Caribbean Currency to carry

[smoosh28]

I have tried to search the boards for this question, but can't really find the answer.

 

We are going on our first cruise on the Legend in November. We do plan to go into Cozumel, Belize and Roatan. What currency should we have with us?

 

We do know that we will have to have some US currency for our time in Tampa and with the strong Canadian dollar right now, we are wanting to do our exchange sooner rather than later.

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance with this

[gwe21]

we have only ever used american dollar there. Every where we have been in the caribbean takes it!!

[nobody000]

You will have no trouble with the US dollar in any of those ports. :D

[scorp111]

I too used the US dollar in all three ports on my last cruise to those ports.

[RossTheBoss]

Hi Smoosh! Greetings from PEI.

I'd agree with the others to just take US dollars. It is also a good idea to get some money converted earlier as you intend rather than wait 'til the last minute. Last year when going South for a vacation I made the rounds of our local banks trying to get some US cash to take. Problem was that none had any small bills. Actually the Scotiabank had some but told me I couldn't have any because I wasn't an account holder! (They wanted to save them for their regular customers). I looked at the teller with a look of disbelief and then advised it was precisely because of such bad service that I am not a Scotiabank account holder.

 

Anyways -- do get a big stack of small bills to use for tips. You can always bring home what you don't use.

 

Regards, Ross

[marym933]

Remember to bring small bills. I've had instances where the shopkeeper wanted to give me change in their local currency. I had no idea how much their dollars were "really" worth. Needless to say, I have a couple of pesos, Cayman and Honduran dollars as souvenirs!

[golfadj]

Good idea to have a supply of small bills both for tips in cash on the ship and if you go off and want to buy something.

[Uncle Doug]

You can also get small bills in the casino or at the Guest Services Desk. I try to take about $20 in ones and another $30 in fives.

[Sting Ray]

Small bills are definitely the way to go. It's harder to negotiate prices with sidewalk vendors when all you have is a handful of $20 and $50 bills.

[Nunu]

I made the rounds of our local banks trying to get some US cash to take. Problem was that none had any small bills. Actually the Scotiabank had some but told me I couldn't have any because I wasn't an account holder! (They wanted to save them for their regular customers). I looked at the teller with a look of disbelief and then advised it was precisely because of such bad service that I am not a Scotiabank account holder.

 

Bad service? Maybe if the bank you do hold accounts with had the same policy they would have had small bills in stock.

[NS-Cruiser]

Greetings fellow "blue noser". The last time we were in the Caribbeen the US greenback was accepted everywhere. We are cruising again in September and are watching the currency exchange rates every day to try to decide when to buy US $

[smoosh28]

Thanks for all the input. Good to know we can just take one currency.

 

Definately have a 'blue-nose' today, but I think that is because of the cold weather

[maldenmusic]

Stick with US currency and have small bills available. The only time I've exchanged money is when I wanted to take home souveneirs.