Canadian cruisers!!

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks Ken,

 

I was actually reading your comment on post #480 (alot of reading tonight), and was interested in seeing how you made out. I can see why everyone is adding so much to their OBC now, easy 20% back.

 

The wife seems to want to set up the sea pass as a credit instead of cash, i guess to avoid the wait time to clue up cash account on the last night (though i'm new to this so not sure how much of an inconvenience this is). But if it saves us 5% of the balance, and I put a significant amount in the sea pass account, then it seems worth the wait doesn't it?

 

Just went back and read post 480.

 

I stood in line at guest services for about an hour the last night and got back around $500 US in cash. The line was bad as this cruise had a lot of college kids on it being a 4 day cruise at March break. Next time I will do as I described in my previous post.

[Ourusualbeach]

You can buy OBC for Celebrity on their website under Gifts by Celebrity. Currently the cost for $25 USD is $30.60.

 

Still better than the rate at the bank but not nearly as good a deal as on Royal.

[bluemeansgo]

CAN someone help me understand how this works?

 

We booked in CA$ for a cruise next May. I fully expect the Canadian dollar to go lower before then, so I wanted to lock in the price in CAD$.

 

I'm not understanding the 10% isn't it dependent on Exchange rate at the time?

 

If I bought $300 USD of credit it will cost me $400 CAD at the current 0.75 bank rate. Doesn't RCI use the Spot daily rate? Someone help me to understand. I don't understand how you guys are saying guaranteed 20% back.

[nl sailor]

Yes you can try for the $1000 all at once and some have been successful at having that amount or more processed in 1 transaction.

 

All non-refundable OBC is used first .

 

All leftover OBC will be refunded to your CC at the exchange rate of the day that Royal is using which is probably 125 - 130%.

 

If you take money out at the casino you will be charged a 5% fee unless you set up your account as a cash account (no credit card)

 

CAN someone help me understand how this works?

 

We booked in CA$ for a cruise next May. I fully expect the Canadian dollar to go lower before then, so I wanted to lock in the price in CAD$.

 

I'm not understanding the 10% isn't it dependent on Exchange rate at the time?

 

If I bought $300 USD of credit it will cost me $400 CAD at the current 0.75 bank rate. Doesn't RCI use the Spot daily rate? Someone help me to understand. I don't understand how you guys are saying guaranteed 20% back.

 

 

I just called, and added $400US to my acct for $440cdn, literally 10 minutes ago. Just take advantage of it haha.

[Dreamer115]

CAN someone help me understand how this works?

 

We booked in CA$ for a cruise next May. I fully expect the Canadian dollar to go lower before then, so I wanted to lock in the price in CAD$.

 

I'm not understanding the 10% isn't it dependent on Exchange rate at the time?

 

If I bought $300 USD of credit it will cost me $400 CAD at the current 0.75 bank rate. Doesn't RCI use the Spot daily rate? Someone help me to understand. I don't understand how you guys are saying guaranteed 20% back.

 

They only charge 10% exchange. It is not the going exchange rate. You can cash out up to $500 per day at the casino at no charge provided you are set up as a cash account upon signing in. If you set up as a credit account (to have your bills onboard put directly to your credit card) you will pay 5% fee to withdraw at casino.

[hancogran]

CAN someone help me understand how this works?

 

We booked in CA$ for a cruise next May. I fully expect the Canadian dollar to go lower before then, so I wanted to lock in the price in CAD$.

 

I'm not understanding the 10% isn't it dependent on Exchange rate at the time?

 

If I bought $300 USD of credit it will cost me $400 CAD at the current 0.75 bank rate. Doesn't RCI use the Spot daily rate? Someone help me to understand. I don't understand how you guys are saying guaranteed 20% back.

 

Royal are offering Canadian cruisers (who booked their cruise in Canadian funds), this special offer to purchase OBC for upcoming cruise(s) at a reduced rate of 10%.. no matter what the current rate of exchange is at the bank. If you call Gifts and Gear or C & A, you can purchase $500 U.S. OBC for $550 Canadian.

 

If you have OBC left at the end of your cruise, you will get it back in U.S. cash (if you have a cash account), or credited back to your credit card at the exchange rate being used that day .. likely between 25% and 30% depending on how the Canadian dollar is doing. You can't lose! :)

[bluemeansgo]

Royal are offering Canadian cruisers (who booked their cruise in Canadian funds), this special offer to purchase OBC for upcoming cruise(s) at a reduced rate of 10%.. no matter what the current rate of exchange is at the bank. If you call Gifts and Gear or C & A, you can purchase $500 U.S. OBC for $550 Canadian.

 

If you have OBC left at the end of your cruise, you will get it back in U.S. cash (if you have a cash account), or credited back to your credit card at the exchange rate being used that day .. likely between 25% and 30% depending on how the Canadian dollar is doing. You can't lose! :)

 

Fantastic! On our trip back from Europe we're making a stopover in the USA. Anything left will come in handy!

[Lost_in_BC]

Is the OBC attached to an individual or the cabin? We're traveling with my mother in the same room but with separate accounts. I'd like to add some OBC to my account. Is that possible to do? Anyone have any experience with this?

[Clarea]

Is the OBC attached to an individual or the cabin? We're traveling with my mother in the same room but with separate accounts. I'd like to add some OBC to my account. Is that possible to do? Anyone have any experience with this?

You should be able to add the OBC to your own personal account. However, in case they get it wrong, you can fix it at Guest Services when you get onboard.

[Lost_in_BC]

You should be able to add the OBC to your own personal account. However, in case they get it wrong, you can fix it at Guest Services when you get onboard.

