currency on baltic cruise

[blue eyes]

can you please tell me what currency to carry? Is it best to get a little of each country ie.poland/russia/finland etc or just to carry us dollars or euros (which one would be best?) It is not as easy as doing the med where euros are generally all that is needed! I would appreciate your comments, thanks.

[f-mattox]

I am looking forward to advice on this also as this will be my first excursion to this part of the world.

[Cruise Fanatic]

I did my Baltic cruise on Celebrity. They used US dollars on the ship. The ship's bank had currency to exchange for each port that we sailed to. Except for Russia. I would think that Pricess would be set up similar. Each port we went to also had ATM or exchanges close by the ship.

[f-mattox]

Thank you very much Cruise Fanatic--that's the information we were looking for.

[waterart]

Although it is a good idea to have currency in foreign ports, if you charge purchases on a credit card (assuming they except the credit cards which are likely), you will get the best exchange rate available in the country at that date. If those ports are similar to others I have been to, the exhange rates near the cruise ports will be higher. The same might be true of exchange rates on the ships.

[Jill SC]

Most of the countries on the Baltic cruise would take Euros and even US currency. Otherwise, the ship will exchange money for you and ATMs are plentiful.

[Cruise Fanatic]

Many credit cards are charging an exchange rate now for each transaction. Check with your credit card company. It's always a good idea to let them know you are leaving the country anyway.

[blue eyes]

many thanks everyone. Think I will take some euros some dollars and leave the rest to change on ship. I appreciate the advice/suggestions.

[Sunprincess]

Blue Eyes,

I would not worry too much about currency exchange. Every place will accept American Dollars easily - along with credit cards.
They do tell you in St. Peterberg to not use dollars, but, vendors on the street did accept them. I paid for a diet coke in the Hermitage with my Visa

I did exchange at the airport upon arrival for some Euro to start. You can also use the Pursers Desk to get small bills. When I was on the Star they had an exchange machine also onboard. Of course a higher rate, but, it's there.

Enjoy your Baltic Cruise - it's awesome.