rockin :
We will be going on a Mediterranean cruise next month. It goes to Dubronvnik Croatia, 3 ports in Greece, Sicily, and Kusadasi, Turkey.
Where do you usually do currency exchange?
Do you do it before you leave at your bank in the U.S.?
Do you use the ATM machine in each of the countries?
Can you do currency exchange on the cruise ship?
Thanks!
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{ 3 comments }
I have been to countries that use the Euro a couple times by cruise ship. The quick answers to your questions are:
Yes you can get currency exchanged on the ship at the purser’s desk, but sometimes they run out of the local currency.
Yes you can get currency (Euro’s) at ATM in other countries; I have done that.
The best thing to do is get currency from your bank before you travel because (1) you will likely get a better rate and (2) you will need Euros or whatever currency as soon as you land in the port city where your cruise starts to pay the taxi fare get to the ship, or your hotel if you are going a day early.
The other place where you can get currency is in the airports at the Exchange windows. But you will be stuck with their exchange rate and fees and you never know whether they have the currency you want or need.
I always get currency from my back well before we travel: I use Bank of America and they will send the currency to whatever branch is convenient to you (if you have an account and a local bank) Other banks will likely do the same. Of look for a local money exchange place, OR, your local airport may have an exchange window.
Cruise ships in European ports do have exchange machines on them, but you pay a fee for using them. I would exchange some at your home at a bank where they do this. Just bring a list to there of the places you are going. But the easiest way is to just use a credit card. That also gives you a nice receipt too. Just be sure to call you bank or credit company to let them know you will be out of the country and using the card in various Mediterranean places. Oh, airports are also a good place to exchange money. They have machines there too.
It depends on whether you are going to do your own thing in these ports, if you are going to need money immediately for taxis etc, get some money before you go.
Personally I use the ATM’s in the country to exchange money if I need to make a cash transaction. I prefer to use a credit card or debit card when possible. The exchange rate is usually better than on the ship, the banks at home and the currency exchanges. You just pay a fixed fee for using the ATM and get the current exchange rate. I have found that it is less costly this way. Most Mediterranean countries will accept the Euro or US dollars quite willingly (Turkey and Croatia) and Greece uses the Euro.
At present 1 Euro = 1.38925 USD or 1 Euro = £1. Really pretty dismal exchange rate. hang on until closer to your departure, the rate may improve.