Exchange rate AUD to USD Royal Caribbean Ships

[summerholidays]

Does anyone know approximately what the exchange rate is on board if you are converting AUD to USD?

[CruiserBruce]

It changes daily, and not in your favor.

[Sparky74]

I'm sorry; I don't know detail about the exchange rate that Royal Caribbean uses but the accepted wisdom is that you're better off being charged in US Dollars and letting your bank do the conversion. A 28 Degrees MasterCard or a debit card from CitiBank do not attract foreign currency fees.

[The_Big_M]

Two different rates (same as elsewhere such as going to your bank).

 

One if you're changing cash, and the other for the charge to your account. Charging to your card is cheaper than cash (the same as elsewhere).

[ozziepost]

Do a Google search for the topic "dynamic currency" and be prepared for an interesting read.

 

It's far better for the cruise line to charge your credit card in the currency used on board the ship such as $USD and let your bank do the conversion for you.

 

The Citibank plus and 28 degree MasterCard rate highly on Trip Advisor forums for international travel and are worth considering.

[MicCanberra]

Do a Google search for the topic "dynamic currency" and be prepared for an interesting read.

 

It's far better for the cruise line to charge your credit card in the currency used on board the ship such as $USD and let your bank do the conversion for you.

 

The Citibank plus and 28 degree MasterCard rate highly on Trip Advisor forums for international travel and are worth considering.

 

Definitely get a card that limits or eliminates the fees and use that to pay the on board account. It can save you lots depending on your spending habits while aboard.:D

[The_Big_M]

It's not made clear - perhaps the poster plans to pay cash.

 

Depends what your onboard spend is, but if you're only spending a few hundred and not much interest in a card (or not able to get one), it won't make much difference.

[dizzy1948]

Does anyone know approximately what the exchange rate is on board if you are converting AUD to USD?

 

Are you doing an "Aussie Cruise" as in NZ, Aus? Or are you doing a cruise in the US? Are you looking to convert money on the ship for personal use - or is it to pay your account?

It would help if you gave a little more info :)

Edited June 13, 2015 by dizzy1948

[MicCanberra]

Are you doing an "Aussie Cruise" as in NZ, Aus? Or are you doing a cruise in the US? Are you looking to convert money on the ship for personal use - or is it to pay your account?

It would help if you gave a little more info :)

 

Cruise line would also help as they may have differing policies in regards to Cashing out.:D

[summerholidays]

Are you doing an "Aussie Cruise" as in NZ, Aus? Or are you doing a cruise in the US? Are you looking to convert money on the ship for personal use - or is it to pay your account?

It would help if you gave a little more info :)

 

We are doing Aussie Cruise in South Pacific. To convert cash on the ship for personal use and to pay our account using credit card.

[dizzy1948]

We are doing Aussie Cruise in South Pacific. To convert cash on the ship for personal use and to pay our account using credit card.

 

You don't need cash to spend on the ship - any ship purchases will all go to your cabin account - which I guess you are settling with your credit card.

 

If you need cash to go ashore on the various islands - I would not change any money on the ship - I would do it ashore. The exchange rate on any ship is always higher than shore rates. The rates are set on a daily basis, as per the money market, so there's no way of knowing until the day of settlement of your account - what the rate is.

 

I would check with the cruise line what currency you are paying with. Princess (Aus cruises) for example, you pay in $Au - but if you read their "blurb" $US is sprinkled in there T&C's like confetti.

 

I don't know what currency/s you would need for the islands - never been - but others will know.

 

Perhaps you could "gift" yourself some on board credit to use on the ship.

 

Don't know how Royal Caribbean works in that respect.

 

Others will know doubt be able to fine tune more info for you ;)

Edited June 14, 2015 by dizzy1948

[MicCanberra]

If you are on RCI or Celebrity, pulling cash out from your OBC will incur a 5% fee.:D

[dizzy1948]

If you are on RCI or Celebrity, pulling cash out from your OBC will incur a 5% fee.:D

 

Does that mean if you were to go and change money from your OBC to use ashore (converted to the local currency) or does it mean when you settle your on board account?

