Buy currency on board (Baltics)?

[juicyjuju]

We are taking a Baltic cruise this summer. Can you buy Russian rubles aboard the ship?

[PaulaJK]

Hopefully someone with recent experience will respond. I am writing to clarify that the ship itself does not sell foreign currencies/ Rather, in many ports, after the ship has been cleared a local bank will come on board as will a local tour official w. maps and information. If you wish to leave promptly on a tour this may not work well for you. We find it easier to purchase foreign currency before leaving home.

[Emperor Norton]

We are taking a Baltic cruise this summer. Can you buy Russian rubles aboard the ship?

 

I didn't bother trying to buy onboard. I just grabbed the closest ATM. IIRC this also offers the best exchange rate.

[Jay23]

I think you will find US dollars are accepted in Russia in shops, in Market stalls, and for tips. You cannot take Roubles out of the country. Jay

[Emperor Norton]

I think you will find US dollars are accepted in Russia in shops, in Market stalls, and for tips. You cannot take Roubles out of the country. Jay

 

LOL Oops.

[baytraller]

The short answer to this is YES .

 

But not sure what the maximum amount was , you should email or call Seabourn . Also you require a Russian Visa if you wish to leave the ship on your own . When you book private or Seabourn shore excursions they provide a visa for the excursion . We booked private tours with http://www.tourdeforce.travel/ , they were very good , the web site allows you to build your own itineraries .

 

Seabourn on our last cruise in 2012 exchanged USA Dollars for Euro , the exchange rate was not all that bad .

[Winner]

No, you probably not be able to buy rubles on the ship. Seabourn does board local banks for exchange, but not in St. Petersburg, at least not on my Baltic cruise in 2012. (Rubles have no monetary worth in the US anyway, and it may also be illegal to import as well as export rubles.)

 

Credit cards are accepted in many places, dollars and euros sometimes.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Winnie

[wripro]

I never had a problem using dollars in Russia.

[juicyjuju]

Thanks everyone! Great information. I'm thinking I can probably get by with euros and dollars