Looking for - Canadian Dollar at Par Cruises (or Canadian " Deals")

Two years ago, met a fellow Canadian onboard an Azamara ship who was sailing " Canadian $ at Par". We weren't aware of that promo, paid significantly more. Lesson learned.

Planning a Mediterranean trip for 2, summer 2019, and would ask that if anyone becomes aware of pricing geared towards Canadians that they submit a quick reply.

Interested in information from any cruise line and we're not fussy re staterooms ( but prefer balcony/verandah).

In the past I've gotten Canadian rates at discounted conversions from Royal Caribbean , HAL and NCL . I have never gotten an at par deal although they are available . All of the above deals were booked direct with the cruise line so I had to forgo whatever extra's available with a TA . It is possible to transfer a booking to a TA after booking direct with the cruise line but not it seems when booking in Cdn $'s . At least that's been my experience .

I did get 2 great upsells with HAL, booking direct . Also when booking direct , you have the option to pay in either currency . Ask for both to actually figure out their conversion rate as the agents don't usually know .

Good luck .

We had what was essentially an at par deal from Princess on a South American cruise. We seldom book more than a few months in advance but this time we did.

The offer came in the mail (we signed up with Princess for last minute deals and special offers). We booked immediately. We looked at the pricing the next day and it was gone. It was one of the few times that we have booked with a Canadian TA. In this case online with a warehouse store.

It was the only time that we have seen what I would call a 'real sale'. More often than not we see offers that claim to be at par but they tend to be discounts from unrealistic so called regular retail pricing. We also use a credit card that does not charge the extra 2.5 percent FX fee on any international charges.

The one other time when we booked in Canada was when there was a significant drop in the exchange rate over a month or so. It seems that he cruise lines do not adjust for currency fluctuations on a daily basis. We were able to book at an attractive rate vis a vis the then prevailing exchange rate.

The other thing we do is check pricing on other (non USA) web sites. DS saved 15 percent by booking a Baltic cruise with a TA in the UK vs. Canada. We saved 30 percent over North American pricing by booking an Australia/NZ cruise direct with RCI Australia.

Just saw this. I just booked an NCL cruise - at par and with no single supplement - but it is within 90 days of sailing. If still on, this would be the time to use a CruiseShip specialist for Canadians, as they were offering EXPEDIAnt perks as well as NCL perks.

I would also sign up for their emails for future deals tailored to Canadians.

I usually don't use a travel agent, but cruising is where I would recommend.

On 8/19/2018 at 8:05 AM, iancal said:

We also use a credit card that does not charge the extra 2.5 percent FX fee on any international charges.

Which card is this?  I thought they were all gone (Amazon.ca, Sears, Marriott).

In the past, I've seen HAL offer CAD rates better than the prevailing conversion but haven't seriously checked in ~3 years..

Oceania purportedly offers CAD rates but I've never been interested enough to check.

Thanks for the tip re Oceania (possibly Canadian at par)

We''ll look into it.

When the Marriott Visa (chase bank Canada) card ended we moved to the Home Trust Preferred Visa.

No fee, no up charge on foreign purchases, 1.5 percent (min $5.50) service charge on cash advances, auto club, rental car insurance.

We have been using it for six months.  Just used it for a cash advance in Mexico.  Works as advertised.  Also checked on the conversion rates periodically over the past six months.  They are good.

The cards have a hard wired pin at the moment (ie you cannot change your pin on line) but we are told this enhancement is coming.  Phone contact is currently only M-F.

Happy with it so far.

19 minutes ago, iancal said:

When the Marriott Visa (chase bank Canada) card ended we moved to the Home Trust Preferred Visa.

 

No fee, no up charge on foreign purchases, 1.5 percent (min $5.50) service charge on cash advances, auto club, rental car insurance.

 

We have been using it for six months.  Just used it for a cash advance in Mexico.  Works as advertised.  Also checked on the conversion rates periodically over the past six months.  They are good.

 

The cards have a hard wired pin at the moment (ie you cannot change your pin on line) but we are told this enhancement is coming.  Phone contact is currently only M-F.

 

Happy with it so far.

Good to know. Mine is held up in local postal strike. Hope it arrives before Thursday's departure.

On 10/31/2018 at 2:57 PM, Tondakea said:

Thanks for the tip re Oceania (possibly Canadian at par)

 

We''ll look into it.

 

they do have some specials  on specific sailings

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/canadian-special/

I compare  the price in CAD  & USD   lately it works out the same  in the end  so I book in CAD

a couple of years ago it worked out cheaper to book in USD  

so ask for both & compare what it would cost to buy USD here

On 11/4/2018 at 10:48 AM, iancal said:

When the Marriott Visa (chase bank Canada) card ended we moved to the Home Trust Preferred Visa.

 

No fee, no up charge on foreign purchases, 1.5 percent (min $5.50) service charge on cash advances, auto club, rental car insurance.

 

We have been using it for six months.  Just used it for a cash advance in Mexico.  Works as advertised.  Also checked on the conversion rates periodically over the past six months.  They are good.

 

The cards have a hard wired pin at the moment (ie you cannot change your pin on line) but we are told this enhancement is coming.  Phone contact is currently only M-F.

 

Happy with it so far.

good  to know  we got it too late for our last  cruise but will use it next year