CC019 Posted May 17 #1 Share Posted May 17 Hi, we are going on our first cruise next week to the Norwegian Fjords, very excited, my question is how much cash should we bring. I know everything on board is paid for but when we go off on excursions we feel we need cash incase places don’t accept credit cards, or for taxis etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciate. Thanks 🍒 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norfolksaver Posted May 18 #2 Share Posted May 18 We went on our first cruise last September and we also went to Norway We took some Norwegian currency but only spent about £40 on a few souvenirs. The shops do take credit cards but I thought we might stop for a coffee, but we found that we always went back to the ship for lunch. Enjoy your cruise but bear in mind you will be hooked on cruising. Since our first cruise we went again in April and have 3 more booked. The Saga Experience is very addictive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacktle Posted May 18 #3 Share Posted May 18 We did the Fjords cruise in 2022 and, on the advice of others online, took no Norwegian currency. We bought very little ashore, and I used a Halifax Clarity card which has no extra charges. We did take sterling and euros, just in case. We are also on next week's cruise and may see you onboard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denarius Posted May 18 #4 Share Posted May 18 Scandinavia is largely cashless. Virtually everywhere accepts credit and debit cards and some places are card only, including some public toilets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nosapphire Posted May 18 #5 Share Posted May 18 I'll agree with the above points - even the local open-top tour bus and trolley trains take card. IF you think you will need a small amount of currency, you can usually buy it on the ship (from Reception). The "buy" rate is usually reasonable, and Reception are always happy to help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC019 Posted May 18 Author #6 Share Posted May 18 Thank you everyone for your very helpful advice. See you next week Wacktle. 🛳️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMKUK Posted May 18 #7 Share Posted May 18 Saga have the no tips policy. We always give cash to our butler & steward. Last cruise our bench seat Grill pals gave cash envelopes to their grill staff. You may need cash to do that. It isn't required. We didn't because we were served by different people in different parts of the grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo1947 Posted May 19 #8 Share Posted May 19 Cards are accepted everywhere. We transfer money from our bank card that would charge transaction fees to a card that doesn't. They accept Euros Norway is expensive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaefell Posted June 5 #9 Share Posted June 5 Our first cruise was some years ago on Princes again to Norway,beautiful place,we took Norwegian currency with us,there was a guy on board telling everybody very loudly the night before we arrived in Norway about how he never took cash,he paid for everything by card,fast forward to next day when the same guy is seen in a heated argument with some guy at a coffee stall who only accepted cash,gave everybody a good laugh! But yes most places do accept cards these days but even Sainsburys end up asking for cash when 'the system' lets them down! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suron Posted June 20 #10 Share Posted June 20 I will also be on the Spirit of Adventure to Norway on 26th Was on same ship last year to Iceland and had a super time. I am a solo traveller but some of us on the Saga forum and the roll call are hoping to meet up at 10.30 in the North Cape Bar on 27th (sea day) if you want to come along.. Norway is beautiful and I'm pleased to returning and doing almost the same itinerary I did with my late husband. Credit cards are widely accepted so no need to get local currency. You will I'm sure enjoy cruising and you will certainly enjoy how Saga take care of everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denarius Posted June 23 #11 Share Posted June 23 On 6/5/2024 at 11:45 AM, snaefell said: Our first cruise was some years ago on Princes again to Norway,beautiful place,we took Norwegian currency with us,there was a guy on board telling everybody very loudly the night before we arrived in Norway about how he never took cash,he paid for everything by card,fast forward to next day when the same guy is seen in a heated argument with some guy at a coffee stall who only accepted cash,gave everybody a good laugh! But yes most places do accept cards these days but even Sainsburys end up asking for cash when 'the system' lets them down! Last November I was in Amsterdam city centre and needed to use the toilet, so I went into a shopping mall where I knew there was one. There was a small group of people standing outside the turnstile. The washroom accepted cash or card but the card reader had stopped working, and none of those waiting outside was carrying any cash. Smuggly, I took a Euro out of my pocket and put it in the slot..... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerryL13 Posted June 26 #12 Share Posted June 26 On 6/23/2024 at 3:27 AM, Denarius said: Last November I was in Amsterdam city centre and needed to use the toilet, so I went into a shopping mall where I knew there was one. There was a small group of people standing outside the turnstile. The washroom accepted cash or card but the card reader had stopped working, and none of those waiting outside was carrying any cash. Smuggly, I took a Euro out of my pocket and put it in the slot..... A few years ago, I was in Paris and went to a shopping mall to use the toilet. I pulled out my coins but then saw a sign indicating they accepted cards ONLY. No cash. My American card would not work (only time that has happened to me in France). The girl behind the counter took pity on me and waved me through. I heard that in Greenland, they may accept US dollars, so I'll be bringing dollars and euros along on my next trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denarius Posted June 27 #13 Share Posted June 27 10 hours ago, GerryL13 said: A few years ago, I was in Paris and went to a shopping mall to use the toilet. I pulled out my coins but then saw a sign indicating they accepted cards ONLY. No cash. My American card would not work (only time that has happened to me in France). The girl behind the counter took pity on me and waved me through. I heard that in Greenland, they may accept US dollars, so I'll be bringing dollars and euros along on my next trip. When I was in Stockholm Sweden last year I used a toilet on a railway station which was also card only, as were some shops and cafes. It appears to me that the best strategy in Scandinavia is to assume thet you will pay by card but to carry a small amount of cash in case of emergencies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david05 Posted June 27 #14 Share Posted June 27 It might be worth mentioning that some toilets in Norway require payment to be made via an app and do not accept direct payments with a bank card. Card payments for toilets seem to becoming more general in Europe, even here (on a recent visit to St Ives the toilets near the harbour would only accept card payments). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tothesunset Posted June 27 #15 Share Posted June 27 When using a public toilet it's always best to leave a small deposit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denarius Posted June 28 #16 Share Posted June 28 20 hours ago, david05 said: It might be worth mentioning that some toilets in Norway require payment to be made via an app and do not accept direct payments with a bank card. Card payments for toilets seem to becoming more general in Europe, even here (on a recent visit to St Ives the toilets near the harbour would only accept card payments). I had the same problem with the Metro in Budapest last year. On a previous visit there were ticket machines in every Metro station. Last year they were no longer there. After seaching for ages I found someone who spoke English who explained that nowadays you have to use a smartphone app. Not very tourist friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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