ATM's on board??

[jofoss]

We are going on our first ever cruise, to the Caribbean Dec'26 on Oceana and wondered what the best options are for obtaining money. Is it best to carry sterling [to exchange into required currency, US$?] and credit cards[ to settle shipboard account] or are there ATM's available on board?

[humpy]

hi jofoss weve been on oceana three times in the past and didnt see any atms. we got any foreign currency from the reception desk this was at the crrent rates of the day so i dont think we were ripped off. you have to give a credit card or debit card number at check in to settle your acount.you can pay cash but you are limited to £150.00 limit and have to settle this before you can charge any more to your account.cash is available at the casino cashier but you are charged 3% for the privalidge.hope this is helpfull..humpy.

[BrianI]

The Caribbean islands all have their own currency so it is difficult dealing in local currency. However the US dollar is univerally accepted everywhere, but just make sure you get change in US dollars and not local dollars. You can of course use your credit card everywhere and you need that to pay your ships account. You will also need some currency to pay gratuities on board at the end of your cruise. This can be either US dollars or sterling, so you can use up any spare dollars you have.

Brian

[Skyring]

No ATMs aboard P&O ships. You can exchange currency at the purser's office, but of course you need currency to exchange. Be aware that they will charge a hefty conversion fee, and if you want to exchange (say) Malaysian currency for Indian, there will be two transactions: to sterling and back out again.

 

It can also be difficult to find an ATM around port areas, or on a tour. You need currency for tipping, so my advice is to get enough pounds sterling to cover the tips and take a hefty wodge of US dollars along with you. There will be a safe in your cabin for secure storage of small items such as cash, passport, jewellery.

[annieuk]

We have always taken US Dollars to the Caribbean and, has been said, keep the majority in you safe and take a small amount ashore. You can buy larger items with your credit card. Certain islands have Eastern Caribbean dollars and you don't want to end up with a lot of EC currency. When you order your dollars ask that you have small denomination notes.

 

Annie:)

[jofoss]

Thank you all for the advice, much clearer now. US$ in cash it is then backed up by debit/credit cards for onboard account.

[feebee_71]

Just to add to the previous answers...........

 

Although P&O tell you that the limit for a cash settled OBC account is £150 I have exerience that it is not strictly enforced.

 

Last summer I was able to build my account up to over £400 before paying anything off (there was no credit card registered to the cabinto cover the account) and I simply went to the pursers desk on a couple of occasions during the cruise and paid off a portion of the amount owing.

 

Feebee_71 :)

[jofoss]

thank you feebee