Currencies on SA Cruise

My wife & I will be on a BA to Valpo cruise next January - February. I have a question concerning the currencies required and US Dollar/ credit card use. Our ports by country are:

Argentina: BA, Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia

Uruguay: Montevideo

Falklands: Stanley

Chile: Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto Montt, Valpo & Santiago

I plan on exchanging US Dollars for Argentinian Pesos while in Buenos Aires(arriving a few days pre cruise) and hopefully have enough for use in the additional stops in Argentina. Next, take advantage of an ATM in Punta Arenas to secure Chilean Pesos.

For Stanley, if we make it, we are planning on taking a shuttle from the pier to Gypsy Cove and then come back and walk the town and try some Fish & Chips at either the Victory or Globe Tavern. Will dollars and credit card suffice here?

For Montevideo, we will have a town tour pre-paid and the remainder of the port time we would like to stroll the port market and have a nice lunch there. Again, would dollars or a credit card suffice or will we need some Uraguayan New Pesos?

I am assuming we will need local currency if shopping at some of the smaller local craft markets. I would appreciate hearing people's experience on this subject.

Thank You

Please tell me more about the Monterideo town tour. We are a group of six and are interested in the tour.

Hello, this is the Montevideo Town Tour info:

Escape the crowded cruise line tours on this exclusive and excellent Montevideo Highlights Tour, which includes Old Town, Port Market, Parliament Palace and the Rambla.

Your tour begins when you meet your professional guide at the pier and climb aboard our air-conditioned vehicle. Your first stop will be historic Old Town. Until 1829, a wall that protected it from possible invasions surrounded Old Town. After the wall was torn down, the only part that was kept was its gateway, which remains an emblem of this part of town. Old Town has the most beautiful buildings from the Colonial era and the first decades of independence. The Cabildo (built in 1812), the Solís Theatre, the Metropolitan Cathedral and several museums, like the Museo Torres García, are among the most impressive ones. Several design shops and recycled loft floors flourish in the streets near the port.

Next you will visit Port Market. The market was completed in 1885 and is a must for the tourist who arrives in Montevideo, whether for its traditional foods or to view the historic culture of the city. While there you may see several talented los guitarreros viejos (the old guitarists) playing folk music that's lasted for centuries, all for the few coins that people donate.

Departing the Old Market, you will next see Independence Square. Located at the border of the Old City and the new city center, Independence Square is the heart of the city, and is surrounded by an interesting array of architectural styles. From the square you will see the statue and mausoleum of General Artigas (considered the father of Uruguay), the Ciudadela gate, and the Palacio Estévez (the former Presidential palace). You will also see Parliament Palace. The palace houses Uruguay's parliament in a very impressive Neo-Classical building, completed in 1925.

Next you will visit the romantic neighborhood “El Prado." This residential neighborhood is home to impressive mansions on tree-lined streets built in the early 20th century. Nearby, you will see Cerro de Montevideo, a beautiful green park with several impressive monuments.

You will also visit Carrasco. Located on the city's southeast coast, this neighborhood was originally an elegant seaside resort. However, it eventually became the city's most exclusive bedroom community. Carrasco is regarded as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Montevideo, and features a wide range of architectural styles.

Departing Carrasco you will visit famous Rambla, the avenue that goes all along the coastline of Montevideo and features a string of beautiful beaches. This area provides a great environment for jogging, walking, biking, fishing, or just relaxing in the sun.

Departing Rambla you will be returned to your ship.

The cost of the tour is listed as $55. It is 3 hours in duration. I haven't booked yet, intending to do it this week. I found out about the tour in an email from *************.com . I can forward you a copy of the email if you like.

Thank you for the information

Please forward copy of the email , the tour sound very interest.

Hello, this is the Montevideo Town Tour info:

 

Escape the crowded cruise line tours on this exclusive and excellent Montevideo Highlights Tour, which includes Old Town, Port Market, Parliament Palace and the Rambla.

Your tour begins when you meet your professional guide at the pier and climb aboard our air-conditioned vehicle. Your first stop will be historic Old Town. Until 1829, a wall that protected it from possible invasions surrounded Old Town. After the wall was torn down, the only part that was kept was its gateway, which remains an emblem of this part of town. Old Town has the most beautiful buildings from the Colonial era and the first decades of independence. The Cabildo (built in 1812), the Solís Theatre, the Metropolitan Cathedral and several museums, like the Museo Torres García, are among the most impressive ones. Several design shops and recycled loft floors flourish in the streets near the port.

