Canadian Princess Cruisers

[kruisey]

I would book in Canadian for 2016 unless you're getting at least a 25% discount in us$. My credit cards add 2.5% foreign exchange which is pretty standard.

 

Princess is charging 20% above USA prices for 2016 and I have been told that even if our dollar rate improves they do not change pricing unless a 'Special'.

One can cancel and rebook at 'Special' price but loose ones choice of cabins.

Its a gamble.

 

Thank you all very much and if anyof you have any more ideas please do .This

is a long cruise so every dollar idea counts. :)Oh its not bookable till March 19.

[Cruise Junky]

Princess is charging 20% above USA prices for 2016 and I have been told that even if our dollar rate improves they do not change pricing unless a 'Special'.

One can cancel and rebook at 'Special' price but loose ones choice of cabins.

Its a gamble.

 

Thank you all very much and if anyof you have any more ideas please do .This

is a long cruise so every dollar idea counts. :)Oh its not bookable till March 19.

 

Are you looking at Emerald to Sydney? Tough call if Princess is going to charge you 20% right off the bat. The two I recently switched to Canadian dollars were under 10%.

[westcoaster]

If you book in US$ the fee added to your CC is 4% plus current exchange.

When you get a refund the fee added to your CC is 6% plus current exchange rate . That means that the bank of Canada gets 10% of you deposit if you cancel the booking.

 

Or you could get a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

[westcoaster]

Currently the premium is 10%. They adjust depending on how go sales are and they set the rate every 6 to 12 months ahead.

 

While this applies to most cruises, it doesn't apply to all, as my experience described above indicates.

[kruisey]

Or you could get a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

 

Which Banks in Vancouver have that card ?

Edited February 28, 2015 by kruisey

[kruisey]

Are you looking at Emerald to Sydney? Tough call if Princess is going to charge you 20% right off the bat. The two I recently switched to Canadian dollars were under 10%.

 

I have relatives in UK and friends in Sydney plus this would be a trip of a life time for me.I have not even ever been to Rome for instance.

Done all across Pacific way.

Edited February 28, 2015 by kruisey

[toberman]

Which Banks in Vancouver have that card ?

 

Sears MasterCard supplied by Chase Canada. I've heard that Chase also has another option, but not sure what it is. Google Chase Bank of Canada, or Chase Canada. There are probably others as well. Also read where Sears is looking for a new supplier so don't know how long this will last.

[kruisey]

Sears MasterCard supplied by Chase Canada. I've heard that Chase also has another option, but not sure what it is. Google Chase Bank of Canada, or Chase Canada. There are probably others as well. Also read where Sears is looking for a new supplier so don't know how long this will last.

 

They used to hold Future Shop cards but no longer so they do know me I am going to check on line.Sears is on the way out I think.

[toberman]

Sears is on the way out I think.

 

Starting to look like it.

[Helenalee]

They used to hold Future Shop cards but no longer so they do know me I am going to check on line.Sears is on the way out I think.

 

Last time I checked, Desjardins bestbuy credit card also have the 2.5% admin fee waived.

[kruisey]

I just checked with Chase.Sears.Amazon Ca and Marriott Hotels all have non conversion foreign currency cards for Canadians. Have just e mailed my bank to ask them amongst the many cards if they have one like that,mentioning the others through 'Chase' lets see if 'R' come up with anything......

[westcoaster]

I just checked with Chase.Sears.Amazon Ca and Marriott Hotels all have non conversion foreign currency cards for Canadians. Have just e mailed my bank to ask them amongst the many cards if they have one like that,mentioning the others through 'Chase' lets see if 'R' come up with anything......

 

Yes, I use the Amazon.ca card with Chase. No foreign exchange fees, no annual fee, and 1% cash back on all spending, so it's a good deal!

[kruisey]

Yes, I use the Amazon.ca card with Chase. No foreign exchange fees, no annual fee, and 1% cash back on all spending, so it's a good deal!

 

Sounds good to me:)

[lamchops]

Sounds good to me:)

 

If you're a customer of Amazon.ca you can click on the link and get instant approval for a $6000 limit. You also get a $20 credit for your next purchase.

[RLK33853]

I know this has been talked about before but can someone go through the actual steps to get OBC into cash - I believe it is via using the Casino.

 

Thanks in advance.

[cpcanuck]

Yes, I use the Amazon.ca card with Chase. No foreign exchange fees, no annual fee, and 1% cash back on all spending, so it's a good deal!

 

Good tip! I didn't know that... thanks!

Edited March 1, 2015 by cpcanuck

[cdnphotogirl]

From what I understand, if you book in Canada you pay the Canadian rate and the exchange rate you book at is what you pay the entire time you purchase stuff before the cruise except you daily tip amount.

[Kamloops50]

From what I understand, if you book in Canada you pay the Canadian rate and the exchange rate you book at is what you pay the entire time you purchase stuff before the cruise except you daily tip amount.

Since can now prepay the daily charge , they charge 1.10CDN for each USD.

Better that 1.28 if you don't prepay.

[goofy559]

From what I understand, if you book in Canada you pay the Canadian rate and the exchange rate you book at is what you pay the entire time you purchase stuff before the cruise except you daily tip amount.

When you prepay gratuities on line, it is at the 1.10 rate (or the rate that applies to your booking) The conversion is shown on the page before you pay.

[westcoaster]

Better that 1.28 if you don't prepay.

 

More like 1.25 if you have a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

[kruisey]

i spoke with Princess today and I was told if you book your cruise in Canadian dollars they will not allow you to change into US dollars.One would have to cancel and rebook.

[kenorus]

I just prepaid the beverage package coffee card and gratuities. Nice now knowing we won't have a big bill at end. All in canadian.

[richstowe]

Just returned from a nice cruise on the Regal . Because of the great advice here , we purchased lots of OBC.

We accessed these funds both though the customer service desk /purser and the casino .

Unlike the other cruise lines we have sailed on , the casino doesn't charge for taking out funds.

The customer service cash withdrawal procedure was a little clunky but fine.

 

Two notes We were told they do not rebate any excess funds to your credit card .

A check would be sent, after a delay of 4 or so weeks, with the balance .

Based on that info, we made sure to clean out our account in cash from the service desk the final morning.

Secondly , non-reimbursable OBC is deducted from folio first so this shouldn't be an issue for most.

Edited March 14, 2015 by richstowe

[lastrooney]

Just a heads up...

Bought some OBC today,

and Princess is still charging 10%.

:D

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

I just prepaid the beverage package coffee card and gratuities. Nice now knowing we won't have a big bill at end. All in canadian.

 

 

Just wondering where do you do this on line. I have found where you pre pay tips but not coffee or pop cards