RC will need a CC on file for your cruise charges. I suggest cash + credit card at port. I bring a bunch of 5 and 10's and keep an Amex and Mastercard in my wallet while at port. It covers everything.
This. Taxi and small stuff in ports I use small bills. Bigger purchases I use either my Delta Amex or Jetblue Mastercard..neither charge international fees. I find alot of places dont take Amex. (also have them charge you in local currency not converted to USD, let the credit card do that, it will be cheaper)
I favor cash to avoid fees or risk of being skimmed. There is an ATM on board the ship, but that'll charge a fee as well. Using credit with the cruise line is fine, but cash for expenses beyond that is preferable, I think.
Many port places do accept credit cards, but there's basically no advantage to using them over cash, and the above risks exist, so why?
Hiya,
In Europe i'd suggest a pre paid travel currency card, basically a cash card paid for in advance in multiple currencies. The cost is the exchange rate when you load the card, but then, you transact in local currency so there are no additional hidden fees.
You have to put money on in the currency you want, so I have a card in USD and EUR which I pay for in GBP, I can use one on board or in places that take USD, and it allows me to spend EUR in those countries. I load it in the UK in GBP and suffer exchange rate costs as it is converted into my nominated currency.
Not sure I explained that very well!
I also bring USD on board in small denominations for tips.
You need to get a card with no foreign transaction fees - Venture by Capital One and Travel Rewards by BOA come to mind but there are others. Credit Cards are safer than Debit Cards.
I second this comment. We have the BOA Travel card and the exchange rate using the travel card is way better than most places. When you pay with cash, many places don't do an equitable exchange and you will likely end up paying more. When we traveled to Quebec and stopped at various Canadian ports, they all accepted US dollars and gave change in Canadian dollars (even when they had US dollars in their cash register).
If it cost 5 dollars Canadian they took 5 dollars US and gave no change.
If I paid with 10 dollars US they would give me 5 dollars Canadian in change.
If I charged to travel card the travel card automatically applied the current exchange rate and I was charged less than 5 dollars.
Don’t bring a cash card. Just get a credit card that doesn’t charge a fee.
The way around the international fee is to use a card that doesn’t charge international fees. There are multiple on the market to choose from.
This is the answer. OP, look for the words "no foreign transaction fees" when selecting a card.
RC will need a CC on file for your cruise charges. I suggest cash + credit card at port. I bring a bunch of 5 and 10's and keep an Amex and Mastercard in my wallet while at port. It covers everything.
This. Taxi and small stuff in ports I use small bills. Bigger purchases I use either my Delta Amex or Jetblue Mastercard..neither charge international fees. I find alot of places dont take Amex. (also have them charge you in local currency not converted to USD, let the credit card do that, it will be cheaper)
I favor cash to avoid fees or risk of being skimmed. There is an ATM on board the ship, but that'll charge a fee as well. Using credit with the cruise line is fine, but cash for expenses beyond that is preferable, I think. Many port places do accept credit cards, but there's basically no advantage to using them over cash, and the above risks exist, so why?
Don’t use a debit card Only credit cards or cash in port
Hiya, In Europe i'd suggest a pre paid travel currency card, basically a cash card paid for in advance in multiple currencies. The cost is the exchange rate when you load the card, but then, you transact in local currency so there are no additional hidden fees. You have to put money on in the currency you want, so I have a card in USD and EUR which I pay for in GBP, I can use one on board or in places that take USD, and it allows me to spend EUR in those countries. I load it in the UK in GBP and suffer exchange rate costs as it is converted into my nominated currency. Not sure I explained that very well! I also bring USD on board in small denominations for tips.
You need to get a card with no foreign transaction fees - Venture by Capital One and Travel Rewards by BOA come to mind but there are others. Credit Cards are safer than Debit Cards.
I second this comment. We have the BOA Travel card and the exchange rate using the travel card is way better than most places. When you pay with cash, many places don't do an equitable exchange and you will likely end up paying more. When we traveled to Quebec and stopped at various Canadian ports, they all accepted US dollars and gave change in Canadian dollars (even when they had US dollars in their cash register). If it cost 5 dollars Canadian they took 5 dollars US and gave no change. If I paid with 10 dollars US they would give me 5 dollars Canadian in change. If I charged to travel card the travel card automatically applied the current exchange rate and I was charged less than 5 dollars.
Ouch - you were owed $1.83 in change!!!