Canadian Princess Cruisers

[St Paul Girl]

I am looking into buying Casino Credits so I can cash them out and get the US cash to spend on the islands.

 

Does anyone know how these are charged to my CDN Visa card if I prepurchase them? Not sure if $100 in casino credits would be charged as $120 in CDN funds to my VISA. Or if the $100 will be charged in US funds to my visa with a higher exchange rate from Visa.

 

I understand that Onboard Credit is charged in CDN dollars with the princess exchange rate. But are the casino credits charged differently?

 

Thanks,

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer:

Go and login to your Princess Personalizer account and there is a section for on-board purchases, including Casino credits, beverage packages,etc Click on the link and there will be 3 options to select: Casino credits for $25USD, $50USD and $100USD.Your exchange rate will replace those 3 amounts with the equivalent CDN dollars for purchasing.

Hope this helps.

[kruisey]

I always book in $US so when I booked my cruise our dollar was not too bad.

Then every day it became to sink.I phoned Princess and was getting them to rebook in Canadian which was at 20% more.Realize could not make 45 days with an increase .Phoned Princess again and downgraded to the 30day leg but the agent booked it in $US.

Today I phoned them again and told them for every $1000 $US the bank are charging me an additional $375 Canadian.They have kindly rebooked me back into Canadian which is just the 20% above USA

I have nearly been pulling my hair out every time I have looked at the exchange rate.:eek::eek:

I know I am a scary cat old lady but this Loonie thing has hit me:eek: hard:eek::eek:

[Tweedy]

Casino credits for $25USD, $50USD and $100USD.Your exchange rate will replace those 3 amounts with the equivalent CDN dollars for purchasing.

Hope this helps.

 

 

I just checked mine out of curiosity and it showed $30CAD, $60CAD and $120CDN.

[Adventures ahead]

I just checked mine out of curiosity and it showed $30CAD, $60CAD and $120CDN.

 

Our September cruise shows $27.50CAD, $55CAD and $110CAD and the rate changes after Sept.

 

Our cruise is now paid in full. If I purchase casino or OBC on my Personalizer now (Add to Cart), it states, "Credits appear on your stateroom account and are automatically applied toward Casino spending" or "onboard purchases". Will my credit card be charged right away (at 10%)? Or, instead of ordering online, should I submit an order form or call Princess (Vancouver?) with my booking and credit card numbers?

[St Paul Girl]

Our September cruise shows $27.50CAD, $55CAD and $110CAD and the rate changes after Sept.

 

Our cruise is now paid in full. If I purchase casino or OBC on my Personalizer now (Add to Cart), it states, "Credits appear on your stateroom account and are automatically applied toward Casino spending" or "onboard purchases". Will my credit card be charged right away (at 10%)? Or, instead of ordering online, should I submit an order form or call Princess (Vancouver?) with my booking and credit card numbers?

 

We do everything on-line as it eliminates human" error on charging in the wrong currency etc. Yes, your credit card is charged now, not later. Our personalizer show us at 10% just like you but our cruise does NOT leave until Oct 28. I will be purchasing a number of OB Casino credits, coffe cards and Beverage package before the end of September, just to be sure of the exchange rate.

Have a great cruise.

[dshimizu]

I always book in $US so when I booked my cruise our dollar was not too bad.

Then every day it became to sink.I phoned Princess and was getting them to rebook in Canadian which was at 20% more.Realize could not make 45 days with an increase .Phoned Princess again and downgraded to the 30day leg but the agent booked it in $US:

 

Question to you:

 

Were you always booking with Princess or a TA? If a TA, did you cancel with him/her then rebook with Princess or ?

[kruisey]

Question to you:

 

Were you always booking with Princess or a TA? If a TA, did you cancel with him/her then rebook with Princess or ?

With Princess direct.

They have always been very patient with me .I have many cruises with them and we have had our disagreements at times but we have always come to a satisfactory conclusion.:)

[jennymaxgirl]

I have a cruise booked for Oct on the Royal. I understand that Princess offers 20% rate on purchasing OBC and Casino Credits.

 

Given that our dollar seems to be dropping as time passes, is there a chance Princess could also increase their exchange rate?

 

Would it be best if I purchase my casino credits now in case princess increases that 20% to a higher rate? Or is it a set rate until a set date?

 

Thanks

[kruisey]

I have a cruise booked for Oct on the Royal. I understand that Princess offers 20% rate on purchasing OBC and Casino Credits.

 

Given that our dollar seems to be dropping as time passes, is there a chance Princess could also increase their exchange rate?

