Tips on Finances

Finances
Bring travelers checks instead of cash if you are going to be traveling with more than $100. Keep the receipts in a separate place from the checks. If the checks are stolen, you will have a record of the pertinent information.

When bringing a credit card, keep a copy of the front and back of the card in a separate place. You will have the 800# and the credit card number handy if the original is lost or stolen.

Check your credit card policy for its policy on lost, stolen or damaged items purchased with the card. It may be worth buying souvenirs on the card for the extra insurance.

When something is stolen, such as jewelry, camera or video equipment, you may need to file a police report to be able to collect on your insurance (usually your homeowners policy) or your credit card. Keep a list of the valuables you will be traveling with, along with serial numbers if applicable.

If you think you are going to be using your ATM card in a foreign country, check with your bank before you leave about their out of country usage fees.

You may want to think twice about using the ATM machines available on most major cruise lines' ships. The surcharge for these ATMs can be as high as USD 5 per transaction, and they dispense US dollars that will need to be converted once on shore.

If you find you need money on the cruise, and want to avoid the atm and their high charges, try this: use your room/purchase card to buy chips in the amount of money you want. Then cash in the chips. You will get the cash you need, the cost being put on your credit card to be signed off on at the end of the cruise. No fees, other than interest!