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Today I printed our SetSail passes and a couple of baggage tags...  Maybe a little premature for an April sailing, but with my lawn covered in  a few feet of "White Fescue" (with more on the way) I figured what better way to chase away winter? I do admit to some barely controlled giggling as the documents exited the printer...

 

The SetSail pass did raise one question: There are options to let Royal Caribbean convert on board charges to my card's currency, or let my card issuer convert. Stupid question time - are on board charges made in USD or another currency? 

 

 

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From what I've read, you'll likely get a better exchange rate through your credit card company.

 

As an aside, how does this apply to European cruises? Are charges in USD? The reason I ask is that years ago on the Legend out of Tampa, we came across something in the shops that was mark with a tag with he price in a foreign currency, so I wasn't sure how they handle the European cruises and onboard expenses.

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I think Mark will be better off with no exchange rate whatsoever since he lives in Connecticut and probably has a US-based card. :D

 

I had thought that Royal Caribbean generally operates in dollars even on sailings in Europe. The bar menus I've seen for Southampton sailings are in USD, and I know the casinos are USD.

 

I suspect, however, that China's sailings are probably in Chinese yuan given the extensive localizing they do for that market. I don't know about Australian sailings.

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I suspect, however, that China's sailings are probably in Chinese yuan given the extensive localizing they do for that market. I don't know about Australian sailings.

We've cruised in Asia and Australia and everything is charged in US$.

As far as what's a better deal, I think it depends if your credit card company charges an exchange fee. Mine doesn't, so it's always a better deal. The best way to go is to pay with US$ cash. If you have to use credit card some exchange services (in Australia) lets you buy foreign currancy on your credit card (no it's not considered a cash advance).

Luke.

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We've cruised in Asia and Australia and everything is charged in US$.

Thank you very much for saying this. I've wondered about that.

 

Do you find that there is much of an impediment to local cruisers to have their onboard expenses in a foreign currency in terms of either handling it through their banks (probably not) or otherwise understanding the cost after applying their exchange rate?

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From what's been said above, it seems that Royal Caribbean does all onboard charging in US dollars. Your onboard account will be shown in US dollars.

 

When you fill out your SetSail Pass (as part of your online checkin), there is a checkbox whether Royal Caribbean will convert your onboard account's balance to your domestic currency or charge you in US dollars and let your bank handle the conversion.

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I'm sailing in July around the med on Anthem do I take dollars on board or euros ?..

And if you purchase anything and charge to your room do they bill you in dollars or £'s ?

I don't think you can go wrong but if you're an American, it might be easier to stick with dollars. Everyone takes dollars on land.

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Do you find that there is much of an impediment to local cruisers to have their onboard expenses in a foreign currency in terms of either handling it through their banks (probably not) or otherwise understanding the cost after applying their exchange rate?

I've met a lot of people who didn't know which causes problems (in Australia it would add 20-25% to your bill). I think where the confusion comes from is, you pay for the cruise and anything prepaid in local currency. I have no doubt it effects the onboard spending as a lot of people can't or don't want to work out the actual cost.

 

Our first cruise it worked out well as our dollar was higher then US$ at the time :) 

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From what's been said above, it seems that Royal Caribbean does all onboard charging in US dollars. Your onboard account will be shown in US dollars.

 

When you fill out your SetSail Pass (as part of your online checkin), there is a checkbox whether Royal Caribbean will convert your onboard account's balance to your domestic currency or charge you in US dollars and let your bank handle the conversion.

Thanks Marc

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  • 1 year later...

Hi Guys, we are from Australia when cruising the Pacific Islands I would like your views on using a travel money card from your bank and then drawing out cash in USD?

When you are through out a cruise and you go to a sea port and they are in different currency, can you take some USD money to the front desk and exchange it for the local currency?

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I cannot comment on the travel money card...but I can tell you that they will exchange dollars for local currency at Guest Services.  I should say, more specifically, I have had them sell me Euro.  Not sure they will have every little individual currency option for numerous Pacific islands.

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I have been told in the past that if you let RCL convert your bill to your currency (GB£ in my case) they charge an additional service charge.  If you let your credit card company convert it you avoid that charge, or it is less that RCL charges.  I always check the box to let my card company convert it.

 

I cruised in Scandinavia in August 2015 and everything onboard was charged in US$.  Customer Services offered exchange services for the currencies of the countries we visited. 

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