Canadian cruisers!!

This is a very long thread so the information below is already posted I apologize for the repeat.

 

Just back from Nov 10th Anthem 12 night, this cruise was booked in CAD funds.

 

Prior to cruise we purchased $3000 ($500 six times) for a total cost of $3300 CAD. Amazed? I was! Once we arrived in our room the account feature on the TV showed a balance of $3000 USD and it decreased as we used it but always showing the balance.

 

On board we paid for 2 beverage packages (much cheaper than prepaying in CAD online).

 

Gratuities of $12.95 USD per person came from the balance.

 

Went to casino each day to withdraw a few hundred dollars, $500 is the max per day. I did this until there was only enough left in the account to cover gratuities, speciality dining, photos, onboard purchases. There was never a service fee for taking this cash at the casino.

 

Doing this saved us 23-25% on exchange rates at our local bank. Being able to take our cash at the casino also provided for in port and onboard spending as well as occasional tips to our servers/staff etc. It also saved us money on shore excursions and all onboard spending. Not to mention we did not have to travel with a pile of cash.

 

On the last day of the cruise, with only a few dollars left in the pre purchased OBC, I went to guest services, added my Visa to the account and spent the balance at the logo store. Any amount I went over was simply charged to my Visa.

 

I had been reading this with the same interest as many of you, somewhat in disbelief, however now that I've done it for myself I had to report back. This is an amazing way to save hundreds or more.

Is access to OBC only availbale on day 2 or beyond. I would ike to buy my drink package with OBC as soon as I get on Board ??

Is access to OBC only availbale on day 2 or beyond. I would ike to buy my drink package with OBC as soon as I get on Board ??

You can purchase your drink package as soon as you board, even if OBC is nor showing on your account. OBC is applied to charges at the end of the cruise, so it does not matter if OBC shows up on day 2, day 3, etc., as long as it shows up before the end of the cruise.

As it has been mention being proof you pre purchased the Obc...credit card receipt, vacation summary print out...anything. I did not get my obc until day 3 but had to show proof cause they couldn't find it in the system and had to call main office with a fax of my proof

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Wow, almost a year and this deal is still going!

Just off the Indy - the max is $300 per stateroom account

I was able to take out $500 daily on the Indy, and we did, multiple times.

Clearly, it depends on who is working.

Dear All -

Can the USD OB credit (purchased in USD, but seemingly charged in CAD at a rate of $1.10) be purchased via telephone only, or can it be done online as well?

Many thanks...

Airbus_Guy!

Dear All -

 

Can the USD OB credit (purchased in USD, but seemingly charged in CAD at a rate of $1.10) be purchased via telephone only, or can it be done online as well?

 

Many thanks...

 

Airbus_Guy!

Only by phone.

I had a CC on my account and did not withdraw cash from the casino. We had $1000 OBC, and used $600 of it. The second to last day at 4:30pm I went to GS and asked to cash out my OBC. I made the comment that I thought I'd come today VS the joining the long line tomorrow. The agent behind the counter agreed and cashed out my account with no fee.

 

On Allure in March the would not do it until the last day, so I was at GS at 7:20 am. There is no way I want to wait in that line. I guess each ship is different.

Wow, I had no idea that Guest Services would not cash out the OBC until the last day. I went around 11 pm on Day 6, and they had already charged Day 7's gratuities. I asked to withdraw the remainder of my OBC that I had prepurchased and she did without a problem. I didn't realize this was unusual! It was over $500 too.

Can you do that any day or only on the last day?

I only tried to withdraw late on Day 6, and had no problems, but others report that they needed to wait until the last day. I did not try to withdraw any earlier.

Wow, I had no idea that Guest Services would not cash out the OBC until the last day. I went around 11 pm on Day 6, and they had already charged Day 7's gratuities. I asked to withdraw the remainder of my OBC that I had prepurchased and she did without a problem. I didn't realize this was unusual! It was over $500 too.

They din't blink an eye at the $500-600 that I had. There is no limit at guest services, but it is only allowed on the "last" day, or in your and my case the second to last day.;)

I'm not a Canuck, but this seemed like as good a thread as any...

In all my cruises I've never used OBC for the duty-free shop. Can I buy booze there on OBC?

I'm not a Canuck, but this seemed like as good a thread as any...

