asmolen Posted May 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Hi, I'm going to St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Bahamas on Saturday. I'm bringing cash with me, but if I run into an emergency and need more money, are there ATMs at island ports? I'm sure the convenience fee is outrageous, but it would be comforting to know, just in case. Thanks! Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted May 2, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Yes, there are....but you should maybe bring MORE cash than you think you need. There's a safe in you cabin for storage. I am so totally against paying for access to my own money. Cash rocks! The bank will take back the unused cash! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheezedr Posted May 2, 2017 #3 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Since you will be able to use dollars in all these ports, why not just bring some extra cash with you. You do not have to carry it all the time, leave extra in your safe. A good tip is to bring a number of small bills, ones and fives. These are great for tipping and to buy some small things in ports where change might be in local currency. Do not fret St Thomas as it is part of the USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted May 3, 2017 #4 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Just be careful and make sure that the ATM machine is safe and doesn't have an illegal reader. A friend of mine had his card scammed at an ATM in Barbados. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted May 3, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Instead of using ATM, just bring more cash on the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Honolulu Blue Posted May 3, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Hi, I'm going to St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Bahamas on Saturday. I'm bringing cash with me, but if I run into an emergency and need more money, are there ATMs at island ports? I'm sure the convenience fee is outrageous, but it would be comforting to know, just in case. Thanks! Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app You might be able to save yourself some running around and just use the ATM on the ship. All Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships have them; surely many ships on other lines have them also. ATM FAQ, Royal: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&faqId=319&faqSubjectId=334 ATM FAQ, Carnival: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1127 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmolen Posted May 3, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Great! Thank you so much for all of your feedback! I really appreciate it. Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iahawkfan21 Posted May 6, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 6, 2017 Agree with others to bring more cash than you need. We always end up bringing cash back at the end of the cruise, but no issues there. I only take out what I need at a given time and leave the rest in the safe. Worst case, if you would need some extra cash, probably easier to use the one on board. Just make sure you notify your bank before you leave that you'll be traveling and using the card outside the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsxgrl28 Posted May 6, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 6, 2017 I would advise against using debit cards on St Thomas. Used mine at store & within 1/2 hour got an alert from my bank someone was trying to use my card on another island. Cash only from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmolen Posted May 6, 2017 Author #10 Share Posted May 6, 2017 I would advise against using debit cards on St Thomas. Used mine at store & within 1/2 hour got an alert from my bank someone was trying to use my card on another island. Cash only from now on. Yikes! We brought double what we planned on in order to avoid using our debit cards. Bummer to hear someone was trying to use your card. Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neotericisis Posted May 7, 2017 #11 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I didn't read all the replies (because I'm lazy, hehe), but I did see a few saying bring more cash than you think you need and there are ATMs on the ship if needed (avoid the in port ones). Also, be sure to bring AMPLE small bills. Tips, cabs, craft markets etc. may have an issue breaking a $20. We always go to the bank and get at least $100 in small bills, lots of $1s and $5s. I don't want to be in a $12 cab ride and I hand the driver a $20 and he has no change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaKnowWhen Posted May 7, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Hi, I'm going to St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Bahamas on Saturday. I'm bringing cash with me, but if I run into an emergency and need more money, are there ATMs at island ports? I'm sure the convenience fee is outrageous, but it would be comforting to know, just in case. Thanks! Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app As others have said, take more cash so you have less chance of running low. But if you do need an ATM, choose carefully. A large bank is good, anything else is questionable and only for true emergencies. The bank will typically charge you less for the transaction and is most likely more secure than the ATM in some random establishment. And by the way, check the rates at the on-board ATMs. My understanding is that those rates are quite high and you would do better at an on-shore bank. Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neotericisis Posted May 7, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 7, 2017 As others have said, take more cash so you have less chance of running low. But if you do need an ATM, choose carefully. A large bank is good, anything else is questionable and only for true emergencies. The bank will typically charge you less for the transaction and is most likely more secure than the ATM in some random establishment. And by the way, check the rates at the on-board ATMs. My understanding is that those rates are quite high and you would do better at an on-shore bank. Stan Good point!! This follows the train of thought of using banks vs. "cambios" for changing currency for better rates. On ship rates are similar to using the ATM at a casino or amusement park. Either way, no mom and pop ATMs. On the ship or at a real bank only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted May 10, 2017 #14 Share Posted May 10, 2017 I would probably use the ship ATM for extra cash. Typically if you use an ATM in another country you'll get that countries currency. St thomas is an us island but tortola and Bahamas aren't. They may offer a USD option but they may not. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottaluvcruises12 Posted May 23, 2017 #15 Share Posted May 23, 2017 Some places will give you there money. I can't remember which island we were at and went to the ATM and they didn't give us American money. It would be better to use the ships ATM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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