The Talking Suitcase

Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist

How to Manage Money in Europe: Travel Money Tips, Currency & Credit Card Advice

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Updated October 2025

Are you planning a trip abroad and want to know how to manage money in Europe without wasting your hard-earned cash on hidden fees or bad exchange rates? After living in France and traveling across Europe for four years, I can safely say we’ve learned a few lessons — and made some costly mistakes. I’ve gathered all our best Europe travel money tips in one place to help you avoid the same blunders.

Let’s dive in to discover the best travel debit cards for Europe, how to avoid ATM fees, understand the local currency in each country, and even what ATMs are called throughout Europe.

How to Manage Money in Europe:

Knowing the Local Currency in Europe

Before your trip, it’s important to know what type of money you’ll be using in each country. Luckily, more than half of Europe uses the euro (€) — which makes traveling between many popular destinations much easier. No need to constantly exchange money or worry about confusing conversion rates! I’ve heard stories from my parents traveling Europe many years ago and needing a different currency in every single country. What a hassle!

That said, not every European country uses the euro. Some still rely on their own local currency, so it’s smart to double-check before you go. Using the right currency will help you get the best exchange rate and avoid paying more than necessary at shops or restaurants.

Countries That Don’t Use the Euro

Here’s a list of European countries that don’t use the euro and the currency they use instead:

  • Albania (Albanian lek)*
  • Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani manat)
  • Belarus (Belarusian ruble)
  • Bulgaria (Bulgarian lev)
  • Croatia (Croatian kuna)
  • Czech Republic (Czech koruna)
  • Denmark (Danish krone)**
  • Georgia (Georgian lari)
  • Hungary (Hungarian forint)
  • Iceland (Icelandic krona)
  • Liechtenstein (Swiss franc)
  • Macedonia (Second Macedonian denar)
  • Moldova (Moldovan leu)
  • Norway (Norwegian krone)**
  • Poland (Polish złoty)
  • Romania (Fourth Romanian leu)
  • Russia (Russian ruble)
  • Serbia (Serbian dinar)
  • Sweden (Swedish krona)
  • Switzerland (Swiss franc)
  • Turkey (Turkish lira)***
  • Ukraine (Ukrainian hryvnia)
  • United Kingdom (Pound sterling)

*Some touristic places in Albania also accept Euros, Pounds and American Dollars.
** Some tourist places in Denmark and Norway also accept Euros, but exchange rates are often poor.
*** We used Euros in Ephesus, Turkey but I don’t think the exchange rate was the greatest.

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Virgin Voyages Splash of Romance: Is it Worth the Cost?

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Virgin Voyages offers two packages for sailors looking to improve their cruise experience and save some cash. Splash of Romance and Splash your Bash are available to purchase as an “add-on” in the app. Only a limited number of these are sold per cruise. I’d suggest purchasing Splash of Romance as soon as you book your cruise as it sells out quickly. 

On our recent cruise, we added the Virgin Voyages Splash of Romance package. I’m going to breakdown what’s included in the package to determine if Splash of Romance is worth the cost. 

Price = $250 total for 2 sailors

Virgin Voyages Splash of Romance Benefits:

Early Embarkation –

Board the ship around 1:45pm for Miami & San Juan (other port times may vary) regardless of the time chosen during check-in. You do still want to select a boarding time, you just don’t need to follow that selected timeframe. Boarding begins with Rockstars followed by sailors with Deep Blue Extras then Splash of Romance. 

Monetary Value – $0

However,  it a valuable perk to get on the ship early. You could realize a monetary value by saving on the cost of lunch and any entertainment that may have taken place while waiting for a later boarding time. You’ll also be onboard to make dining and fitness reservations before the crowds. Value $20-$50?

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NCL Secrets – Our Top 22+ Norwegian Cruise Line Tips and Tricks

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Originally published: February 2016 — Last updated: October 2025

NCL Secrets

Who doesn’t love unlimited food, around the clock entertainment and almost daily visits to new countries?

These are just a few of the reasons why cruising has become one of the most popular ways to vacation with 34.6 million passengers cruising worldwide in 2024.

With all the sailing opportunities, it’s important to make the most of your time and money. That’s why we put together these 22 Norwegian Cruise Line Tips and Tricks. Don’t miss a chance to experience all that NCL has to offer!

NCL Secrets – Norwegian Cruise Line Tips and Tricks

Cruise savings –

I’ve written a more detailed article on ways to save on booking a cruise that is worth a read. Many of these tips are the same for all cruise lines, so it’s a great article to start off with before you book.

