US ex/rate means massive savings on UK list price

dejoxy

Hiya, does anyone know how much duty is levied on books imprted from the US? Thnx.

savvy

Have you checked out the posting from sanssouci above, it gives you a web address for import duties

raeble

If you're looking for a cruise my friend swears by these folks. She's been using them for about ten years. She saw them when she was on holiday in Florida, and then spotted their website the year before last. Used to phone them up before. Of course the closer to the leaving date you book the better the deal. http://www.cruisesonly.com/travel/cruises/default.jsp?

luci

Lisyloo, can you tell me where the thread about you booking your cruise? I've trawled through the Travel forum and couldn't see it mentioned there............... but my eyesight maybe ain't what it should be!

lisyloo

I think it's the 6th post on this thread - or is that not the one you want?

luci

As I mentioned on another thread, I paid for a cruise with an American company and saved 10% by paying in $s (on top of the 60% off special deal).

I belive that American cruise ships are in general superior to others and of course they sail all over the world not just America.

The company I am going with (Holland America) have a new ship out this year (Westerdaam) and they are offering really good prices e.g. 60% off.
I presume this is because the ship is unknown and doesn't currently have a "following".

In the 3rd post in this thread (above) you say you mentioned it in another thread. That's the one I was looking for, but failed to find.

lisyloo

I think this is the thread I was referring to

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Questions;action=display;num=1075929692;start=6#6

That discussion was more to do with credit card exhange rates (which are very favourable compared with tourist currency rates).

Basically I think that Holland America (who are an American cruise line) have a fixed £ price for their cruises for this country i.e. they do not alter the £ price daily in line with the exchange rate.
It struck me that there's nothing to stop you buying it in $s either direct from them or through a broker.
(and I checked out the situation if they go bust).

Because of the slide of the dollar this made a big difference (about £250 in the end).

The only downsides as far as I can tell are
1. No ABTA bonding (but covered on credit card)
2. Tickets have to come from US.
3. Might be difficult to contact them in the morning, but rasy to get them in the evening as they are in the US.

I made sure that the agent I used had an 0800 number as I didn't want to spend a fortune in phone calls to the states.

I haven't been on this cruise line before but they are rated 5.5 out of 6 so basically the best you can get for "normal" prices.

If you have any other questions then just ask.

loates123

the rate seem to be getting worst 174

lisyloo

My transaction went through on 4th Feb, so yes the exchange rate information on that thread will be out of date.

You would need to check up to date rates to see what savings could be made (if any).

luci

Thanks Lisyloo. Sorry for the delay in replying, but I haven't had any notifications of new posts in the past few days and this is becoming a real bind.