Currency on Board?

[jarand]

We will be on the Zaandam in South America next week. If the currency onboard is listed as USD, does that mean I will definitely get USD from the ATMs and the casino (rather than local currency)?

 

Thanks.

[CruiserBruce]

I haven't seen ATMs on HAL ships, but we don't usually get currency on board. The place we have gotten currency at is the Front Desk and the Neptune Lounge. Yes, they will have USD.

[POA1]

The casino operates on US dollars as well.

[dakrewser]

There are no ATMs but some foreign currencies are available at the front desk. Still, the best exchange rates are usually provided by ATMs in port.

[sail7seas]

All HAL ships operate on US $$.

 

[iancal]

Ships currency can make a substantial difference.

 

We took two cruises, several weeks apart, from Australia last winter. The currency used on the Princess cruise was Australian. Our RCI cruise used US currency.

 

This meant, for us , that RCI on board prices were 30 percent higher in real terms simply because of currency. RCI bar prices were higher even before adjustments for currency. The $10 AUD martini on Princess was $12.USD on RCI, or $15-$16 AUD. A significant difference.

[dorisis]

There will be a substantial charge to change US$s onboard. It is cheaper to use your Credit card at ATM. Depending on your card there will most likely be a charge. You can also use your card for purchases.

[take us away]

There will be a substantial charge to change US$s onboard. It is cheaper to use your Credit card at ATM. Depending on your card there will most likely be a charge. You can also use your card for purchases.

 

The last cruise had an exchange rate of 3 to 5% for exchange of US$ to other currency which I gladly paid as 1) no hassles, 2) did not have to find an ATM then wait in line but could just get off the ship and take off on my adventure, 3) worry about the security of the ATM. Fully appreciate that credit cards have less exchange or no exchange rate when compared to the front desk but I am all about convenience. Also do not exchange currency very often as US$$ work well in many OUS ports, even in So America.

 

Now if you 'buy' currency from the front desk and charge it to your account, you have an additional fee for the currency and then another for the exchange as you can only 'buy' US$$. Better to use the casino to 'buy' US$$.

[InTheWASide]

Everything onboard is USD