What type of $$$ to take

[angiepb]

We booked a few independent excursions and plan on doing some shopping on the islands. The x's say to pay in cash or travelers checks upon arrival. (don't know much about travelers checks) Do most islands take US $? Where is the best place to exchange your money once there?

 

TIA

[familycruzer]

I have always used US cash for most items or credit cards for the bigger purchases. In most islands, the US dollar is the way to go and is acceptable. I would suggest that you use smaller bills though. If the shop owners or venders see large bills or a lot of money, its sometimes harder to bargain.

[Cuizer2]

No need to exchange money. The US dollar and Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

[Sheffie]

Before we go I take envelopes and put the $$ in them for the different excursions, and label them. (I also usually add some extra for a tip.) I have a folder that I have labeled for each day of our cruise, and those envelopes go into the respective pockets. When that day comes, voila! I am ready for our excursion!

 

As stated above, you don't need to exchange your $$ on the islands, they readily accept the US dollar! The suggestion about smaller denominations is a good one, too.

 

Some people take travelers' checks, we never do. If we find that we need more cash, we go to the casino and get some. RCI doesn't add any extra charge for doing that.

 

Have fun planning for that fabulous cruise!

[whitsmom]

We take travelers checks and cash them at the pursers desk the night below our excusion. They don't charge anything to cash them and I don't have to have too much cash on hand to keep up with. However, you can go the the casino and get cash from your seapass account also.

 

We use the rest of the travlers checks to pay off the credit card when we return home.

[cb at sea]

Don't take travelers checks to the islands! Not all places will accept them. They do, however, all take American $$$! Most take credit cards, as well, but not in the "native marketplaces!" Take cash, in smaller bills (you can get change on the ship) as most of the stuff they sell is pretty inexpensive.