How To Dodge Cruise-Ship ATM Charges
On ships like Celebrity Cruises' Constellation, onboard purchases are charged to your shipboard account. If you want cash for port visits, however, the handiest source may be the ship's ATM.
by Wendy Perrin
Attention, cruisegoers: Conde Nast Traveler reader Gary Miller of Chino, CA, has sent in a nifty tip in response to my July Perrin Report about cruise costs and how the total bill for your cruise vacation can end up being quite a bit higher than anticipated:
"I read your article on extra charges on cruises and have a tip for avoiding high shipboard ATM fees: Most passengers open their shipboard account with a credit card. Go to the casino and ask for a cash advance on your shipboard account. The advance will go on your credit card, with no fee involved. When your credit-card statement arrives, the advance will be incorporated into one single charge from the cruise line. Just pay your bill on time and avoid fees and interest."
Anybody else got any clever tips for eluding unnecessary shipboard charges?
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In respect to getting cash on cruise ships using your card in the casino to avoid ATM fees, at least some ships have stifled that by charging it as a cash advance so you are paying interest on it from the date of withdrawal.
Posted by: warriordog | July 27, 2007 at 01:49 PM
I agree with Warriordog. The cruise lines know every possible way to nickel and dime you. But, quite honestly, if I can afford a cruise I can probably afford the $3.00-$5.00 ATM fees for the convenience of ready cash.
Posted by: tewsum1 | August 14, 2007 at 03:42 PM