Next you will visit Port Market. The market was completed in 1885 and is a must for the tourist who arrives in Montevideo, whether for its traditional foods or to view the historic culture of the city. While there you may see several talented los guitarreros viejos (the old guitarists) playing folk music that's lasted for centuries, all for the few coins that people donate.

Departing the Old Market, you will next see Independence Square. Located at the border of the Old City and the new city center, Independence Square is the heart of the city, and is surrounded by an interesting array of architectural styles. From the square you will see the statue and mausoleum of General Artigas (considered the father of Uruguay), the Ciudadela gate, and the Palacio Estévez (the former Presidential palace). You will also see Parliament Palace. The palace houses Uruguay's parliament in a very impressive Neo-Classical building, completed in 1925.

Next you will visit the romantic neighborhood “El Prado." This residential neighborhood is home to impressive mansions on tree-lined streets built in the early 20th century. Nearby, you will see Cerro de Montevideo, a beautiful green park with several impressive monuments.

You will also visit Carrasco. Located on the city's southeast coast, this neighborhood was originally an elegant seaside resort. However, it eventually became the city's most exclusive bedroom community. Carrasco is regarded as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Montevideo, and features a wide range of architectural styles.

Departing Carrasco you will visit famous Rambla, the avenue that goes all along the coastline of Montevideo and features a string of beautiful beaches. This area provides a great environment for jogging, walking, biking, fishing, or just relaxing in the sun.

Departing Rambla you will be returned to your ship.

 

The cost of the tour is listed as $55. It is 3 hours in duration. I haven't booked yet, intending to do it this week. I found out about the tour in an email from *************.com . I can forward you a copy of the email if you like.

please forward info to

Lsmeadephd (at) aol (dot) com

Thank you!

In Argentina we used both American dollars and AR pesos. Our private tours in both Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn were paid in American dollars.

In Montevideo we found that American dollars were widely accepted in shops which catered to tourists. The restaurants in the wonderful Mercado del Puerto posted their exchange rates for American dollars, but we used a credit card for a two wonderful meals there. Across from the Mercado del Puerto is a craft co-op, and I purchased two pairs of earrings there; they accepted Uruguayan pesos, AR pesos and American dollars.

At Port Stanley our private tour was paid in American dollars.

Due to high winds we missed Punta Arenas, but in Puerto Montt we used American dollars again for a private tour. We also were able to use American dollars at a small empanada stand. While I didn't do any souvenir shopping I was told my other passengers that they were able to use American dollars at souvenir/gift stores at that port.

Hello, this is the Montevideo Town Tour info:

 

Escape the crowded cruise line tours on this exclusive and excellent Montevideo Highlights Tour, which includes Old Town, Port Market, Parliament Palace and the Rambla.

Your tour begins when you meet your professional guide at the pier and climb aboard our air-conditioned vehicle. Your first stop will be historic Old Town. Until 1829, a wall that protected it from possible invasions surrounded Old Town. After the wall was torn down, the only part that was kept was its gateway, which remains an emblem of this part of town. Old Town has the most beautiful buildings from the Colonial era and the first decades of independence. The Cabildo (built in 1812), the Solís Theatre, the Metropolitan Cathedral and several museums, like the Museo Torres García, are among the most impressive ones. Several design shops and recycled loft floors flourish in the streets near the port.

Next you will visit Port Market. The market was completed in 1885 and is a must for the tourist who arrives in Montevideo, whether for its traditional foods or to view the historic culture of the city. While there you may see several talented los guitarreros viejos (the old guitarists) playing folk music that's lasted for centuries, all for the few coins that people donate.

Departing the Old Market, you will next see Independence Square. Located at the border of the Old City and the new city center, Independence Square is the heart of the city, and is surrounded by an interesting array of architectural styles. From the square you will see the statue and mausoleum of General Artigas (considered the father of Uruguay), the Ciudadela gate, and the Palacio Estévez (the former Presidential palace). You will also see Parliament Palace. The palace houses Uruguay's parliament in a very impressive Neo-Classical building, completed in 1925.

