Canadian cruisers!!

[trev71]

Always pay in USD (Cash)

[southnam]

This is an awesome tip I need to look into for obc. Helps to pay the gratuities lol.

 

Sent from my BlackBerry Dtek50

[moopetguy]

Wondering what most Canadian cruisers do when in Cozumel for exchange? Do you use USD or to do get some peso's with your CAD or?

 

I know last Jan when I was there, it was a better exchange rate to use my CAD credit card to buy items using their peso's than it was for me to exchange to USD and use that......I think our dollar now is actually even better against the peso, but can anyone confirm or give some recent examples of some costs there of what they are charging in USD or peso's?

 

I was in Cozumel on December 2nd. I didn't bother to exchange pesos because I knew I wouldn't be spending very much money, hence I simply used USD. I only have two data points for you, for small purchases.

 

At Playa Mia Beach Resort, I bought a souvenir for $2 USD. It was $36 MXN. At Carl's Jr located in the Royal Village Shopping Center (sic), I bought an ice cream for $2 USD. It was $30 MXN.

 

I assume each business may set their own exchange rate and also probably rounds up to the nearest dollar for the convenience of not needing to handle American coins.

 

Obviously I was "ripped off" according to the MXN->USD exchange rates, but again, they were low-dollar transactions and I didn't want to go out of my way to get MXN.

 

Hope that helps a little bit :)

 

Edit: I also didn't know what rate my credit cards would give me for MXN->CAD, so I opted to keep it simple with cash.

Edited January 7, 2017 by moopetguy

[tinkertwo]

Yes I know that.....what I am trying to figure out is if its better to exchange my Cad to USD to purchase while there......OR, just use my CAD credit card as our currency is doing well against the Mexican peso right now.

 

For example, if something is $10 USD, that really costs me about $13.50 CAD with exchange....but if that was 150 peso's, it would only cost me about $9CAD....so I would be better off using CAD to Peso's.....

 

This is just me personally however if it was a purchase under $30, especially at a smaller place, I would not use my CC. To much chance of fraud, unauthorized use. I worked in a bank for 30 some years and can say I saw lots of this, its not as uncommon as one may think. Keep it simple.

[Misty_Que]

Hi Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while and it's where I learned that I could take out my obc through the casino as cash, which was great on our last trip.

We are now going on Anthem and have $500 obc. With the terrible exchange rate, we were counting on this money to help pay for our excursions (non RC excursions) and spending money. But I just read you can only get a casino voucher now and no cash on Anthem. Is there any way around this or another way people have learned to take out the cash?

[Ourusualbeach]

Hi Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while and it's where I learned that I could take out my obc through the casino as cash, which was great on our last trip.

We are now going on Anthem and have $500 obc. With the terrible exchange rate, we were counting on this money to help pay for our excursions (non RC excursions) and spending money. But I just read you can only get a casino voucher now and no cash on Anthem. Is there any way around this or another way people have learned to take out the cash?

 

You should have a choice between getting chips for the tables or a voucher for the slots. Get the voucher for the slots. Insert the voucher into any slot machine then hit the cash out button, you don't even have to play. This will give you a pay voucher that you can redeem for cash at the casino cashier or the automated redemption machines.

[Fouremco]

Hi Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while and it's where I learned that I could take out my obc through the casino as cash, which was great on our last trip.

We are now going on Anthem and have $500 obc. With the terrible exchange rate, we were counting on this money to help pay for our excursions (non RC excursions) and spending money. But I just read you can only get a casino voucher now and no cash on Anthem. Is there any way around this or another way people have learned to take out the cash?

Does what you've read apply to passengers with cash accounts not being able to get cash from Guest Services, or are you speaking solely about casino withdrawals?

[Ourusualbeach]

Does what you've read apply to passengers with cash accounts not being able to get cash from Guest Services, or are you speaking solely about casino withdrawals?

 

Guest services will only give money back on the last day or two and then only for Refundable OBC, it does not matter if you have a credit card or not.

 

Getting cash through the casino is the only way to get cash for Non Refundable OBC, it does not matter whether the account is a cash account or a credit card account except that with a credit card account they will charge you a 5% fee.

[monctonguy]

I was in Cozumel on December 2nd. I didn't bother to exchange pesos because I knew I wouldn't be spending very much money, hence I simply used USD. I only have two data points for you, for small purchases.

 

At Playa Mia Beach Resort, I bought a souvenir for $2 USD. It was $36 MXN. At Carl's Jr located in the Royal Village Shopping Center (sic), I bought an ice cream for $2 USD. It was $30 MXN.

 

I assume each business may set their own exchange rate and also probably rounds up to the nearest dollar for the convenience of not needing to handle American coins.

 

Obviously I was "ripped off" according to the MXN->USD exchange rates, but again, they were low-dollar transactions and I didn't want to go out of my way to get MXN.

 

Hope that helps a little bit :)

 

Edit: I also didn't know what rate my credit cards would give me for MXN->CAD, so I opted to keep it simple with cash.

 

Just the info I was looking for with examples...thanks!.....May just stick with USD as I don't plan on spending much at this point.

[Ourusualbeach]

Just off the phone with Gifts and Gear and it's still an exchange rate of 1.40

 

Last year it was around this time that the rates were adjusted so if there are going to be any adjustments it may be done in the next couple of weeks. I can't see a big drop but even 1.25 or 1.30 would be a bit better than the bank.

