ATM on Nautica Istanbul to Athens cruise

[love vacations]

If you use the ATM on board the Nautica, what currency will you get-Turkish Lire, Euros or US dollars? Also, what currency is used on your shipboard credit card?

[digby]

If you use the ATM on board the Nautica, what currency will you get-Turkish Lire, Euros or US dollars? Also, what currency is used on your shipboard credit card?

 

There is no ATM on the Nautica.

[love vacations]

What about the onboard account. Is it done in US dollars?

[shoshona2]

You give Oceania a credit card when you board the ship and ALL your charges appear on the bill and is charged in U.S. dollars to that credit card.

[mike35]

One note of caution, that has been discussed in detail over the past several months. Oceania processes its credit card through a bank in Ireland. Many credit card companies tack on an onerous "foreign transaction fee" that can add as much as 3% to your charges. I switched to Capital One, since it does not add on these charges. I would strongly suggest you check this out, as the add-on can really add up.

 

Mike

[shoshona2]

Hi Mike,

 

As of our recent Beijing to Hong Kong cruise, Citi Card didn't charge me the 3% "foreign exchange fee" on Oceania's shipboard account even though it had the code "IE" on my bill. I was only charged the 3% fee on my Beijing Peninsula hotel charges.

 

Sheila

[digby]

We also were not charged the 3% on our recent Asian cruise. We usually use a local credit union's VISA when abroad because they do not charge the extra 3 %. It pays to shop around.

[mike35]

As of our recent Beijing to Hong Kong cruise, Citi Card didn't charge me the 3% "foreign exchange fee" on Oceania's shipboard account even though it had the code "IE" on my bill. I was only charged the 3% fee on my Beijing Peninsula hotel charges.

 

Sheila

 

I shudder any time I see extra charges tacked on by credit card companies. They're making billions as it is - they sure as hell don't have to tack on extra charges. I'll keep Capital One, and hopefully they'll continue to avoid the foreign transaction fee. BTW - their domestic flight plan beats MBNA -- 20,000 points for a r/t in the US vs. 25,000 for MBNA.

 

Mike