Topic: sea princess

hi every one we are going on a 15 night carribbean cruise we are visting 15 islands including barbaos our start and finnish my main problem is are we better off taking dollars in cash for the islands we vist its just that we don't have a credit card only debit cards we been told the ships excange rate is poor also charge you can anyone help please

QUOTE:

hi every one we are going on a 15 night Caribbean cruise we are visiting 15 islands including Barbados our start and finish my main problem is are we better off taking dollars in cash for the islands we visit its just that we don't have a credit card only debit cards we been told the ships exchange rate is poor also charge you can anyone help please

You are doing the Sea Princess Barbados / Barbados 14 day Islands tours.
Your Debit Card should work on the Ships ATM unit (verify with your bank as in Cirrus et )) and most ATM's on the various Islands. Best of my knowledge, Sea Princess will want a CC to place your charges on the ship unless you give them cash upfront.

Cash in US$ will normally be accepted close to the port and in stores but as you get to the inner part of some of the Islands it might be better to have some local currency. This is where their ATM's help out.

A CC will really help though in the long run.

I can only speak to Barbados as I'm married to a Barbadian and when we travel the ATM gives me Barbadian Dollars though the main stores in Bridgetown will accept US$ and of course credit cards.

Some of the folks who have visited some of the other Islands can respond though US$ is the norm.

We are on the Nov 15 2010 voyage

US dollars will be accepted in all islands. Personally I would get them before you left !

On my last cruise I used a debit card on a couple of islands in the caribbean and came home to find it had been cloned and they had attempted to use it several times !

If you use a credit card abroad charges will be incurred also most debit cards.However your debit card will be fine to cover your ship board expenses.

On our caribbean cruise in March we took US$ and they worked fine everywhere except Cuba where we got the local currency, cuban convertable peso's, in fact you can only get them in Cuba. We did register our credit card but paid the ships bill by debit card without problems. Hope this helps have a good cruise.

thank you for your help at the end you say We are on the Nov 15 2010 voyage are you on the same ship as us

QUOTE:

US dollars will be accepted in all islands. Personally I would get them before you left !

On my last cruise I used a debit card on a couple of islands in the Caribbean and came home to find it had been cloned and they had attempted to use it several times !

If you use a credit card abroad charges will be incurred also most debit cards.However your debit card will be fine to cover your ship board expenses.

Ouch,,,:mad: I only use the Debit card at a Bank Machine though even then you have to watch out for skimmers and trying to capture your password.
I agree, US$ bought prior to leaving is best and depending on your Bank plans the charges can be less from your home bank vs. a currency exchange.

Cheers

QUOTE:

On our Caribbean cruise in March we took US$ and they worked fine everywhere except Cuba where we got the local currency, Cuban convertible peso's, in fact you can only get them in Cuba. We did register our credit card but paid the ships bill by debit card without problems. Hope this helps have a good cruise.

I use my CC mainly for large purchases as I get Air Miles credited and it ensures I need not worry about the current balance in my Chequing account.
Nice to know:D it is an option (Debit Card) though I wonder with the new Chip card in both CC and Debit if you have to present yourself at the Pursers office on the last night just to provide the PIN.
Hope not...

Cheers

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thank you for your help at the end you say We are on the Nov 15 2010 voyage are you on the same ship as us

Yes, we are booked for the Sea Princess on November 15, 2010 Barbados / Barbados 14 day cruise.

In our case we will fly from Victoria, Vancouver Island Canada to Barbados prior for a few weeks then take the cruise than stay in Barbados with family for week or so before flying back.
Sea Princess will not be doing this run in 2011 as it is being assigned to the Australia / New Zealand market.

Hi Cruiser1

I just joined this forum today! We have been to the Caribbean a few times - 2 cruises and some hotel based holidays. We have always taken US$ with us and I would recommend taking some $1 notes as these are always handy for tips on the islands - for private tours, taxis etc. Hope you enjoy your holiday. Nessie

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Hi Cruiser1

I just joined this forum today! We have been to the Caribbean a few times - 2 cruises and some hotel based holidays. We have always taken US$ with us and I would recommend taking some $1 notes as these are always handy for tips on the islands - for private tours, taxis etc. Hope you enjoy your holiday. Nessie

Great advice Nessie,
Works well for tipping (1$) room service on the ship..