Canadian cruisers!!

[CanadaRob]

C&A noted when I called there might be a similar deal on the Celebrity side with Captains Club has anybody done this on the X side?

[son3cruisers]

Came back to the origional post and was shocked that not even a year ago our $ was at 1.26. Bought a bit of US $ last week for the drive town this Christmas and it was 1.37.

 

At least the 1.10 rate us still holding with Royal.

 

Can't wait to get on board and start booking those restaurants, shore excursions and drink packages.:D

 

I did the same thing last night! Re-read the first page! :D

 

We have never cruised without booking some excursions in advance. With this savings, I'm waiting until we get onboard to book, but I'm worried that the ones we want to do will be gone. The savings , if we wait are just amazing.

[LoveThoseSeaDays]

Hmmmm... we didn't get a receipt when we added the OBC a while back. Fingers crossed the credit is there once we board!

[JessyCruises]

The only problem we had with this is we set up the account as cash and we both bought drink packages day 1. We could not withdraw money day 1 because the credits had not appeared yet and they stopped letting us order drinks because the purchase of the packages maxed out the $500 cash limit. We had to go to guest services a few times on night one to get them to release our cards to allow purchases. Kind of a pain in the butt when you have over $4k in cash and can't use it.

[Ourusualbeach]

The only problem we had with this is we set up the account as cash and we both bought drink packages day 1. We could not withdraw money day 1 because the credits had not appeared yet and they stopped letting us order drinks because the purchase of the packages maxed out the $500 cash limit. We had to go to guest services a few times on night one to get them to release our cards to allow purchases. Kind of a pain in the butt when you have over $4k in cash and can't use it.

 

Good to know. Thanks for posting.

[Magicat]

No worries, I'm sure it will be there. If you call you can ask for a copy of your "Amenity Confirmation". This document will have a record of your OBC, you can print it off and bring it with you.

 

Note: don't be afraid when it says Currency CAD. You OBC is in USD.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Magicat

[LuCruise]

The only problem we had with this is we set up the account as cash and we both bought drink packages day 1. We could not withdraw money day 1 because the credits had not appeared yet and they stopped letting us order drinks because the purchase of the packages maxed out the $500 cash limit. We had to go to guest services a few times on night one to get them to release our cards to allow purchases. Kind of a pain in the butt when you have over $4k in cash and can't use it.

 

What a pain. :( This only happened because the 2 drink packages went over the $500 max, right? DH may order the soda package on day 1, which is well under $500. So I assume he wouldn't have any issues ordering drinks right away?

Edited December 2, 2015 by LuCruise

[Ourusualbeach]

What a pain. :( This only happened because the 2 drink packages went over the $500 max, right? DH may order the soda package on day 1, which is well under $500. So I assume he wouldn't have any issues ordering drinks right away?

 

You shouldn't have any issues if just getting the soda package.

[brfan]

One thing you will need to check if you are travelling with a friend and the friend is the lead person on the reservation. My friend (who was the lead for the reservation) and I both bought OBC pre cruise and my OBC was credited to her. It was simple thing to change, but it is something you will need to check.

[JessyCruises]

What a pain. :( This only happened because the 2 drink packages went over the $500 max, right? DH may order the soda package on day 1, which is well under $500. So I assume he wouldn't have any issues ordering drinks right away?

 

 

I believe that was the issue. We did not have any issues ordering drinks most of the day but in the evening we started having the problem. I assume it's because they did not post the charges to the account until later. Guest services ended up writing a note on a business to give to bartenders telling them to still serve is lol.

[Winter2010]

I just called C&A and bought $500 OBC for $550CAD for my TA cruise next October. The agent emailed me the invoice for proof of payment/purchase. I will call Celebrity to see if they have the same program so I can buy OBC for my Celebrity cruise next April.

 

Thank you so much everyone for all your input. It was enjoyable reading such a useful thread!

[CanadaRob]

I just called C&A and bought $500 OBC for $550CAD for my TA cruise next October. The agent emailed me the invoice for proof of payment/purchase. I will call Celebrity to see if they have the same program so I can buy OBC for my Celebrity cruise next April.

 

Thank you so much everyone for all your input. It was enjoyable reading such a useful thread!

 

 

Curious as well-when chatting with the C&A rep they indicated they had a similar program on the Captains Club and even offered to transfer me over, only problem was I hadn't booked my Celebrity 2018 cruise yet...

