends on if your bank charges a surcharge on credit card transactions, and
if they do how much for the exchange. Call and ask.

If you need bills, ATM's are usually the best way to get them, again if your
bank doesn't hit you for a percentage for the exchange fee or a large fee
for taking out money overseas.

If you are an AAA member, check here before you go. some local AAA offices
offer very good exchange rates at no fee.


"BillD" <billd@myrealbox.com> wrote in message
news:2pl370p38vip6httgg54qtfa06f09bmpqa@...
> We will have to deal with Euros for the first time on a cruise in the
> Med that will hit Italy + Greece. Is the best way to deal with Euros
> by using my credit card? If they don't take credit cards what is the
> best way to handle transactions?
> Thanks for the help.