British isles cruise

[TGiggles]

This is my husband and I first trip out of country. We are flying from America over to Gatwick and taking Disney transfer to the port. For currency exchange what and where is the best place to get euros and pounds. Does the cruise ship have a place to do the exchange? Any tips while travelling abroad would be helpful.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is my husband and I first trip out of country. We are flying from America over to Gatwick and taking Disney transfer to the port. For currency exchange what and where is the best place to get euros and pounds. Does the cruise ship have a place to do the exchange? Any tips while travelling abroad would be helpful.

You're likely to get the best exchange by using an ATM. You can exchange cash onboard the ship for Pounds/Euros, but the exchange rate won't be all that great.
You do that at Guest Services.

 

[mmmears]

Don't count on being able to do the currency exchange on board. DCL told me on the phone that there would be UK Pounds on board when we were on the Magic last summer, but Guest Services said all they have is Euros (which we couldn't use in any of the 4 countries we visited). ATMs are usually your best option.

 

[MotherKnowsBest]

I always get a small amount of cash (pounds or euros or whatever) from our bank at home before we leave. And then I mostly use my credit card while traveling.

 

[Marc D]

Like in most places in Europe, you’ll be able to do most transactions using a credit card. Try to use a card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee. Also, when offered, never choose the option to be charged in US dollars on the CC terminal. The conversion rate used then will be much worst than the one charged by your credit card.

The best way to get pounds is to use an ATM. You’ll find them everywhere, including inside Gatwick. Only use ATM from major British banks, and not those privately owned.

 

[disneylove69]

Use a credit card whenever possible. If you dont use all your cash then you will have to pay the rate again trying to convert back to dollars. Make sure to let your bank know which card will be used so they dont shut off.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We always find an A TM at the arrival airport to get a small amount of local currency. Then we just use credit cards or if you are in the first port of many that will use Euros get some of those at the port terminal ATM. You will find that you really don’t use much in actual currency unless you are in a small market to buy souvenirs or you just want to buy water or a drink and of course for tips if you are take a tour, although the tour guides will be happy to take US dollars too. We always take $100 in 1s, 5s and 10s to use for tips. And usually about $300 or so in 20s to add to the tip envelopes for servers and our cabin steward at the end of the cruise, in addition to the tips that go on our room charge, we add something extra in cash depending on the length of the cruise and the service, I’ve added as much as 100 for the steward and usually around 50 for a good server. And at the end of the cruise I always leave extra for my barista in the Cove and a favorite bartender.

We always seem to end up with extra currency when we get home. I keep it all in an envelope...pesos, euros, pounds, etc. and try to remember to take it on our next trip.

If this is your first time out of the country, try to conform to local customs so you don’t come off as ugly Americans. Cover up in churches, don’t be too loud, say thank you a lot, smile and be nice. And if you have the chance to talk to locals, do it. We have been all over the world and find that most people from other countries love to,talk to Americans. I don’t know what your political Bent, but Be prepared for anti Trump sentiment which seems to be rampant. If you disagree, just nod politely and change the subject. If you agree, then have at it! Political discussions with non Americans can be so much fun. And if you are traveling the British Isles, Brits and Scots love to rant about Brexit, either for or against. Another fun discussion.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

[QUOTE="cedricandsophie, post: 60824913,
And if you are traveling the British Isles, Brits and Scots love to rant about Brexit, either for or against. Another fun discussion.
[/QUOTE]
Not to be pedantic, but... the British Isles is made up of Great Britain, Ireland, Hebrides and a host of small islands; Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales. So ‘Brits’ includes Scottish people and we wouldn’t say ‘Brits and Scots’. And if you think that the English and Scots like to talk politics, you should try visiting Wales and Ireland!
Great advice though. Also, in the UK, the thing that we can’t mention is normally about 10%.

 

[FSU Girl]

I like to get cash before I leave the country. I bank with both Chase and Bank of America so I called them to find out which bank had the better exchange rate and went with them. They usually have to order the money and it can take around a week for it to come in. We mostly used credit cards and the cash for tipping, but its always good to have some on hand in case of an emergency. Also try and use a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

 

[kiford]

We usually take no more than about 20-50 pounds or Euros (depending on where we are going) mostly just to use for a quick snack or small purchase in the airport if we want before heading out or for tips, occasionally for taxis (we found it faster to use cash for taxis in London). We normally just keep whatever we have left over from previous trips and get more from ATMs if need be although we mainly use credit card everywhere. We never bother to re-exchange when we get back because we will just use it for the next trip. We have a handful of Euros that we've been whittling at for a few years because we hardly ever use them, especially on cruises where the bulk of our purchases are credit card and on board ship (also credit card but most of our tours are through DCL).

 

[pjacobi]

Since this is your first trip to London, but sure to read up on how to fight jet lag. If you follow your natural instincts and sleep at the wrong time, it will only make recovery worse.

-Paul