Taking Cash for OBC in Aus & NZ

[osubuckeyemom]

If I were to take cash for some of my OBC while cruising Aus & NZ, would purser/casino give me US dollars or AUD or NZD? Somewhere I read that all onboard charges on Princess are in local currency which may preclude their handling US dollars. Would definitely be handy to have local currency for onshore excursions and shopping as well as for extra onboard gratuities (I'm assuming US dollars not accepted on that side of the world) BUT because of my location in US converting AUD & NZD would be difficult. I'll be on Dawn cruising NZ for 13 days, then 4 days in Sydney and then onto the Sun for 29 days round Australia.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Cathy

[CruiserBruce]

The currency on the Dawn is Australian dollars. Can't answer on whether they will take USD to build your OBC., but I bet the exchange rate at the Front Desk will not be good. Why not buy that OBC here in advance- the exchange rate will probably be better? Seriously doubt it will be worse.

[MMDown Under]

If I were to take cash for some of my OBC while cruising Aus & NZ, would purser/casino give me US dollars or AUD or NZD? Somewhere I read that all onboard charges on Princess are in local currency which may preclude their handling US dollars. Would definitely be handy to have local currency for onshore excursions and shopping as well as for extra onboard gratuities (I'm assuming US dollars not accepted on that side of the world) BUT because of my location in US converting AUD & NZD would be difficult. I'll be on Dawn cruising NZ for 13 days, then 4 days in Sydney and then onto the Sun for 29 days round Australia.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Cathy

 

I would take US$ and then ask Kiwi/Aussie fellow passengers whether they would be interested in exchanging US$ for Kiwi/Aus$, at an exchange rate which will be better for you both (no bank middle man taking their big cut).

 

I recently gave an American cruiser money to buy a postage stamp, thinking he could keep the change, as he gave me American equivalent. After he got stamp, he chased me to give me the Aussie change. You will find Kiwis/Aussies very helpful like that.

 

I always take Aus$ overseas. If I need to change it at an overseas bank, I get a better rate than I could get at home. If I bring any home, I don't have to pay additional fees to revert currency back to Aus$. :)

[OzKiwiJJ]

If I were to take cash for some of my OBC while cruising Aus & NZ, would purser/casino give me US dollars or AUD or NZD? Somewhere I read that all onboard charges on Princess are in local currency which may preclude their handling US dollars. Would definitely be handy to have local currency for onshore excursions and shopping as well as for extra onboard gratuities (I'm assuming US dollars not accepted on that side of the world) BUT because of my location in US converting AUD & NZD would be difficult. I'll be on Dawn cruising NZ for 13 days, then 4 days in Sydney and then onto the Sun for 29 days round Australia.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Cathy

 

Just to clarify - do you mean you want to cash in some of your existing OBC for spending money onshore? If so, I presume they will give you AUD. You will need some NZD for your Dawn cruise though. We usually just get cash from a local ATM using a debit card when travelling.

[osubuckeyemom]

Thank you all for your kind advice. My cruises cannot possibly get here fast enough.

All my OBC is courtesy of my TA so is a very generous gift. I'd pay the same for the cabins were I to book directly with Princess or another cruise line but they would never give me the obc my TA provides. Kind of "free money".

 

I have no doubt Australians and New Zealanders are helpful and kind (rather obvious considering your helpful replies to my query) but I'd be uncomfortable asking someone to exchange US currency for AUD or NZD. It could be a significant amount and the way our country is going my US dollars could be worthless.

You've all answered my questions. I'll need the AUD & NZD while traveling and will wait to book shorex while onboard so as to use some obc.

Thank you again and happy cruising to all

Cathy

[goodycruising]

I think you are misunderstanding the swapping money with an Aussie idea. It would be to both person's benefit to cut out the bank's commission on the exchange for both parties.

 

That is a great idea and I am going to look to do that on our next Royal Caribbean & Celebrity cruises. We often pay a premium of about 3 - 3.5% for getting cash from local banks.

 

Don't think that you are being rude broaching that subject, the US dollar is much stronger than ours. Many Aussies would be looking to do holidays where they would be after some US currency.

Edited May 23, 2015 by goodycruising

[OzKiwiJJ]

 

You've all answered my questions. I'll need the AUD & NZD while traveling and will wait to book shorex while onboard so as to use some obc.

Thank you again and happy cruising to all

Cathy

 

You should be able to book your excursions through Princess well in advance, they don't debit your onboard account until the day of the excursion. We did one shorex last year on Sun and that's how it worked - the cost came off our OBC.

 

Have a great trip, Cathy. You'll certainly get a good look at both the NZ and Australia coastal regions with those cruises.

[osubuckeyemom]

Thanks again. Have only cruised Princess once (2 years ago Hawaii/ South Pacific) and had forgotten that I didn't have to pre-pay for the excursions. Excellent. And the joy I will get from being "down under" will be worth any premium I might have to pay exchanging currency.

[Beanb41]

Cash in NZ is almost a non requirement. Apart from paying to get on a public bus just about everything else can be paid for with a visa or mastercard credit card. Nearly all shops, taxis, cafe's, holiday attractions all accept the above two credit cards and generally without any fees attached. If one uses Diners/ American express one can expect to be charged around an additional 2% due to the charges by these companies.

If you find you need cash go a local ATM machine and they are everywhere and draw out what you need in local currency. You will find the exchange rate charged by your credit card to be close to the actual wholesale exchange rate at the time rather than a shipping company or local bank charges. Some credit cards charge a 1.5% currency conversion charge but some don't as well. Check your credit card provider as to what charges they will levy you