Currency exchange on Star

[imwmn913]

It's been several years since we cruised so a bit out of touch....

 

We will be on the STAR in October doing the Greek Islands, Croatia, and Montenegro. Euros' are used in all ports, except in Croatia, which uses Kuna.  Does anyone know if the ship will have the ability to exchange USD or Euro's to Kuna?  Cruise lines used to do it, I don't know if they still do though.

 

Thanks!

[zqvol]

I don't know if the ship will do it, but you will get the best exchange rate by using an ATM at a bank ashore.

Edited January 30, 2019 by zqvol

[TrumpyNor]

No, they (NCL) only exchange to a few of the most used currencies - and Croatian Kuna is not one of them. We just take out a little from a local ATM machine, as that is where you get the best exchange rate. Croatia is also a "safe" country to use credit cards at restaurants.

[imwmn913]

Thank you both for you replies. This is what I needed to know - that the ship will not have Kuna. No problem using an ATM - we've done that in all our travels.  Just wanted to avoid the hassle since time ashore will be limited and wanted to avoid any lines at the ATM's.

[morrisretired]

We were on the NCL Spirit last August that stopped at Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia. The taxi drivers at Dubrovnik would take Euros for trips from ship to city center and back for a set charge. Maybe 15 Euros - don't remember exactly? The small ice cream, soda, coffee, pastry shops, street vendors, etc. at both ports, wouldn't take Euros or credit cards though. Only 2 ports on the 11 night cruise that wasn't on Euros.  

[imwmn913]

That is good to know that the taxi drivers will take Euros in Dubrovnik from the ship. We have a friend from Croatia who might have a few Kuna's that we can buy. If not, we will use an ATM for the few Kuna's that we would need for the small purchases. Off hand, do you know if the shops took debit cards? We have one that is in Euro's and it might convert to Kuna's. But then again, that might be more hassle!

Thank you!!

[TrumpyNor]

5 minutes ago, imwmn913 said:

That is good to know that the taxi drivers will take Euros in Dubrovnik from the ship. We have a friend from Croatia who might have a few Kuna's that we can buy. If not, we will use an ATM for the few Kuna's that we would need for the small purchases. Off hand, do you know if the shops took debit cards? We have one that is in Euro's and it might convert to Kuna's. But then again, that might be more hassle!

Thank you!!

Yes, in Europe it is very common to use debit cards for all our purchases - even when purchasing just a pack of chewing gum... Just a tip - when using a debit card (or even a regular credit card),  it is normally the best exchange rate to use the local currency IF the card machine asks you to choose between local currency or USD.

Edited February 2, 2019 by TrumpyNor

[imwmn913]

TrumpyNor..I agree with you about the heavy use of debit cards in Europe! We travel to Europe twice a year (land trip/ city stays), and always  buy in local currency.  Let the bank convert to USD for better rate!

For Dubrovnik, if we do use the euro debit card for the few small purchases, the higher conversion may be worth it for convenience.  Just means one less martini!!😀

Thanks!

[lamchops]

On 1/30/2019 at 12:37 PM, imwmn913 said:

It's been several years since we cruised so a bit out of touch....

 

We will be on the STAR in October doing the Greek Islands, Croatia, and Montenegro. Euros' are used in all ports, except in Croatia, which uses Kuna.  Does anyone know if the ship will have the ability to exchange USD or Euro's to Kuna?  Cruise lines used to do it, I don't know if they still do though.

 

Thanks!

We have cruised NCL in Europe quite a few times and the onboard currency is US dollars for the casino and onboard charges. There was no foreign exchange onboard that I could see. In Dubrovnik they use and prefer kuna but they accepted euros for our GOT tour and the 13€ cab ride back to port. We have a no foreign transaction fee credit card for our travels and use that wherever visa is accepted.

Edited February 2, 2019 by lamchops

[imwmn913]

Thank you!"

Someone else also replied that the taxis will accept euros. 

All of our credit cards have no transaction fees so we are good on that.

[Son of a son of a ...]

On Star in October and they exchanged for Kunas ... I stood in line behind an exchange.  Officially, you can’t use Euros in Dubrovnik ... had several shops refuse them even for small purchases.  Our guide has happy to be tipped in Euros.  Use a credit card.  

[azdmelani]

I have been to Dubrovnik twice but on a different cruise line.  They had shuttles from the ship to Pile gate that would go on your onboard account, not sure if NCL does the same.   Then I just used CC or Euro for everything else.