 

Would it be best if I purchase my casino credits now in case princess increases that 20% to a higher rate? Or is it a set rate until a set date?

 

Thanks

 

'Princess discuss their rates every second month of the year'unquote.

You will be safe if your cruise is booked this October for purchasing OBC and Casino.

Also those that book their 2016 cruises before second month of next year will keep at 20%.If the exchange rate is increased by Princess after that time every part of a cruise will.

It may be wise if one has booked in Canadian to pay OBC,Gratuities,Casino and Gifts before the second month of next year just in case rate goes up. For the cruise itself it can be paid off anytime up to final payment date because if you booked before second month it will be 20%.

One never knows maybe by next year the Canadian Dollar might come out of retirement and start active service:D;)

[dshimizu]

This question may have been asked before but I think our situation could be a little different. I recently booked a short cruise in Canadian $ leaving Sept 12. The rate is for purchasing OBC's etc is 20%

 

We had also booked a 28 day cruise to Tahiti leaving October 17 in $USD. through a TA in Florida. After checking with Princess, because of the discounts we got through the TA the cruise cost is pretty much a saw off. We used US FCC's and currently have no CDN FCC's. We realize that will get zinged with onboard purchases and tour costs.

 

I wonder if there is an advantage to purchase a bunch, Ie. $1000. Of OBC's on the Sept cruise at 1.20%? Assume we would get a USD refund cheque after that trip, then cash it and take that $1000. USD to Tahiti.

 

Am I on the right track or out to lunch?

[phabric]

I would like your help to decide if I should switch from US$ to CDN$ for my August and Dec cruises.

 

1)- US$ $1838/pp

CDN $2206/pp

Would have Sip & Sail - beverage package

 

2) US$ $1,375/pp

CDN $2,200/pp

With Casino discount

 

If you have a CDN TD Visa card, do they charge the exchange rate plus a service charge?

 

Would you switch from US$ to CDN?

Edited July 26, 2015 by phabric

[phabric]

This question may have been asked before but I think our situation could be a little different. I recently booked a short cruise in Canadian $ leaving Sept 12. The rate is for purchasing OBC's etc is 20%

 

We had also booked a 28 day cruise to Tahiti leaving October 17 in $USD. through a TA in Florida. After checking with Princess, because of the discounts we got through the TA the cruise cost is pretty much a saw off. We used US FCC's and currently have no CDN FCC's. We realize that will get zinged with onboard purchases and tour costs.

 

I wonder if there is an advantage to purchase a bunch, Ie. $1000. Of OBC's on the Sept cruise at 1.20%? Assume we would get a USD refund cheque after that trip, then cash it and take that $1000. USD to Tahiti.

 

Am I on the right track or out to lunch?

 

I have a British Isles cruises booked through a US TA in US$. I purchased OBC when the exchange was low. I plan on going to the casino, gamble a small amount and switch money from my ship account to my casino account and take the slip to the cashier and get my US$. Will your bank charge you anything to cash a US cheque for US$?

[Kamloops50]

Princess will bill your TD card in Cdn dollars. It will say "Princess Vancouver " . I would always book in Canadian dollars.

[phabric]

Princess will bill your TD card in Cdn dollars. It will say "Princess Vancouver " . I would always book in Canadian dollars.

 

I have a cruise booked in US$ with a US agent and the Visa statement says Princess Cruise Passage Valencia.

 

Since the cruise is booked in US$, Princess charged US$ and Visa converted into CDN$ with Visa"s exchange rate. I am wondering does Visa charge a service charge? If they do, being hit with exchange rate plus service charge?

 

The exchange rate as of July 25, to convert CDN to US is $1.33.

[dshimizu]

Will your bank charge you anything to cash a US cheque for US$?

 

No as I have a USD account. If you wonder why we don't use USD to pay for our cruises booked in the US, it's because we can't get a US credit card in Canada with any benefits!

 

We are also in exactly the same situation as you. We recently booked 3 cruises in 2016 in USD with the sip and sail package. On the phone yesterday with Princess they gave me the CDN prices, and using a 1.30% conversion, we were still $250-$350 better off staying with the US TA. However, the main deciding factor for not switching at this time is that we have no CDN FCC's. When on our Tahiti cruise in October we will get a bunch of CDN FCC's recognizing that the Sip and Sail event may not continue past August. Yes, we have to look at repricing after we get back from Tahiti.

 

Do you think it OK to get 1,000 to $2000 USD on a 3 day cruise in Sept.?

[dshimizu]

If they do, being hit with exchange rate plus service charge?

 

The exchange rate as of July 25, to convert CDN to US is $1.33.