 

Thanks! I just got off the phone with Gifts & Gears and they do put in on an individual account. This was important as my Mom is American, and although I bought and paid for her trip from here in Canada, I was worried it would opt me out of this tremendous savings. :)

 

I just scored 500$ US for $550 Canadian on an account on each of the rooms traveling with us. I love saving money on cruising. Thanks cruise critic peeps!

[bluemeansgo]

Anyone know if you can pay for excursions with OBC? This will be our first real cruise, from Venice on Vision OTS May 7th. We have no idea how much to budget for excursions, but typically we've explored mostly on our own.

 

That being said, we're open to reasonably priced excursions.

 

Our itinerary is:

 

Kotor, Montenegro

Corfu, Greece

Athens, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Argostoli, Greece

 

Other than the parthenon and Mykonos being the "beach" island, I haven't looked into the destinations too much. Are excursions in Greece expensive? Are they worth booking privately? Can I buy excursions with OBC?

[Lost_in_BC]

You can definitely use OBC for excursions, however you have to schedule & purchase them while on the ship. They won't let you use the OBC to pay for excursions or drink packages that you buy before you cruise.

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks! I just got off the phone with Gifts & Gears and they do put in on an individual account. This was important as my Mom is American, and although I bought and paid for her trip from here in Canada, I was worried it would opt me out of this tremendous savings. :)

 

I just scored 500$ US for $550 Canadian on an account on each of the rooms traveling with us. I love saving money on cruising. Thanks cruise critic peeps!

 

You would have no problems with putting the OBC on your moms account. The only thing that matters is the currency that the cruise was booked in.

[mabelcat]

You may need to remind them at the casino that you have a cash account.

 

When I was talking to Royal today, they informed that I couldn't take any of my OBC out in cash .... even in the casino

 

Should I listen to them, or assume they don't really know, and it is possible to take cash out against your onboard credit if you have a cash account setup

 

Otherwise I will have to get some more American $$ before we leave!!!:confused:

[hancogran]

When I was talking to Royal today, they informed that I couldn't take any of my OBC out in cash .... even in the casino

 

Should I listen to them, or assume they don't really know, and it is possible to take cash out against your onboard credit if you have a cash account setup

 

Otherwise I will have to get some more American $$ before we leave!!!:confused:

 

When I purchased my OBC for our transatlantic in May, I was told by a person at Gifts and Gear that there would be a 5% charge if I took any of it out in the casino even if I had it set up as a cash account. Of course, this was not true.I had no problem taking out money ($500 per day maximum) from the casino and of course, there was no charge.

 

No.. I certainly wouldn't go by what you were told. You can't go to Guest Services and take it out before the last night but you CAN take it out during your cruise at the casino, with no problem. ;)

[mabelcat]

When I purchased my OBC for our transatlantic in May, I was told by a person at Gifts and Gear that there would be a 5% charge if I took any of it out in the casino even if I had it set up as a cash account. Of course, this was not true.I had no problem taking out money ($500 per day maximum) from the casino and of course, there was no charge.

 

No.. I certainly wouldn't go by what you were told. You can't go to Guest Services and take it out before the last night but you CAN take it out during your cruise at the casino, with no problem. ;)

 

Thanks so much for the response..... Gifts and Gear said it was a cashless ship and it would only come off your Seapass even if you were using it just for gambling, I was hoping to take out some cash for port days etc.

 

I have it set up as a cash account.

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks so much for the response..... Gifts and Gear said it was a cashless ship and it would only come off your Seapass even if you were using it just for gambling, I was hoping to take out some cash for port days etc.

 

I have it set up as a cash account.

 

I really hate to say it but you can't rely on the info provided by the reps at Royal. Always best to trust the first hand experiences posted here on CC.

[RCmommy]

Is there an expiry date on this 'offer' ?

[Ourusualbeach]

Is there an expiry date on this 'offer' ?

 

It's not really an offer but just the way they are doing this at the moment. It could disappear at any time.

[hancogran]

Is there an expiry date on this 'offer' ?

 

At this point, I don't think anybody really knows how long Royal will continue to offer this great deal. :confused: I'm sure if our dollar continues to slide the way it has been, we can expect the rate to change but who knows? I figured it would have been over by now but good to hear so many people are still benefiting from it.

 

I only wish I had a cruise booked so I could call Gifts and Gear too! ;)

[davidsmum]

You can call and put some on my account if it would make you feel better!! I'd have no trouble spending it![emoji3][emoji485][emoji3]

[son3cruisers]

At this point, I don't think anybody really knows how long Royal will continue to offer this great deal. :confused: I'm sure if our dollar continues to slide the way it has been, we can expect the rate to change b ;)

 

And the repeated phone calls to customer service asking about taking out cash at the casino probably isn't helping either....:confused:

Shhhhhh.....this is suppose to be a secret! Just between us! Lol....:D

Trust us... We have first hand experience. The reps on the phone might not have ever been on a cruise ship! They continually give out the wrong information!

[Virtopia]

Ok I finally called today and purchased $499 and will call back later for another $200. So, my question is it says that it will be delivered to my room. Does that mean I can't withdraw some of it until day 2? Also, day 2 I'm in St Thomas ... will the casino be open for me to make a withdrawal?

[Clarea]

Ok I finally called today and purchased $499 and will call back later for another $200. So, my question is it says that it will be delivered to my room. Does that mean I can't withdraw some of it until day 2? Also, day 2 I'm in St Thomas ... will the casino be open for me to make a withdrawal?

As long as the OBC is applied before the end of the cruise, you are good to go. They don't make you wait until the OBC in on your account before you can charge to your account.

[koolforkatz]

I am going to be sailing on the Jewel in four weeks and want to take advantage of this great exchange rate. We've always set up our accounts as credit card payment. How do you set it up as cash? Is this a stupid question, LOL ?? I'd like to be able to withdraw the cash at the end without the 5% service fee.

 

Thanks so much :)