Next you will visit the romantic neighborhood “El Prado." This residential neighborhood is home to impressive mansions on tree-lined streets built in the early 20th century. Nearby, you will see Cerro de Montevideo, a beautiful green park with several impressive monuments.

You will also visit Carrasco. Located on the city's southeast coast, this neighborhood was originally an elegant seaside resort. However, it eventually became the city's most exclusive bedroom community. Carrasco is regarded as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Montevideo, and features a wide range of architectural styles.

Departing Carrasco you will visit famous Rambla, the avenue that goes all along the coastline of Montevideo and features a string of beautiful beaches. This area provides a great environment for jogging, walking, biking, fishing, or just relaxing in the sun.

Departing Rambla you will be returned to your ship.

 

The cost of the tour is listed as $55. It is 3 hours in duration. I haven't booked yet, intending to do it this week. I found out about the tour in an email from *************.com . I can forward you a copy of the email if you like.

In Chile many places will require local currency.

Keith

Thank You for the information concerning the currencies. For anyone that would like information on the Montevideo tour, please provide an email address that I can send to. Thanks

We're boarding the Star Princess at Rio to Chile, 4 Jan - 18 Jan 2016. I just heard this crazy information from couples who have been on a cruise to SA. Please verify the accuracy. US dollars have to be crisp with no folds on the edges???

Yes, banks or money changers don't want anything but crisp greenbacks. Anything written on bills disqualifies them.

Meanwhile, the Argentinian peso now effectively has two exchange rates. The unofficial rate is nearly double what banks give for your dollars. Clearly, it pays to exchange dollars at the unofficial rate. Some hotels do it. Ask around.

I don't think that there is much illegal about this because the practice is nowadays so widespread.

We're boarding the Star Princess at Rio to Chile, 4 Jan - 18 Jan 2016. I just heard this crazy information from couples who have been on a cruise to SA. Please verify the accuracy. US dollars have to be crisp with no folds on the edges???

We paid most of our private shore excursions in US currency, and yes, the vendors we used did indeed want the bills to be in excellent shape. Since cruise ships are one of the few places which accept traveler's checks we actually purchased traveler's checks before we left and cashed them in on the ship. Given the amount of US currency we needed for that B2B2B series of cruises using traveler's checks meant that we didn't have to deal with a thick wad of US currency.

And "barante" has alluded to the Argentinian "blue" rate pesos. There is information on the blue rate both on Cruise Critic and other travel sites.

We paid most of our private shore excursions in US currency, and yes, the vendors we used did indeed want the bills to be in excellent shape. Since cruise ships are one of the few places which accept traveler's checks we actually purchased traveler's checks before we left and cashed them in on the ship. Given the amount of US currency we needed for that B2B2B series of cruises using traveler's checks meant that we didn't have to deal with a thick wad of US currency.

 

And "barante" has alluded to the Argentinian "blue" rate pesos. There is information on the blue rate both on Cruise Critic and other travel sites.

Thanks for this information. I was starting to doubt the use of Traveler's Checks. I am glad we are able to cash them on board Cruise Ship.

Do you know if Curise Ships also deal with other currencies as well, besides $US?

Thanks,

Talking about currencies if you have a travel card loaded with US$ can you withdraw them on board as well, at the ATM or Casino/ Guest Services? We r doing a B2B2B around South America and this would be a great way of us not carrying lots of cash. Would it have to be an international travel card or just any as we are Australian. Any help much appreciated[emoji4]

Since cruise ships are one of the few places which accept traveler's checks we actually purchased traveler's checks before we left and cashed them in on the ship.

I read that cruise ships this cash traveler's checks on a post from several years ago but wasn't sure if that was still the case. Have you cashed them recently?

I found it on NCL's website. They do cash travelers checks at the Guest Services Desk.

https://www.ncl.com/faq#currency

Talking about currencies if you have a travel card loaded with US$ can you withdraw them on board as well, at the ATM or Casino/ Guest Services? We r doing a B2B2B around South America and this would be a great way of us not carrying lots of cash. Would it have to be an international travel card or just any as we are Australian. Any help much appreciated[emoji4]

I'm not sure what cards are accepted onboard. I know my CBA debit card is and the ATMs onboard do have US money. So a normal debit card should work. ATMs are normally near the casino. You can also exchange money at guest services or get notes changed into different denominations. I need to find out this info too. I'll email my PCC and get back to you. I'm not a fan of the Aus travel cards as they usually take 5% off the value of the dollar when exchanging whereas my debit card takes 3%.

