Baltic Cruise- Several Currencies

[Cruisingbairn]

Trying to decide what to do currency wise for my upcoming Baltic cruise as several countries use their own currency.

 

Has anyone used a cash passpot or loaded travel credit card where by I would load up the card with X amount of £GBP and then I think I could use it in any of the countries I am visiting. I was thinking this might be worthwhile rather than trying to guess how much currency to take for the sake of 8 or 9 hours of the ship.

 

I will certainly need to get small amounts of each currency for buying small things such as buying water or leaving tips.

Edited May 17, 2014 by Cruisingbairn

[Paulxyz2004]

A bit hard to answer without knowing your itinerary and planned activities.

 

I´ve been on a few Baltic Cruises and the countries I can relate to are Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia and Germany.

 

My best advise is to have a mix of Euro and USD plus credit Card.

 

The Scandinavian countries are very good about credit Cards and even many small places will accept credit Cards for small amounts purchased. In Addition Tourist places will accept Euro and USD. A Problem can arise when you are using public Transport as those often Need local currencies.

 

Of course in the Euro countries it´s Euros as the most easy thing to do.

 

In Russia if you are not on an individual visa you will have limited opportunity to purchase anything anyway and the places they take you to will accept credit Card Euro and USD again. Street vendors will be most happy about Euro but accept USD as well.

[GaryT-UK]

I cruised in the Baltics a couple of years ago and did take about £20-£30 of each currency as I like to buy souvenirs etc and they were all new countries for me. On the ships St Petersburg trips there weren't many shopping stops and the shop in the Hermitage accepted €, $ and I think £, although I had roubles anyway. I ran out of Krona in Stockholm and had to change some Euros then as shops didn't also accept Euros (much like we don't in the UK). I also ran out in Copenhagen, but was having a nice day in the Tivoli and there were plenty of cash points (I went back more than once!) I generally take plenty of Euros too, but I save any unspent ones for my next holiday.

[Cruisingbairn]

Thanks for that. We will be visiiting Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Russia and Belgium.

 

Euros are sorted for Estonia, Finland and Belgium.

 

Still not entirely sure what our plans are for Norway and Denmark but were considering doing the HOHO bus since we can get that when we step off the boat and we can see the major sites before we leave, so will probably need cash for all that.

 

Will work it out. Thanks.

[NorbertsNiece]

I've a FairFx card in $$ which I am using to pay for excursions and to get $$ out of the ATM on board if I need to. I've also ordered some of each currency (euros, krone, krona, rubles) to use for tips, souvenirs etc. M&S have special rates for their card holders. I've also got a Post Office CC for this trip which doesn't charge extra for use abroad. Will see how that goes.....

[Paulxyz2004]

Thanks for that. We will be visiiting Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Russia and Belgium.

 

Euros are sorted for Estonia, Finland and Belgium.

 

Still not entirely sure what our plans are for Norway and Denmark but were considering doing the HOHO bus since we can get that when we step off the boat and we can see the major sites before we leave, so will probably need cash for all that.

 

Will work it out. Thanks.

 

Oh yeah forgot about Norway, have been there as well and my information includes Norway as well.

 

HOHO bus is always a good idea IMO. The HOHO will take credit Card, local currency, USD, Euro and maybe GBP, though not sure about that, as it´s mostly not the currency I pay Attention to.

There´s sometimes a couple HOHO companies. Should you opt for the red one, keep this in mind - they operate in many cities throughout the world and they will give Discounts to repeat customers, so keep your ticket / receipt and Show it at the next port using them. I´ve done this many times now, including using a ticket from the med for Discount in the Baltics and also using a last years ticket in the following year. So I always have an "old" HOHO bus ticket with me when going ashore;)

 

As you have sorted your Euros, just get a few more for the rest of the stops. It will be all you Need. No Need for those several different Kronas. Personally I like to always have USD on me as well, but I do have some USD cash at home anyway for use while on the ship and I travel to the US once or twice a year anyway.

 

Oh on more Thing. I always get my USD onboard. Either at guest Relations towards my onboard account which I pay with my credit Card or at the Casino. To me this is the best value, as with my credit Card I get the best available Exchange rate and when I get it onboard it´s not considered a cash advance on the Card, but simply an expense, so there´s no additional fee for getting Money this way;) This is still the best Option for me, even if I have to pay the Casino Charge for it.