Hope this is the right forum for my question!

2 years ago we took a cruise in South America (Rio to Buenos Aires, via Uruguay). I had notified my bank ahead of time (BoA) that I would be traveling there, they assured me I could use my ATM.

Failed to work at multiple locations in all three countries.

I had to borrow cash from friends and exchange it at terrible rates at money changing stores to be able to get local currency.

So.

Doing a Baltic cruise in a couple months. I'll tell BoA again of my plans, but I don't trust them a bit to make my ATM card work. So what's the best way I can make sure I can get local currencies, other than bringing a load of USD with me and changing at bad rates?

I've got Amex and Visa cards, so I'm not concerned with spending at places that accept credit cards, but I will need cash for lunches, taxis, tips, and souvenirs.

Thanks!