 

In all my cruises I've never used OBC for the duty-free shop. Can I buy booze there on OBC?

Yes, you can use OBC for anything you use your SeaPass card for.

Thanks Bob. Always quick with the good info.

Salut to me, then!

Only by phone.

Just now checking this out. So, all I have to do is call the regular RC phone and ask for my OBC in whatever amount in USDollars and they bill my Canadian credit card at a rate of 1.10??? Am I missing anything? Seems too good to be true. I can then pay off my bill, for drinks or whatever, with that money. If there's any money left over, do they then give it to me in US dollars, even if I'm disembarking in Sydney, Australia?:rolleyes:

Just now checking this out. So, all I have to do is call the regular RC phone and ask for my OBC in whatever amount in USDollars and they bill my Canadian credit card at a rate of 1.10??? Am I missing anything? Seems too good to be true. I can then pay off my bill, for drinks or whatever, with that money. If there's any money left over, do they then give it to me in US dollars, even if I'm disembarking in Sydney, Australia?:rolleyes:

Call the # for "Gifts & Gear". I've called the regular # before and they didn't offer the 10% exchange.

Just now checking this out. So, all I have to do is call the regular RC phone and ask for my OBC in whatever amount in USDollars and they bill my Canadian credit card at a rate of 1.10??? Am I missing anything? Seems too good to be true. I can then pay off my bill, for drinks or whatever, with that money. If there's any money left over, do they then give it to me in US dollars, even if I'm disembarking in Sydney, Australia?:rolleyes:

You can call gifts and gear at 800-722-5443 or C&A at 800-526-9723.

If you set up a cash account then any money will be refunded to you in cash the last day when you close your account.

If you set up a credit card account then any money will be refunded to the credit card in US$.

In reading some more, to do this am I correct that I'd have to had purchased the cruise in Canadian dollars?

Call the # for "Gifts & Gear". I've called the regular # before and they didn't offer the 10% exchange.

In reading some more, to do this am I correct that I'd have to had purchased the cruise in Canadian dollars?

Correct.

Oh, shucks. Maybe next cruise. Thanks all.

[QUOTE=Ourusualbeach;48407542]Correct.

Wow, almost a year and this deal is still going! ��

Yes, and thank you for starting this thread. We benefited well. You and others such as Ourusualbeach who kept this thread going should get the the best thread of the year award!!!

As it has been mention being proof you pre purchased the Obc...credit card receipt' date=' vacation summary print out...anything. I did not get my obc until day 3 but had to show proof cause they couldn't find it in the system and had to call main office with a fax of my proof[/quote']

On my Oct/Nov Allure, all OBC slips were already in the room when we arrived in the cabin. We also did take a copy of the CAD receipt the RCCL rep emailed me, just in case.

Yes, and thank you for starting this thread. We benefited well. You and others such as Ourusualbeach who kept this thread going should get the the best thread of the year award!!!

.

👍

Ken ( Ourusualbeach) has so much great Royal info to offer! :)

Bob too! I'm just a newbie Royal cruiser who stumbled across a deal last January that seemed too good to be true. Never thought it would last this long. Especially with the dollar the way it is currently.

So glad fellow Canadians are still able to take advantage of the savings!

Max at the casino is $500 per person per day at the casino on thee oasis this week

Never posted before but I had to post something just to say thanks to whoever figured this out and posted it saved us big time loaded up the seapass for Jan. 17 on aboard the Jewel.

Thank you to the good guy/girl of the year for this info.

Max at the casino is $500 per person per day at the casino on thee oasis this week

Thanks. Several visits to the casino will be in order at Christmas.

Buy your stateroom credit now at a much better exchange rate then our banks are offering! Hoping to use ours for drinks and tips..

 

Drink packages and excursions have increased in price over the last few days..

I think the exchange rate on onboard credit is still a little better.

$450 onboard credit cost us $495 Canadian

as approsed to the current bank exchange rate ( 1.26 ) which would be $568.00

Came back to the origional post and was shocked that not even a year ago our $ was at 1.26. Bought a bit of US $ last week for the drive town this Christmas and it was 1.37.

At least the 1.10 rate us still holding with Royal.

Can't wait to get on board and start booking those restaurants, shore excursions and drink packages.:D