I have emailed my PCC and he has confirmed there is an ATM onboard the Norwegian Sun and it gives you US dollars-unsure if they are the blue crisp new ones, (needed to exchange for ARG pesos), but I'll be able to pay for my private tours with them. If you need any of the local currency you can exchange or if you need to change notes you can do this at Guest Services.

Extra Information

Falklands -I'll be getting GBR pounds to pay for my tour. Yes, they do accept US dollars, but that's two lots of exchange fees, instead of one.

I read that cruise ships this cash traveler's checks on a post from several years ago but wasn't sure if that was still the case. Have you cashed them recently?

The use of traveler's check I was referring to was on a B2B2B series of South American cruises on the Celebrity Infinity. For that B2B2B series we boarded the ship on February 15, 2015. Since we live in the US our traveler's checks were denominated in US currency, so when we cashed X amount at Guest Relations they just gave us X amount of physical cash. Since we had traveler's checks left over from that South American series we took them on a recent Celebrity Equinox B2B2B series and again converted them into US currency for on-board extra tips to our butler and other staff.

While we found US dollars very widely accepted for all those South American ports, we did realize that the ship had no Chilean currency onboard. I have no idea if the Infinity had any other South American currency. It was somewhat surprising when we learned that as on the now departed Celebrity Century in the fall of 2014 while on a South Pacific cruise a friend converted a small amount of US dollars into Vanuatu (if my memory is correct as to the country); she wanted the colorful currency for a grandchild who collects foreign bills. The currency was absolutely beautiful which was why she was showing it to me.

I found it on NCL's website. They do cash travelers checks at the Guest Services Desk.

https://www.ncl.com/faq#currency

Well...My sister is going on an NCL next weekend and she just called NCL. She was told they do NOT cash travelers checks onboard. So who do you believe?

Well...My sister is going on an NCL next weekend and she just called NCL. She was told they do NOT cash travelers checks onboard. So who do you believe?

I would go with the NCL as maybe the website hasn't been updated. I can't help with advice on Travellers check as I haven't used them for forty years. My advice would be to take a debit card so she can withdraw money onboard.

We just completed our cruise on HAL Zaandam a few days ago. We were able to change money on the ship, and change back to USD at the end. The rate may not have been quite as good, but we never changed large amounts and it was really easy.

In Brazil you must have Brazilian Reals. Most places take Visa, but no USD cash accepted.

In Chile, some places took USD, but you will have more flexibility if you have some Chilean Pesos.

We had a tour in Montevideo, then later used Visa at a restaurant. I think dollars were accepted.

Argentina is a weird story: there is the "official" rate of roughly 9.5, which is what banks and credit cards use. Then there is a "blue dollar" rate of about 14.5, which is technically illegal but very widely and openly available on the streets. To further complicate things, they just had a presidential election so no one knows what will happen to that currency, and there is a lot of counterfeit. American dollars are happily accepted and actually preferred almost everywhere, but the bills must be in perfect condition with no tears or marks.

FYI, We just finished a Buenos Aires to Santiago cruise on the Sun with 6 days in Argentina at the front end to see Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires. Thankfully we brought enough cash to pay for everything because we had a terrible time getting money from an ATM. Using two different bank cards we were only able to get money one time and all we could get was 2000 pesos (with an 82 peso fee). The walking tour guide said they can't keep money in the ATMs because the peso has devalued so much and they have no large denomination bills so the machines don't hold much money. We had to have pesos for the Iguazu Falls entrance fee but everything else, their shops, restaurants and boat rides did take credit cards. Fortunately, our hotel in Iguazu had change for $150 so we could get in the second day. We exchanged some more at the AEP airport when we flew back from Iguazu at 14.30 pesos/$

We were in Punta Arenas on a Sunday. The cruise lecturer said the banks would be closed but the ATMs would still be available but we tried 5 different banks after we returned from our excursion at 5 andall were locked. Luckily everyone accepted US during the cruise and our guide for a walking tour in Valparaiso took us to an exchange place when we got enough for the day and the (very nice) bus to Santiago and the airport.

please end contact information for Montevideo town tour - will be there March 2017. janeclough@ymail.com thank you