Money Needed for different Ports.

[Desert Cruizers]

In April through end of May we will be doing a b2b & visiting different Ports and not sure how much money we should take for each. The Ports we will stop at are Singapore

Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan ( 6 Ports ) and for May 8th, we stop ay Hakodate,  Japan & Russia. Rest are sea days until we reach Alaska & Seattle. Should we get small mount for each of the different No Overnight stops. Thqank you. 

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, Desert Cruizers said:

In April through end of May we will be doing a b2b & visiting different Ports and not sure how much money we should take for each. The Ports we will stop at are Singapore

Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan ( 6 Ports ) and for May 8th, we stop ay Hakodate,  Japan & Russia. Rest are sea days until we reach Alaska & Seattle. Should we get small mount for each of the different No Overnight stops. Thqank you. 

I would get (pre-order) a small amount for each from my local BofA. However in Vietnam use US$'s and it depends on what you're going to do in Russia..our private tour guide payed for anything we needed Rubles for and we paid her back at the end of our 2 day tour....Some places (small street vendor's) in Russia took US$'s and some larger souvenir stores I used a no fee credit card.

Many will suggest to just use ATM's but my personal choice is to not have to look for them or to possibly have a problem associated with using them.

I'm sure you'll decide to do whatever you think will work out best for you.

Enjoy this wonderful itinerary !!

[Desert Cruizers]

3 minutes ago, Ashland said:

I would get (pre-order) a small amount for each from my local BofA. However in Vietnam use US$'s and it depends on what you're going to do in Russia..our private tour guide payed for anything we needed Rubles for and we paid her back at the end of our 2 day tour....Some places (small street vendor's) in Russia took US$'s and some larger souvenir stores I used a no fee credit card.

Many will suggest to just use ATM's but my personal choice is to not have to look for them or to possibly have a problem associated with using them.

I'm sure you'll decide to do whatever you think will work out best for you.

Enjoy this wonderful itinerary !!

Afternoon, i am thinking that we will want to buy lunch during our Tours which are partly set up through Group Tours for Vietnam and Russia off our roll Call. I will get whatever we decide before leaving home. I do have a no fee Credit Card. The April 25th sailing is where we will be seeing the majority of the different ports, then we will be in Yokohama on turn around day after that is just the one port of Hakodate then Russia, rest are sea Days until we reach Alaska. a little less then 5 months and we are in SJ, then Barcelona then the Ovation for 2021 so can't wait. 

[Expat Cruise]

All the ports you are stopping at have ATM machines, Vietnam you can also us US Dollars in most places. I would not pre order money for your bank as costly. Very easy to do in port.

[terry&mike]

I always pre-order a bit of local currency for each port, as I like to hit the ground running with some local cash in my pocket. Everyone is different on this, so go with your comfort level. I pre-order from my local bank, and my exchange rate has not varied much at all from the exchange I am given when using ATM's overseas. 

[Desert Cruizers]

7 hours ago, Expat Cruise said:

All the ports you are stopping at have ATM machines, Vietnam you can also us US Dollars in most places. I would not pre order money for your bank as costly. Very easy to do in port.

Thank you right now it isn't where I decide to get my money but with all the different Countries, how much should I get for each. do I plan on $50 US, $100 .Which ones will take US dollars which you mentioned, Vietnam will. This is the first time to Asia for the daughter & I. 

[USN59-79]

It would be hard for me to advise you on how much local currency you will need for each port; for some people $10 would suffice, for others $200 wouldn't be enough.  I would suggest that you get very clean $50 and $100 bills from your bank before you leave as dirty or beat up bills are not accepted there.  You will need some smaller bills for tipping on board, but you can change the large bills at the front desk.  In Japan, there will be a place to exchange money in the cruise terminal.  We went into a bank in Vladivostok and changed a small amount there for rubles.  In China, you can exchange money in local banks, but you will need your passport with you at the time.  There is an exchange place in the cruise terminal in Singapore.  There are a lot of places to change money in Hong Kong.  You can also exchange money on the ship, but I wouldn't change more than $20. there because of the lousy exchange rate.  I always change more than I will need so I will have cash the next time I am in the country.

[Desert Cruizers]

23 minutes ago, USN59-79 said:

It would be hard for me to advise you on how much local currency you will need for each port; for some people $10 would suffice, for others $200 wouldn't be enough.  I would suggest that you get very clean $50 and $100 bills from your bank before you leave as dirty or beat up bills are not accepted there.  You will need some smaller bills for tipping on board, but you can change the large bills at the front desk.  In Japan, there will be a place to exchange money in the cruise terminal.  We went into a bank in Vladivostok and changed a small amount there for rubles.  In China, you can exchange money in local banks, but you will need your passport with you at the time.  There is an exchange place in the cruise terminal in Singapore.  There are a lot of places to change money in Hong Kong.  You can also exchange money on the ship, but I wouldn't change more than $20. there because of the lousy exchange rate.  I always change more than I will need so I will have cash the next time I am in the country.

