On the topic of money

[Enoonmai]

When in ports if call (western Caribbean) how do you pay for local items? Is the US dollar accepted or do I need to do currency exchanges at every port?

[1025cruise]

Every Caribbean island I have been to is more than happy to accept US dollars.

[paul929207]

Bring small bills so you can pay with exact amount. Many vendors will give change in local currency

[Putterdude]

We have always paid in US currency albeit the islands have many different official currencies ranging from the US dollar, to the Dutch gilder, to the Caribbean dollar and everything in between.

[firefly333]

The islands love to get US cash.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thay all take the green stough

[ducklite]

I've never had a problem paying in US cash anywhere in the Caribbean--and most places give the change back in US funds as well--same thing with going to Niagara Falls, Canada--they have two registers, one for USD, one for CD.

[griffy116]

U.S. $$$ to vendors near the port and credit card with large purchases.

[mitsugirly]

We have always used cash. We take just enough needed (just in case anything bad was to happen) for what we are doing in port, including gifts.

 

Take a lot of small bills for negotiating and also tipping.

 

I've read a lot of horror stories on here about people using their cc and getting home to find out that more was charged (adding a couple 0's to the bill after they left) or their cc number was taken down and used other places as well. So, people suggest only using a cc for a large purchase at a big, reputable place only.

[Colorado Kat]

Any place in the Caribbean that gets cruise ships takes US dollars. Definitely bring lots of small bills.

[cruise_labs]

I never had a problem in paying with $US but I always make it to the point that I bring small bills with me.

[trish1c]

Thanks to the internet which makes merchant services more available to everyone, even the remotest places take credit cards too. Charge at your own risk but it is an option.

[mrsfuzzmo]

Just a note (since you are going Western) that Mexico passed a new law this past April that you cannot purchase anything over $100 in US dollars for US cash. You will either have to go to an ATM and get Pesos or use a CC. So if you are planning on buying expensive jewelry, artwork or anything else (even if you go to a great restaurant with a group of friends and you pick up the tab), if it's over $100 you will need Pesos or CC.

 

* Side note: You can make multiple purchases totally OVER $100 just not on a single purchase.

[sjcruiser]

U.S. Dollars are gladly accepted.

[Lynda59]

I have never had a problem paying with dollars, but ask for your change is US dollars or coins, too.

[Lsimon]

I've been on some islands where they would not accept larger bills (maybe 20's and up) that were torn. They said their banks will not take these and it becomes a real problem for them to use bills in bad shape, so make sure you bring along some "fresh" cash.

 

Other than that we've never needed local currency. Most tourist places have items marked in dollars as well as local currency. Occasionally, as posted above, you'll receive change in local currency so having small bills to give excact change is belpful.

[ricew001]

I felt comfortable using my debit card at places like Hard Rock but I used cash otherwise.

 

One of the smartest things I did was take two wallets with cash. I kept one that was rather low on cash so when the heckling started I didn't have much to show. We paid about $5 for the picture with the monkey with our own camera. Our poor friends paid $70!!!!!

[STARFISH*4]

I've been on some islands where they would not accept larger bills (maybe 20's and up) that were torn. They said their banks will not take these and it becomes a real problem for them to use bills in bad shape, so make sure you bring along some "fresh" cash.

 

.

 

i also had that problem of not accepting smaller bills that were torn...so GOOD idea about mentioning the 'fresh' cash...i totally forgot about that til you mentioned it here!

[Enoonmai]

Thank you all so much. I'm really starting to get excited for this trip:)