Canadian cruisers!!

[A&L_Ont]

Yes, you can visit Guest Services and change to a credit card.

 

Thanks Bob.

 

This is my plan too:)

 

I'd rather be standing in the line for the flowrider than standing in the line for the GS on the last day.:)

Edited August 6, 2015 by A&L_Ont

[son3cruisers]

Can you start as a cash account and add you credit card towards the last day or two? I want to avoid waiting in the line on the last day to get any remaining cash at the guest services, and I like the idea of getting cash at the casino without fees during the cruise. The idea of having the credit card added on the second to last day would be to cover any final charges such as a meal or drink on the final day or two. Therefore I wouldn't have to visit GS to pay for the $40 in charges.

 

Is this possible?

 

This is exactly what we did last March! :)

No problems what so ever!

[Hopetotravel]

OT but do you use locks on your luggage ? I don't bother when I fly, and usually carry anything of value.

[Clarea]

OT but do you use locks on your luggage ? I don't bother when I fly, and usually carry anything of value.

Yes, we use the TSA locks on our bags.

[Hopetotravel]

Thanks, is that the combination ones that I see on Amazon ?

[Clarea]

Thanks, is that the combination ones that I see on Amazon ?

Yes, there is a combination that you can set, and a key that the TSA can use to open the bag for inspection if needed.

[LilD]

I just called Royal and was able to get $400 US for $440 CAD :D I was anxious calling because with my luck they would change the exchange rate with the dropping dollar.... happy to report that's not the case.

I can't thank everyone enough for this great thread!! You have definitely made my day :)

Edited August 6, 2015 by LilD
wrong name used

[hoorayy]

Called royal today, no problem with buying money at 10% exchange. She told me any remaining money at the end of the cruise will be put back on the credit card that was used to purchase the onboard credit. I asked if I can get money back in cash and she said absolutely not (she checked with her manager) So now I'm really confused as many on this thread have got money back in cash.

If I redeem at the casino how do I go about doing that? Is there a teller counter? I'm sorry never really go in the casino not sure how this works?

[BCguy100]

Yes, there will be a teller who cashes in chips, etc. S/He should also give you cash from your 'account'. If based on a credit card, they'll probably charge 5%. If you set it up as a 'cash' account, then should be no surcharge. Thus, withdraw some each night so you have none left at the end ....

 

Morley

[Virtopia]

I have a question about this as I'm gearing up to finally make that call ... let's say I purchase $1,000 OBC. Is there anyway I can withdraw cash from that OBC on the 2nd day of the cruise? The reason I ask this is because of how horrible our dollar is, I don't want to take out money here but if I can withdraw from it on the 2nd day of the cruise, I can use that money as my souvenirs and excursions cash.

[davidsmum]

Called royal today, no problem with buying money at 10% exchange. She told me any remaining money at the end of the cruise will be put back on the credit card that was used to purchase the onboard credit. I asked if I can get money back in cash and she said absolutely not (she checked with her manager) So now I'm really confused as many on this thread have got money back in cash.

If I redeem at the casino how do I go about doing that? Is there a teller counter? I'm sorry never really go in the casino not sure how this works?

 

you could withdraw any cash left at the casino, and according to other posters, at guest services, or have it book back on your CC and I believe it would go on your CC at the current exchange, so theoretically you could make some money!

[Ourusualbeach]

Called royal today, no problem with buying money at 10% exchange. She told me any remaining money at the end of the cruise will be put back on the credit card that was used to purchase the onboard credit. I asked if I can get money back in cash and she said absolutely not (she checked with her manager) So now I'm really confused as many on this thread have got money back in cash.

If I redeem at the casino how do I go about doing that? Is there a teller counter? I'm sorry never really go in the casino not sure how this works?

 

Not surprising but you were given a lot of incorrect information by royals rep.

 

Any unused OBC will be refunded in cash if you set up a cash account. If you use a credit card then it will be refunded to the credit card that you used for your set sail pass. Refunds will be done in US $ and your credit card company will calculate the exchange rate.

 

You can absolutely withdraw money at the casino.

 

Do not take the word of a Royal rep who has never set foot on a ship but instead trust the MANY people who have posted of their actual experiences on the ships.

 

Enjoy your cruise and your OBC.

[Ourusualbeach]

I have a question about this as I'm gearing up to finally make that call ... let's say I purchase $1,000 OBC. Is there anyway I can withdraw cash from that OBC on the 2nd day of the cruise? The reason I ask this is because of how horrible our dollar is, I don't want to take out money here but if I can withdraw from it on the 2nd day of the cruise, I can use that money as my souvenirs and excursions cash.

 

Yes. Set up your set sail pass as a cash account. This will allow you to withdraw cash at the casino without Royal charging you the usual 5% fee.

[hoorayy]

Thank you so much everyone! I so appreciate all the advice! This deal is so good it's almost to good. We still hope to purchase a watch and if not we will start redeeming at the casino to lay away money for our February cruise. August 16 th can't come fast enough! Thanks!

[The Sunset Glow]

Thanks Bob.

 

 

 

I'd rather be standing in the line for the flowrider than standing in the line for the GS on the last day.:)

 

I say it's "my" plan because the flowrider line is exactly where my hubby will be no matter what and I would get the task of the GS line:mad:

 

:D:D

[brfan]

Yes. Set up your set sail pass as a cash account. This will allow you to withdraw cash at the casino without Royal charging you the usual 5% fee.

 

Have you experienced them not charging the fee if you have a cash account? The reason I'm asking is anytime I've asked for cash at the casino they just tell me about the charge before even swiping my card. No mention that it will only be charged if I've set up my account with a credit card.

