Credit card vs cash in ports

[fishfriendz]

We are doing the Eastern Caribbean itinerary on RCCL Freedom in July. My question is whether we should use cash or credit cards while in port (St. Thomas and St. Martin)? Are US dollars accepted? While in Grand Cayman last year they accepted both US and local but I am not sure if this is true throughout the caribbean.

 

Thanks in advance!

[1025cruise]

Cash will be widely accepted. I'd use that over credit cards due to fees, etc.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Caribbean islands do take US dollars. Some ports may give you change back in their currancy. Thus we always take small bills with -- you can get change at the front desk.

Check to see if your credit card is going to charge you a fee for using your credit when in the islands -- most islands write up their bills in their currancy. I would use the credit card for large purchases only.

[Carolin]

St. Thomas is US Virgin Island so the currency is US Dollars. St. Martin is a foreign island. So if you use your credit card (depending on the card) you will be charged an exchange fee. I use Capital One and they do not charge and exchange fee.

 

Have a great cruise

[Marie51]

AS the others have said your credit card may have a foreign transaction fee. Also if you are buying from street vendors they do not take credit cards so have cash on hand. I have used US dollars in St Martin, been there several times and never found a place that didn't take them. Keep small bills on hand for taxis and shopping.

[sparks1093]

A tip- call your credit card company a week or two before your trip and let them know where you will be traveling. If they start seeing charges showing up in a foreign country it may set off fraud alerts, causing them to suspend the card.

[beachbum53]

If you go to a local vendor that sells handicrafts (as in a Flea Market), they may not take credit cards, only cash. It doesn't hurt to have both when visiting and shopping in port. Also, there is a side benefit to using a credit card when you're in a port that does not take U.S. dollars. You don't have to worry about obtaining foreign currency, and then be stuck with some odd amount that can't be converted back to U.S. currency. The credit card company will convert the amount spent to U.S. dollars for the purpose of your statement. As Carolin stated, Capitol One is a good choice for this.

[jennmaybe]

We have used US Dollars at every port we've been to. We never use credit cards in ports due to all the fraud that goes on.

 

We just make sure we have small enough bills so if we need change, it won't be much. I do have some change from some of the ports, but we just considered it to be a momento from our trip. :)

[Putterdude]

We have used US currency throughout the Caribbean without a problem, however keep your bills in smaller denominations as you may receive your change in the local currency. As for using credit cards you may find that your credit card company or bank may impose a foreign transaction fee on uses on islands other than St. Thomas. In some instances there may not be a fee but rather there will be an inflated exchange rate.

[trish1c]

It also depends on what you are buying. For small purchases, even though I might pull out a cc/dc here at home for the conveneince, on a trip I'll pay cash.

[maldenmusic]

Cash is King!

[fishfriendz]

I appreciate all of the responses!

 

Jenny

[mitsugirly]

We ALWAYS take cash with us. We always make sure we have small bills so that they do not have to make change if possible. Also good to have small bills for tips. We do "take" our credit card just in case of an emergency, but we've never needed it.

 

Always tell your bank (if using your bank card) or your credit company (if using a charge card) that you are going out of the country. Otherwise, you run the risk of them denying the charge.

 

I have also learn that if the place you are going to is not on the "US Network" with their charge card system, the banks will deny the charge as well. (I have come across this is certain countries).

 

If you do use a charge card, just beware because a lot of people (both her and elsewhere) have reported their cc info being stolen from a purchase they made in port only to get home and find out the people at the port took their cc number and ran up a huge bill for them. ;) I would only trust big places that have been approved by the cruise line. (They are always handing out brochures when going to the ports of "accepted" places to shop).

[wassup4565]

Sound advice from mitsou. Bring some $US, especially small denominations.

 

However, St. Maarten's claim to fame is duty-free shopping, and there are certainly bargains galore there for those who love shopping. I used the credit card on St. Maarten in places that looked like established stores - they had a sign, actual premises, a modern cash register. Also used it to buy a good but pricey lunch ($50.00 for two people) at the beach. Had no problems with credit card fraud, but I had called the card company before departure with the list of our destinations. There was a currency conversion charge (our card is Canadian) but it was reasonable.

[vivavegas]

I usually have a credit card with me, but generally pay with small bill cash. I just feel more confortable this way! I make it a point not to take too much cash in the ports!!:)

[Kathy816]

So if we need to bring cash for all the ports, do people bring large amounts of cash (in small bills) or traveler's checks and exchange them for cash at banks as they go?

 

I don't usually feel comfortable carrying large amounts of cash when I travel so just wondering what others have found works best.

