Money Matters

The managing of vacation money has become much simpler in the last decade or so. Credit and debit cards have made life easier and foreign exchange is not a problem in most areas of the world. However it is still advisable to come prepared with hard cash and travellers' checks/cheques.

How to take money abroad

Consider the following with regards to your money when travelling abroad:

• Decide first of all how much in total you are likely to need and spend
• Then decide what proportions of that total you need to take in cash (ie foreign currency), how much in travellers' checks/cheques, and how much can be left to be picked up by our plastic friends.
• Buy your desired amounts of foreign currency well before you go on your trip - that way you'll get the chance to shop around for the best deals
• Currency exchange facilities are also often available on board the ship and in port terminals.
• It is useful to carry your credit or debit cards with you as most destinations will have ATMs from which you can withdraw money. This way you can avoid carring large quantities and a wide range of currencies around with you from the outset.
• You should consider taking out protection cover on your cards in case they are lost or stolen. Ask your bank about the best way to do this and what their procedure is for lost and stolen cards whilst you are abroad and how you can then get money.
• Make a note of the emergency number for cancellation should your credit or debit cards be lost or stolen.
• Euro notes and coins have completely replaced the old currencies of countries that make up the Euro area. These countries are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia. Note that the UK, Denmark and Sweden are not part of the Euro area and therefore retain their traditional currencies.
• Try to take more than one form of money with you: a mixture of cash and travellers checks plus debit and credit cards.
• Note that if you have to use money transfer companies these now ask to see photographic ID with every transaction - even banks now usually ask to see such ID before cashing travellers' checks.
• Make sure you have enough money to cover emergencies (when on-shore this should include sufficient cash to pay for taxis back again).
• Check the expiry dates of your credit cards before you travel.
• Make a separate note of the numbers and details (including numbers on the back) of any credit cards that you take on vacation - leave a copy at home and also take the note with you.
• Check your credit cards are accepted in the countries you are visiting - in some countries you won't be able to use credit cards at all so you must have alternative forms of money with you for these places.

Travellers checks

• These are just as popular as they have always been. They are as safe as any form of money can be as long as you are careful with them.
• If they are lost or stolen they will usually be replaced within 24 hours.
• They are accepted in banks and currency exchanges in most parts of the world.
• You can buy them in almost any currency but you should just make sure before you travel that you have selected a currency that will be commonly accepted in whatever part of the world you are visiting.
• US Dollar Travellers Checks are accepted and exchanged almost anywhere as indeed are Euro and Sterling Checks.
• Remember that almost all Banks and Exchanges need you to present your passport at the same time that you are exchanges the checks for currency.

Keeping Money Safe

• Carry only as much money as you need for the day
• Use a money belt or secure inside pocket.
• Leave the rest of your money in a safe on board
• Don't keep your credit cards, passport, money and travellers cheques together in the same place in case they are lost or stolen.
• Leave a credit card at home with family or friends in case of an emergency.
• Leave details of travellers cheques with family or friends in case you loose them.
• Don't carry all your cards with you - leave at least one on board in a safe.

Back to Vacation Advice.