Forget t/c not worth the bother,

only need a little cash to start with.

Credit card and Debit card are the way to go these days.

pay as much as possible on the CC and use the DC for cash as needed.

get one that has low/zero exchange charges.

Abbey Zero
Postoffice
Nationwide(now do charge the visa bit but low)

CC is best for the ship

Thanks windjammer. The debit card is not really an option due to the high withdrawal charges that go with it. I do have a Post office CC so that is good. I have a few hundred dollars already as a start, I would assume the best option would be to take sterling cash and exchange over there, would you agree. Also, I am thinking the ports the ship calls at will all use dollars.

Are you sure about the DC fees, mine is usualy OK for cash similar to changing money before I go which uses tourist rates.

Purchases and cash withdrawals overseas are converted into sterling at the exchange rate based on market or government set rates on the date the amount is debited to your account. A 2.75% charge for Barclays handling costs and any VISA processing fees is included in the sterling conversion shown on your statement and applies to all foreign transactions. There is an additional 2% transaction charge (min £1.50 max £4.50) if you withdraw cash overseas via a cash machine or in a bank, except Barclays cash machines or those within the Global Alliance. If you use a cash machine outside the Global Alliance, you may also incur an additional service charge on top. There is a 2% transaction charge (min £1.50 max £4.50) if you use your card in the UK to obtain sterling anywhere other than a cash machine or Barclays branch, and currency or travellers' cheques anywhere other than a Barclays branch or Barclays website or via Barclays Travel Line.

SO using todays rates
£100 on the debit card would use $162.7075 but with the 2.75% charge and 1% visa so about $156 in the pocket.
Post office will give me $157 using the tourist rate today.

Just noticed they have this, no idea how usefull it would be or what the charges are
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump2?catId=19300207&mediaId=26800661

I usualy take $ and get more out as needed with the DC

Caribbean will take US$ just about everywhere.

The ship usualy is expensive to change money so have cash in $.

I would take plenty of $ and use the surplus to pay off some of the on board account
have a back up of £, which you can bring back if not used.

If you preload the post office CC with cash that would cost 2.5% to take money out(no exhange rate loading) that might be cheaper than the DC.

Problem is if you stay after the cruise deciding how much $ to keep back, CC will cover mosts spends in US so a few hundred with £ backup.

Hi Beegee,

Why don't you set up a Nationwide flex account (current account), put your money in before you go on holiday and use th DC to withdraw/spend when you want it. They will only charge you 1%, for cash witdrawals/purchasess, outside europe, no charge in europe (i think?) and you usually get a better rate than you would in resort, with no worries of carrying large sums of cash.

Not sure when your going in October but it takes about two weeks for your card to come so it may be an option for the future.

Regards

Ezzigo

Windjammer, there would be dc charge of 4.75% on withrawals although you would get a good rate. I was thinking that taking sterling and exchanging there would be the better option ( although I may be wrong ! ). Not too keen on the travel card, still various charges with that.

Ezzigo, going on 06/10 so too late for Nationwide card, did not really want to apply for another card anyway. It also appears their charges are on the increase.

Not sure what tourist rate you would get in the US always had enough $ for the last few years.

Todays rate is 0.6183 so £100 is $162

looking at http://www.travelex.com

On the US site £100 costs $175 ( $13 charge 7.4% ) £1000==$1751
on the Uk site £100 buys $157 ( $5 charge 3.2% ) £1000==$1565

so looks like comissions are higher in the US.

Changing cash they just HIDE the charge in the rate you HAVE to look at both charges and rate when comparing.

Hi Beegee,

The Nationwide charges have only just come in at the begining of July as previously there wasn't any, thats why alot of people on hear recommended it for foreign travel, however there is still no charges in Europe and a small charge elsewhere. We just have ours for using abroad and save a little each month then load it up before we go, as we find this more covenient than taking cash. Each to there own I supose lol

Just had to phone nationwide
The nationwide charge, is a charge from VISA, that they used to absorb.
However it is 0.84% so is much better than some other cards and you shall get better exchange rates, plus you only take out what you need. (so taking out $100 dollars, would be an 84 cent charge)
I am still going to be using it when I am in the US next summer

Be aware that many of the ATM's in the US impose their own fee. However you would have to pay this whichever bank's card you had.

luci

Also be aware that some cards are not widely accepted over in America. Luckily we had several cards with us, and it depended on the weather LOL if your card was accepted or not. Some English people behind me were experiencing the same difficulties, and this occurred at several different locations. Found it very hit and miss to be honest. Wish I had taken more dollars with me to start with, and left them in the hotel safe.

Take lots of small denominations, $1 and $5's for taxis,tips, snacks.. or you might get change in a currency you don't want and can't exchange, or from some vendors and taxi drivers- they "don't have any change"...