Currencies in different coutries

[librarycin]

Hi. I will be doing a British Isles cruise in June and I am trying to figure out what different currencies I'll need to bring if I plan to buy anything on land at each port.

 

We leave from and end in Amsterdam (the euro, I assume). The trip includes ports in Scotland; Northern Ireland; Ireland; St. Peter Port, Channel Islands; Le Havre, France (again, I'm assuming the euro).

 

I figure we'll also need British pounds in there somewhere...

 

Sorry - I've never been outside Canada or the US yet, so I'm a little clueless! :rolleyes:

 

Can anyone help me out with what type of currency we'll need for this trip? Thanks so much!

[Twickenham]

Amsterdam, Ireland, Le Havre: Euro

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands: Pounds

You'll probably want to buy some travellers cheques in both currencies, or alternately you could plan on using your ATM card in port. Start watching the price of each currency now, so you'll get a feel for what is a good price to buy at, and what is expensive.

 

I just noticed you're from Alberta. I can tell you right now, the price of the Pound is looking mighty good - XE is giving CAD1.96/GBP1.00. Anything under $2 is a very good exchange rate indeed! If I were you, I'd probably buy a few pounds right now, since I've rarely, if ever, seen the price a lot lower than this (of course, it'll probably plummet to $1.80 after I give you this advice! LOL) Seriously, though, I've travelled to the UK 8 times in the last 25 years, and the lowest exchange I ever got was $1.97...

[Keith1010]

I would not purchase travelers checks. They are not widely accepted as they are in the USA. You can use your ATM card to obtain local currency or you can go to your local bank in the USA ahead of time. The ATM will give you a more favorable rate.

 

Also, for both your ATM and your credit cards be sure to contact the respective banks to give them your travel dates and the countries that you will be visiting so that they don't think there is fraud on your cards.

 

Keith

[Twickenham]

I would not purchase travelers checks. They are not widely accepted as they are in the USA.

This is very true. Don't expect to be able to cash travellers cheques in smaller stores and restaurants, and the larger establishments will ask to see your passport. But I still use them because the couple of times that I've tried to use ATMs in the UK, they didn't work for me! So, before you rely solely on your ATM, just double-check with your bank that you will be able to use them in Europe (I know loads of people have no problem, it's probably just me!:D )

I do find, however, that I get a better exchange rate purchasing travellers cheques at the CAA versus currency at my local bank, but obviously check this out as well before you buy - yeah, that's another thing, the exchange rate will be different for different banks/financial institutions, so shop around. When I bring travellers cheques going to the UK, I usually cash most at Heathrow since their Bureaux de Change don't charge a commission. Not sure if it's the same at Amsterdam Airport, but worth a try.

[librarycin]

Thank you both for all the advice. I am used to using traveller's cheques (having only ever travelled to the US outside Canada!), so I had planned to use them on this trip as well. I will ask at my bank to find out if my ATM card will work.

 

I will also likely bring cash - in fact, that might be enough, as I don't expect to spend too much on shore: a few little souvenirs, but that's probably it!

 

Thanks again!

Cindy

[ab0si]

Nothing related to political entities is simple in the U.K. Each of the home countries has its own banknotes. The English ones are usually accepted elsewhere, but trying to use a Scottish one (for example) in the Channel Islands might not work.

 

Paul

[Keith1010]

Thank you both for all the advice. I am used to using traveller's cheques (having only ever travelled to the US outside Canada!), so I had planned to use them on this trip as well. I will ask at my bank to find out if my ATM card will work.

 

I will also likely bring cash - in fact, that might be enough, as I don't expect to spend too much on shore: a few little souvenirs, but that's probably it!

 

Thanks again!

Cindy

 

Enjoy the cruise. A British Isles Cruise is wonderful.

 

Keith

[rsquare]

Nothing related to political entities is simple in the U.K. Each of the home countries has its own banknotes. The English ones are usually accepted elsewhere, but trying to use a Scottish one (for example) in the Channel Islands might not work.

 

Paul

We've just been through this because our bank for some reason gave us Northern Ireland banknotes. As near as I can determine, Scottish banknotes are accepted nearly everywhere in the British Isles, although sometimes with a bit of difficulty (boy behind the counter at the Stansted Airport Burger King had never seen one, but the manager quickly OK'd it). Northern Ireland banknotes are a little more iffy, and Guernsey banknotes even more difficult to pass, although all can be exchanged for Bank fo England notes at any bank. One advantage is that Scotland still has a one-pound note, whereas the single pound is a rather thick and heavy coin elsewhere in the UK.