[Clarea]

Have you experienced them not charging the fee if you have a cash account? The reason I'm asking is anytime I've asked for cash at the casino they just tell me about the charge before even swiping my card. No mention that it will only be charged if I've set up my account with a credit card.

I have read here that guests have had to remind the casino people about the cash account exclusion.

[hancogran]

Have you experienced them not charging the fee if you have a cash account? The reason I'm asking is anytime I've asked for cash at the casino they just tell me about the charge before even swiping my card. No mention that it will only be charged if I've set up my account with a credit card.

We just did a transatlantic on Brilliance in May and I used the casino to withdraw money that I had purchased as an OBC. I also had a cash account set up (no credit card involved).

 

The first time I withdrew money at the casino, I asked the casino cashier if there was any service charge because even when I purchased the OBC credit, the girl at Gifts and Gear said there would be a 5% charge to withdraw in the casino. This was incorrect information. :rolleyes: Since we had a cash account and it was our own money we were withdrawing, there was no service charge at all. We withdrew money from the casino three or four times during the cruise and never paid any service charge. :D

[lyteforce]

Yes. Set up your set sail pass as a cash account. This will allow you to withdraw cash at the casino without Royal charging you the usual 5% fee.

 

Colour me new to all this - because I totally am - but how does one set their sail pass to be a cash account?

[rmgjg]

there was a box to be checked regarding payment on board and asking for your credit card number. I believe directly above that was a box to check off for "cash account".

[Mademoiselle22]

I haven't been able to buy OBC. I called both C&A as well as Gifts & Gear. C&A told that the system is down and they don't know when it'll back online. Gifts & Gear wasn't able to help me out either… They said that my sailing is too far out for me to get the OBC. My sailing is on Dec 16, 2016. Since the CAD dollar as plunged I figured I would get going and buy the OBC before the deal went away. Anyways I hope the exchange rate doesn't change when the system "comes back up".

 

Has anyone purchased OBC through the deal when their sailing is more than 1 year out?

 

Has anyone been able to purchase OBC today?

[The Sunset Glow]

I haven't been able to buy OBC. I called both C&A as well as Gifts & Gear. C&A told that the system is down and they don't know when it'll back online. Gifts & Gear wasn't able to help me out either… They said that my sailing is too far out for me to get the OBC. My sailing is on Dec 16, 2016. Since the CAD dollar as plunged I figured I would get going and buy the OBC before the deal went away. Anyways I hope the exchange rate doesn't change when the system "comes back up".

 

Has anyone purchased OBC through the deal when their sailing is more than 1 year out?

 

Has anyone been able to purchase OBC today?

 

My friend bought OBC for her Harmony 2017 cruise through gifts & gear.

[davidsmum]

I haven't been able to buy OBC. I called both C&A as well as Gifts & Gear. C&A told that the system is down and they don't know when it'll back online. Gifts & Gear wasn't able to help me out either… They said that my sailing is too far out for me to get the OBC. My sailing is on Dec 16, 2016. Since the CAD dollar as plunged I figured I would get going and buy the OBC before the deal went away. Anyways I hope the exchange rate doesn't change when the system "comes back up".

 

Has anyone purchased OBC through the deal when their sailing is more than 1 year out?

 

Has anyone been able to purchase OBC today?

 

I would call back and try again. It seems to depend on who answers the phone.

when I purchased my first OBC I was told no more than $499, second time I was able to buy $500. not much of a difference I know but it shows that it's a bit of a lottery on who you get!!

 

keep trying, I bet you'll find someone that will help!

[Hoopster95]

Colour me new to all this - because I totally am - but how does one set their sail pass to be a cash account?

 

there was a box to be checked regarding payment on board and asking for your credit card number. I believe directly above that was a box to check off for "cash account".

 

Hi everyone, I'm new to this too as I've always had a credit card account checked on my set-sail. I just called C&A for confirmation of how this all works and here's what I got:

 

• Since Set-Sail already printed, cannot change on-line. Need to inform the pier that you're changing to a cash account.
  
• Once on board, re-confirm the cash account with guest services and they will confirm your obc (Personally I'm bringing all my invoices as 100% proof!!!)
  
• Daily gratuities, and on-board purchases (specialty dinners/drinks/excursions/etc) will be taken from the cash account.
  
• When the account gets low, it will trigger a message to your stateroom to top up your account.
  
• If you have left over money you can cash out at guest services, no fee
  

 

I'll be sure to share my experience with this when I post my review of this sailing.

Many thx to everyone who's posted so far... I'm extremely grateful for all the good fellow cruisers here who have posted their experience of how this will all work. I'm also extremely grateful to Royal for allowing this exchange rate as a perk to us Canadians. :D:D:D

Edited August 8, 2015 by Hoopster95

[A&L_Ont]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this too as I've always had a credit card account checked on my set-sail. I just called C&A for confirmation of how this all works and here's what I got:

 

• Since Set-Sail already printed, cannot change on-line. Need to inform the pier that you're changing to a cash account.
  
• Once on board, re-confirm the cash account with guest services and they will confirm your obc (Personally I'm bringing all my invoices as 100% proof!!!)
  
• Daily gratuities, and on-board purchases (specialty dinners/drinks/excursions/etc) will be taken from the cash account.
  
• When the account gets low, it will trigger a message to your stateroom to top up your account.
  
• If you have left over money you can cash out at guest services, no fee
  

 

I'll be sure to share my experience with this when I post my review of this sailing.

Many thx to everyone who's posted so far... I'm extremely grateful for all the good fellow cruisers here who have posted their experience of how this will all work. I'm also extremely grateful to Royal for allowing this exchange rate as a perk to us Canadians. :D:D:D

 

We have prepaid for our tips. One less thing for us to worry about. :)