Foreign Currency for Shore Excursions

How do you pay for souvenirs in markets and stalls during shore excursions, for instance in the Middle East and Asia?

Do you bring lots of US one-dollar bills? Are US dollars widely accepted?

Can you change money into local currencies on the Regent ship or in the port (and change leftover money back)?

What are the fees and is there even time in the port to do this?

Are credit cards accepted in some of the markets?

How do you pay for souvenirs in markets and stalls during shore excursions, for instance in the Middle East and Asia?

Do you bring lots of US one-dollar bills? Are US dollars widely accepted?

Can you change money into local currencies on the Regent ship or in the port (and change leftover money back)?

What are the fees and is there even time in the port to do this?

Are credit cards accepted in some of the markets?

Your question is a bit difficult to answer. The best answer is that IF a stall or market takes U.S. currency, you will receive the worst possible exchange rate. Generally speaking, credit cards are not accepted in stalls but may be in some markets.

The best place to change your money into local currency is an ATM machine (depending upon the credit card, you may have to pay a "Foreign Transaction Fee" - the fee is dependent upon the credit card). I would only change the amount of money that you plan on using as it may be close to impossible to change it back to U.S. currency (again, this is dependent upon the port. Large cities in Asia or the Middle East may be able to accommodate you but at a poor rate of exchange).

Yes - we do bring a lot of U.S. $1's and $5's to use to tip the tour guide and driver since that is not included in Regent's fare.