Thank you, we will be on Group tours for the most part so mostly during that time it will be to get something for lunch. We will have a turn around day , in Yokohama, on May 8th, 2021 so will be walking around with others there. I may plan between $50 to $100. Singapore we plan to arrive 2 days before the cruise so April 23rd through 25th. 

[USN59-79]

3 hours ago, Desert Cruizers said:

Thank you, we will be on Group tours for the most part so mostly during that time it will be to get something for lunch. We will have a turn around day , in Yokohama, on May 8th, 2021 so will be walking around with others there. I may plan between $50 to $100. Singapore we plan to arrive 2 days before the cruise so April 23rd through 25th. 

We were in Yokohama this Spring.  There is a machine near the check in counter at the front of the terminal where you can insert a U.S. $50  or $100 bill and get out the equivalent amount of yen.  Just like a candy machine.😉  Hope it is still there in 2021.

[Desert Cruizers]

24 minutes ago, USN59-79 said:

We were in Yokohama this Spring.  There is a machine near the check in counter at the front of the terminal where you can insert a U.S. $50  or $100 bill and get out the equivalent amount of yen.  Just like a candy machine.😉  Hope it is still there in 2021.

Thank you, will find out if it is still there. On the Ovation April 25th to May 8th ( Singapore to Tokyo ) May 8th to 22nd,Tokyo to seattle

[terry&mike]

I don't know if this will be helpful, and each person has their own comfort level and travel style, but the information below is what I have posted on my web site on the page "Things To Do Before You Go" for my group that is traveling on the Diamond Princess from Singapore to Tokyo in January: 

 

Get cash for the countries you’ll be visiting: this is a personal choice, and totally up to you how you like to manage your money in general, and when traveling. Personally, I like to hit the ground running and I feel like having a bit of “walking around money” in my pocket makes me more efficient, so I bring along both U.S. Dollars cash and a bit of local currency for the places I’ll be visiting. You can also choose to locate and withdraw cash from ATM’s as you travel, visit money exchange booths, or rely more heavily on credit cards, whatever your preference, as I said, this is a personal choice. I order foreign currency in advance from my bank, always requesting smaller bills, a couple of weeks before departure. Only you can judge your spending habits and style, keeping in mind that street vendors and small shops will lean towards cash, while major stores, large businesses, and nicer restaurants will usually accept credit cards.  Below are the amounts of foreign currency I will be purchasing, and amounts of USD (small bills) cash I will be bringing, this will cover the 2 of us. I don’t mind having extra USD cash with me as it is easy to bring it back home if I don’t use it, I can buy foreign currency on the spot if needed, and it helps in a pinch. I will have a credit card for larger purchases or nicer meals. Of course, we all have different spending habits, so your mileage may vary – you do you.

• Bali: this only applies to a few of you, as most of you start in Singapore. Mike and I are staying for 4 nights and have budgeted some money for casual meals, shopping, touring, tips. I will be buying $284 usd worth of IDR (Balinese Rupiah) and bringing $150 usd small bills cash. Cash society, credit cards accepted in higher end places.
• Singapore: Mike and I are staying for 2 nights and have budgeted some money for taxis, casual meals. I will be buying $125 usd worth of SGD (Singapore Dollars) and bringing $50 usd cash. Credit cards regularly accepted.
• On Board Ship: most everything you do or purchase on board the ship will be charged to your shipboard account and settled by the credit card you have on file with the cruise line. I will be bringing along some usd cash for thanking any service staff who go above and beyond, or for tips in specialty restaurants, or for whatever could pop up, in the amount of $170 usd cash. Mike will most likely be bringing a larger stash of usd cash for the casino that he will not disclose to me to keep me out of his business!
• Vietnam: we have 3 ports in Vietnam, and most of us are on tours in 2 of these ports, so those days you will only need money for lunch, a $5-$7 per person tip to the guide, and possibly some street vendor shopping; maybe a bit more when not on a tour. They like USD in Vietnam, but often won’t make change so focus on small bills, also on bills in good shape. I am bringing $288 usd cash.
• Hong Kong: credit cards are widely accepted here, so I’m just bringing enough local cash for street food or small purchases. I will be buying $50 usd worth of HKD (Hong Kong Dollars) and bringing $50 usd cash.
• Taiwan: I’m only getting a little pocket money for wandering around or a taxi, as I don’t have any specific plans here. I will be buying $50 usd worth of TWD (Taiwanese Dollars). They prefer smaller bills in Taiwan, and credit cards are randomly accepted.
• Japan: We have 3 stops in Japan (Osaka/Kyoto, Toba, and Yokohama/Tokyo), and in 2 of those stops Mike and I, and several of you, are on a tour which includes lunch, and tipping is not done in Japan, so I don’t need much money here. I then will stay on for 2 full days in Tokyo. I have budgeted for some spending money, some casual meals, and some entrance fees. Japan is heavily a cash society. I will be buying $340 usd worth of JPY (Japanese Yen) and bringing $100 usd cash. 
• Money Round Up: as a summation of the above, to cover 2 people for the amount of time I am visiting, I plan to purchase $284 usd worth of IDR for Bali, $125 usd worth of SGD for Singapore, $50 usd worth of HKD for Hong Kong, $50 usd worth of TWD for Taiwan, and $340 usd worth of JPY for Japan; and bring along about $808 usd cash.

