What currency in the Caribbean?

[alvin moondust]

Hi all,

 

Just wondering If anyone can confirm what currency we will need in The Caribbean, Islands include Antigua, Bonnaire, St Lucia Ocho Rios etc.

 

Im assuming U.S Dollar travellers cheques but am I right

 

thanks

[cb at sea]

U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. Just try to have smaller bills for small purchases. You don't want to use a $100 bill for a $3 purchase!!!! You don't want local currency as change! I would cash TC's BEFORE you go ashore...not everyone will accept them.

[Langley Cruisers]

The American dollar is accepted Caribbean-wide, but I would not recommend using travellers' checks in port. Take cash. I know it may not seem as safe to do so, but many merchants do not want to take TC because of the quality of forgeries these days.

[Coolmama_1]

I have not been at an island yet that didn't take US currency. We also have a Capital One CC that has no foreign transaction fee that we have used for larger purchases.

[Krazy Kruizers]

you can cash your traveler's checks on the ship -- take small bills with you -- ones and fives -- for a larger purchase -- select a credit card that you aren't worried about -- low limit

[WillieD13]

U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. You don't want local currency as change!

 

I always try to get some small change in the local currency, as a souvenir. Ironically, on our last trip I had trouble getting a Bahamanian Dollar bill in Nassau. All they had in the cash register was U.S. Dollars. Bermudan quarters are great, specially if you are a referee and need to do coin flips, because there is a head (QE II) on one side, and a bird with a very long tail on the reverse.

[Snorkel Dawg]

We go to our bank at home (at our leisure) & get a nice breakdown of American cash before each trip. We'll take some 100's, some 50s, several 20s, 10s, & usually a hundred in singles. We'll take a lil bit on each island & the rest in the cabin safe. The singles are great for tipping & barganing on island purchases

 

 

Nothing worse than wasting your vaulable vacation time waiting in line to change bills at the pursers desk (or wherever). There is ALWAYS something better to be doing on the ship! :)

[printingchick]

I read today that most vendors and service people in Guadeloupe will ONLY accept Euros. Everywhere else I've been to or researched accepts US$.

[Snorkel Dawg]

Same thing I read prior to visiting there in 09 but once there we encountered no problems using the American dollar.

[Putterdude]

While a number of the islands have their own currency any that I have been to accept $US. However, I would cash my TCs before I went ashore as they are very hard to cash these days.

[mrsfuzzmo]

I didn't even know people use Traveler's Cheques anymore. We always just take cash and a credit card. We use cash (USD) for small purchases, snacks and taxis and put meals and larger purchases (anything over $20) on our credit card. Works out great!

[Putterdude]

We are able to purchase AMEX travelers checks at our bank commission free and always carry at least $500 worth with us in case we run short of cash (which we have been known to do). I think you would be surprised at the volume of t/c that get cashed at a pursers' desks...it saves on ATM fees.