Canadian cruisers!!

[SensFan11]

I agree with others...get some cash - Euro bills - from your local bank for cash purchase needs while on shore excursions and pre/post cruise.

 

I'd also recommend getting a credit card that doesn't charge a currency conversion fee. Most Canadian credit cards charge 2-3% ON TOP OF the exchange rate when you make purchases in USD, Euros, or any other currency. Only a very few cards do not charge this fee. The one I use is the Marriott Rewards VISA, issued by Chase. This card has an annual fee, but promos often waive the fee for the first year, and IMHO the free night at a Marriott offered each year makes up for the annual fee.

[Virtopia]

I agree with others...get some cash - Euro bills - from your local bank for cash purchase needs while on shore excursions and pre/post cruise.

 

 

 

I'd also recommend getting a credit card that doesn't charge a currency conversion fee. Most Canadian credit cards charge 2-3% ON TOP OF the exchange rate when you make purchases in USD, Euros, or any other currency. Only a very few cards do not charge this fee. The one I use is the Marriott Rewards VISA, issued by Chase. This card has an annual fee, but promos often waive the fee for the first year, and IMHO the free night at a Marriott offered each year makes up for the annual fee.

 

 

You know, this is one credit card I've been looking to get for about 2 years now, but I didn't want to add a 3rd one to the mix. I may need to consider now though.

 

I order all my money online. I check and make a chart of the exchange rates often and order when it looks good.

 

 

This has been added to my travel folder and monthly reminders have been set to check ... Thanks!

[hancogran]

 

 

Sears Mastercard is another card that does not charge the 2 or 2 1/2% conversion fee and there's no annual charge for the card. This is what we used last year when we were in Europe and had no problems whatsoever.

Edited December 9, 2015 by hancogran

[Magicat]

Ditto for us. We took some cash to last for the first day or so, then used ATMs to get more cash. Also tried to use our credit card as much as possible to reduce the amount of cash we had to have on hand. Just be aware that credit cards are not as widely used as here. Have fun!

[LuCruise]

We took advantage of the exchange Royal is giving and purchased some OBC. My husband may purchase the soda package, and DH and I will buy the odd drink a-la-carte (e.g. wine...I don't drink soda), we'll do the character meal and the arcade for our kids. But other than that, we really don't have many plans for other purchases and it "should be" more than we need.

 

It seems like a bit of a hassle to set up your account as cash (not on the set up , but at the end to cash out), but the dollar is getting so bad, that I'm thinking we should go ahead so we'll have cash when in port (we'll need cash for 2 of our 3 ports). From what I've read on here, you can change it back to credit card before the end of the cruise (i.e. so one of our sea days at the end) so that remaining funds go on your credit. But as stated above, I suspect we'll get a refund. If not, we'll take the hit of the US/CAD extra exchange on the CC.

Edited December 9, 2015 by LuCruise

[TabithaK]

We're cruising for the first time with RCCL in January. I've called twice in the past month putting about $450 on my account each time. I called tonight to add money one last time. Another $450. I was told that this would put me over my $1000 maximum allowed. If I want to add any more, I certainly can but must fax my ID even if only adding a couple of hundred dollars. I asked when this changed and he said "last week." Has anyone else run into this new policy?

[jonath]

We're cruising for the first time with RCCL in January. I've called twice in the past month putting about $450 on my account each time. I called tonight to add money one last time. Another $450. I was told that this would put me over my $1000 maximum allowed. If I want to add any more, I certainly can but must fax my ID even if only adding a couple of hundred dollars. I asked when this changed and he said "last week." Has anyone else run into this new policy?

 

Just call again and act dumb if they repeat the same :)

[Ourusualbeach]

We're cruising for the first time with RCCL in January. I've called twice in the past month putting about $450 on my account each time. I called tonight to add money one last time. Another $450. I was told that this would put me over my $1000 maximum allowed. If I want to add any more, I certainly can but must fax my ID even if only adding a couple of hundred dollars. I asked when this changed and he said "last week." Has anyone else run into this new policy?

