This is going hurt , Canadian dollar dropping

[maritimer2]

Question....I just bought (thanks to ALL and original poster for the tip) a gift for DH....$$s to spend in the Casino. As I booked in Cdn the gift is charged to me in Cdn $$s...when he uses it in the Casino, I'm assuming the C $$'s will show as a credit but he'll actually only be able to use the amount in US $$'s, which will be less than the gift I purchased...correct?

 

I guess I see it a little differently. It depends how you look at it. You paid $25.70 CAD to get $25 US. Where I will have to pay around $27.99 to get $ 25US. Give or take my figures may not be exact. This is for a casino credit not the on board credit. Thanks for the reminder though, I forget I need to purchase the casino credit separate as you cannot use the OBC for this . Darn!!!! They got me again ...... :eek:

Edited January 27, 2014 by maritimer2

[koolforkatz]

I had posted earlier - in error unfortunately - that I was able to buy US OBC on a US booking. I thought I could, but sadly I cannot :( I have a couple bookings - one in Canadian(which I can buy US OBC) and two in US (which I can't). I was mixing them up.

 

The dollar decline bites, but the generous OBC's and stuff thrown in by our U.S. TA almost takes the sting out of it, compared to a bottle of wine we might have gotten from a Cdn TA.

[Fouremco]

I had posted earlier - in error unfortunately - that I was able to buy US OBC on a US booking. I thought I could, but sadly I cannot :( I have a couple bookings - one in Canadian(which I can buy US OBC) and two in US (which I can't). I was mixing them up.

 

The dollar decline bites, but the generous OBC's and stuff thrown in by our U.S. TA almost takes the sting out of it, compared to a bottle of wine we might have gotten from a Cdn TA.

The minimum we've received from our Canadian TA is the gratuities (on a 14 night cruise) so we aren't doing too badly. While I might save a couple of dollars by searching out a US TA, it's nice dealing locally, especially as they are only a seven minute drive from home.

[Oceangoer2]

No, you have purchased USD credits and they will show as USD in the casino.

 

If you went to the bank to buy some USD in cash, it wouldn't matter whether you paid for them in CAD, Euro or yen, what you have at the end of the transaction is USD. Same applies here. You've bought some USD OBC and what you used to pay for them doesn't matter at this point.

Thx! Guess I bought some cheap US $ then as it didn't cost much more than the original investment. Whatever, I HOPE HE WINS WITH IT then it'll really be a good buy.

[robtulipe]

I guess I see it a little differently. It depends how you look at it. You paid $25.70 CAD to get $25 US. Where I will have to pay around $27.99 to get $ 25US. Give or take my figures may not be exact. This is for a casino credit not the on board credit. Thanks for the reminder though, I forget I need to purchase the casino credit separate as you cannot use the OBC for this . Darn!!!! They got me again ...... :eek:

With the casino gift onboard credit X add the 5% fee they charge onboard to get cash in the casino so you would be better off bringing cash for your use in the casino.;)

Another thing I noticed as other have already mentioned even though X initially quote CAD when you actually go to put this on your credit card it changes the charge to USD. even though I make sure the X web page shows Canada as my location. confused:

I went ahead and bought the minimum onboard credit, $25USD, for our upcoming Century cruise to see what currency actually shows up on my card when I check it online as we have online billing.

Edited January 27, 2014 by robtulipe

[koolforkatz]

The minimum we've received from our Canadian TA is the gratuities (on a 14 night cruise) so we aren't doing too badly. While I might save a couple of dollars by searching out a US TA, it's nice dealing locally, especially as they are only a seven minute drive from home.

 

You're doing very well! That's unusually generous for a Canadian TA.

[robtulipe]

You're doing very well! That's unusually generous for a Canadian TA.

 

Yes it is if indeed this is coming from the agency and not the cruise line.

I know an agent personally that works for a major Cdn TA and I have used her for years for both business travel and personal vacation. She told me that their agency won't allow them to give more than a bottle of wine as a booking benefit even though she realizes that they now do not get any of my cruise bookings and we have averaged over 60 nights per year onboard cruise ship for the last six years.:rolleyes:

Edited January 27, 2014 by robtulipe

[Fouremco]

You're doing very well! That's unusually generous for a Canadian TA.

Quoting from their website:

 

Whether it's an onboard cash credit, (TA company name) Exclusive Staterooms™, reduced deposits, free upgrades or special offers, many vacation packages come with an (TA company name) bonus.

 

I suspect that they are larger than many Canadian TAs and can be a bit more like their American cousins in offering more than a bottle of wine as an incentive. Whether the falling Loonie will have an influence on their approach in the near future remains to be seen.

[koolforkatz]

Quoting from their website:

 

Okay, I got it ;) I don't think they're always so generous, but you've def done well.

[Knapper]

Heading on the Summit next week, I was goings to book our 2015 cruise while on board. I see the cruise went up 60.00 in a week for a veranda stateroom due to the drop in the dollar. Wonder what the price will be next week?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[RickT]

Maybe just a coincidence but saw this ad in the paper this morning. They also had a radio ad. Not sure it's a great deal but they are trying to make it easier by including air/1,2,3/gratuities and flights into one package.

 

 

http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/en_US/cel_pdf/ottawa-all-inclusive-package.pdf

[robtulipe]

Maybe just a coincidence but saw this ad in the paper this morning. They also had a radio ad. Not sure it's a great deal but they are trying to make it easier by including air/1,2,3/gratuities and flights into one package.

