Caribbean cruise - money exchange

[shroob]

Hi all,

 

I'm going on a caribbean cruise very soon and would like your advice regarding money.

 

Im from the UK - so use GBP, I am due to visit quite a few caribbean islands which use different currencies (most popular seems to be East Caribbean Dollar, others include Euro, Peso, US Dollar). Im wondering if I should exchange a set amount of GBP to ECD before I go as I expect exchanges at ports and on the ship will be less than favourable.

 

I would like your experience and advice with regard to currency.

 

Cheers

[paul929207]

All the ports in the Caribbean accept US$, so I would suggest you get them. Note that for small purchases, it is better to have small bills so you can pay the exact amount. If you give a larger bill, you will often get change in the local currency. You can usually change larger US bills at the purser's desk.

[Putterdude]

We have always used $US in the Caribbean.

[cb at sea]

US $$ is accepted everywhere. Do try to have close to the purchase price, especially at "straw markets"....don't try to buy a $3 item with a $50 bill! You don't want local money as change!

[Betsy's Mom]

The local Caribbean money is worthless outside of the Island you get it on. St Martin uses euros, but will take dollars. If you get EC money in change just give it to the kids on the street. :)

B.

[Bonnie J.]

I used to take back coins from the different ports for the kids in my class. It took up no room to pack, coins were so different from ours and Nassau had square dimes. The few bills were fun to show them as they were so colorful bills!

[saltypeer]

Agree with the other posters. Just use US Dollars. Be prepared to receive loose change in the islands local currency. Don't use anything too big when making purchases. You will manage fine.

 

Enjoy the Caribbean...........we love it (most of it anyway).

[John Bull]

I don't suppose you need further confirmation that USD are fine everywhere on your cruise :)

 

Yes, exchange rates on cruise ships are usually poor, changing money on the islands is a drag and of course you'll be left with no choice- I always get my USD before I leave the UK, after checking the rates with all the usual suspects - internet, high st bureaux, banks, Post Office, M&S, Tesco, etc.

 

And, as other have pointed out, get lots of low denomination bills, lots of $1, plus 5s and 10s, to avoid getting change in local currency. For some reason, $2 bills are unpopular in the Caribbean.

Getting low-value US bills from UK sources is surprisingly difficult, but do ask. And refuse to accept bigger than $20.

Ship's reception or casino may be able to help you to change-down a few notes, without charge.

 

You don't quote your ship, but if you're cruising on a US or Italian ship, you can use left-over USD toward settling your on-board account, but pay the rest by credit card rather than cash - and specify that you want your credit card to be charged in ship's currency (presumably USD), which leaves your credit card company to convert to GBP. The cruiseline will offer to convert your bill to GBP, but they'll give a poorer exchange rate than your credit card company.

 

If it's a UK ship, you can put unused dollars toward tips.

 

John Bull

[shroob]

Thanks for the information all.

 

Looks like I'll be exchanging my GBP to USD then!

 

Would you recommend I get, say, £30 (50 USDish) in ECD?

 

Thanks again

[John Bull]

Thanks for the information all.

 

Looks like I'll be exchanging my GBP to USD then!

 

Would you recommend I get, say, £30 (50 USDish) in ECD?

 

Thanks again

 

£20 to £30 of ECD between two of you (spread over at least 2? relevant port days) could be useful & isn't excessive if your shore-time doesn't involve ship-sponsored excursions. But on other islands the locals are unlikely to accept ECD whereas they will accept USD, and changing out of them at a bank on another island won't be appreciated by that bank or by yourself.

So if you don't quite get round to getting a few ECD, it won't spoil your day :)

 

What ship are you on?

 

JB

[John Bull]

Ooops.double-post

Due to computer glitch :rolleyes:

Honest :)

JB

[jcl410]

OP -

 

 

I would recommend using your ATM card in the port if you want any local currency...

 

I was on a 7 day cruise out of Barbados (Royal Clipper) where we had three stops that used the ECD and two that use the Euro...

 

I used my ATM card to get some spending money at the first and 5th stops. I didn't need to, but trying to keep up with the $2.70EC to $1.00US rate was giving me a headache! (The rate is fixed.)

 

 

Most every place takes US$ no problem *EXCEPT* Martinique. Being part of France most places REALLY prefer the Euro. I *did* see a few stores that said they would accept US$. (But, I think they would really like to have the Franc back! <grin>.)

 

 

Aloha,

 

John

[saltypeer]

Thanks for the information all.

 

Looks like I'll be exchanging my GBP to USD then!

 

Would you recommend I get, say, £30 (50 USDish) in ECD?

 

Thanks again

 

In my humble opinion........seriously.......don't bother with any ECD at all. Just stick with the US Dollars.

[Betsy's Mom]

Just use US $. The ECD is worthless on most islands and surely worthless everywhere else. It is just a bother!:) We lived in the Caribbean and never used ECD.

B.

[shroob]

Ok, I'll just stick to USD.

 

Thanks again,

Sam

[shroob]

Ok, so I've got my dollars.

 

Just have another quick question - if I pay for something with USD, will I get change in USD or ECD?

 

Thanks again