 

Librarycin, are you on Century's May 29 cruise? Itinerary sounds identical, though I don't think I've seen you post on the Roll Call for the cruise, which you might find helpful.

[librarycin]

Librarycin, are you on Century's May 29 cruise? Itinerary sounds identical, though I don't think I've seen you post on the Roll Call for the cruise, which you might find helpful.

 

Hi! Yes - that's the one I'm on. (I've also just added a countdown to my signature as well.) I haven't posted on the roll call yet. I probably will soon, though.

 

Thanks!

Cindy

[Hlitner]

Travelers Checks are about as obsolete as the Model T Ford. In fact, other than on cruise ships, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cash TCs..and many banks want to see a passport or other very good ID. Its also common to pay a premium to cash TCs (the exchange rates are usually less than cash). If you buy TCs in a foreign currency, you will pay a fee when you buy the things (and you do not get a great exchange rate) and you will pay more in an awful exhange rate when you return home with extra TCs. So, what to do? Simply use ATMs just like at home. Sure, buy a few TCs in your own currency for emergencies, but rely on ATMs to get you the best rates with no hassle. Just make sure you have a 4 digit PIN,, know it in numbers (no letters on many European ATMS), and notify your issuing bank of your itinerary before you leave home (avoids any security alerts).

 

Hank

[insidecabin]

As a follow up to this,

 

A good way to exchange money is with fellow passengers that may need the other currency

 

If you are on a US ship in $ then check on the rollcall for UK/EU passengers and arrange to do a swap for some $ early on at the mid rate so you both save money. ($ handy for tips/casino).

 

For UK/EU people on princess ships it is worth checking if the onboard exchange machine is giving a good rate to convert £ or eur to $ they were a year back.

[time4me2fly]

I think it's also important to know the ship's registry. When you tell your bank and credit card company what countries you will visit, remember to include the country where the ship is registered.

[librarycin]

I think it's also important to know the ship's registry. When you tell your bank and credit card company what countries you will visit, remember to include the country where the ship is registered.

 

Thank you for this tip. I already talked to my credit card company (for something else, and I mentioned the trip, too), but didn't even think of that. I will phone them back later.

 

Cindy

[JanineM]

One other thing to check is the international transaction fee that can/may be applied to Visa transactions. My visa card now has about a 2% transaction fee for anything done in foreign currencies. So I have decided I'll be withdrawing cash and using that for most transactions when we go over in the spring.

 

Also, many Canadians use debit cards that do not have the Visa logo --- those don't work elsewhere the way they do in Canada. If you don't have a card with the Visa logo then you will want to look into this.

 

Janine

Once a Calgarian, Always a Calgarian! :D

[auntdot]

 

Also' date=' many Canadians use debit cards that do not have the Visa logo --- those don't work elsewhere the way they do in Canada. If you don't have a card with the Visa logo then you will want to look into this.

 

Janine

Once a Calgarian, Always a Calgarian! :D[/quote']

 

We have bank cards with Bank of Montreal and Scotiabank - does that mean we can't use them at ATM's in Italy & Greece?? I thought it was ok with the Cirrus or Interac symbols?? We don't have a VISA card!!

:eek:

 

Aunt Dot

[newport dave]

We have bank cards with Bank of Montreal and Scotiabank - does that mean we can't use them at ATM's in Italy & Greece?? I thought it was ok with the Cirrus or Interac symbols?? We don't have a VISA card!!

:eek:

 

Aunt Dot

 

 

We use debit cards alot over here in the UK, all our cards have the Cirrus symbol on the back and can be used supposedly at any cashpoint (ATM) showing the Cirrus symbol....throughout Europe at least.... best thing to do is check with your card issuer

[CruiseKidz]

To save you any hassle ask your bank for Bank of England notes which are accepted in NI, Channel Is and Scotland. The Euro is the currency outside of these places. Be sure to ask for Bank of England notes in your change and where possible change coins to B OF England notes for your convieniece when you change currencies at the end of your trip.:)

[Amlee]

Beware of American Express products in Europe. Be it travelers cheques or credit card, I have found it's not as accepted as it is over here.