 

It all depends who you talk to on the phone. People have been reporting that for months, not just a change last week. Others have no issues booking $500 or more at a time in one transaction.

[TabithaK]

It all depends who you talk to on the phone. People have been reporting that for months, not just a change last week. Others have no issues booking $500 or more at a time in one transaction.

 

The issue wasn't that I was trying to put more than $500 on it at one time. I had heard about that restriction through this forum. He said the issue was that I already had put $1000 OBC total on the account and couldn't add any more (even a couple of hundred) without photo ID It's the first I've heard of that.

[Ourusualbeach]

The issue wasn't that I was trying to put more than $500 on it at one time. I had heard about that restriction through this forum. He said the issue was that I already had put $1000 OBC total on the account and couldn't add any more (even a couple of hundred) without photo ID It's the first I've heard of that.

 

Sorry, I did realize what you were saying I just didn't convey it very well. Your issue has come up before as well.

[TabithaK]

Sorry, I did realize what you were saying I just didn't convey it very well. Your issue has come up before as well.

 

Okay thanks. :) I had not heard of this issue before my phone call tonight so I was a bit surprised.

[Bob7]

(snip)

 

I'd also recommend getting a credit card that doesn't charge a currency conversion fee. Most Canadian credit cards charge 2-3% ON TOP OF the exchange rate when you make purchases in USD, Euros, or any other currency. Only a very few cards do not charge this fee. The one I use is the Marriott Rewards VISA, issued by Chase. This card has an annual fee, but promos often waive the fee for the first year, and IMHO the free night at a Marriott offered each year makes up for the annual fee.

We also use a card with no US-CAN transaction fee, the Amazon.ca Visa from Chase, no annual fee, and it gives cash rebate rewards of 1% after the promo, and bigger rewards when buying on Amazon.

[madeph]

Not sure if this question has been asked, but is it possible to open a cash account onboard with Canadian cash (the ship would do the conversion)? Or, would they only accept a debit card and USD? My booking is in USD.

[Clarea]

Not sure if this question has been asked, but is it possible to open a cash account onboard with Canadian cash (the ship would do the conversion)? Or, would they only accept a debit card and USD? My booking is in USD.

Everything on board is USD, so if you have a cash account and pay in CAD, the ship will do a conversion, which won't be as good as your credit card company.

[madeph]

Everything on board is USD, so if you have a cash account and pay in CAD, the ship will do a conversion, which won't be as good as your credit card company.

 

Good to know, thanks.

[TOCruisers]

[quote name=hancogran;48469045

Sears Mastercard is another card that does not charge the 2 or 2 1/2% conversion fee and there's no annual charge for the card. This is what we used last year when we were in Europe and had no problems whatsoever.

 

I believe Sears MC was or will be discontinued.

 

For Oct-Nov TA from Barcelona' date=' we took approx 100e from TD FX for arrival day's transportation etc. Lucky I did this, as when I tried to buy Aerobus tickets at BCN, my TD US CC did not work as I did not have the PIN. The same at the subway auto ticket machine. However, at restaurants, hotel, entrance fees, you can pay the bills using the CC with signature (without PIN) if you tell them no PIN. So in Barcelona, I could use my US CC without any problem if it is not the self service situation. I never had to use bank card/ATM. I am saving unused Euro for the next Europe cruise(s).

 

[quote=Ourusualbeach;

It all depends who you talk to on the phone. People have been reporting that for months, not just a change last week. Others have no issues booking $500 or more at a time in one transaction.[/quote]

 

[quote=TabithaK;

The issue wasn't that I was trying to put more than $500 on it at one time. I had heard about that restriction through this forum. He said the issue was that I already had put $1000 OBC total on the account and couldn't add any more (even a couple of hundred) without photo ID It's the first I've heard of that.

 

It may as well RCCL changed the rule. However, one of the several calls I made to CS in Sept/Oct, one CS asked me why I needed the OBC etc., questions which were none of his business. So I hanged up nicely and tried C&A. No issues. So as others suggested, try again, especially try C&A. Some were better trained than others.

