P&O Cruises - Azura Ship Cruises Answers

That's very useful to know, thanks. This website is a great resource for first time cruisers!

For cash in your pocket/wallet off ship take US$ and ensure you have small denominations as you will get change in local currency from small shops/taxis etc which has very limited use once you leave that particular island. You can always change high denomination notes for smaller at the pursers desk but DO NOT do foreign exchange here and (assuming your ship is not P&O, Fred O or Thomson) DO NOT accept the cruise line's "kind offer" to charge your on board account to your card in £sterling. ....Richard B

Hi, you won't need any cash on board as it is charged to your cabin account. On the islands, the local currency will be East Caribbean Dollars and Barbadan Dollars. All the islands, including the Dutch islands, accept US$, just make sure what currency is being quoted. In Barbados for instance, the better shops will quote Barbadan $, US $, and also the duty free price for tourists. As you have a free safe in your cabin, I would take US$, and a credit/debit card (you need one to set up your cabin a/c). If you need to top up, don't buy on board, but use an ATM to get cash. In December/January, the rate on board was $1.44 to £. At the ATM in St.Maarten, the rate was $1.54 to £, and the shops charged the same. However, I use a Post Office credit card, which is one of the cheapest to use abroad. Hope this helps.