We've never changed money onboard ship, but from what I remember there was a commission charge of something like 2.5% to even cash a sterling cheque into sterling

If you wanted to change a sterling cheque to say euros, the exchange rate was very poor. Better to cash the in port.

luci

thanks think i will just take euros wont need that many as we got a free upgrade to all inclusive.Because we booked last june.Not long to go now just hope weather will be ok as it is quite early.

if I were you i'd get euros from the post office (seems to be the best rates) and then use your card in ATM if you need any more...if you have a Nationwide card ...you don't pay commission to use it abroad but may be wise to let them know you are going!

Remember too that all charges on board will be to your Island charge card, as the ship operates a "cashless" system. The only thing you will need euros for is your port visits/trips spending.

I am with the others here travellers Cheques are just an inconvenience these days stopped using them years ago.

Stick to cards and cash,

We usualy get money(£100+casino money) out at the airport on the way out and take our surplus $,eur from previous trips, when the local curency gets low get some more out from a cash machine or change a few £ localy, but try to use the Nationwide CC for as much as possible some days we only spend a few eur cash in port usualy local transport.

Onboard is cashless except for extra tips and the casino, so make sure you have CC to set up your account. If we do well in the casino we pay of the bill with that money.

As you are AI you won't need a lot, Spa,trips,shop,pay restaurant.

I'm going on a Baltic cruise and will be stopping off at a couple of non Euro locations. I will probably change a few pounds on board for these but otherwise I've never changed money on board. In fact, because of the cashless system we find we don't don't a lot of cash with us.

Hi Lesman
We went on the Island Escape last year and it was really good. We took euros with us for tips (only the cabin steward) and trips. We also where all inclusive and therefore we didn't have a large bill.
The shopping for designer watches is really good on board. I bought a DKNY watch for a quater of the price it is in the jewellery shop for.
The all inc is great as it includes good brands like smirnoff and bodingtons etc. Enjoy yourself.

Liz.

When we were in Baltic last year we took a couple of hundred euros with us and found they were accepted in all Baltic ports, including non-euro destinations, although we did not spend in St Petersburg so not sure for there. Don't use large notes though, normally any change is given in local currency.