Money on cruise ships

Can someone let us new cruisers know if there are money exchange offices on board the Diamond Princess? Or do we have to take cash for each country we visit?

Also can you use cash (Australian) on board this ship?

The purser at guest services will be able to exchange currency. You don't mention which ports of call you will be visiting, which would be helpful in determining what the preferred currency would be in each. With the exception of the casino, ships are cashless and all on board purchases are charged to your room. You'll have to check with the cruise line to see if there are currency type restrictions in paying your final account balance in cash.

The purser at guest services will be able to exchange currency.

Not necessarily on Princess ships. From their FAQs under 'Onboard Currency'

Unless noted, onboard currency is in U.S. dollars. However, on select Australian-based itineraries, the onboard currency is in Australian dollars.

For your convenience, Automated Teller Machines for the exchange of foreign currencies are available on vessels sailing out of European ports and on selected exotic itineraries. Use of such machines may involve transaction fees that are subject to change without notice. Please visit the Guest Services/Purser's Desk for more information.

Through the end of March Diamond Princess is in Australia, then will be based in Japan or Singapore for the next year-plus. So if the OP is sailing in Asia the onboard currency will be the US dollar. For all your onboard purchases the best course of action is to register a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and allow the card issuer (not Princess) to convert the charges from USD to AUD.

I would also suggest asking on either the 'Australia & New Zealand Cruisers' board, or the Princess board, to see if anyone can confirm firsthand if foreign currency exchange is available on Australia or Asia sailings.

Not necessarily on Princess ships. From their FAQs under 'Onboard Currency'

 

Unless noted, onboard currency is in U.S. dollars. However, on select Australian-based itineraries, the onboard currency is in Australian dollars.

 

For your convenience, Automated Teller Machines for the exchange of foreign currencies are available on vessels sailing out of European ports and on selected exotic itineraries. Use of such machines may involve transaction fees that are subject to change without notice. Please visit the Guest Services/Purser's Desk for more information.

Through the end of March Diamond Princess is in Australia, then will be based in Japan or Singapore for the next year-plus. So if the OP is sailing in Asia the onboard currency will be the US dollar. For all your onboard purchases the best course of action is to register a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and allow the card issuer (not Princess) to convert the charges from USD to AUD.

 

I would also suggest asking on either the 'Australia & New Zealand Cruisers' board, or the Princess board, to see if anyone can confirm firsthand if foreign currency exchange is available on Australia or Asia sailings.

Good information and accurate regarding on board currency - thanks for providing this. But if not with the purser, currency can be exchanged it would seem through ATM's on board depending on itinerary. It would be helpful if the OP would indicate their itinerary to best determine this and currency preferred in ports of call.

Regardless of what exchange facilities are available on-board you should avoid using those facilities on any cruise ship if at all possible due to the awful exchange rates offered.

Not a big deal for mebbe 30 AUD's-worth of a local currency, but very expensive for a big total spend.

For spending-money ashore..............

use your debit card in ATMs in the ports.

Inform your card supplier/s in advance about your foreign travel.

Bear in mind that cash withdrawals from ATMs are subject to a minimum amount.

If you don't have and can't get a debit or credit card, get such foreign currency cash as you think you'll need before you go. Google the rates available from the various sources.

USD will be accepted in some ports, so they're a good back-up currency. Or for countries close to Aus - like New Caledonia or Vanuatu - AUD are accepted in most outlets.

If you have a credit card but not a debit card you can use it to withdraw local currency but there's a fee. And interest is charged from the moment you draw the money, so pay it off as soon as you get back home rather than waiting for the due-by date.

Bear in mind that for large purchases from shops etc you can use your debit or credit card - those cards will give you a better rate than cash exchange bureaux at home and a significantly better rate than on the ship, but most market stalls & taxis & buses etc won't accept cards and some outlets require a minimum spend eg won't accept a card for just a couple of beers.

For your on-board spend...........

You need to double-check what currency is ship's currency for your cruise.

It was AUD for our Princess cruise out of Sydney, but that doesn't mean it will be the same for yours.

If ship's currency is AUD, paying by cash is simple.

But if ship's currency is USD, it's more difficult - yes, you can pay in AUD cash but you get that awful ship's exchange-rate. It's likely to be a large sum, so a big exchange-rate hit if you use AUD.

But to pay cash USD means knowing how much you're likely to spend - get it badly-wrong and either you'll have a stack of USD left-over or you'll be making up a large shortfall with AUD at that awful exchange rate.

The vast majority of folk use a card to settle their on-board account, partly for that reason.

If you do use a card for your on-board account, Princess will offer to bill your card supplier in AUD "for your convenience" :rolleyes:. Decline that offer - instead allow your card to be charged in USD, same as the bill, and allow your card supplier to do the exchange at a much better exchange rate.

I very strongly urge you to use a card if you have one or can get one. Cards give you the very best exchange rate, are much more flexible, can be used worldwide, and avoid the risks of carrying large amounts of cash. One which doesn't charge a foreign currency fee will save you even more money.

If you can't get a credit card or bank debit card you can buy a "pre-pay" debit card - they're useful for purchases & cash withdrawals ashore, but aren't normally accepted by cruise ships so no good for settling your on-board account.

Sorry, a lot of words in this post. :rolleyes:

Brew a coffee & re-read this thread.

And ask if something's not clear.

As Leaveitall's post, you'll get better advice if you provide more information such as your cruise itinerary.

JB :)