We picked up our tickets for our honeymoon on Saturday. Made it all seem more real somehow and can't believe that 3 weeks today and we'll be jetting off to the Maldives.

Well the travel agent asked us if we wanted to change some money while were there and said the best thing to get was American Dollars. We've booked an all inclusive holiday so aren't sure how much money to take with us. We've already paid for our diving too.

Has anyone been to Maldives?? If you have can you give us some idea of how much money we need to take with us. We have a credit card too that we are going to take but wondered how much cash we should take.

Thanks everyone.

Teresa

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Teresa and Paul - 2nd October 2004

The hotels will have cash points I am assuming.

I am not sure how much you would need as I've not been before.

When we go abroad, we tend to pay for meals on plastic.

Seems you have most things paid for - why not start out with a few hundred and if you need more then I am sure you'll be able to obtain some cash from somewhere.

Or, if you go over, then you can just get it converted back into our currency on your return.

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Hi Teresa
You shouldn't need much at all really, especially if you have already paid for your diving. Did the pre-booking include the boat trips as they tend to charge around ten dollars per boat trip so you may need to add that on and then there is really just tips for the room boy, your waiter in the restaurant and maybe a couple of dollars if someone helps with your luggage at the airport or on the seaplane.........other than that the only things i can remember spending on were a couple of photo albums from the shops and a couple of bars of chocolate! Oh, and if you have a spa on your island you may want to treat yourself.
All extras will be added to your room though and can be paid for at the end of the holiday by credit card - including the boat trips and any extra dives etc......
K

To be honest I would be in shock if there was a cash machine in the hotel. If I remember correctly you are staying in Paradise Is??? I believe it is very similar to the one we were on and that definately did not have a cash machine.

As said above the only cash you will need really is for tipping. If you get extras for yourself (ie trips... chocolate!...spa), these can be charger to your room (I would say) and pay with your card at the end of your stay.

Regarding tipping, everyone has their own way. We generally give the room boy a bit more than what we give the rest of the staff. For the bar, we give it to the bar manager to share out with the staff, we then give x amount to our waiter (you will be assigned a waited for your stay) and then x amount to the restaurant manager to pass the kitchen staff. Yes, it is a lot of tips but these people don't earn a lot of money and they work their backsides off to please.

I am sooooooooooooo jealous. You see, I know what's ahead of you and I know you will have such an amazing time.
Have a nice thought for me, eh?

Jac
xxx

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Ah those were the days!