(I've managed to get myself confused now :o)

[Dizziedi]

If you are on RCI or Celebrity, pulling cash out from your OBC will incur a 5% fee.:D

 

Actually Mic, the 5% is charged when you draw money on your SeaPass card in the Casino which is an easy way of accessing your OBC (but not actually telling them it is against your OBC) - is that what you meant? On Radiance - Syd/HNL, at Guest Services they were only allowing you take the cash from OBC on the last day of the cruise if it hadn't been spent (with no 5% being applied). It was also the case that your OBC would be applied to your account before any other spendings:rolleyes:

 

I had a "debate" with Guest Services about that because it was a "gift" from my US TA. I got the money - $US1000 (no charge) but don't believe I should have had to state my case so energetically:eek::)

 

Cheers

Di

[MicCanberra]

Does that mean if you were to go and change money from your OBC to use ashore (converted to the local currency) or does it mean when you settle your on board account?

(I've managed to get myself confused now :o)

 

That means if you have OBC and take some of it out as cash for on shore.:D

[MicCanberra]

Actually Mic, the 5% is charged when you draw money on your SeaPass card in the Casino which is an easy way of accessing your OBC (but not actually telling them it is against your OBC) - is that what you meant? On Radiance - Syd/HNL, at Guest Services they were only allowing you take the cash from OBC on the last day of the cruise if it hadn't been spent (with no 5% being applied). It was also the case that your OBC would be applied to your account before any other spendings:rolleyes:

 

I had a "debate" with Guest Services about that because it was a "gift" from my US TA. I got the money - $US1000 (no charge) but don't believe I should have had to state my case so energetically:eek::)

 

Cheers

Di

 

Yes, accessing the OBC through the casino prior to the end of the cruise:D

[dizzy1948]

That means if you have OBC and take some of it out as cash for on shore.:D

 

I understand now - thanks. Personally, I would not access OBC to get "cash" for anything. I would be taking the good old paper Aussie dollars and changing them on shore as and when I needed it. Especially if you only have one day on shore. Whichever way - I would never change money on a ship. Not all bandits wear masks :p

[MicCanberra]

I understand now - thanks. Personally, I would not access OBC to get "cash" for anything. I would be taking the good old paper Aussie dollars and changing them on shore as and when I needed it. Especially if you only have one day on shore. Whichever way - I would never change money on a ship. Not all bandits wear masks :p

 

Yes, but there may be other reasons why someone might.

[ozziepost]

Re currency in Pacific islands New Caledonia and Vanuatu. We never bother about getting local currency for Noumea as we find shopping expensive in New Caledonia.

 

There are times though when it is handy to have some Central Pacific Francs. You can use AUD at the cruise ship terminal for tour purchases and the small market.

 

Although some stores will accept AUD not many do and it's polite to ask first before making a purchase.

 

AUD is widely accepted in Vanuatu for purchases because the importance of the cruise industry on the local economy.

[MicCanberra]

Re currency in Pacific islands New Caledonia and Vanuatu. We never bother about getting local currency for Noumea as we find shopping expensive in New Caledonia.

 

There are times though when it is handy to have some Central Pacific Francs. You can use AUD at the cruise ship terminal for tour purchases and the small market.

 

Although some stores will accept AUD not many do and it's polite to ask first before making a purchase.

 

AUD is widely accepted in Vanuatu for purchases because the importance of the cruise industry on the local economy.

 

The shops that accept AUD (and other currencies) will often have their conversion rates by the till.:D

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The shops that accept AUD (and other currencies) will often have their conversion rates by the till.:D

 

...and they will sometimes take Au/NZ dollars and give change in the local currency , which is useless , unless you are a keen fisherman and can use the coins for sinkers.:D:D

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

...and they will sometimes take Au/NZ dollars and give change in the local currency , which is useless , unless you are a keen fisherman and can use the coins for sinkers.:D:D

 

 

 

 

LOL, Or the next time you go back.:D