Currency on Baltic cruise

[arundel cruiser]

We are booked on a Baltic cruise in July on CMB Magellan. Did Canaries in the Spring and had a wonderful time.

We have booked a couple of excursions but generally do our own thing.

Our big question with this cruise is - what currency/s do we need. We seem to be going to a lot of counties with different currencies. Can anyone give us any clarity as to what we need or don't need? We aren't big spenders. We don't buy souvenirs or meals while we're ashore. We will almost certainly use public transport and maybe buy a coffee.

We don't want to end up with little bits of random currency. Has anyone done this and got any tips.

[Jack Staff]

Depends upon the ports that your cruise will stop at and if you get off the ship at those ports. For most its the Euro but if going to Russia tour companies work in US $ however other shopping costs may be in the local currency, Sweden also uses its own but maybe willing to accept Euro.

 

If an itinerary is available please post it and a better response maybe achieved

[Enforcer]

Hi,

 

Never had a problem with just Euros, bought some Roubles once but really struggled to use them, the only place was the duty free on the quay side.

 

Pete

[wheezedr]

We are booked on a Baltic cruise in July on CMB Magellan. Did Canaries in the Spring and had a wonderful time.

We have booked a couple of excursions but generally do our own thing.

Our big question with this cruise is - what currency/s do we need. We seem to be going to a lot of counties with different currencies. Can anyone give us any clarity as to what we need or don't need? We aren't big spenders. We don't buy souvenirs or meals while we're ashore. We will almost certainly use public transport and maybe buy a coffee.

We don't want to end up with little bits of random currency. Has anyone done this and got any tips.

You do not note ports but there can be 5-6 different currencies involved. Both Norway and Sweden have their own Kroners, the Ruble in Russia, the Euro elsewhere and depending on your port of embarkation either the pound or the Danish Kroner. In spite of all that you should be fine in most spots with credit cards and mainly Euros. However you mention using public transport and in most places that is the one thing that may require local currency and for which CC's may not be applicable.

In Oslo a one day transit card would work the best and is available at the TI and many other retailers. Stockholm also offers that but I am not sure as to point of purchase. Do not worry about Russia as even they do not like the Ruble. Bring some small bills for tips, conveniences, etc.

What are your plans in SPB as you will not just be able to walk off the ship on your own there.

[Extra Kim]

In Sweden most people just use a Visa Card or Mastercard in daily life. We are one of the countries that use very little cash. For example we can't use cash to pay for the local bus in our town.

As long as you have a Visa card or MasterCard theres no need for cash in Sweden.

 

When we have been to Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga we have used our VisaCard. But we didn' shop a lot. In Gdynia, Poland we had to use cash in the taxi but he stoped at a ATM on the way.

 

In most unmanned machines you do need chip and pin code on your card.

 

Just a heads up, American express or Dinners Card are NOT accepted in a lot of places.

Edited June 27, 2016 by Extra Kim

[Keith1010]

Please list out your ports.

 

Keith

[arundel cruiser]

We go to Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Tallinn, St Petersburgh, Helsinki, Stockholm.

We have excursions booked for the 2 days in St Petersburg.

[GrJ Berkshire]

You will need Euros for most, do not worry about roubles as with tours you will not need roubles at St Petersburg. In Sweden a cc as its cashless almost.