Cash or credit card?

As we are going on our first cruise in a couple of weeks many questions shooting through my head.😳 Our ports of call are St Thomas, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Nassau. Would it be better to take cash for food, drinks, taxi or bus or is a credit card the better option? Is everything charged in US dollars? We are coming from Australia and have never been to the Caribbean so it's a new world for us.

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As we are going on our first cruise in a couple of weeks many questions shooting through my head. Our ports of call are St Thomas, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Nassau. Would it be better to take cash for food, drinks, taxi or bus or is a credit card the better option? Is everything charged in US dollars? We are coming from Australia and have never been to the Caribbean so it's a new world for us.

For small purchases (under about US$100), I think it's best to use cash. St. Thomas and Puerto Rico are U.S. territories, so the US Dollar is the official currency. Antigua and the Bahamas have their own currencies (not shared between the two), but US dollars are universally accepted in the port area - including by the taxi drivers. Away from the port you might run into vendors who won't take US$, but even then most will - but you might not like the exchange rate.

For bigger purchases I recommend using a credit card.

Enjoy your cruise.

In Antigua and the Bahamas you will do better with small US bills so you can pay the exact amount. Not all vendors will give change in US dollars.

We always get small bills at the front desk for shopping ashore and buying small purchases.

For larger purchases I use a credit card that has a low limit.

I agree. Cash for small purchases & credit card for larger ones. Don't forget to tell your card you are going on vacation.

If you are worried about a big CC bill at the end, put the cash in the bank before you go & pay the credit card bill when you get home.

Don't forget to tell your card you are going on vacation.

So it won't be surprised by the bright sunlight when you pull it out of your wallet?

:)

but you might not like the exchange rate.

In the Bahamas, the exchange rate should always be 1.00 USD = 1.00 BSD, but expect to receive change in BSD.

In Antigua and the Bahamas you will do better with small US bills so you can pay the exact amount. Not all vendors will give change in US dollars.

Agreed.

Market stalls, tourist shops & bars, port taxis & vans etc should be no problem.

Problem tends to come with shops which sell primarily to locals. Although most accept USD, their tills are programmed to give change in local currency. So if you use a $20 bill in a local supermarket to buy a coke, that $20 will buy you a coke plus a stack of souvenir coins.

Hence folk saying get yourselves some $1 & $5 bills.

I suggest you get your USD cash before you leave home, since exchange rates given by cruise ships are poor & ATMs ashore may dispense only local currency.

You'll struggle to get $1s & $5s in Aus, but definitely don't accept any bills over $20.

If you're on an American ship you may be able to change-down a couple of $20bills in the casino.

JB :)

We use small bills for small purchases.

And

We also have a credit card that only has a limit of $500 on it for other purchases on the islands.

Even though they are insured, we keep this account separate from all our other banking, and hope we never get hacked (happened once, never again!)

Sea Ya

Yes...definitely tell your credit card companies where you'll be....it will avert a "fraud alert" if they see you're buying something is a place you don't usually shop!

Also have a stack of 1 bills to tip room service

As we are going on our first cruise in a couple of weeks many questions shooting through my head.😳 Our ports of call are St Thomas, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Nassau. Would it be better to take cash for food, drinks, taxi or bus or is a credit card the better option? Is everything charged in US dollars? We are coming from Australia and have never been to the Caribbean so it's a new world for us.

 

 

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Before I retired I did extensive travel. Business. Now doing fun travel. The answer is the same: credit and debit cards. Buying foreign currency in your home country is a nuisance, expensive, and leaves you waddling around with a bulging money belt.;) When you get to San Juan, get some (small amount - $20-50) US$ from an ATM. Find a bank or post office (there is one very close to the pier in Old San Juan) and change a $20 or two into $1 and $5 bills for tips. Use credit cards if you can, cash if you must. If you need more cash, see above and repeat. At the end of the cruise, leave 2/3 of your foreign currency as a tip or tips, the rest into an envelope to have for use the next time you land in a US territory. Enjoy!

The answer is the same: credit and debit cards.

I would NEVER use a debit card.

I would NEVER use a debit card.

Why not? It is much cheaper to use a debit card to withdraw cash from an account; cash advances on credit cards typically involve a 4% charge on top of any transaction fees. Using either debit or credit card is much more convenient and usually less expensive than carrying cash, which often involves getting ripped off on the exchange rates when changing your currency for the local brand.

As we are going on our first cruise in a couple of weeks many questions shooting through my head.😳 Our ports of call are St Thomas, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Nassau. Would it be better to take cash for food, drinks, taxi or bus or is a credit card the better option? Is everything charged in US dollars? We are coming from Australia and have never been to the Caribbean so it's a new world for us.

 

 

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For taxis and in store purchases, a credit card is best. For street vendors and small purchases cash is best. Not all transactions are charged in US dollars. However, since both St. Thomas and Puerto Rico are part of the US, then those credit card purchases will be in US dollars.

Why not? It is much cheaper to use a debit card to withdraw cash from an account; cash advances on credit cards typically involve a 4% charge on top of any transaction fees. Using either debit or credit card is much more convenient and usually less expensive than carrying cash, which often involves getting ripped off on the exchange rates when changing your currency for the local brand.

Consumer protection laws regarding credit cards and debit cards are not the same. Consumer protection laws for credit cards are much more consumer friendly than debit cards.

If there is a problem with your credit card, all you have to do is dispute the charge. You are not out any money. If your debit card gets cloned, hacked or whatever, the money has already been taken out of your checking account. 1) You could be left with no money to pay your bills. 2) Even if eventually you get your money back, it can take a long time.

As to the foreign transaction fees, most of the credit card companies have stopped that (in order to remain competitive).

Consumer protection laws regarding credit cards and debit cards are not the same. Consumer protection laws for credit cards are much more consumer friendly than debit cards.

 

If there is a problem with your credit card, all you have to do is dispute the charge. You are not out any money. If your debit card gets cloned, hacked or whatever, the money has already been taken out of your checking account. 1) You could be left with no money to pay your bills. 2) Even if eventually you get your money back, it can take a long time.

 

As to the foreign transaction fees, most of the credit card companies have stopped that (in order to remain competitive).

Agree 1000%. Never use a debit card unless you're absolutely positive the merchant is reputable. And even then there are no guarantees. If someone compromises your debit card they have direct access to cash in your account and possibly any other linked deposit accounts. For example, when using your debit card the ATM gives you the option to withdraw from checking or savings. A fraudster now has access to both accounts. If there is fraud, you're not getting that cash back until the bank completes their investigation and rule in your favor. The fraud taking place in a foreign country is going to make it much more difficult to recover and reimburse.

If your credit card is compromised, call the issuer, file the fraud claim and 99% of the time they're going to take care of it behind the scenes without any inconvenience to you at all.