I am going on a Med. cruise shortly with Princess Cruises and I have a question about my onboard bill?

Question

I have just found out that princess cruises charge 3% to convert my onboard bill to dollars.As I expect to spend afew bob at the bars and casino this could add a substantial amount to my bill .Is there a way round this conversion charge?

Answer 1

Yesterday I paid up for my forthcoming cruise, Now you tell me this... I saw nothing in the brochures re conversion charges, only that dollars are used on board.  I don't drink so have no worries over bar bills, unless my orange juice is going up in price.  Would you advise me to buy a sack of oranges at our first port of call and manage with a DIY situation?, will they charge me for ice?  corkage?  use of bar facilities?  Will I be charged for dumping my orange peel over the stern?  This cruise was intended to allow me to relax, now I'm all tensed up again.............................. 3%... I'm getting worried, if I spend $100.00 it will now cost me $103.00  

How about me doing the conversions and them letting me off the charge - - - I could do it for my fellow passengers and only charge 2%, I would show a profit and so would they.  Princess Cruises would be able to sack at least one accountant and allow them a further profit.  I can see a full time job coming up here.  Could be cruising for the rest of my life on my percentages.............................  Yippee

I'm on the 22 September cruise on board Sea Princess, look out for me in the bar with my sack of oranges, I'll even let you suck on any juicy bits left over.  I'm the bearded old f**t with the limp...

Answer 2

When you are getting ready to board, secure your shipboard account with a credit card.  However, to avoid the credit card and ship charges, get some US dollar travelers checks before you go and pay off the charges with those on the last day of the cruise.  If you dont have enough travelers check to cover the bill, leave the remainder on the credit card... the overall conversion charges will still be decreased.

Answer 3

You are each given a plastic card to use at the bars. At the end of the cruise you pay the whole bill by your credit card. You don't need money on the ship.

Answer 4

Princess has some beautiful ships but they have a habit of taking advantage of their non American customers.  I'm surprised its only 3%.  As a Canadian I have pointed out how I am being discriminated against and simply remove the excess charges from the tip.  I make it clear to the purser why its being done and since they are usually British they fully understand.

Answer 5

Register a credit card with reception when you first board. That will pay for everything you have on your bill at the end of the cruise.

Every cruise I have been on with Princess has charged the onboard bill and my credit card in dollars, the bank then changed it to GBP.

Word of caution, check your bill, (you will get a running total a few days before you dis-embark) sometimes mistakes are made but never in your favour.

Answer 6

yeah, pay with credit card and let the bank do the conversion for you, my bank doesn't charge me for that, some do charge but it's less than 3p/c