Cruise Talk: EUROPE & THE EURO DOLLAR

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » EUROPE & THE EURO DOLLAR

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Topic: EUROPE & THE EURO DOLLAR

LizB
First Class Passenger
Member # 1243

posted 05-10-2000 09:51 AM

We will be leaving for Europe next week and doing two back-to-back cruises in Western Europe -- from Rome/Lisbon/Copenhagen.
Has anyone had an experience using Euro dollars -- or should we just try to use either local currency and/or American dollars. I am speaking about small amounts of money for taxis, lunch at an outside cafe, etc. It would be so much easier if we could use Euro dollars as we visit so many different countries. I know in the past if we wanted to stop for a drink at a cafe we would always check to see if they accepted American dollars and in most cases were lucky.

Posts: 133 | From: S.Dennis,MA, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Winner
First Class Passenger
Member # 1188

posted 05-11-2000 02:07 PM

As far as I know, the Euro is not yet in circulation and won't be until 2001 or 2002, although it is quoted on international exchange rates and many receipts are in both local currencies and Euro. I would check with your bank for ATM charges--if there are none, why not use local ATMs for money? Or you might contact your cruise line; many of them will have local "bankers" board at ports of call to exchange $$s for local currency. But for any purchases you can do so, I would use a Visa card because you'll get a better exchange rate. (Sounds like a wonderful itinerary!)

Posts: 113 | From: Santa Rosa CA USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

LizB
First Class Passenger
Member # 1243

posted 05-11-2000 07:27 PM

Thanks Wiiner for the info on the Euro. I didn't realize it was not in circulation as yet. Yes, we will use ATM's as well as our credit cards for certain things, and I do know that they will have someome come on board to exchange dollars for local money in each port -- so I guess these are the ways to go at this point. Appreciate your information.

Posts: 133 | From: S.Dennis,MA, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-12-2000 02:24 PM

Liz B, I think the Euro is still a 'virtual' currency. However, the Visa card is an International currency, and you get a favorable rate of exchange.

A lot of people make a lot of money out of currency exchange, so beware! DO TAKE A SMALL CALCULATOR WITH YOU.

When you do change dollars to other curencies, watch out for the level commision charged. Sometimes it is reasonably, other times it is a rip-off! Some 'Bureau de change' establishments, found in streets, claim 'no commission' but their rate is very poor instead.

Banks or ATMs are best. (I don't know if the ship services will be reasonable or not?) Some shops may even take straight dollars - but, once again work out the rate they are exchanging at i.e Is it 1 dollar to the Pound or 1.5? It can make a lot of differance on a large purchase.

Don't be put off, just be aware. Europe's range of 'funny money' is all part of the fun. Have a great trip.

Malcolm, London, UK.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

LizB
First Class Passenger
Member # 1243

posted 05-12-2000 04:03 PM

Thanks Malcolm for the good advice. We have been to Europe quite a few times and aware you really do have to watch where you exchange dollars. Most of the time we can use a Visa card if we eat out, etc. It's only for a little cash for taxis and perhaps lunch somewhere. As we will be on our own (no excursion from ship) in Florence and also Copenhagen at the end of our cruise I think it's wise to have some local currency. Have never tried the ATM's, but just might do that this time.
Thanks again for your advice - I'll think of you when I'm comparing rates!!

Posts: 133 | From: S.Dennis,MA, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Winner
First Class Passenger
Member # 1188

posted 05-12-2000 05:52 PM

LizB--I checked today at Thos. Cook while I was buying currencies. The Euro will be sod (traded?) starting in 2002. We have a bit of a wait, I think.

Posts: 113 | From: Santa Rosa CA USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

LizB
First Class Passenger
Member # 1243

posted 05-12-2000 06:32 PM

Thanks Winner,
Yes, I actually saw that this morning about the Euro $ not being in circulation until 2002 on the Weather Channel -- it was for business travelers. So you are correct and I appreciate your answers! Thanks!!

Posts: 133 | From: S.Dennis,MA, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-13-2000 06:29 PM

Some of the member states of the EU (European Community) are resiting the Euro, such as Britain! Many of us do not want to see our pound lost! However, the German's for example, already have many of their prices displayed in Euros.

Malcolm, London.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-26-2000 04:16 PM

Stop press...France has stopped printing the Franc and is introducing the Euro. So it has began.

By the way Liz, you called them 'Euro Dollars', they are not 'Dollars', or 'Pounds' of 'Francs'...in fact we don't know what there are? At one time they were going to be called ECU's or something similar!

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 05-26-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Terry
First Class Passenger
Member # 448

posted 06-03-2000 06:15 PM

The EURO might not be in circulation yet, but if you cruise with Festival in Europe you shipboard account will come to you in EUROS. Of course you can pay it by any of the normal methods.

Terry Donegan

Posts: 391 | From: Brandon, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Bernard
First Class Passenger
Member # 1038

posted 06-15-2000 08:11 AM

All the national banks are not producing the old coins and bills anymore but euro coins and bills.

The euro will be introduced in January of 2002.

Like the American Dollar, Dutch guilder and British pound, it will be the european euro.

I hate the idea of losing our national currency.

Bernard, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Posts: 94 | From: The Netherlands | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-15-2000 05:03 PM

How was the cruise Liz B?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

LizB
First Class Passenger
Member # 1243

posted 06-17-2000 10:14 AM

Malcolm, see my post under Cruise Liners about our recent two cruises. We had great times everywhere (except Tunisia). As far as the currency went we found the U.S. Dollar is not as widely accepted in some countries as it used to be. Also, we did end up changing for local currencies aboard the Rotterdam (in small amounts in most places). Found it was easier and rate of exchange was as good as most anywhere. In Canterbury we went to a bank to exchange a small amount and it cost us more to do so. Found that in Denmark (Copenhagen) there was no problem with them taking the US Dollar -- although at Tivoli where we went for dinner we used our Visa card.

Posts: 133 | From: S.Dennis,MA, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-20-2000 06:17 AM

Hi Liz, I actually think that the different currencies in Europe make things interesting! At least you really feel like you are in 'another world'!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

dgwalstead
Just Boarded
Member # 1850

posted 03-07-2001 06:34 PM

Our bank (Wells Fargo) has the option of exchanging money before you leave, if you go to one of the "main offices" there is no exchange fee.

Posts: 1 | From: Minnetonka, MN USA | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 03-07-2001 07:20 PM

Here 's something interesting (I hope)

The Euro will Not be the same in every European country. To be more specific let me explain:
There will be notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 euros (not sure but I think there is going to be a 200 and 500 euro note). All these note types will have the same theme painted on them: "bridges". It is not itended to show a specific bridge but the revolution of bridges over the years starting from the old ones on the 5 euro note and ending up to the modern ones. However the notes will be identical in each counrty.

Coming to the coins...
There will be coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 eurocents and 1, ,2 euros. The sign of Europe and the European flag will be shown on one side whereas on the other side EACH COUNTRY is allowed to put a theme from her own so as to make the coins different from coutry to country.
The exciting thing is that the coins will be mixed up at some time as people will get to use them.
For example a person from Holland will be able to go on holidays to Greece and pay for his drink using German euro coins!!!

Posts: 443 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

WJCdiver
First Class Passenger
Member # 946

posted 03-18-2001 09:10 PM

Although a bank may not charge a "fee" they make money on the exchange rate, that is how many UKS you get for each USD.

The best exchange rates are via your credit card (they exchange in bulk) or at a cash machine, especially at a branch of your own bank, e.g. Citibank has their own machines in many countries.

Posts: 159 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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