Greece Ports-of-call

<p>My wife and I were planning a cruise in the Mediterranean stopping at some ports in Greece. We also would take some excursions from the ship. What do you Europeans think about the problems we might have with the situation brewing there? </p>

<p>If you are at the stage of planning a cruise then by the time you get there much of this crisis may have resolved itself and the situation become clearer. Meanwhile the immediate advice (heard on a radio show from a travel expert) is to take cash (euros). As you will be expected to be carrying cash one should obviously take sensible precautions. Credit may be tricky with Greek banks shut down for the next week and possible financial turbulence in the Greek banking system. Many ATMs are not working and those few that are will be heavily used. Greek citizens will have a 60 euors per day ATM withdrawal limit but that is not supposed to apply to foreign nationals. I'm sure you and your cash will be warmly welcomed!<br /> So the advice I have heard is take cash and take care. Greece is a wonderful place to visit : have a great time.</p>

<p>Right now no-one can say what the effective currency in Greece will be at the time of your cruise. The current currency (Euro) might be essential or not accepted. Even if you said when the cruise was to be it wouldn't make any difference. But there will be a currency- you just need to know what it is just before you go. Suggest you keep an eye on the press/internet for news and if it isn't clear a couple of weeks before you depart then consult a travel agent specialising in Greece, or contact a Greek Embassy/Consulate.</p>

<p>Having a CC or two available is likely to increase your flexibility. </p>

<p>No reason to hesitate I'd suggest- just another last minute job to do to make sure you're carrying the right cash.</p>

<p>BBC reports that even if Greece drops out of the euro, it would take 18 months to revert to the Drachma during which time euros should continue to be accepted.<br>

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33205269<br>

Nonetheless David's advice on checking just before you go is clearly right. It is a fluid situation changing by the day. The good news is that it seems likely as a result of the Greek financial problems that you will be able to have a great holiday and also excellent value. </p>

I'm American. What about just taking dollars?

<p>Alan. You may be American but the people in the ports you visit aren't, and whilst some may be prepared to accept payment in dollars, most will expect to be paid in their own currency, as indeed a US retailer would. You can take dollars and convert what you need at each stop. But it isn't how I'd like to spend my limited shore time , and as a guy who travels a lot, I'm prepared to gamble that I'll on balance get better rates in a competitive online US exchange market than you will on a dockside in Greece or on a cruise ship.</p>

<p>Get a credit or debit card with a chip in it. The swipe cards we use in the US are a PITA to use in many places in Europe. Also, make sure the credit card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.</p>

<p>I used very little cash the last time I was in Greece, even the stalls at markets accepted credit/debit cards.</p>

<p>I just got back from the Baltic Region and the ship actually had a better exchange rate than we found through ATMS--surprised the heck out of me. That was not the case on earlier cruises. </p>

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<p>That's a good point about the exchange rate in country. You usually get less in hotels and businesses than you would at banks. And who knows what the Greek banks will be doing at the time I'd be there.</p>

<p>I just checked with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines about the exchange rates. Here's their policy which seems pretty good: <em>Royal Caribbean uses daily market rates published by Bloomberg, a reputable, New York-based financial service company.</em><br /> <br /> The reason I suggested dollars is in emergencies, people are often glad to take American dollars and you might be able to get better value when purchasing. Especially if Greece is using Drachmas by that time. (Maybe I should take some gold coins? :)</p>

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<p>Alan, if things carry on as they are I would take euros not USD. The reason is that the banking system may still be closed or in difficulties when you go. Because of the capital controls recently imposed on the banks, the Greek people currently have little access to their money through the banking system. If you pay by card it disappears into the banking system and they may well have difficulty accessing that money. Hence the advice for cash in euros which they can readily excahnge. USD (and gold) are fine when there are easy ways to exchange them but at the moment I would not risk it as the greek banking system is partially shut down.<br /> Obviously take credit / debit cards of the chip and pin variety which are standard in Europe, but prepare for them possibly not to be accpeted at the moment. By the time you go things may have changed so as said above - check.</p>

<p>Any cash coming in from tourism will be greatly accepted, I'm sure.</p>