Currency Information

EUROPE:

Currency and Exchange Rates

Most members of the European Union use the Euro as their currency, except for Hungary, which uses the Forint and Slovakia, which uses the Slovak Koruna. Current exchange rates are available in the financial sections of newspapers and at: xe.com or www.travelex.co.uk.

Purchases and Currency Exchange

Many locations will accept credit cards or travellers cheques. We do recommend getting some local currency.

ATMs

ATMs that dispense local currency are widely available and conveniently located in large European cities, but are more limited in smaller towns. Should you wish to use ATM machines, confirm with your bank prior to departure that your ATM/credit card and PIN number will work abroad.

Changing Cash or Travellers Cheques

You can exchange cash or travellers cheques at hotels, banks and exchange bureaus as well as small amounts of currency onboard your ship for most local currencies for a fee.

Credit Cards

Euro card, Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted in all countries in major shops, restaurants and hotels as well as to settle your shipboard account.

Currency Onboard Ship and Your Onboard Account

The onboard currency is the Euro. All onboard purchases are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your trip, you may pay in cash (Pounds, Euro or US Dollars), or by credit card (your bill will be converted at the current exchange rate). Unfortunately, travellers cheques cannot be accepted for payment of your shipboard account. Please ensure you review your shipboard bill upon checkout so that we can more easily assist with any questions you may have.

RUSSIA & UKRAINE:

Currency and Exchange Rates

Russia uses the Ruble while Ukraine uses the Hrywna. Current exchage rates are available in the financial sections of newspapers and at: xe.com or www.travelex.co.uk.

Purchases and Currency Exchange

Many locations in the larger cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev will accept travellers cheques or credit cards. For incidentals and small vendors, you may be able to use the U.S. Dollar or Euro in small denominations, but we would also recommend getting some local currency.

ATMs

ATMs that dispense local currency are widely available and conveniently located in the major Russian / Ukrainian cities, but are limited in the smaller towns. Should you wish to use ATM machines, confirm with your bank prior to departure that your ATM/credit card and PIN number will work abroad.

Avoid stand-alone ATMs when possible. They are more prone to be tampered with. ATMs in banks or hotels are the best options.

Changing Cash or Travellers Cheques

Russian and Ukrainian currency is regulated and you can change your hard currency (Pounds, U.S. Dollars, Euro) only at official exchange points and use only Rubles or Hrywna as cash. (by law, our ships cannot exchange cash or travellers cheques for Rubles or Hrywna). A fee will be charged. The local people will often be happy to accept your Pounds, Dollars or Euro for tips and souvenirs, but it is technically not allowed.

Credit Cards

Euro card, MasterCard, Visa and American Express cards are accepted in all countries in major shops, restaurants and hotels as well as to settle your shipboard account.

Currency Onboard Ship & Your Onboard Account

The onboard currency is the unit, an “artificial” currency aligned with the Euro (1 unit = 1 Euro). All onboard purchases are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your trip, you may pay in cash (Pounds, Rubles, U.S. Dollars or Euro) or by credit card (your bill will be converted at the current exchange rate). Unfortunately, travellers cheques cannot be accepted for payment of your shipboard account. Please review your shipboard bill upon checkout so that we can more easily assist with any questions you may have.

CHINA:

Currency & Exchange Rate

China uses the Renminbi (RMB) and the basic unit is the Yuan. Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar. Current exchage rates are available in the financial sections of newspapers and at: xe.com or www.travelex.co.uk.

Purchases & Currency Exchange

Many locations will accept travellers cheques or credit cards. For incidentals, tips and small vendors, we recommend having some small U.S. Dollar bills as well as getting some local currency.

ATMs

ATMs are not conveniently located in China’s large cities (and non-existent in smaller cities along the river), and your itinerary may not allow you sufficient time to locate one. When available, ATMs dispense local currency for internationally accepted ATM cards and/or credit cards, and have a service fee of approximately 3%. Should you wish to use ATM machines, confirm with your bank prior to departure that your ATM/credit card and PIN number will work abroad.

Changing Cash or Travellers Cheques

Cash or travellers cheques may be exchanged at some hotels, banks and exchange bureaus for a fee. Chinese law prohibits exchanging cash or travellers cheques onboard your ship. To change Chinese currency back to Pounds, U.S. Dollars, Euro or other currencies, you will need to provide all receipts and currency declarations. Because this process can be quite time-consuming, we suggest exchanging currency in smaller increments, as needed.

Credit Cards

Euro card, MasterCard, Visa and American Express cards are accepted in all countries in major shops, restaurants and hotels as well as to settle your shipboard account. Before you depart, we recommend that you alert your credit card companies that you plan to use your card(s) on your trip as they will often refuse to honour credit cards if they notice irregular and/or overseas activity.

Currency Onboard Ship & Your Onboard Account

The onboard currency is the Renminbi. All onboard purchases are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your trip, you may pay in cash (Pounds, Renminbi, U.S. Dollars, Euro) or by credit card (your bill will be converted at the current exchange rate). Unfortunately, travellers cheques cannot be accepted for payment of your shipboard account. Please review your shipboard bill upon checkout so that we can more easily assist you with any questions you may have. Note that all shipboard purchases will appear on your credit card statement as “CQ New Century Cruise.”