However, there are some tricks specific to NCL.   First, sign up for the NCL newsletter and you will be notified of special offers.  Each email will include any available discounts, loyalty point bonuses or specials available. NCL offers “More at Sea“. Depending on the promotion and the room category you book, you can get 1 to 4 free offers per cruise.   These typically include a FREE Ultimate Beverage Package, FREE Specialty Dining Package, FREE Wifi Package or a cruise excursion credit. Pairing these offers with a cruise sale can add up to huge savings. The More at Sea promo replaced the Free at Sea promo on October 1, 2024.

**Please note that you will be required to pay the 20% gratuity for the price of the beverage package and specialty dining.  While the package itself is free, you’re still responsible for the gratuity. However, you only pay gratuity on the drink package price, you don’t pay gratuity for every drink purchased on the ship assuming it falls within the package limits.

NCL also offers Military, teacher and AARP discounts for those that qualify.

Download my FREE Printable Cruise Planner to keep all your trip details organized!

Cork that bottle –

Alcohol can be expensive on board cruise ships.  Purchase a bottle while on board and have the NCL staff cork it if you can’t finish the entire bottle.  At dinner, they will label the bottle with your name and cabin number, so you can enjoy it the next night.

You can also bring your own bottle of wine. You’ll pay a $15 corking fee for a 750ml bottle upon boarding. No other alcohol can be brought on board. However, with the new More at Sea promotion, the corkage fee is waived. “Guests who have the beverage package as part of the More At Sea™ promotion, will not be charged a corkage fee if the guest brings a bottle(s) of wine onboard.”

Wine Policy – Yes, guests may bring sealed bottles of wine on board for personal consumption. They will be checked prior to embarkation and a corkage fee applied at that time of $15.00 USD for a 750 ml Bottle or $30.00 USD for a 1,500 ml Magnum bottle. Box wines are not allowed on board. If guests do not wish to pay the corkage fee, the wine will be held onboard and returned to the guests at the end of the cruise.

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What is NCL More at Sea? (Formally Free a Sea)

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

The NCL More at Sea promotion debuted on October 1, 2024 after years of the popular Free at Sea promotion giving cruisers just one more reason to sail with Norwegian Cruise Line. The More at Sea promo has induced a lot of confusion and dissatisfaction with many cruisers. Change is hard and not necessarily a good thing for those of us that found significant value in the Free at Sea promo. I wanted to share details on the More at Sea promotion as well as some of the key differences between the More at Sea promo and the former Free at Sea promo.

What is the NCL More at Sea promotion? 

More at Sea is a promotion cruisers can choose during booking. It includes offers such as the new Unlimited Open Bar package, upgraded specialty dining package, free wifi, excursion credits for guest 1 and may include 3rd & 4th guests sail free and free airfare for the 2nd guest on certain sailings. Unlimited Open Bar and Specialty Dining requires guests to pay a fee on each package if selected. The former Free at Sea promotion offered similar benefits except the Ultimate Beverage Package was included instead of the new Unlimited Open Bar and guests were paying the cost of gratuities for each package instead of a set fee.

**You can opt out of the promotional packages if desired.

If you just want to see a comparison of More at Sea and Free at Sea, scroll down to a comparison chart. 

One of the biggest differences will be the guest cost for the packages. The Unlimited Open Bar and Specialty Dining packages are included free with the promo, but cruisers will have to pay a fee on the price of the package.

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The Perfect Watersport Vacation in Costa Rica

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Costa Rica, a Central American gem, is an adventurer’s dream. Full of lush rainforests and pristine beaches, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is a hotspot for watersport enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to surf the perfect wave, find tranquillity in paddleboarding or a thrill in white-water rafting, Costa Rica offers a playground for every kind of water lover. Here are the best activities to enjoy on a watersport vacation in Costa Rica.

Surfing in Costa Rica

With approximately 800 miles of coastline split between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica boasts a variety of surf breaks suitable for all levels. If you’re a seasoned surfer, head to the beach town of Tamarindo on the Pacific coast. Known for its consistent waves and vibrant surf culture, Tamarindo offers perfect conditions year-round. More advanced surfers can test their skills at breaks like Playa Grande and Avellanas.

On the Caribbean side, Puerto Viejo offers a different vibe. You’ll find Salsa Brava, suited for experienced surfers and one of Costa Rica’s most famous and powerful waves. After surfing, kick back in Puerto Viejo with reggae beats and Caribbean cuisine.

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