102 Days And Counting.....

One of the many things we need to consider for this adventure is the issue of foreign currency and how much to take with us.  There is no facility for currency exchange on the ship so planning is key. In some of the ports ATMs are widely available.  In other more remote locations they are not.  In the ports where we have planned excursions with the ship we may not need much local cash.  In the ports we plan to explore on our own we may want "walking around" money.  We also want to be able to sample local cuisine for lunches and many smaller places do not accept credit cards.  More thinking and research will be required on this topic.  For the time being I have compiled a list of the currency used in each of the ports we will visit.  I used the website "What's in Port" for much of the information contained here.  Where applicable, there are also cautionary notes.  In many places the US dollar (USD) is accepted which will make things a little easier.  For those ports the local currency is also noted.  The list of port related currency appears below.

Currency - Port

USD-  Key West, USA            Manta, Ecuador            Moorea, French Polynesia – USD widely accepted                                                            (XPF/CFP)            Papeete, French Polynesia – USD generally                                                                      accepted (XPF/CFP)            Bora Bora, French Polynesia – USD readily                                                                       accepted (XPF/CFP)            Ha Long Bay, Vietnam –  USD widely accepted                                                            (VND)            Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – USD widely                                                                           accepted (VND)

Colon (CRC) -  Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Peruvian Sol (PEN) – Salaverry, Peru                                     Lima, Peru

Chilean Peso (CLP) – Easter Island, Chile

New Zealand (NZD) – Pitcairn Island                                      Rarotonga, New Zealand                                      Tauranga, New Zealand                                      Auckland, New Zealand                                      Bay of Islands, New Zealand

French Pacific Franc (XPF/CFP) – Fakarava, French                                                                   Polynesia

Australian (AUD) – Sydney, Australia                                  Newcastle, Australia                                  Townsville, Australia                                  Cairns, Australia                                  Thursday Island, Australia                                  Darwin, Australia                                  Benoa (Bali), Indonesia – AUD                                                                  widely accepted

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) – Benoa (Bali) Indonesia –                                                      Careful using Visa

Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) – Sandakan, Malaysia                                                Port Klang, Malaysia                                                Penang, Malaysia

Philippine Peso (PHP) – Manila, Philippines

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) – Hong Kong, China

Thai Baht (THB) – Bangkok, Thailand                                 Phuket, Thailand

Singapore (SGD) - Singapore

Burmese Kyat (MMK) – Yangon, Myanmar

Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) – Colombo, Sri Lanka

Indian Rupee (INR) – Cochin, India                                     Mumbai, India

UAE Dirham (AED) – Dubai U.A.E.

Omani Rial (OMR) – Muscat, Oman – AED accepted                                                                         anywhere                                     Salalah, Oman

Egyptian Pound (EGP) – Safaga, Egypt                                           Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt                                           Port Said, Egypt

Jordanian Dinar (JOD) – Aqaba, Jordan

Israeli Shekel (ILS) -  Ashdod, Israel                                     Haifa, Israel

Euro (EUR) – Souda Bay, Crete                         Corfu, Greece                         Kotor, Montenegro                         Venice, Italy

Croatian Kuna (HRK) – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Credit card                                                                             (EUR)

Bhutan - Indian Rupee is acceptable all over Bhutan except Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.  No ATM access. Credit Cards have limited acceptability and payment through credit card is accepted mainly by Deluxe hotels and few selected Handicrafts establishments only. And the planning continues.....