 

Not unusual to pay an addition 2.5% service charge. In Canada we don't have the variety of fee-less credit cards that they have in the States. We can't even get the Princess Visa!!

[Grimsby]

I have a cruise booked in US$ with a US agent and the Visa statement says Princess Cruise Passage Valencia.

 

Since the cruise is booked in US$, Princess charged US$ and Visa converted into CDN$ with Visa"s exchange rate. I am wondering does Visa charge a service charge? If they do, being hit with exchange rate plus service charge?

 

The exchange rate as of July 25, to convert CDN to US is $1.33.

 

Most credit cards include a 2.25% foreign currency exchange surcharge over and above the posted exchange rate. Some do not. For example I have a credit card issued by CHASE BANK which does not levy this premium on foreign currency exchanges, and I use it for all of my U.S. $$ purchases. Read the terms and conditions that came with your credit card.

Edited July 26, 2015 by Grimsby

[dshimizu]

Most credit cards include a 2.25% foreign currency. For example I have a credit card issued by CHASE BANK which does not levy this premium on foreign currency exchanges, and I use it for all of my U.S. $$ purchases.

 

FYI, ".....Unfortunately, none of Canada’s largest credit card companies (RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO, Scotia, Capital One, Canadian Tire or PC Bank) offer a credit card without a foreign transaction fee. They all charge a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%, on top of the exchange rate set by Visa or Mastercard. They do the same for debit cards either when making a purchase at a U.S. retailer or from an ATM. The only credit card issuer in Canada that offers credit cards without a foreign transaction fee is Chase Canada.

As a result, when using your travel credit card out of country or at a U.S. online merchant, whether it be your Aeroplan, Avion, or Air Miles credit card, you may be earning 1%-2% in rewards per dollar spent, but you’re being charged 2.5% per dollar spent in foreign transaction fees, for a net loss of up to 1.5% for every dollar you spend outside of Canada!

The lesson? Avoid exchanging your Canadian dollars at the bank, taking out money at the ATM or using a credit card with foreign transaction fees while travelling or shopping online. The best way to get the lowest currency exchange rate is to use a credit card without a foreign transaction fee. You’ll get the best currency exchange rate, the most convenience and won’t have to worry about carrying cash in your wallet.

While Chase Canada offers several cards to Canadians without a foreign transaction fee (Amazon Visa, Sears Mastercard), our favorite for travelers is the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Card:

Up to 5 free hotel nights welcome bonus

First year annual fee waived

One free hotel night each year you keep the card thereafter, which effectively off-sets the ongoing annual fee

5 points per dollar spent at Marriott, 2 points per dollar spent at airlines, restaurants & car rentals, 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else...."

 

Do we really want a Marriott card?

[Steelers36]

I have a cruise booked in US$ with a US agent and the Visa statement says Princess Cruise Passage Valencia.

 

Since the cruise is booked in US$, Princess charged US$ and Visa converted into CDN$ with Visa"s exchange rate. I am wondering does Visa charge a service charge? If they do, being hit with exchange rate plus service charge?

 

The exchange rate as of July 25, to convert CDN to US is $1.33.

 

Yes, you are going to get a SC. Read your CC terms and conditions, or call your banks's customer service line for the card if you want exact figures. If you are going to be doing any amount of USD purchasing and traveling, why not get a USD Visa from your bank? I think some are free (if don't want points and perquisites).

[kruisey]

Princess is charging $1.20 Canadian.Even if you do not have a handling fee your exchange is $1.33.........13cents extra per $.........Converting Canadian to USA at this time?:confused:

I added 20% to the rate Princess was charging me in $US and it came to the same price Princess was charging in Canadian Dollars so I switched back to Canadian.

[Steelers36]

No as I have a USD account. If you wonder why we don't use USD to pay for our cruises booked in the US, it's because we can't get a US credit card in Canada with any benefits!

Sorry, I must disagree. We are RBC clients and I used to have a RBC USD Visa card that gave me Reward points for purchases, same as CAD Visa cards and you can easily combine those points. I now have a RBC USA USD Visa card (which is easy to get as a Canadian client of RBC). That card also has reward points, but I am getting more points due to 1.5% earn rate and my spend in USD is worth it to pay a card fee and earn more points. If my spending drops, I can switch back to the Canadian USD card.

 

We are also in exactly the same situation as you. We recently booked 3 cruises in 2016 in USD with the sip and sail package. On the phone yesterday with Princess they gave me the CDN prices, and using a 1.30% conversion, we were still $250-$350 better off staying with the US TA. However, the main deciding factor for not switching at this time is that we have no CDN FCC's. When on our Tahiti cruise in October we will get a bunch of CDN FCC's recognizing that the Sip and Sail event may not continue past August. Yes, we have to look at repricing after we get back from Tahiti.

