Money exchange

[cruise pair]

Hi we are soon to be on Celebrity Eclipse going round the Baltic sea , we were wondering we can purchase our different currencies we need for Russia ,Denmark , Sweden , etc on Celebrity Eclipse

[paul929207]

Probably, but cruise ships are notorious for giving extremely bad exchange rates

[CruiserBruce]

Probably, but cruise ships are notorious for giving extremely bad exchange rates

 

Totally agree. As discussed often here, getting local cash from an ATM is almost always the best way to get cash.

[Keith1010]

You can but I would use the ATM on land.

 

For Russia you likely can use British Pounds.

 

Keith

[Nebr.cruiser]

We use ATM's. Our first cruise to Europe we bought a whole bunch of Euros before leaving home (from our local bank), but quickly realized this isn't necessary; though it is nice to have a few on hand when landing, it really isn't a must.

 

ATM's seemed to have a better exchange rate than the ship or money exchange places on land.

[KirkNC]

You can but I would use the ATM on land.

 

For Russia you likely can use British Pounds.

 

Keith

 

There are actually two ATM's in the St Petersburg cruise center. We had no problem getting rubles there.

[John Bull]

Cruise line exchange rates are always poor, avoid if possible.

 

North Americans on this site tend to use ATMs (hole-on-the-wall) ashore because they tend not to get good rates from sources in their own country.

But your best bet is to get your euros, and a few Danish & Swedish kroner & roubles (and Polish Zlote if you're porting there), before you go at the best rate you can find amongst the usual suspects - M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury, Post Office, on-line, etc.

This also means you don't have to hunt for an ATM the moment you step off the ship. Or pray that your card doesn't refuse or get swallowed :eek:

If you top-up at ATMs abroad, best to use your debit card.

Worth informing your card issuer of your overseas trip.

 

Other than on service buses etc, you can get by with just euros & plastic in Copenhagen & Stockholm, for admissions (plastic or local currency only), in shops, in cafes, on hop-ons, etc, though you won't get good rates. Plastic is better than euros if possible. So change a little beer & snack money, perhaps £30 per couple.

St Pete's I'm guessing you'll be on a ship's or local operator's visa-free tour. So transport, food & admissions aren't a problem. Street vendors at the various stops accept euros & probably USD & sterling, and the souvenir shops you'll be taken to also accept plastic & other currencies. Only likely snag is if you want a beer with your lunch, many assigned places don't accept plastic or other currencies.

Guides' tips are gratefully accepted in any mainstream currency.We took enough roubles for the guide's tip cos we like the comfort of having some local currency, we broke into them for beers, & made up the tip shortfall with euros.

 

On the matter of ships' poor exchange rates. I'm guessing you'll register a credit or debit card to pay your on-board account. Celebrity's currency is the US dollar - even though you don't use cash everything will be priced & charged in dollars.

During the cruise you'll be asked if you want Celebrity to convert the charge to the currency of your card. DECLINE that offer, & allow your card to be charged in US dollars. Your card supplier will convert at a much better exchange rate.

 

Great place to cruise, good cruise line to go with. Have a good one.

 

JB :)