Hello-

I am considering booking a cruise of the South Atlantic (South Georgia Island, Ascension, etc.) on the M/V Plancius with a Dutch company, Oceanwide Expeditions.

I notice that when I pull up their website in the USA, the lowest price (sharing a quadruple cabin) is $7250.

I'm vacationing in Europe this week, when I visit their web page from Europe, the quoted price for the same trip is 5450 Euros. With today's exchange rate, that's under $5800.

I think they published their dollar/Euro prices 2+ years in advance and then have never changed them.

I'm an American passport holder, I live in the USA and will probably return there before I'm ready to book/pay.

Has anyone ever had any experience paying in Euros for cruises as an American? Is this something they would let me do if I'm up front with them or will some "finesse" be required here? If you think they would require dollar payment, is this determined by IP address, passport nationality, or what?

Also, do you think a company like this would easily offer a 5% discount off the list price if I book directly. I see the same trip offered by affiliates and tour agents, like birdwatching groups, also in Euros. Surely they would have to pay those agents a commission and could reduce their own expenses if I book directly.

Any advice on getting the lowest price and taking advantage of the exchange rate appreciated.