Cash On Board

[Teddy123]

I see on the Cunard VP that "If you require cash for any reason whilst you are on board you may charge this to your account."

 

Is this a way of getting my dollars for shore trips?

Is the cash treated differently to other items (such as shop purchases) or just lumped into one big sum charged to my credit card at the end of the voyage? In other words, will my credit card company know I've got cash - for which it usually makes an extra charge?

 

I have a UK card that doesn't charge a fee for foreign currency transactions, but does for cash of any kind. I usually get cash from an ATM when ashore, with a debit card that doesn't have a fee of any kind (it does for purchases), but getting cash on board might have advantages if I can avoid the cash fee. Of course, there's a gamble on fluctuating exchange rates either way!

 

Thinking about it, I guess the cash fee is only triggered when an ATM is used, but any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[BigMac1953]

Hi

 

Just be careful!!!

 

If you require local currency, Cunard first exchange your GBP into USD at a not very favourable rate, then exchange the USD to local currency at another not very favourable rate, so you lose out twice.

 

If you change back they reverse the above, so you lose another twice.

 

Just take your ATM card, it's much cheaper and easier.

 

Stewart

[Teddy123]

Hi

 

Just be careful!!!

 

If you require local currency, Cunard first exchange your GBP into USD at a not very favourable rate, then exchange the USD to local currency at another not very favourable rate, so you lose out twice.

 

If you change back they reverse the above, so you lose another twice.

 

Just take your ATM card, it's much cheaper and easier.

 

Stewart

 

Thanks. Yes, I wouldn't do it normally BUT I don't want to give them any GBP, just have $X added to my on board account, take the $X in cash (which I read the VP words as saying I can) and spend it ashore.

[Host Hattie]

If you only need dollars it certainly sounds as if it should work. Let us know what happens !

[Teddy123]

If you only need dollars it certainly sounds as if it should work. Let us know what happens !

 

It will work IF my credit card company doesn't see it as a cash item and add its fee - hence my question/uncertainty. I currently have only a few USD and may need more before I can get to an ATM - arriving at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal where I understand there is no ATM (or is there?) and may be taking a taxi to Manhattan. So I can either try this or get some $ before leaving the UK, which will cost MORE than charging them to my on board account if I avoid the fee, but LESS if there IS a fee. So exactly how the $X appears to my credit card company is key!

[Host Hattie]

Certainly the way it's written sounds as if it would just be added to your final bill so your credit card company wouldn't know.

It also sounds a bit too good to be true !

Hopefully someone who has tried it will post before you sail.

Not sure about the ATM situation in Brooklyn but I have paid taxi fares in the US with a credit card.

[wolfie789]

We regularly draw down dollars for extra tips. It works like this - you request them, sign for them and they appear as charge on your statement just as a drink would or an excursion. They are then charged to your credit card as part of the overall amount - They don't incur any kind of cash advance fee from your credit card provider.

 

Beware, though this won't be an issue for most, that there is a limit on how much you can charge to your account daily. I think from memory it's $400.

Hope this is helpful.

[Teddy123]

We regularly draw down dollars for extra tips. It works like this - you request them, sign for them and they appear as charge on your statement just as a drink would or an excursion. They are then charged to your credit card as part of the overall amount - They don't incur any kind of cash advance fee from your credit card provider.

 

Beware, though this won't be an issue for most, that there is a limit on how much you can charge to your account daily. I think from memory it's $400.

Hope this is helpful.

 

Very helpful thanks. I also need Canadian dollars, but I won't be getting those on board!

[BlueRiband]

FWIW, I don't leave home without having gone to a currency exchange and buying enough local currency for at least a meal and a taxi ride wherever I'm going. I feel safer having enough to take care of my immediate needs should it be necessary.

 

There was also a recent article that claimed ATMs in airports and tourist hot spots are increasingly operated by obscure companies rather than major banks. These obscure ATM providers pay the local store for machine placement and then charge transaction fees and highly unfavorable exchange rates.

Edited August 4, 2016 by BlueRiband

[BoisDore]

It will work IF my credit card company doesn't see it as a cash item and add its fee - hence my question/uncertainty. I currently have only a few USD and may need more before I can get to an ATM - arriving at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal where I understand there is no ATM (or is there?) and may be taking a taxi to Manhattan. So I can either try this or get some $ before leaving the UK, which will cost MORE than charging them to my on board account if I avoid the fee, but LESS if there IS a fee. So exactly how the $X appears to my credit card company is key!

 

If the cab at Red Hook is you only/immediate concern there are cashless solutions:

 

-Yellow and Green cabs are required to take cards, and have readers in them.

-Uber would bill to your card automatically (but then you might have a data roaming fee issue on your mobile.)

[Teddy123]

Useful to know about the cabs, thanks. I don't feel a need to have mobile data on my phone at home (just use it with WiFi) so Uber would be expensive here, never mind when roaming! I think I will still aim to use Cunard as an ATM to get some dollars, though!

[keithm]

I see on the Cunard VP that "If you require cash for any reason whilst you are on board you may charge this to your account."

 

Is this a way of getting my dollars for shore trips?

Is the cash treated differently to other items (such as shop purchases) or just lumped into one big sum charged to my credit card at the end of the voyage? In other words, will my credit card company know I've got cash - for which it usually makes an extra charge?