[Misty_Que]

You should have a choice between getting chips for the tables or a voucher for the slots. Get the voucher for the slots. Insert the voucher into any slot machine then hit the cash out button, you don't even have to play. This will give you a pay voucher that you can redeem for cash at the casino cashier or the automated redemption machines.

 

Great thank you for the tip! Currently we are set up with a credit card account. Should I change this to a cash account when we arrive at the port to save ourselves 5%? We have never used a cash account so not sure how it works. But we won't be spending much on the ship as DH has the beverage package and we have already reserved and paid for speciality dining packages.

 

Does what you've read apply to passengers with cash accounts not being able to get cash from Guest Services, or are you speaking solely about casino withdrawals?

 

I have never used Guest Services to take out cash so not sure how that works. But I see someone already answered the question.

 

Thanks everyone for the help!

[Ourusualbeach]

Great thank you for the tip! Currently we are set up with a credit card account. Should I change this to a cash account when we arrive at the port to save ourselves 5%? We have never used a cash account so not sure how it works. But we won't be spending much on the ship as DH has the beverage package and we have already reserved and paid for speciality dining packages.

 

 

 

I have never used Guest Services to take out cash so not sure how that works. But I see someone already answered the question.

 

Thanks everyone for the help!

 

I guess it depends on how much OBC you have. It's easy to do.

 

At the port just tell them you are changing it to a cash account. You can charge up to $500 over whatever OBC you have before being asked to pay any money down.

 

I usually set the account as cash. Withdraw up to $500 per day in the casino and then a day or two before the end of the cruise go to guest services and provide my credit card to avoid standing in line the last day to settle my account.

[Misty_Que]

I guess it depends on how much OBC you have. It's easy to do.

 

At the port just tell them you are changing it to a cash account. You can charge up to $500 over whatever OBC you have before being asked to pay any money down.

 

I usually set the account as cash. Withdraw up to $500 per day in the casino and then a day or two before the end of the cruise go to guest services and provide my credit card to avoid standing in line the last day to settle my account.

 

Thank you! I think that is what we will do to at least save the 5% fees. Now I just hope I remember to change it at the port!

[Ourusualbeach]

Thank you! I think that is what we will do to at least save the 5% fees. Now I just hope I remember to change it at the port!

 

It will be easy to remember as they will ask you for your credit card to swipe.

[Misty_Que]

It will be easy to remember as they will ask you for your credit card to swipe.

 

Oh great, thank you.

[Magicat]

Hey Michelle, not sure when you are leaving but you can set your account to a cash account in the online check in portion of the website. Like everyone said, easy to do through the casino then attach a credit card to your account after you have removed your OBC.

[trev71]

This is NOT A political statement

 

 

Article in the Globe and Mail today says..

The T$%^* dump: US dollar's woes drive Canadian dollar toward 77¢

 

 

This could be a good thing for us. Hopefully brings our dollar up a bit :)

[monctonguy]

I saw the dollar was nicely up over 76 cents this morning....up almost 5% in the past mth or so...it all helps and adds up.......

 

Hoping it stays like this till at least Jan Feb 3th to cover my cruising time.....but i'll take higher as well!

[trev71]

I saw the dollar was nicely up over 76 cents this morning....up almost 5% in the past mth or so...it all helps and adds up.......

 

Hoping it stays like this till at least Jan Feb 3th to cover my cruising time.....but i'll take higher as well!

 

I hope it stays this good for May too. I need to get another $500USD and then I should be good to go for this cruise. I am holding out on getting any more money, its a gamble that's for sure

[Misty_Que]

Hey Michelle, not sure when you are leaving but you can set your account to a cash account in the online check in portion of the website. Like everyone said, easy to do through the casino then attach a credit card to your account after you have removed your OBC.

 

Oh really? I have already done my online check in and set sail pass but I will go in and see if I can change it. Thanks!

And done! I was able to change to a cash account. Thank you so much :)

Edited January 12, 2017 by Misty_Que

[Magicat]

If you haven't already, you will have to reprint your Set Sail pass too.

[Misty_Que]

If you haven't already, you will have to reprint your Set Sail pass too.

 

Yes it told me to do so once I changed. Done and done...Thanks!

[son3cruisers]

Just purchased $500 onboard stateroom credit for $700 even.

Ouch.

Not even sure if that is what the bank is offering anymore.

Edited January 22, 2017 by son3cruisers

[Ourusualbeach]

Just purchased $500 onboard stateroom credit for $700 even. ��

Ouch.

Not even sure if that is what the bank is offering anymore.

 

Td bank was 1.368 or $684 for $500 today.

 

You paid a bit more but saved on the gas to the bank and didn't have to leave the house. For the extra $16 I'd order from Royal as well for the convenience.

[son3cruisers]

Td bank was 1.368 or $684 for $500 today.

 

You paid a bit more but saved on the gas to the bank and didn't have to leave the house. For the extra $16 I'd order from Royal as well for the convenience.

 

Ok ! Thanks for that.

On the Visa helps too. Then I have a month to pay it off instead of one lump sum . And get some points too. Somehow doesn't seem to hurt as much! Lol.

 

My bank seems to always add on an extra fee when I actually do the exchange at the bank....( ends up being almost $30 more then what the online currency exchange app says) . I deal with CIBC.