Thread: Currency exchange

I will be off in a few weeks .. Flying from UK to Beijing then pick up Diamond Princess for 16 day cruise around asia..

Should I get a little currency for each port of call before leaving England ??
Or would I get a better rate in the countries I stop at

China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore,

I already have about a thousand US dollars from a previous trip..

Chris

Originally Posted by Krusty

I will be off in a few weeks .. Flying from UK to Beijing then pick up Diamond Princess for 16 day cruise around asia..

Should I get a little currency for each port of call before leaving England ??
Or would I get a better rate in the countries I stop at

China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore,

I already have about a thousand US dollars from a previous trip..

Chris

Chris the way i look at it you have several options... one you can do as you mentioned in your post..i.e. before your cruise ..
two... you can do it on board the ship.. mots ships have a currency exchange service on board and third you can go to an ATM in the local port of call and withdrawal cash (but your atm card password needs to be a 4 digit code in order to work.)

IMHO....the ATM is the most cost effective way..

Joseph

While I agree with Joey that the ATM is the most cost effective way. I usually take some currency with me for the countries I'm visiting.

The last thing I want to do is hunt down an ATM or currency exchange when there's places to go and things to see

I agree with Joey , the ATM is the best exchange rate. Just make sure you know what it is approximately before you use it. We docked at Vladivostock on the Diamond Princess , went to an ATM without having thought to check the exchane rate . So we just asked for 'so many' rubles. Turns out we had asked for about 5 dollars. We spent it all though. Not much to buy in Vladivostok.

I usually look for the best rates at home, take cash with me of the currency of Countries visiting, and use ATM as a backup. Conversion rates and soon add up.

Also if there are two of you split your cash between you.

Omne good thing about P&O, they have currency onboard & you can charge it to your account.

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

Omne good thing about P&O, they have currency onboard & you can charge it to your account.

They stand the chance of having the worst rate there is.

Originally Posted by Norman

I usually look for the best rates at home, take cash with me of the currency of Countries visiting, and use ATM as a backup. Conversion rates and soon add up.

Also if there are two of you split your cash between you.

surely if your bank goes to the trouble of getting currencies for you you will pay a pretty penny in fees ?

We're taking a cruise next month in Asia as well (2 adults and 3 kids 2-8). As a backup I'll take a credit card of course, but what about traveler cheques - I heard that the exchange rates for traveler cheques are quite better than cash for exchange...is that so? Has anyone ever used travelers cheques in South East Asia...?

The problem with traveller's cheques is then you have to find somewhere to cash them, not many places take traveller's cheques these days. Also you are stuck with the denomination of the cheques. If you only need $20 but you only have $50 cheques that's how much you are cashing. Then you either end up with too much or too little - I have to admit I'm a fan of the ATM. You are paying fees but not the same if you actually go to an exchange house and for convenience it's hard to beat.