currency on mostly Canadian cruise

[onelegcraig]

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered, I could not find it on these boards.  We have booked a 10 day Canada/New England/Newfoundland cruise for 2021 on the Rotterdam.  It begins in Boston and ends in Montreal.  All of the ports are Canadian except one.  Will on board purchases be in Canadian or U.S. currency?  When we give extra cash to stateroom attendant, waiter, etc , which currency would they rather receive?  Thank you.

Edited April 4, 2020 by onelegcraig

[SilvertoGold]

Everything on a HAL ship is in USD. 

As to the crew, I would think USD is the currency they are used to in the work sphere.

 

Enjoy looking forward to this cruise!

[catl331]

29 minutes ago, onelegcraig said:

Will on board purchases be in Canadian or U.S. currency?

When we give extra cash to stateroom attendant, waiter, etc , which currency would they rather receive?

Cash isn't used on board. Everything goes onto your onboard account. (Except maybe in the casino. I don't know about that because I only lose in the slot machines!)

 

Crew would probably prefer tips in $US, but will happily accept anything proffered!

Edited April 4, 2020 by catl331

[VMax1700]

35 minutes ago, onelegcraig said:

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered, I could not find it on these boards.  We have booked a 10 day Canada/New England/Newfoundland cruise for 2021 on the Rotterdam.  It begins in Boston and ends in Montreal.  All of the ports are Canadian except one.  Will on board purchases be in Canadian or U.S. currency?  When we give extra cash to stateroom attendant, waiter, etc , which currency would they rather receive?  Thank you.

All prices are quoted in USD and charged in USD to your onboard account.  When doing your online check in you need to give a credit card number to cover the charges.  If you wish you can deposit cash (USD) with the front desk, once onboard.  

[onelegcraig]

Thanks for the quick replies.  Guess we have to start watching the exchange rates (we are Canadian) and buy U.S. money again.  🙂

 

[catl331]

37 minutes ago, onelegcraig said:

Guess we have to start watching the exchange rates (we are Canadian) and buy U.S. money again. 

You really don't need much, if any. If you don't plan on gambling much, all you might use it for is tips, and as I said you can tip in CAD. You can get some at an ATM in Boston or get a cash advance on your credit card at the ship front desk for a 3% fee.

Edited April 4, 2020 by catl331

[SilvertoGold]

1 hour ago, onelegcraig said:

Thanks for the quick replies.  Guess we have to start watching the exchange rates (we are Canadian) and buy U.S. money again.  🙂

 

 

We did before 1. the exchange went wild;  2. HAL cancelled the cruise.  Won't have to bother buying more for the next couple of cruises.  Good luck for your purchases!

[daisy-mae]

27 minutes ago, catl331 said:

 get a cash advance on your credit card at the ship front desk for a 3% fee.

 

That doesn't sound like a very good idea, since interest accrues immediately on a cash advance - on top of the 3% service charge.

 

[catl331]

41 minutes ago, daisy-mae said:

That doesn't sound like a very good idea, since interest accrues immediately on a cash advance - on top of the 3% service charge.

 

I should have said a cash advance on your onboard account, which is like any other charge that goes on your final bill. The bank knows nothing about it.

Edited April 4, 2020 by catl331