[barnoner]

They still have the card. They have just changed the point system. It is now a separate card.

[brfan]

They still have the card. They have just changed the point system. It is now a separate card.

 

The Sears credit card no longer exists (I had one), but I believe the Sears MasterCard is still around. The points system now will work with any credit card.

[LoveThoseSeaDays]

I see on a separate thread started by someone on the Jewel that they were not able to withdraw cash directly from the casino.

 

They have had to do a 'work around' to get a credit slip for the slots, then go to the slot machine and cash out, and then go to the casino teller again.

 

Can anyone else speak to their recent experience?

 

I had been hoping to pull some cash out this way from our OBC.

[davidsmum]

I see on a separate thread started by someone on the Jewel that they were not able to withdraw cash directly from the casino.

 

 

 

They have had to do a 'work around' to get a credit slip for the slots, then go to the slot machine and cash out, and then go to the casino teller again.

 

 

 

Can anyone else speak to their recent experience?

 

 

 

I had been hoping to pull some cash out this way from our OBC.

 

 

Had no trouble withdrawing cash from casino on the November 23 sailing of serenade

No questions asked and no fee charged.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[T.O.cruisers]

The Sears credit card no longer exists (I had one), but I believe the Sears MasterCard is still around. The points system now will work with any credit card.

 

My Sears Mastercard has been replaced with a Scotiabank Momentum Mastercard with the same number that I had on my Sears Mastercard.

[LoveThoseSeaDays]

Had no trouble withdrawing cash from casino on the November 23 sailing of serenade

No questions asked and no fee charged.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for your reply. We're sailing in two weeks and I had been contemplating adding just a bit more OBC.

 

I think I'll wait a few days to see what the experience is of recent cruisers such as yourself before I commit.

 

We will be keeping our accounts as cash so there is no fee. But I'd like to get the cash out, instead of seeing any remainder left to go on a credit card.

[baldercash]

If you use a Canadian fund card there is still a charge / cost.

The bank may wave the conversion fee but the conversion rate they use to do the transaction will be higher then the best rate you can purchase US funds for.

 

If you have a TD US Boarder-less account the rate they give you will be cheaper then not having the account. If you have a Boarder less account the conversion rate will be higher if you go to a wicket and have a teller do the transaction then if you do the transaction on line yourself.

 

We have a membership at Continental Currency Exchange and they pride themselves on bettering the bank rate but they cannot match the TD Boarder-less rate even when you convert through a teller. A TD USD fund card is free but does not give the transaction perks of the regular Visa card. I use a BMO USD Master card that gives airmiles on transactions and all the other perks like extended warranty.

BMO also has a World Elite card which gives you outside of country medical coverage for 21 days free up to the age of 65.

 

From the TD web site, note they use "their conversion rate." all Bank cards do the same .... ask what their conversion rate is.

 

"For TD Credit Cards except TD U.S. Dollar Credit Cards

We will bill you in Canadian dollars for any transaction made on your Account in a foreign currency. We will convert that transaction by applying our foreign currency conversion rate in effect on the date that the transaction is posted to your Account, which is the rate established by VISA applicable on the date that the transaction is posted to your Account, plus a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.5%. For complete details, see your TD Canada Trust Credit Cardholder Agreement."

Edited December 12, 2015 by baldercash

[baldercash]

I am checking if the Sears card actually gives transaction at the doing daily rate if it does it would be the best way to charge as there would be no exchange fee as posters have stated.

 

. Sears Financial MasterCard

This retail rewards product provides 2 Sears Club points for every dollar spent at Sears, one of Canada's largest retail chains, and 1 point per dollar charged elsewhere. The card has no annual fee and charges no foreign transaction fees.

[fonthillhdtv]

If i set up a cash account on board and have a OBC is there any way around having to prepay my gratuities because of my time dining at final payment?I was hoping to use my OBC to pay them