Canadian cruisers!!

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks for all the help and support, I finally got someone to give me the credit! Yeah! I purchased $500 ship credit for $550 Canadian. But as I mentioned while I was on the phone with this gentleman he did say that they had a meeting about the exchange rates but the mucky mucks would get back to them so I see this loop hole closing soon.

 

Again thanks for everyone's input and support. Now my DW can get that spa appointment she's always wanted.

 

Good to hear you were successful.

[HorrorFan]

I bought $250 US the other day and then thought I might use more since it is an 11 day cruise, so I phoned this morning and bought an additional $200 US for $220 $Can, so it is still the 10% exchange right now.:D

[LuCruise]

Still deciding on whether to purchase now or not since our cruise is over a year away, but in case...what number do you call? (I've seen a couple posted so not sure which one works where they will know what you are asking for)

[pxy cda]

For CIBC clients: Check with your bank manager. They may be able to put a "buy request" in with the traders for the best available rate if you are willing to wait a couple of days. We often get better than employee rate this way. ;)

[Toddcan]

For CIBC clients: Check with your bank manager. They may be able to put a "buy request" in with the traders for the best available rate if you are willing to wait a couple of days. We often get better than employee rate this way. ;)

 

I'm doubting it's anywhere near the 10% Royal has (for now)

Edited February 4, 2015 by Toddcan

[Toddcan]

I think someone mentioned this before - I have bought some of this OBC. But right now, my onboard payment options are set to "Credit card". If I want to take out US Cash on the last night - should I set up my account as "Cash" ?

 

I'm not to thrilled about standing in line on that last night settling my account, so I was thinking about doing it the day before- getting US Cash (not a credit back to my CC), and then letting the final day charges go to my credit card on file. Not sure if that's possible.

[pxy cda]

I'm doubting it's anywhere near the 10% Royal has (for now)

 

True - this was more for those who were not getting a good rate through RCCL. Just another option - I expect other banks offer this as well.

[pxy cda]

I think someone mentioned this before - I have bought some of this OBC. But right now, my onboard payment options are set to "Credit card". If I want to take out US Cash on the last night - should I set up my account as "Cash" ?

 

I'm not to thrilled about standing in line on that last night settling my account, so I was thinking about doing it the day before- getting US Cash (not a credit back to my CC), and then letting the final day charges go to my credit card on file. Not sure if that's possible.

 

You can get a cash advance using your seapass at the casino but I seem to recall a hefty service fee and it shows up as a charge on your account (not a withdrawal of the OBC) - not sure about Guest services allows taking the OBC as cash.

 

I would check with RCCL prior to boarding - I know with CC any remaining charge or credit is then sent to your cc and conclusion of the cruise. We usually settle on the second last night and have a small credit that goes to our cc.

[HorrorFan]

I think someone mentioned this before - I have bought some of this OBC. But right now, my onboard payment options are set to "Credit card". If I want to take out US Cash on the last night - should I set up my account as "Cash" ?

 

I'm not to thrilled about standing in line on that last night settling my account, so I was thinking about doing it the day before- getting US Cash (not a credit back to my CC), and then letting the final day charges go to my credit card on file. Not sure if that's possible.

I don't want to steer you wrong as I don't know for sure. But, I have mine set up as a cash account and as pxy_cda hinted at, I will go down the second to last night, and settle everything up, get any leftover cash out and let the last day go on a CC. If that can't be done then I will settle the last day, on the last night if there is any outstanding balance.

[Ourusualbeach]

I think someone mentioned this before - I have bought some of this OBC. But right now, my onboard payment options are set to "Credit card". If I want to take out US Cash on the last night - should I set up my account as "Cash" ?

 

I'm not to thrilled about standing in line on that last night settling my account, so I was thinking about doing it the day before- getting US Cash (not a credit back to my CC), and then letting the final day charges go to my credit card on file. Not sure if that's possible.

 

Hey Todd,

 

Lines at about 11pm are not bad. I am going to ask at guest services early in the cruise. I have a US$ credits card that I would like any money refunded to so I am going to ask if thats possible or just get it in cash the last night.

[greenstripe]

I just purchased 499 US for $548.90 as well.

[greenstripe]

I just called 1-800-722-5443 and told them I am Canadian (wow...I sound like a Molson commercial) and I would like to buy $500 US in OBC for each of my upcoming trips. The gentleman told me he needed a faxed authorization for $500 and above, so I put $499 on each reservation at a cost of $548.90 Canadian. I asked and he confirmed the rate was $1.10. I had a confirmation e-mail sent within minutes.

 

I would recommend just calling back and hopefully getting a different operator. Try the number above if that is not the one you used.

 

Thanks to the OP for this idea.:D:D

 

Did the same thing just now and got the same deal. Thank you for the heads up

[hova]

I have bought a $1000 USD OBC (for $1100) thank to the OP.

