LEAVING VENICE — If you're planning a cruise in Europe this year, or any year, one of the questions you're likely to have is:
What do I do about euros?
Prior to leaving to board the Oceania Riviera for nine days, sailing from Monte Carlo to Venice, we had the same question…and many different answers (i.e., don't count on the Internet).
Maybe it will help you to know how and where we bought euros:
1. At the bank before leaving North America…each euro cost $1.38 and there was no service charge. For each 100 euros: $138.
2. On the Riviera…each euro cost $1.41 plus a service charge of 5%. For each 100 euros: $146.
3. At a "change" (as in currency exchange) window in St. Mark's Square in Venice…each euro cost $1.29, but the service charge was a whopping 15% (that's not advertised until you're given the bill). For each 100 euros: $144.
4. At a bank in Venice…each euro cost $1.29, with a fixed fee of 8.5 euros no matter how much currency you exchanged. For the first 100 euros: $140. For 200 euros: $135 per 100.
While you have to factor in day-to-day currency fluctuations, our conclusion is that for whatever spending you don't put on a credit card, don't buy euros on the ship or at a currency exchange shop, and you can take that to the bank…any bank!
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas
7 nights
June 24, 2012
Rome (return): Messina, Ephesus, Athens, Crete
Inside: $499
Cost per day: $72
www.royalcaribbean.com