[bumblebutter]

Just wanted to add my thank-you to everyone who supplies information on this thread. This morning I was able to buy OBC for our B2Bs on the JOTS in January, for the $1.10 rate. It will make getting away from snowy Alberta even better.

[hancogran]

I just called C&A and bought $500 OBC for $550CAD for my TA cruise next October. The agent emailed me the invoice for proof of payment/purchase. I will call Celebrity to see if they have the same program so I can buy OBC for my Celebrity cruise next April.

 

Thank you so much everyone for all your input. It was enjoyable reading such a useful thread!

 

Please come back and let us know what Celebrity has to offer. :)

[brfan]

Please come back and let us know what Celebrity has to offer. :)

 

From what I've seen it's not as good a deal on Celebrity. You can purchase $25 OBC online in their gifts by Celebrity link. They are currently charging $30.60 CAD for $25 USD.

[Winter2010]

I spoke to a Celebrity rep in the afternoon on Dec. 2. The exchange rate is 1.2240.

 

Sarah

[hancogran]

I spoke to a Celebrity rep in the afternoon on Dec. 2. The exchange rate is 1.2240.

 

Sarah

 

Thank you! Better than the bank but still not as good as Royal. :) Think I'll stick with RCI for my upcoming cruise planning.

[dpostman]

There, I just added $499 USD OBC to both our staterooms for our next cruise. Still got the 1.10 exchange rate but limit was $499 per transaction (As explained by that particular agent ;-) YMMV

 

I know our cruise is still a ways away but did not want to miss out on that exchange rate and I don't see our CAN $ going north of 1.10 anytime soon.

 

The agent also sent me 2 emails confirming the Purchase of OBC in the amount of $548.90 CAD each.

 

dp

[JessyCruises]

Just wanted to report back that we were able to withdraw our remaining OBC without issue this week on the Oasis. We had purchased quite a bit thinking we might do excursions and specialty dining but opted not too. We used it to pay for drink packages and some other little items. We each withdrew $500 a day over several days. We even withdrew the OBC we got for booking a few cruises onboard. What a great program for Canadian travelers. Here is hoping it continues!

[h-sar]

Just wanted to report back that we were able to withdraw our remaining OBC without issue this week on the Oasis. We had purchased quite a bit thinking we might do excursions and specialty dining but opted not too. We used it to pay for drink packages and some other little items. We each withdrew $500 a day over several days. We even withdrew the OBC we got for booking a few cruises onboard. What a great program for Canadian travelers. Here is hoping it continues!

 

Great to know, as we are on Oasis at Christmas - thank you! You withdrew straight from the services desk and not the casino, correct?

[Ourusualbeach]

Great to know, as we are on Oasis at Christmas - thank you! You withdrew straight from the services desk and not the casino, correct?

 

Through the casino up until the last day and then you can withdraw at guest services.

 

We are on the Christmas sailing as well.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Ourusualbeach

[JessyCruises]

Great to know, as we are on Oasis at Christmas - thank you! You withdrew straight from the services desk and not the casino, correct?

 

 

Usually from the casino and without the 5% but yesterday (day 5) we were able to withdraw $600 from guest services. It was done as an exception I think.

[Magicat]

I believe that was the issue. We did not have any issues ordering drinks most of the day but in the evening we started having the problem. I assume it's because they did not post the charges to the account until later. Guest services ended up writing a note on a business to give to bartenders telling them to still serve is lol.

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you purchased a drink package, why did you have issues getting drinks in the evening because your card was maxed? Shouldn't the drinks have been free? :confused:

Edited December 4, 2015 by Magicat

[Clarea]

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you purchased a drink package, why did you have issues getting drinks in the evening because your card was maxed? Shouldn't the drinks have been free? :confused:

Royal has a limit of $500 outstanding on a SeaPass card before they let you charge more. The poster bought two drink packages, but the packages were not charged to the card until later in the day, at which point the charges "bounced" because the OBC had not been credited yet.

[patreke]

Royal has a limit of $500 outstanding on a SeaPass card before they let you charge more. The poster bought two drink packages, but the packages were not charged to the card until later in the day, at which point the charges "bounced" because the OBC had not been credited yet.

 

 

If this is likely to be an issue, can you set up your account on a credit card when you check in and change it later to a cash account once the OBC are posted?

On the Explorer in Oct it was 4 days before the drink pack hit my account so it wouldn't have been an issue and it was less than $500 but I don't want a lot of hassle in May if it is posted immediately. I am planning on buying the premium package for 13 nights which is more than the $500 limit.