Paying my onboard account which option? Please help!

[wemdym]

I noticed this when checking in online for my future Celebrity Cruise. Please can anyone advise me which one I should be choosing in which to pay my onboard account. Should it be option 1 or 2, just don't want unnecessary charges, totally confused!!

 

Please select your preferred currency conversion from the options below:

Option 1

I choose to pay my onboard changes in the currency of my card. I choose to use your currency conversion program.

This currency conversion transaction is based upon wholesale exchange rates collected from Bloomberg plus 3 percent international currency conversion fee. My choice to have charges billed in the currency of my card is final. I accept that the exchange rate used will be the rate in effect at the time the amounts are charged to my card.

 

Option 2.

I choose to have my credit card issuer convert my onboard charges to the currency of my card in lieu of participating Celebrity Cruises currency conversion program.

If I opt for my charges to be converted by my credit card issuer, or if my card is not billed in one of the billing currencies listed, my charges will be processed in the onboard currency (USD) and the issuer of my card may charge a service fee for currency conversion.

[lake5298]

If your card charges (as many do) up to 3per cent for foreign currency transactions, it can be better to pay option 1.

 

If your card does not charge for foreign currency transaction (a few do this, including Halifax Clarity) then you MIGHT be better with option 2.

 

I use a cash back Amex and option 1.

[John Bull]

If your card charges (as many do) up to 3per cent for foreign currency transactions, it can be better to pay option 1.

 

If your card does not charge for foreign currency transaction (a few do this, including Halifax Clarity) then you MIGHT be better with option 2.

 

I use a cash back Amex and option 1.

 

No, no, no - absolutely do not allow Celebrity or any other cruise line to convert - their exchange rates are poor & they charge a 3% forex facility fee.

The best exchange rate you're going to get on a forex transaction will always be your card issuer, far greater difference than card fees. So always choose the second option, allow your card to be billed in ship's currency & let your card issuer change into sterling at wholesale exchange rates.

 

BTW that copy-and-paste from Celebrity's website is dreadfully misleading.

Option 1 starts "I choose to pay my onboard cha®ges in the currency of my card....." yet, reading on, it's clearly to pay in ship's currency :rolleyes:

 

Correct, some cards don't charge a forex fee - as well as Halifax Clarity there's Capital One, there's Post Office credit card, and there's Nationwide Flex credit card (available to Nationwide bank account holders only). Probably others too. We use a Post Office credit card exclusively for foreign travel, backed up by a Nationwide credit card.

If you're planning to go abroad tolerably frequently in future, this would be a good time to add one of those cards.

Different cards have different advantages such as cash-back or higher limits, so you may want to carry on using your current card at home.

 

By the same token, don't use ship's exchange facility for your shore spending cash because you'll be royally ripped-off on their exchange rates, with a double-whammy if you want any currency other than USD.

Get your shore spending cash before you go, or at ATMs in the ports.

Get before you go - at the best rate you can find amongst the usual suspects - Sainsbury, Tesco, M&S, Post Office, etc. On-line sources usually give marginally better rates but often use high-denomination notes - you don't want to arrive in the Caribbean with hundred-dollar bills or Euroland with €50 notes. Sainsburys on-line rate is a little better than buying in-store, and if you use the "click-and-collect" feature you can then phone the local branch & ask them to set aside notes no bigger than 20 USD or Euro and to include some smaller if available. Don't wait til you get to an airport, where exchange bureaux are the biggest rip-off of the lot.

Or get at at ATM machines in the ports - use your debit card, not your credit card because that charges interest from the moment you draw the money. Don't rely on ATM's in Caribbean ports - your easiest currency in virtually all Caribbean ports is USD, but many ATMs dispense local currency only & on a cruise that can give you a problem of left-over money in a dozen different currencies. And wherever you go, it's always best to change at least some money before you go - you don't want to have to hunt for an ATM the moment you get off the ship.

 

For larger purchases ashore your card gives you a better rate than any exchange bureau, But those cards which charge a transaction fee have a minimum fee, so they're more expensive for small purchases like a couple of beers or coffees.

And, as on the ship, decline any offer by vendors ashore to charge your card in sterling - they set their own very-miserly exchange rates

 

If you do end up with no low-denomination notes (in ship's currency) you can change-down without charge in ship's casino or guest relations.

 

Finally, do remember to inform your card supplier/s of your up-coming cruise. They're alert to unexpected foreign use and if you don't forewarn them their anti-fraud measures may mean that payment is withheld.

 

JB :)

Edited October 29, 2016 by John Bull

[yuvraj]

I use a credit card which does not charge fees when paying in dollars.

 

I also use take dollars with me and look to clear my on board account in cash.

 

I have done a comparison and found that my credit card always offer a better rate.