 

I have a UK card that doesn't charge a fee for foreign currency transactions, but does for cash of any kind. I usually get cash from an ATM when ashore, with a debit card that doesn't have a fee of any kind (it does for purchases), but getting cash on board might have advantages if I can avoid the cash fee. Of course, there's a gamble on fluctuating exchange rates either way!

 

Thinking about it, I guess the cash fee is only triggered when an ATM is used, but any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

You can charge money to your account, but I believe you'll get hit with a pretty steep charge. It's usually a percentage of the amount you charge to your account. I just always bring a few hundred $$ & break it down while on board. I've also taken payments at the casino. I paid a rather stiff fee, but did not get nailed by my charge card for an extra fee.

[Teddy123]

You've probably highlighted the flaw in my perfect plan! It did seem a bit too good to be true. I guess I will either take some from the UK or use an ATM in Manhattan, having got there by cab (paid with card) or on a Cunard transfer (paid for on board). Taking it from the UK will probably cost a bit more but will no doubt be easiest.

[Underwatr]

Thanks. Yes, I wouldn't do it normally BUT I don't want to give them any GBP, just have $X added to my on board account, take the $X in cash (which I read the VP words as saying I can) and spend it ashore.

As long as your final bill is settled in dollars and not converted to GBP for your 'convenience' it should work.

[bananavan]

You can charge money to your account, but I believe you'll get hit with a pretty steep charge. It's usually a percentage of the amount you charge to your account. I just always bring a few hundred $$ & break it down while on board. I've also taken payments at the casino. I paid a rather stiff fee, but did not get nailed by my charge card for an extra fee.

 

I have sent myself gifts of Casino credit prior to sailing on Princess. The money is charged to my credit card and a certificate is left in my cabin upon embarkation. I take the certificates to the casino and they give me cash. Is this possible on Cunard?

Evaen though we live in the USA I like being able to have the cash waiting for us onboard.

[tv24]

Borisdore's advice on the cab is spot on. You can use your credit card in the cab; I did this just a few weeks ago. Once you get into Manhattan, go to a bank ATM and get your cash at a favorable exchange rate and with a low fee.

 

As I recall, the exchange rate offered on Cunard for getting some cash is very very poor. I actually found it a bit shocking, but not out of line with other cruise ships.

 

Here is a bit of a stretch, but it works: Buy casino chips which will be charged to your on-board account and thus billed to your credit card of record. Then cash in the chips to get the US dollars you need.

[FormbyLife]

So just to confirm, is purchasing casino chips treated as any other kind of purchase and attracts no fees?

 

And is just added to your account for settlement at the end of the cruise?

[bananavan]

Formby:

I did not buy casino chips. Princess allows you to purchase casino credits as a gift. I have purchased at least $500 USD in the past. The certificates are taken to the casino cash area and cash is given in exchange. The credits were charged to my credit card and therefore attracted no fees as they are considered a normal credit card transaction. If you have a credit card which also gives you no foreign transaction fees, you are in good shape.

As I mentioned, I am not sure if Cunard offers the same opportunity.

Edited August 5, 2016 by bananavan

[tv24]

So just to confirm, is purchasing casino chips treated as any other kind of purchase and attracts no fees?

 

And is just added to your account for settlement at the end of the cruise?

 

On Cunard the purchase of casino chips is not exactly like other purchases. The big difference is that you cannot use your OBC to purchase the chips. However if you do purchase chips, there is no fee, and this is a difference from some other cruise lines. Your purchase of chips shows up as a line on your folio.

[FormbyLife]

Great - thanks!

[Teddy123]

Just spoken to Cunard about something else and asked about getting cash. Was told there is no Cunard service charge of any kind. So before I arrive in New York I can get $X cash from the Purser's desk, $X will be added to my onboard account and at the end of the voyage, the $X will be part of the total amount charged to my CC and converted to £ at the CC's (good) rate - meaning I have had the $X more cheaply than any other way (other than from an ATM in NY, but I want some cash in hand to set out with).

[tv24]

Just spoken to Cunard about something else and asked about getting cash. Was told there is no Cunard service charge of any kind. So before I arrive in New York I can get $X cash from the Purser's desk, $X will be added to my onboard account and at the end of the voyage, the $X will be part of the total amount charged to my CC and converted to £ at the CC's (good) rate - meaning I have had the $X more cheaply than any other way (other than from an ATM in NY, but I want some cash in hand to set out with).

 

This is a very good service, as longs as Cunard's exchange rate is comparable to the one you would get at an ATM. Of course, if you need only a small amount of cash before you disembark, then it's just a nice service. And I am happy to know that it is available.

[Host Hattie]

This doesn't depend on Cunard's exchange rate, the dollars are just added to your on board account with the rest of your charges. Your credit card will be charged in dollars, the exchange rate is between you and your credit card company.

[Yoshikitty]

We've just done this on our last trip and - like previously said - it will get charged in US$ with your statement - just like drinks and servicefee.

 

There are no extra fees involved from Cunard's side and for us is a very good service. And much cheaper than getting US$ from the money exchange.

Edited August 21, 2016 by Yoshikitty

[Teddy123]

And I assume an extra benefit is that any $ I have left over can be used to pay off some of my onboard account (without any exchange rate being involved), rather than changing it back to £ - at an unfavourable rate - in the UK. This is definitely one advantage of going to the US on a ship with USD as the onboard currency!