What kind of currency should i bring on a cruise to the eastern caribbean?

Good old American cash is excepted everywhere in the Eastern Caribbean. Visa and Mastercard too!!

I like eastern Caribbean but prefer the ones that do not stop in the Bahamas. The last one I was on went frome Miami to San Juan, St Thomas and St Maarten. The best thing about these that there were no tenders. The ship pulls right up to the dock so you can get off and on without haaving to wait for a boat to take you into port. My favorite (which I have not done yet) is booked for April 2011 is the Carnival Victory leaving from San Juan,Puerto Rico, stopping at St Thomas, Barbados, St Kitts, St Lucia, and St Maarten (also no tenders) Some tender stops are Cozumel Mexico and Georgetown Grand Cayman (both Western Caribbean)

Your best choice is to just take US Dollars for the fairly small purchases and for tips, drinks, etc. For larger purchases, use your Visa or MasterCard credit cards. It is a very good idea to call your credit card company and let them know you will be travelling outside the USA so they do not think the card was stolen and put a block on it. Also, they do charge a small fee for converting foreign currency transactions.

Do not waste your time converting US Dollars into any of the local currency. Even if you go "off the tourist path", they will be glad to accept your US Dollars in place of the local currencies - and most are honest about the exchange rate.

Most places will not accept US coins but only the paper money. Do not take any of the new dollar coins as they certainly will not be accepted.

You may get your change handed back to you in the local currencies. Don't argue about it but just use that money for ice cream, drinks, a package of chips, etc.

Do not even bother with travelers checks. You would have to wait in line at the ship's pursar to exchange them and you would be charged a fee. Your cabin on the ship will have a safe for you to keep your money, jewelry, passports, and other valuables in while on the cruise. Just take money for the day when leaving the ship - along with your passport and ship card, of course.

I was on an Eastern Caribbean cruise in May 2006. Most Eastern Caribbean cruises stop in either (sometimes both) San Juan and/or St. Thomas. Since they are both US possessions, dollars work just fine. I also stopped in Nassau and St. Martin. Both took dollars.

At the brick and mortar stores credit cards are accepted (usually Visa or Mastercard). Make sure to call your credit card issuer and let them know you plan to use the cards outside the US.

Call the cruise line which you are using. They will be able to give you the best answer. However they all will accept American dollars you just may not be getting the deal. Also, if your going on a cruise I don't think you'll be in a specific place that long so it may not be worth exchanging money.

American dollars are the primary but using your Visa may work better in a lot of cases if there is an exchange rate.

I worked on ships for three years. You can use american currency in any of the ports. Small bills work better than large.

U.S. dollars are preferred.

Take a good supply in small bills like 1, 5 and 10s for shopping in the open air markets, taxis, tipping shore excursion staff.

American Dollars are your best bet

and credit cards

i would do travelors checks, in US Funds.

also take some small bills for tipping on the ship too.

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