 

However, have a question about using it. My intention is to book a couple ship excursions for our European cruise this summer. If I reserve the excursion online (now) does the cost for the tour go on my account (and then I can use my OBC)..... or do I need to wait until I am onboard the ship to book my tours?

 

Also plan on using it for drinks, photos, casino, speciality resturants, spa.... will this work? Any other suggestions?

 

thanks hova

[son3cruisers]

I have bought a $1000 USD OBC (for $1100) thank to the OP.

 

However, have a question about using it. My intention is to book a couple ship excursions for our European cruise this summer. If I reserve the excursion online (now) does the cost for the tour go on my account (and then I can use my OBC)..... or do I need to wait until I am onboard the ship to book my tours?

 

Also plan on using it for drinks, photos, casino, speciality resturants, spa.... will this work? Any other suggestions?

 

thanks hova

 

If you want to use stateroom credit, you need to wait until you are onboard. Otherwise they will charge the fees now to a credit card.

[dssking]

Okay, as of 12:20pm today, I was able to purchase $499 US for $548 CAD.

 

...and that's why the forums are great!! Thanks OP! Too bad I can't purchase the drink package for our sailing on Sunday.... but I'll just get it onboard.

 

Cheers!

[Ourusualbeach]

Great to hear people are still able to get the great rate.

 

Obviously they know about it as someone posted they had a meeting about it. Maybe they are waiting for the IT guys to fix it:eek:..I might still be able to buy some for my Christmas cruise.:D

[ckrobyn]

Sorry if this has already been addressed - If I go to Guest Relations on say day 2 of my cruise, and ask for all of my onboard credit in cash - will they give it to me then, or do I have to wait until the end of the cruise? FYI - I will have a credit card attached to my account.

[Ourusualbeach]

Sorry if this has already been addressed - If I go to Guest Relations on say day 2 of my cruise, and ask for all of my onboard credit in cash - will they give it to me then, or do I have to wait until the end of the cruise? FYI - I will have a credit card attached to my account.

 

Good question. I had thought that I read that it was last night to get cash but I'm not positive.

[Booth44]

The $1.10 rate is still in effect as of right now.:D

[mapleleafvoyage]

Still jealous I can't get in this deal :(

 

But happy for those who can--- good for you--

 

Saves me money though---- if I could have gotten into this deal, we for sure would have spent much more while on board- since we can't, and have this brutal exchange rate- we won't spend nearly as much - so in the end Royal loses. So I guess I can thank Royal for saving me $$

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[son3cruisers]

 

--- if I could have gotten into this deal, we for sure would have spent much more while on board-

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Yep! We purchased more then I think we will spend! And I'm sure we will come home with nothing left! :eek:

[Toddcan]

I just bought an additional $500 US :) Cost= $550 CAD

 

The last guys said I could only purchase $499- odd.

 

But I did ask her about cashing out - and she said that they would simply refund the amount to the credit card I used to purchase. I asked her if she thought I could get physical cash and she replied with "It's up to them". I'm going to change my onboard account from "credit card" to "none"(her suggestion) or "cash". I'll just confirm at the port check in what the best process is to do since I now have $1,200 OBC, and will likely not spend it all - and would much prefer to get cash in hand at the end.

[hancogran]

I added another $400 to ours yesterday and asked if the rate was 3% to get a cash advance in the casino, or whether that charge only applies to advances from credit cards. She told me it was 5% :eek::eek: No way would I be doing that.

[son3cruisers]

I added another $400 to ours yesterday and asked if the rate was 3% to get a cash advance in the casino, or whether that charge only applies to advances from credit cards. She told me it was 5% :eek::eek: No way would I be doing that.

 

I was quoted 5% as well....wow.

[FunCruiser59]

A very kind gentleman who replied to another thread I started noticed I was from Canada and forwarded me to this thread! I have a few questions please :)

 

1) if we purchase the Ultimate drink package while onboard , which is what we are thinking of doing, is it better to buy onboard credits first and have that put towards that cost? Will that save us the exchange rate the bank would charge us on our Visa if we didn't purchase the OBC's?

 

2) besides the drink package, the only thing we usually get is a few photos etc and maybe a few shirts in the shops. We already have an onboard credit of $150.00 given to us complimentary by RCC because of some hassles with reservations etc. plus we will be getting a few more OBC for booking 4 paid for restaurants as well. So I don't think we would need much more OBC than that? Your thoughts?

 

3)And just to clarify, when you pre purchase OBC that is when you get the better deal on the dollar exchange rate? And you have to do that prior to getting onboard or can you do that while onboard?

 

Sorry if this sounds "dumb" I just am kind of new to all this and have found the information I have read from all the CC members so invaluable!!!!

 

Lisa :)