Canadian Princess Cruisers

[Kamloops50]

So what's the general consensus on shipboard account charges? Do you choose to let Princess make the conversion from US to CDN dollars before charging your credit card or do you choose to have Princess charge in US dollars and rely on the bank's coversion rate?

 

I see on the Personaliser that Princess claims that if their rate results in higher charges than what the bank's rate would have been that they will refund it but I suspect that getting that refund would likely be quite an ordeal.

 

Thoughts or recommendations?

 

Never the cruise line. Their service is based in Europe. Always let your bank do the conversion.

[TSM AND JP]

Never the cruise line. Their service is based in Europe. Always let your bank do the conversion.

 

But if the rate Princess is currently converting at (1.35).... that's better than what you would pay at the bank which is now 1.40. Or, does Princess convert on a different rate when they charge your credit card.

 

In our case, we have chosen to estimate our on board expenses and have purchased OBC at a rate of 1.30, which is better than you can get right now. 1.30 was based on what the Princess rate was when we booked our cruise.

[Kamloops50]

But if the rate Princess is currently converting at (1.35).... that's better than what you would pay at the bank which is now 1.40. Or, does Princess convert on a different rate when they charge your credit card.

 

In our case, we have chosen to estimate our on board expenses and have purchased OBC at a rate of 1.30, which is better than you can get right now. 1.30 was based on what the Princess rate was when we booked our cruise.

 

The conversion rate is the current exchange plus another fixed percent service charge. The 1.35 rate is for purchases from the Web page.

[TSM AND JP]

The conversion rate is the current exchange plus another fixed percent service charge. The 1.35 rate is for purchases from the Web page.

 

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know that. Think I'll change my personalizer back, so that my bank does the conversion instead. In the meantime, I'll make sure I have enough of an OBC, so that I don't have to worry about it.

 

Thanks again... that's great information to know.

[Croptop]

I have always stuck with having Princess bill me in US dollars onboard in the past but it was the disclaimer on the Personaliser that states that if their conversion rate is higher than my bank rate they would refund the difference. I was just curious to know if anyone had actually tried it.

 

I still think it would end up being a hassle to get the refund and will still stick with the bank rate but I was just curious.

[j3000]

Just been sifting through this (interesting) thread. I prob. got it wrong, but do i understand there might be some way to trade Cdn$ for US$ - thru the Casino- at a 1.10 exchange rate??? If so, how do i do it? (sounds too good to be true...):D

[CHIPPY49]

Is the Casino Credit the same as the the normal on board credit, or is there a separate area for this? We are at the 1.2 rate so would like to get some US dollars for shore spending.

Thanks in advance.

[Kelownacruiser]

Just been sifting through this (interesting) thread. I prob. got it wrong, but do i understand there might be some way to trade Cdn$ for US$ - thru the Casino- at a 1.10 exchange rate??? If so, how do i do it? (sounds too good to be true...):D

 

It would depend on what the exchange rate Princess was offering you at the time you booked your cruise. to find out, go to your Cruise Personalizer, click on Onboard Reservation, then On Board credits. The third amount of credit is for $100 US, so if it shows $110 CDN as the cost then your exchange rate is 10%. If it's like mine and shows $130, then it's at the 30% rate. Interestingly, there is no Casino Credit option for me, just OBC???

[dadofjessie]

The wife and I have a long cruise coming up in Apr. I just pre ordered a bunch of stuff for the trip from Princess. Total bill was just over $280. Coffee card for $31, soda and more card for her at $8.05/day incl gratuity and a couple of bottles of red wine.

 

As we know I the onboard currency is US dollars with the exception of a couple of ships where it is in $AU.

 

I had fully expected to see my actual charge on the credit card in $US and be something over $300 Cdn. Much to my suprize the bill was Princess Cruises Vancouver and for the exact amount I was quoted. Had I waited to get this stuff once I was on the ship it would have cost me about 10% more than it did.

 

With our dollar taking daily hits against the recovering $US right now the smart thing to do is pre order whatever you want/can and save some money. The exchange rate isn't getting more favourable anytime soon and many of the reliable forcasters are predicting our dollar to drop to about .88 US

 

Holy cow! I just read this post, the CAD = 0.88 USD? Wow, now its 0.70!

[IAMGPW]

Sorry if someone asked this question already. If I purchase $100.00 gift card or casino credit on my CDN credit card, doesn't the credit card company set the rate at the time it is processed. I do apologize as I find this all very confusing. Also, is there a limit you can purchase?