 

If you have used your FCD's up (BTW, I assume you are really talking about Future Cruise Deposits you bought on previous cruises), then there is nothing you can do. But it doesn't matter what currency your FCD's are in, as you can get them converted by Princess, at Princess' going exchange rate (i.e. 20% right now). We have been buying our FCD's in recent years in USD as I knew I would be booking in USD. I'm not 100% sure which way I will go this November when we are on the Regal, as it might be advantageous to book in CAD next time. That said, like you, when I booked earlier this year, the US TA pricing was way better than booking Princess' "list prices" at 20%. So I will probably buy USD FCD's again, knowing I can convert them if necessary.

 

Do you think it OK to get 1,000 to $2000 USD on a 3 day cruise in Sept.?

 

I don't imagine a $1000 is a problem. But I do think Canadian cruisers may cut off their noses to spite their faces, so to speak, if we start abusing the system and start buying huge amounts of USD. Re-reading it, $1000 sounds like a ton of money for a 3-day - but maybe you are a big gambler in the casino - ;)

[Steelers36]

This question may have been asked before but I think our situation could be a little different. I recently booked a short cruise in Canadian $ leaving Sept 12. The rate is for purchasing OBC's etc is 20%

 

We had also booked a 28 day cruise to Tahiti leaving October 17 in $USD. through a TA in Florida. After checking with Princess, because of the discounts we got through the TA the cruise cost is pretty much a saw off. We used US FCC's and currently have no CDN FCC's. We realize that will get zinged with onboard purchases and tour costs.

 

I wonder if there is an advantage to purchase a bunch, Ie. $1000. Of OBC's on the Sept cruise at 1.20%? Assume we would get a USD refund cheque after that trip, then cash it and take that $1000. USD to Tahiti.

 

Am I on the right track or out to lunch?

 

You are on the right track, but the timing may well not work for you. If you are left with a large refundable OBC on board and they want to send a cheque and not pay you out at the PSD, then your check may well not arrive from Princess before you leave for the Tahiti cruise.

 

(PS, I do envy you with two cruises this fall and 3 next year booked. Can I fit in a suitcase?) :D

 

What you should do on SEP cruise is pre-purchase casino credits and then get the casino cash at the cage. It would help if you play a bit in the casino at least to put up a pretense. I;m getting a little worried about so many people buying up USD from Princess like they are a bank that they will find a way to quash us and then we won't even get a reasonable amount of money that way.

[Steelers36]

I would like your help to decide if I should switch from US$ to CDN$ for my August and Dec cruises.

 

1)- US$ $1838/pp

CDN $2206/pp

Would have Sip & Sail - beverage package

 

2) US$ $1,375/pp

CDN $2,200/pp

With Casino discount

 

If you have a CDN TD Visa card, do they charge the exchange rate plus a service charge?

 

Would you switch from US$ to CDN?

 

This is easy. For cruise #1 stick with CAD. For cruise #2, go with USD as the effective exchange rate is 60%. YIKES!!!

[Steelers36]

I have a British Isles cruises booked through a US TA in US$. I purchased OBC when the exchange was low. I plan on going to the casino, gamble a small amount and switch money from my ship account to my casino account and take the slip to the cashier and get my US$. Will your bank charge you anything to cash a US cheque for US$?

 

Mine (RBC) wouldn't charge me. We also have USD bank accounts. Ask your bank - they're all a bit different, but it shouldn;t be any different than cashing a CAD cheque.

 

For the uninitiated to Canada, our banks regularly deal in both CAD and USD and offer products such as savings, chequing, and credit cards all in USD.

 

Note this .. .if you have a USD cheque and you want to cash it and convert to CAD, deposit it to your USD bank account first and then transfer the funds. This way you get the non-cash exchange rate which is always better then the cash rate (whether buying or selling).

[kruisey]

Mine (RBC) wouldn't charge me. We also have USD bank accounts. Ask your bank - they're all a bit different, but it shouldn;t be any different than cashing a CAD cheque.

 

For the uninitiated to Canada, our banks regularly deal in both CAD and USD and offer products such as savings, chequing, and credit cards all in USD.

 

Note this .. .if you have a USD cheque and you want to cash it and convert to CAD, deposit it to your USD bank account first and then transfer the funds. This way you get the non-cash exchange rate which is always better then the cash rate (whether buying or selling).

Years ago I always go via my USA savings account.:)