We've going on a 28 day (two 14 day back to back) cruise on the Mercury and wonder what are the options for obtaining cash to pay for the 28 days of tips? Can we can cash travel checks at the cashier's office? Are there any other options except to carry the cash?
Hi Wes,
I really don't blame you for not wanting to take that amound of cash just for tips. I have cashed travelers checks at the purcers office, not a problem. There are also some ships that have cash-machines, its possible you can find out if Mercury has one, or take out a cash advance on your credit card? Some cruiselines are doing the automatic tipping and I'm kind of liking that idea, for the reason I won't have to bring along that extra cash.
No trouble in cashing travelers checks at the purser's office--much better idea
than taking cash. Personally, I do no like the automatic tipping procedure and
having it added to my ship account. The reason--I always tip generously, but I
want to make it a personal act. A tip, in my judgment is between two people and
is not a business transaction. Just my feeling.
Wes..If you don't have one already, this is the perfect time to get a credit card that collects Frequent Flyer miles.
On Celebrity you can get up to $1500/day in casino chips on your shipboard charge card..X 28 days.. should be enough to cover your tips..
Here's a link to an article I wrote awhile back about this Free Money on ships..
<http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/cruiseguide/hum-op/freemoney.cfm>
Actually you don't even have to get chips when you go to the Casino cashier. Ask for twenties as a cash advance from tour Celebrity signature card. They don't care what you do with the money. The line at the bank is huge on the last night.
I believe the cash advance comes with a service charge.. can't recall what it was exactly, 3% I think.. play the game, take the chips, cash them in, then it's dealt with as an onboard purchase. No fees!
What a great site! Thanks to all for the advice you gave me on obtaining cash. For sure I'll take travelers checks and I might even try Kuki's chips to cash deal.
I just returned from Millennium. I went to the casino, gave them my Celebrity charge card and asked for cash. They gave me cash. It will just appear on your onboard statement and your next month's credit card statement. I think there's a $1500/per day limit. I was not charged a fee. It appears on your Celebrity account the same way a shore excursion or shipboard purchase does.
Next time, I will not bring as much cash from home.
Greetings:
Will be on the Mercury for 32 days Rio to San Diego. We are big on frequent flyer miles and devote a full chapter of our cruise guide to free travel and in fact mention the $$$$ available at the ship casinos. BUT how to protect all that cash. Will ships issue a 'bank check?" Can each days cash be coverted to credit back on charge card at days end? Any other thoughts on how to get $20-$25K without the risk attendant to possessing large amounts of CASH?
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Help With How To Obtain Cash For Paying Tips
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