 

 

http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/en_US/cel_pdf/ottawa-all-inclusive-package.pdf

It's a terrible deal as currently with an Ontario resident special you can get a balcony cat.1C cabin on the March 1st Reflextion sailing for $749CAD with the taxes/fees of $98 and that includes the 123 promotion.

Airfare and transfers shouldn't cost anywhere close to the $1152 difference. We are flying down to FLL from the Toronto area in just under two weeks to get to our next two cruises and we got our return flights for around $270 per person. Flights from YOW with transfers would be more expensive but it shouldn't be anywhere close to the almost $900 difference.

Edited January 28, 2014 by robtulipe

[TorontoSailor]

Noticed that through Gifts by Celebrity I can buy onboard credits in increments of $25 for $25.90 Canadian.

 

Strikes me as a rather reasonable exchange rate, provided the amount credited to your account is in US$.

 

Does anyone from Canada know:

 

1. Which currency are the onboard credits denominated in?

2. Would they be usable for gratuities and other onboard activities? In other words, can you just apply them to your account? How do you do that?

 

Thanks in advance. Not really explained anywhere, but this has me curious. Would it be advantageous to buy some onboard credits before leaving?

 

Any insight any Canadians who have actually done this can provide would be greatly appreciated. I am NOT looking for speculation; rather, I would like to hear from anyone who may have ACTUAL EXPERIENCE with this, and how it worked out for you.

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

Edited January 29, 2014 by TorontoSailor

[PEIpair]

TorontoSailor, you will have to read through to about Post#63 of above mentioned thread to get to the info you are asking about.....buying OBC before your cruise, at a very good rate of exchange. Lots of folks are doing it and giving advise on that thread on how to go about it.

[TorontoSailor]

TorontoSailor, you will have to read through to about Post#63 of above mentioned thread to get to the info you are asking about.....buying OBC before your cruise, at a very good rate of exchange. Lots of folks are doing it and giving advise on that thread on how to go about it.

 

Thanks, everyone! Yes, it does seem to be advantageous. I know how to buy them as gifts. Just not sure how they get applied to the account. Assume that happens automatically. And by all accounts, yes, it will be denominated in US$s.

 

So we've loaded up.

 

Thanks again.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I been looking at one way flights to FLL from YYZ ,the cheapest is about $260 :(

[Miss JAD]

Are you able to use the OBCs in the casino?

[Andy]

Are you able to use the OBCs in the casino?

 

Hi Miss Jad,

 

Yes, but there is a 5% surcharge. Hope this is helpful !

[TorontoSailor]

Hi Miss Jad,

 

Yes, but there is a 5% surcharge. Hope this is helpful !

 

You can buy Casino Credits through Gifts by Celebrity. Not as favourable as the OBC, but still a better rate than a Canadian would currently get at any bank.

 

Scott

[jasm8449]

Another Canuck who transferred their cruise to a US internet agency and when I went to buy OBC gift $, the Canadian site showed the cost in CDN, but the charges USD on my CDN Visa card, so I'll cancel the transaction with Celebrity.

 

So if someone in Canada wanted to buy an OBC gift for me, they would have to pay USD, I guess.

[Cruise Junky]

I am very thankful that we paid off Solstice last year, tips are pre paid, and I've paid to upgrade to the premium drink package. Hoping there's enough OBC from TA for a couple of specialty dinners. Now if only I was so smart with my pre-cruise hotel :(

[robtulipe]

I been looking at one way flights to FLL from YYZ ,the cheapest is about $260 :(

I know you are east of Toronto but you should look at flying on Jet Blue or Southwest out of Buffalo International, BUF. Both have daily non-stop to FLL and should be a lot cheaper including the fact that both have free checked luggage which should also be taken into consideration. In fact if you are doing a TA to/from Europe Southwest allows the first two bags each for free. Also clearing US customs in a car at the border is a lot faster than doing this at Pearson.

Spirit airlines also fly out of Niagara Falls airport, which is closer to you and goes to FLL but the flight times are not the best time wise being late at night. ;)

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Buffalo is a 3 hour drive going across GTA

The day I want to go it is $300 US on JetBlue, $188 on Southwest , for a direct flight , fly out of Toronto , is $225 on AC .

I can get a flight back from Rome direct on Air Transat for under $500 , but have to stay in Rome for 4 nights , or $514 with BA with one stop

This is better then FCO to Buff at $600 13 hours flight and then 3 hour drive

 

Clearing custom in Toronto is really easy now, it took 5 mins in April, that last I crossed at Niagara Falls it was over an hour wait in the car

 

I usually find cheaper flights out over Toronto for the last couple of years

Edited January 30, 2014 by Airbalancer

[snow bunny]

I have purchased two separate $150 OBC but have not yet received an email medicating that this has been authorized! Has anyone else had this issue? One was on Sunday and one was done on Tuesday.

 

snow bunny

[Smurfette76]

Hi Snow Bunny!

 

I also purchased OBC ($300 worth of USD for just a wee bit extra in CAD). I have yet to receive an email and purchased this on the 27th. The transaction also doesn't appear on my online credit card statement yet. I find credit card charges can take up to a week to pop up so I will be patient.

 

However, I did happen to print out my receipt when I bought the OBC and it clearly states it was purchased so here's to hoping it all works out for our March 22nd cruise on the Reflection! I'll keep everyone posted when we get back. :)