Cash for a cruise, daytime flights and British Airways strikes

Got a question? Our expert, Simon Calder, can help

There are lots of bureaux de change in Russia’s eye-catching city St Petersburg (Getty)

Q We are doing a cruise in August in the Baltic. I am looking at travel money cards versus my credit card versus cash in multiple currencies. The problem is that none of the prepaid cards I have seen supports Baltic currencies. My credit card charges fees for foreign transactions, and to get Danish krone and Swedish krona, as well as euros and roubles, looks difficult and expensive. What do you advise?

Name supplied

A Your foreign currency needs will depend on the particular location. In Denmark, Sweden and Finland, there will be no need for cash – these countries have moved so far towards a non-cash economy that everyone from taxi drivers to fast-food stands accepts plastic. If your credit card charges fees for non-sterling transactions, I strongly recommend you apply for one that does not. I carry the fee-free Halifax Clarity Mastercard and use it only for purchases abroad. You should have plenty of time to apply for one.