Money in Western Caribbean Ports

[hec202]

Going on a Western Caribbean cruise in October (to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan). Wondering if you could give me some insight into the money situations in each place - as in whether each place takes American Dollars or if I will have to change money etc. I read somewhere that if I use American Dollars I should make sure to have small bills, is that true?

For my last cruise I took travelers checks with me and used them at the end of the cruise to pay off my Sign & Sail account (so it wouldn't all go on my credit card). Can I take travelers checks again and cash them in at the desk in the Atrium to get cash for the days in port?

Any insight you all could offer would be great! Thanks!

 

[bob]

The simple answer to pretty much all of your concerns is yes.
True on the small bills in Mexico, Belize and Roatan, reason being is that they will give you local currency in change, you can't cash it in when you get back home, so the concept behind 5's and 1's is that it keeps your losses at a minimum, and usually what i do is on the way back to the pier i try to spot one of the street urchins that looks like they could really be deserving and just give them my change, especially in Mexico. you've given up a couple of bucks and given them a weeks worth of their local dollars and you get some really neat smiles out of it.
Travelers Checks are always good as gold, but toward the end of a cruise Customer Relations might be running a little short on cash if they have been hit on a lot so take enough to convert into port cash but if you have the money set aside anyway just let the credit card fly and pay it off when you get home, all comes out of the same pocket.

 

[earl_m]

I think you can change your travel checks in the Casino.

 

[Corky]

Yes, you can take Travelers Checks. What we do is take enough for each Port, then, the night before we are to arrive at the next Port we go to the Pursuers Desk and cash in enough for that Port. Works every time and your money is safe being in Travelers Checks.

Enjoy and Bon Voyage!!

 

[sdaniel105]

Last time I was in MIA there were booths where you can exchange Pesos, Lempiras and I am sure whatever they use in Belize. We did a week long dive trip to Roatan 10 yrs ago and had no problem getting rid of our Lempiras.

If you can use a CC use it. With the exception of GC most of the shops in Mexico and Roatan use a conversion rate that is easy to work with and not the current exchange rate. Sometime this may go in your favor, but many time not.

GC always uses $1.25USD to $1CID.

Sean

 

[Slitelyused]

Money matters,,

I just returned from western Carribean on the Conquest,,,what a magnificant ship and crew.,We carried small bills,,,abour 20 $1's twoo or three $5's and never used them,,,Everywhere we went took Visa gladly,,and they do a conversion right there on line. There is also several ATM's on the ship you can get cash on CC and Debit cards.,,The cashiers cage in th casino is most helpful with cash also.