What kind of currency should i bring on a cruise to the eastern caribbean?

Question

Should I just bring American currency, travelers checks, what should it be?

Answer 1

U.S. dollars are preferred.

Take a good supply in small bills like 1, 5 and 10s for shopping in the open air markets, taxis, tipping shore excursion staff.

Answer 2

I worked on ships for three years. You can use american currency in any of the ports. Small bills work better than large.

Answer 3

US dollars are fine.  That's what I use.

Answer 4

US dollars are accepted everywhere.  No need to exchange money (unless you are from outside the states).

Answer 5

All you need is good old American cash and they will take credit cards also.....

Answer 6

I was on an Eastern Caribbean cruise in May 2006.  Most Eastern Caribbean cruises stop in either (sometimes both) San Juan and/or St. Thomas.  Since they are both US possessions, dollars work just fine.  I also stopped in Nassau and St. Martin.  Both took dollars.

At the brick and mortar stores credit cards are accepted (usually Visa or Mastercard).  Make sure to call your credit card issuer and let them know you plan to use the cards outside the US.

Answer 7

Call the cruise line which you are using. They will be able to give you the best answer. However they all will accept American dollars you just may not be getting the deal. Also, if your going on a cruise I don't think you'll be in a specific place that long so it may not be worth exchanging money.

Answer 8

Good old American cash is excepted everywhere in the Eastern Caribbean.  Visa and Mastercard too!!

Answer 9

Your best choice is to just take US Dollars for the fairly small purchases and for tips, drinks, etc.  For larger purchases, use your Visa or MasterCard credit cards.  It is a very good idea to call your credit card company and let them know you will be travelling outside the USA so they do not think the card was stolen and put a block on it.  Also, they do charge a small fee for converting foreign currency transactions.

Do not waste your time converting US Dollars into any of the local currency.  Even if you go "off the tourist path", they will be glad to accept your US Dollars in place of the local currencies - and most are honest about the exchange rate.

Most places will not accept US coins but only the paper money.  Do not take any of the new dollar coins as they certainly will not be accepted.

You may get your change handed back to you in the local currencies.  Don't argue about it but just use that money for ice cream, drinks, a package of chips, etc.

Do not even bother with travelers checks.  You would have to wait in line at the ship's pursar to exchange them and you would be charged a fee.  Your cabin on the ship will have a safe for you to keep your money, jewelry, passports, and other valuables in while on the cruise.  Just take money for the day when leaving the ship - along with your passport and ship card, of course.

Answer 10

i would do travelors checks, in US Funds.

also take some small bills for tipping on the ship too.

cruiseclues.com

Answer 11

American Dollars  are your best bet

and credit cards

Answer 12

American dollars are the primary but using your Visa may work better in a lot of cases if there is an exchange rate.