[goofy559]

Sorry if someone asked this question already. If I purchase $100.00 gift card or casino credit on my CDN credit card, doesn't the credit card company set the rate at the time it is processed. I do apologize as I find this all very confusing. Also, is there a limit you can purchase?

If you buy through princess you are charged in Canadian based on their rate at the time you booked.

 

Go to your personalizer and look for the spot where you can buy obc. It will say 110/120/135. That is what you will be charged in Canadian for 100us.

 

I believe the limit for casino credit is 10k.

 

Does that help?

[beaver]

Sorry if someone asked this question already. If I purchase $100.00 gift card or casino credit on my CDN credit card, doesn't the credit card company set the rate at the time it is processed. I do apologize as I find this all very confusing. Also, is there a limit you can purchase?

 

If you booked your reservation in CAD $ then all your purchases are quoted and billed in CAD $. There is no conversion to be made by your credit card.

I understand that Canadian orders are handled through the Vancouver office.

Edited January 22, 2016 by beaver
Grammer

[kruisey]

It would depend on what the exchange rate Princess was offering you at the time you booked your cruise. to find out, go to your Cruise Personalizer, click on Onboard Reservation, then On Board credits. The third amount of credit is for $100 US, so if it shows $110 CDN as the cost then your exchange rate is 10%. If it's like mine and shows $130, then it's at the 30% rate. Interestingly, there is no Casino Credit option for me, just OBC???

Mine shows 135% and I booked last October?

[goofy559]

Mine shows 135% and I booked last October?

 

That's about right - they changed the rate right around then.....it went from 20 to 30 to 35 in about 10 days.

[Mud_Shark]

Looks like Princess has adjusted the exchange rate - effective today - for new bookings.

 

Now is 1.45

 

If you are already booked, this will not affect your booking, but sure makes the cost of booking a new cruise unappealing, or attempting to re-fare if a better promotion comes along.

 

Don

[Kamloops50]

Are you sure ? The rate on Friday 1.35 . I could see 1.40 but not 1.45.

The dollar sits around 1.40+/- 0.02 most days.

[Cruise Junky]

Looks like Princess has adjusted the exchange rate - effective today - for new bookings.

 

Now is 1.45

 

If you are already booked, this will not affect your booking, but sure makes the cost of booking a new cruise unappealing, or attempting to re-fare if a better promotion comes along.

 

Don

 

 

Yep it's 1.45. Just checked a booking. $2199 us vs $3188 Cdn. That's bloody robbery. XE rate is 1.3976.

[kruisey]

Are you sure ? The rate on Friday 1.35 . I could see 1.40 but not 1.45.

The dollar sits around 1.40+/- 0.02 most days.

 

I just cancelled my cruise two days ago because price was too high that was at 1.35.I added 10% that is the price today.It shot up by $900 for the lowest inside solo cabin.

Well its up to you guys these prices are now beyond my pocket

[Cruise Junky]

HAL is still 135% but that might change soon too. Book soon if you're going to go.

[Katies12]

Well, that prices me out of going on a cruise next Jan. [emoji25][emoji25]

[jenng1976]

Does anyone know ... If you are before final payment and the price drops - do they re-fare at the current exchange rate or the one you booked at?

 

Also, if you get an upsell offer, does your exchange rate stay the same on that scenario?

 

I'm glad I booked this week before the exchange rate went up ... 1.45 is crazy!

[kruisey]

Your exchange rate stays the same.

 

Like many folks in Vancouver can no longer afford the house and rental rates. Princess has now joined that circle to me. My pockets can not afford them

[Kamloops50]

Yep it's 1.45. Just checked a booking. $2199 us vs $3188 Cdn. That's bloody robbery. XE rate is 1.3976.

 

I find the XE rate about 9 hours behind the actual rate

[Cruise Junky]

Does anyone know ... If you are before final payment and the price drops - do they re-fare at the current exchange rate or the one you booked at?

 

Also, if you get an upsell offer, does your exchange rate stay the same on that scenario?

 

I'm glad I booked this week before the exchange rate went up ... 1.45 is crazy!

 

Current rate.

[Cruise Junky]

I find the XE rate about 9 hours behind the actual rate

 

Really? I didn't know that. My girlfriend works for them I'll ask her.