Mac4YYZ Posted December 27, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Anyone have an idea what NCL is selling USD for onboard right now? I'm sailing on the Dawn at the end of the week and I'm wondering if I should exchange currency onboard or buy USD ahead of time. The banks in Canada are selling USD right now for $1.39. Ouch. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted December 27, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Ships are usually a poor place to exchange money with unfavorable exchange rates. Why not just use a US ATM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted December 27, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Buying any foreign currency on board while travelling from Rome to Singapore was a poor option, not only was the rate not very good but there was a USD10 fee for each transaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardex Posted December 27, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Anyone have an idea what NCL is selling USD for onboard right now? I'm sailing on the Dawn at the end of the week and I'm wondering if I should exchange currency onboard or buy USD ahead of time. The banks in Canada are selling USD right now for $1.39. Ouch. :( You can check the rate in your reservation. Go to the onboard credit purchase in the explore and plan section. I just checked for my cruise next week it is $13.27ca for $10us. I did buy some a few days ago because it was cheaper than the bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted December 27, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 27, 2016 You can check the rate in your reservation. Go to the onboard credit purchase in the explore and plan section. I just checked for my cruise next week it is $13.27ca for $10us. I did buy some a few days ago because it was cheaper than the bank. Your OBC rate will depend on the rate you got when you bought the cruise providing you paid in CAD, the rate is locked in. OBC is normally a lot batter than exchanging one on board even if you withdraw it in cash in the casino paying the 3% convenience charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cml4958 Posted December 28, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Could cash be pulled out of the ATM? That would be in US dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac4YYZ Posted December 28, 2016 Author #7 Share Posted December 28, 2016 That's a possibility. I think the cruise lines are wanting in on the Forex game because it's another revenue stream for them. If they can make a few points doing currency exchange it all goes to the bottom line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac4YYZ Posted December 28, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Yikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac4YYZ Posted December 28, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Your OBC rate will depend on the rate you got when you bought the cruise providing you paid in CAD, the rate is locked in. OBC is normally a lot batter than exchanging one on board even if you withdraw it in cash in the casino paying the 3% convenience charge. I booked with a US based travel agency in USD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleengine Posted December 28, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Unfortunately you'll find a lot of different Cdn/US exchange rates being used depending on what you're looking to buy. I just bought some OBC for my upcoming cruise and the set exchange was $1.33 Cdn/$US. When I prepaid for some excursions a month or so ago, it was a different exchange rate - in fact, the rates worked out to be different between different excursions, which I really didn't understand. On my last cruise in February, when I was checking in at the port I was given an exchange rate that was worse than any of the others I'd gotten for other products for that sailing... And I expect the same to happen at the end of January. To get the best deal, check the price of the OBC if you were to buy it in advance and check it against the bank's rate. I think when I bought OBC it was only cheaper by only a few cents, so really it was more a matter of convenience than anything else. I also have a US dollar Visa card through TD and I use this when I check in... This, at least, saves the conversion fee that Canadian dollar credit cards charge on top of the exchange rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda the Book Lover Posted December 28, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Could cash be pulled out of the ATM? That would be in US dollars. I have received other countries currency when using the ATM in that country. I am thinking it would be the same for you in the US. Call your bank and double check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleengine Posted December 28, 2016 #12 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Yes, that's an option, but your bank will charge a high service fee to do that, and sometimes, the bank you're trying to withdraw money from will also charge a fee on top of that. It's not the most economical option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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