[maryred]

So if we need to bring cash for all the ports, do people bring large amounts of cash (in small bills) or traveler's checks and exchange them for cash at banks as they go?

 

I don't usually feel comfortable carrying large amounts of cash when I travel so just wondering what others have found works best.

 

NO need to bring a big wad of small bills on a cruise, the Guest Services desk and the on board casino cashier will gladly break a large denomination to smaller bills as needed during the cruise. Just avoid busy times, check out the lines at both desks to see which is shorter, and remember the casino will close a couple of hours prior to arriving most ports. Almost all lines now have in cabin safes, much like the ones you see in hotel rooms, use that to store any currency or cards you do not wish to carry that day.

Traveler's checks are getting harder to find and fewer merchants know how to process them. Some that still readily do can require the purchase it's used for to be for at least 75% of the face value of the Travelers Cheque. Local banks at a destination will cash a TC but they may reserve the right to give the funds in local currency and charge a conversion fee even when the exchange rate is on par w/ the USD.

 

For most of the cruise passengers I know a mix of cash and credit cards is what they bring. The cash is used for tipping, cab/bus fares, small port purchases, and the on board casino. While one credit card is used to back their on board account, with a second cc used for in port purchases that they deem large enough, or on products they want the purchase protection on.

If truly uncomfortable carrying large sums of find out if your ship has a an ATM that takes your debit card and what the fees from both your bank and the machine will be. Alternatively some cruise lines will cash a personal check or do a cash advance from a credit card (the desk/casino will treat a debit card as a cc for this purpose), again check what the associated fees are.

[Hlitner]

We travel for about 6 months a year and our primary means of paying for things is using cash acquired from ATMs. Travelers checks are obsolete and cannot even be cashed in many places around the world. Credit cards impose various fees usually running about 3% (one notable exception are some Visa/MC cards issued by Capitalone). Of course an exception in the Caribbean are the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico since they are part of the USA and utilize US currency. On these islands most folks can also use their US cell phones without any extra charges (check with your carrier).

 

Hank

[Jasalth]

So if we need to bring cash for all the ports, do people bring large amounts of cash (in small bills) or traveler's checks and exchange them for cash at banks as they go?

 

I don't usually feel comfortable carrying large amounts of cash when I travel so just wondering what others have found works best.

 

I am one who takes cash. Mainly for the reason of CC fraud is always a threat anywhere anymore. Our last cruise I paid for everything in cash. I went to the bank the day before. The teller looked at me like I was insane. I said I wanted to take out $2000. Only $500 in 20's, the rest in smaller amounts. She actually had to go in back to get more 5's and 10's!

 

We drive to port though so, I don't know if I would take that much cash with me on a flight. I was glad I always used cash, except we decided to drive strait home the 1500 miles so my husband could work Monday (he was working over night). Only time I used a CC was for gas on the way back because everyone was to exhausted to even think about going inside at 3 AM. 2 days later, I was calling my bank because it seems I had bought train tickets, in France :eek:

 

But yeah the transaction thing is a big thing also. I know my bank for debit card, and 2 out of 3 CC's charge 4-5% for foreign transaction feeds. While it isn't a ton, I hate paying more than I have to! I also keep an eye on my CC's at all times. I personally don't want to have to guess what my balance is because of extra fees!

[NMLady]

So if we need to bring cash for all the ports, do people bring large amounts of cash (in small bills) or traveler's checks and exchange them for cash at banks as they go?

 

I don't usually feel comfortable carrying large amounts of cash when I travel so just wondering what others have found works best.

 

We bring travelers checks and cash them as needed at ship's front desk.

[Brandonclan]

It's a good question, that I myself have been curious about. I was reading about shore excursions and what to do in the ports (nassau-st. maartin-st.thomas) and I read where alot of the places only accept credit cards?? Atlantis is one example...it says that you can only pay with a credit card to partake in any of thier activities. Is this true? Fraud has led me to relinquish all credit cards (I have NO credit cards at present time) While I do have a debit card from my bank it is often declined trying to use it like a credit card. I keep money in there and often tranfer monies from savings into it. A co-worker said that she compensated a fellow cruiser for charging an excursion that only accepted credit cards...she paid them cash and extra for paying for her families excursion with credit card.

Having no credit cards is definately one of my concerns about cruising for the first time. I guess I'll bring plenty of cash and try to make things happen. We are on Oasis May 4th for Eastern trip.

[broberts]

One note on cash. Don't take any bills with even small tears. Don't accept any such bills as change in a transaction. On a number of islands I've had several small vendors refuse to accept such bills. No idea why, but they all seemed to think that damaged bills were not valid currency.