[Desert Cruizers]

Terry & Mike, that was very helpful and at least will give me an idea for our needs. Yokohama will be a turn around day for us as we will be continuing on with our B2B with a stop in Hakodate then Petropavlovsk, Russia before heading to the Alaska & Seattle. 

[terry&mike]

Oh, and that should have said Indonesian Rupiah for IDR, not Balinese Rupiah. 

[Hlitner]

I guess we are contrarians because we never concern ourselves with currency issues prior to a trip.  For the last 20 or so years of extensive foreign travel we get all of our local currency out of local (bank) ATMs or sometimes (rarely) change a small amount of cash with a local cambio.  As to how much you need, for those who take mostly cruise line excursions you will likely need very little local currency.  For those of us who do our own thing we need a lot more local currency in countries where "plastic" is not readily accepted.  In Asia, if we have too much currency left over from a specific country we will sometimes try to exchange it for another Asian currency at one of the next ports.   There are still some countries (such as Vietnam) where US Dollars or Euros are widely accepted in shopping venues.  Russian rubles are an awful currency (hard to exchange) so we try to use plastic or US Dollars when in Russia.  

 

 

[Desert Cruizers]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

I guess we are contrarians because we never concern ourselves with currency issues prior to a trip.  For the last 20 or so years of extensive foreign travel we get all of our local currency out of local (bank) ATMs or sometimes (rarely) change a small amount of cash with a local cambio.  As to how much you need, for those who take mostly cruise line excursions you will likely need very little local currency.  For those of us who do our own thing we need a lot more local currency in countries where "plastic" is not readily accepted.  In Asia, if we have too much currency left over from a specific country we will sometimes try to exchange it for another Asian currency at one of the next ports.   There are still some countries (such as Vietnam) where US Dollars or Euros are widely accepted in shopping venues.  Russian rubles are an awful currency (hard to exchange) so we try to use plastic or US Dollars when in Russia.  

 

 

Thank you that would make things easier at least we have time to plan and work out should we decide to take some cash to be sure who much we will really need. Singapore is where we will be staying 2 days before the cruise, so the rest will be day stops at each port. 

[Hlitner]

21 minutes ago, Desert Cruizers said:

Thank you that would make things easier at least we have time to plan and work out should we decide to take some cash to be sure who much we will really need. Singapore is where we will be staying 2 days before the cruise, so the rest will be day stops at each port. 

We usually do get some Singapore Dollars since we often will eat at small local stands or places that do not accept credit cards.  On our last visit we used a bank ATM at the airport to get some cash.  No problem using a credit card to pay for a taxi to our hotel and credit cards are acceptable at most places other then the small food places (now often grouped in various venues).

 

Hank

[Desert Cruizers]

I was considering getting the cash for when we want to stop and get some lunch while out in Singapore and during the tours Trying to turn back to the bank unused foreign money isn't easy. I still have some for Copenhagen & Iceland. What few coins I had, I put in little baggies for the family last year for Christmas,

[Ashland]

On 11/24/2019 at 3:00 PM, Desert Cruizers said:

I was considering getting the cash for when we want to stop and get some lunch while out in Singapore and during the tours Trying to turn back to the bank unused foreign money isn't easy. I still have some for Copenhagen & Iceland. What few coins I had, I put in little baggies for the family last year for Christmas,

It's certainly been easy for me to turn back in foreign currency to my BofA...paper bills of course no coins. It's quickly and easily deposited back into the account I use by the teller...I tend to take more than I need...better to have and not need.

[Desert Cruizers]

My bank would have taken back the Danish money but said it could be a wait to get it exchanged, I like to get more then what I think I may need, but for my 2021 Asia cruise i am not dealing with one currency but at least 4. 

[Catchum]

Our default is to take a little cash for each country, typically $25 a day, mainly use credit cards and top up at ATMs if needed.

 

We always get creative and aim to spend 99% of the cash we take (although we could exchange notes when we get home)

 

Even if you plan to return to a country keeping currency for the next trip may not always work. In the UK bank notes get redesigned regularly so an old style £10 note from you trip in 2018 will no longer be accepted by anyone. (Though you can still exchange them at banks)