MrPantsOz Posted September 27, 2014 #1 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I'm booked to do my first cruise next April, the Roundtrip Panama Canal with Princess. My question is (or maybe the first of many questions) do I need local currencies for the ports we visit or do most places accept USD or should I just stick with paying with my credit card? I'd probably be only looking at a few souvenirs/postcards etc, maybe a bit of lunch. Do I need to change some money before I leave home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted September 27, 2014 #2 Share Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) I'm booked to do my first cruise next April, the Roundtrip Panama Canal with Princess. My question is (or maybe the first of many questions) do I need local currencies for the ports we visit or do most places accept USD or should I just stick with paying with my credit card? I'd probably be only looking at a few souvenirs/postcards etc, maybe a bit of lunch. Do I need to change some money before I leave home? I've done several cruises in the Caribbean, including a full transit of the Panama Canal. I have never had any trouble using US dollars in Mexico, Columbia or any of the islands in the Caribbean. I've also used credit cards. However, be careful. I agreed to pay $40 for two belts in Mexico. The store owner rang up the charge in the local currency. When I got the bill from the bank it was for $44. Edited September 27, 2014 by Cuizer2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted September 27, 2014 #3 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I'm booked to do my first cruise next April, the Roundtrip Panama Canal with Princess. My question is (or maybe the first of many questions) do I need local currencies for the ports we visit or do most places accept USD or should I just stick with paying with my credit card? I'd probably be only looking at a few souvenirs/postcards etc, maybe a bit of lunch. Do I need to change some money before I leave home? The USD is accepted readily all across the Caribbean. The official currency of Panama is the USD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinman66 Posted September 27, 2014 #4 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Only panama really would want local currency Most take US dollars Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPantsOz Posted September 27, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Thanks very much. It's good to hear from people who have been to these places. I'll stick with USD.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo ferretta Posted September 27, 2014 #6 Share Posted September 27, 2014 My friend using the dollar is possible in all the ports you will visit, stay sometimes for small purchases, it may be that the seller does not make you money if you plan to make small purchases, you have the currency exchange available in each port.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted September 27, 2014 #7 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Be sure you have lots of small bills so you can give the vendor the exact amount. Some will give you local currency as change Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 27, 2014 #8 Share Posted September 27, 2014 "The ship will break down larger bills for you, so you don't have to travel with wads of smaller denominations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie51 Posted September 27, 2014 #9 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Thanks very much. It's good to hear from people who have been to these places. I'll stick with USD.:) When I did the Panama Canal cruise we didn't actually stop in Panama. There is a full day for going through the canal as it takes several hours. But the ship does not stop and let passengers off. Your cruise may be the same way. Anyway as the others have said US dollars are welcome everywhere. If you use a credit card there may be a foreign transaction fee...usually 3%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisead Posted September 27, 2014 #10 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Only panama really would want local currencyMost take US dollars Sent from my iPhone using Forums Not true. The US dollar is the official currency, along with the Balboa, of Panama. You don't see much of the Balboa at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo ferretta Posted September 27, 2014 #11 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Not true. The US dollar is the official currency, along with the Balboa, of Panama. You don't see much of the Balboa at all. If we advize you my friend to take US dollars it's for your security & changing small amount is the best way to save your money. Good trip:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted September 28, 2014 #12 Share Posted September 28, 2014 No need for anything other than USD but keep your denominations under $10, better still $5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPantsOz Posted September 28, 2014 Author #13 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Thanks again. Your info has been most helpful.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted September 28, 2014 #14 Share Posted September 28, 2014 "The ship will break down larger bills for you, so you don't have to travel with wads of smaller denominations! Does the ship use scissors to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted September 28, 2014 #15 Share Posted September 28, 2014 No need for anything other than USD but keep your denominations under $10, better still $5. What about under the pillow? :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry and Lucille Posted September 29, 2014 #16 Share Posted September 29, 2014 We always check before we travel. You talk about Panama. Only stop ? When on Roatan, a vender wanted to sell me an antique Honduran $20 Lempura coin for only $5 US. Hummm. At that time, a lempura was worth $0.05 cents. Lets see now. 20 X 5 equals. $1.00 US. If I buy it, bring it back to the US, take it to the bank? Wonder what they would give me for it. http://money.cnn.com/data/currencies/ Just a thought here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 29, 2014 #17 Share Posted September 29, 2014 If you use a credit card there may be a foreign transaction fee...usually 3%. Depends on your credit card ...some have no FTF shop around for one if you travel a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPantsOz Posted September 30, 2014 Author #18 Share Posted September 30, 2014 My credit card is as Australian as I am. There will be fees. I'll be going the USD in small notes wherever possible. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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