Shipboard account- definitive answer required

[User Error]

Hi all

 

Probably mentioned in countless threads but seem a bit vague in certain detail

Basically want to know how to settle our account quickly reliably and cheaply on our cruise in a months time on The Crown.

 

We dont own a large limit credit card so have registered our (UK) Debit card as the main card.

Our travel agent has already given us a $600 OBC for very early booking (over a year ago)

Looking at details today, my bank (Barclays) charge 2.99% to convert any monies used abroad (and as our card will be charged in U.S.$$ obviously will be regarded as being abroad)

Princess offer to do the same at a "competitive rate" plus 3% charge so theres not much difference.

 

We estimate our entire spend on board to be around the $3000 including prebooked excursions so really dont want to carry that sort of cash onboard just to settle an account

Is there any other options that I have missed or should I stop moaning and pay the estimated $90/£60 charge from my bank?

 

Any advice/suggestions welcome......

[Griller]

Hi all

 

Probably mentioned in countless threads but seem a bit vague in certain detail

Basically want to know how to settle our account quickly reliably and cheaply on our cruise in a months time on The Crown.

 

We dont own a large limit credit card so have registered our (UK) Debit card as the main card.

Our travel agent has already given us a $600 OBC for very early booking (over a year ago)

Looking at details today, my bank (Barclays) charge 2.99% to convert any monies used abroad (and as our card will be charged in U.S.$$ obviously will be regarded as being abroad)

Princess offer to do the same at a "competitive rate" plus 3% charge so theres not much difference.

 

We estimate our entire spend on board to be around the $3000 including prebooked excursions so really dont want to carry that sort of cash onboard just to settle an account

Is there any other options that I have missed or should I stop moaning and pay the estimated $90/£60 charge from my bank?

 

Any advice/suggestions welcome......

 

go to martin lewis's site moneysavingexpert and get the info on a UK credit/debit card which doesn't charge like a wounded bull.

[aquilegia]

The advice generally to travellers from the UK is always let your bank do the conversion from dollars to sterling as it will work out cheaper. Princess's idea of a 'competitive' rate is unlikely to be yours.

[RickT]

Canadians have been dealing with this issue for years as well. My vote is to just live with it, or if it makes sense, get a US $ credit card. We can do that in Canada but to me it's just easier to deal with it. I also find my credit card company is very competitive with the actual exchange rate so when you add the 2.5% (that's my fee) it doesn't come out that badly.

[Shogun]

Hi There

 

If you have any casino winnings take the cash and pay part of your onboard account off,

 

likewise if near end of your cruise and you have cash which you will not

 

need anytime soon for another trip use it to reduce your own board account, then just pay of the rest with your card, but let your UK bank

do the change from $ to £

 

What ever you do , never use the onbaord machines to get cash.

 

You can always buy onboard credit before you cruise, and avoid some charges.

 

Sometimes Princess rate for this is very good.

 

yours Shogun

[antsp]

We ditched barclays for nationwide as they didnt charge a foreign use fee, they do now. N and P is now our bank, fee free and wholesale xe rate

[Griller]

We ditched barclays for nationwide as they didnt charge a foreign use fee, they do now. N and P is now our bank, fee free and wholesale xe rate

After Nationwide started charging - but they are still relatively cheap - Santander Zero was good if you keep it in credit, but martin lewis has the answer at moneysaving expert, US folk will not be aware of the site so will disregard any advice about it but it is the best advice, get the correct UK based card which charges no markup percentage on foreign exchange transactions, simple and to the point.

[User Error]

All great advice folks thanks...

 

 

Think we'll leave it as it is to keep it simple....and hopefully Shogun, your suggestion with regarding winning in the casino will come true......

[Pam in CA]

A suggestion is to send yourself a "gift" of onboard credit. I don't know the exchange rates for that but assume it would be the same as charging something to your card and paying the exchange rate. The benefit is that you are essentially pre-paying part of your onboard account a month in advance so at the end of the cruise, you're not hit with a $3,000 charge.

[remydiva]

Canadians have been dealing with this issue for years as well. My vote is to just live with it, or if it makes sense, get a US $ credit card. We can do that in Canada but to me it's just easier to deal with it. I also find my credit card company is very competitive with the actual exchange rate so when you add the 2.5% (that's my fee) it doesn't come out that badly.

 

My recent Emerald Princess TA/Europe Visa charge for $2173 US on board charges showed up on my Canadian Visa as $2167 Canadian when our Canadian dollar was above the US by approx $1.03. In other words, the 2.5% my bank charges to convert was offset by our dollar being higher so I came out 'ahead'.

 

Princess would have charged 5% to 'convert' US funds to Canadian so I came out better by 2.5% by letting Visa do the math..probably 'saved' $50-60 or a couple bottles of wine in the dining room.

[sultan_sfo]

Get US$$ Travelers Cheques!