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lyndarra Holiday Sharing Rare

lyndarra

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Likewise. We booked our Aug 2015 Alaska X cruise tour while on Celebrity Panama cruise in April. We could see that the Oz $ was heading south. Just after that we we loaded our wallet cards with USD & CAD. At this stage I reckon we're in front. We also got free gratuities so that's another we don't have to worry about.

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gaechann

gaechann

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Royal has just adjusted all their prices upwards to reflex the continued down-turn of our $AUD. Hopefully you have all purchased your ship's tours drink packages and/or on board credit -if not, might be best to do so before all costs increase again before your next cruise/s with them!

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crochetcruise

crochetcruise

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Once you have booked & paid your deposit, the cruisefare in $A will not change.

 

For our B2B2B trip last year we were concerned about the falling $A, so we booked early and pre-paid our excursions & T&G's ahead of time to lock them in. Over the months the $A did fall & we saw prices rise, including for shore excusions, but we were all good.

 

As an aside, I was concerned a few months ago about the likely fall in $A, so I bit the bullet and bought some US$ for future RC cruises, hopefully next year :)

 

I am paying off my cruise fortnightly, and have seen the $A fall. Now costing for incidental expenses at AUD$1.40 to USD$1. Still have over a year to save, so quite manageable, just irritating! Oh well, at least I HAVE the chance to cruise!

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crochetcruise

crochetcruise

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Thanks :) (such a better rate thank the banks atm).

 

I might check back on the other thread as I think there might have been some info regarding withdrawing cash.

 

I understand cashing Casino Credits gets you cash, but On Board Credit may be credited to a credit card if you used 1 to purchase the On Board Credit. Equally, this is just what I understand from reading Cruise Critic, I am still a Wanna-Be Future Newbie Blue Card Holder until I disembark in Melbourne having completed my 1st Cruise. I'm excitedly counting down the days! And diligently scouring Cruise Critic for useful tips and hints several times a days and always learn something from the more experienced cruisers.

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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I'm excitedly counting down the days! And diligently scouring Cruise Critic for useful tips and hints several times a days and always learn something from the more experienced cruisers.

 

By the time you board, you'll be an expert. I surprised a couple of people (Elites) on our first cruise by how much I knew about cruising. ;)

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Willow45

Willow45

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Hi guys, please advise. We are traveling on RCI and I was reading on the site that $12 per person per day in gratuities is added to your account onboard if you haven't already paid gratuities. So is this $12 in U.S. and if I haven't already paid it with the dollar dropping it will cost me a lot more on the cruise. I had an argument with my husband about pre-paying this and I would love to find out I'm right and we should be paying now.. AND so paying OBC now into your account/booking is a great thing too. We do have some savings we had started for the holiday and if it's better in the long run and we pay that in as well..

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woodyren

woodyren

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Posted (edited)
Hi guys, please advise. We are traveling on RCI and I was reading on the site that $12 per person per day in gratuities is added to your account onboard if you haven't already paid gratuities. So is this $12 in U.S. and if I haven't already paid it with the dollar dropping it will cost me a lot more on the cruise. I had an argument with my husband about pre-paying this and I would love to find out I'm right and we should be paying now.. AND so paying OBC now into your account/booking is a great thing too. We do have some savings we had started for the holiday and if it's better in the long run and we pay that in as well..

 

Yes you are 100% correct. Everything is in USD on RCL ships so IF the AUD continues to fall you are better paying now.

 

If you don't pre pay the grats will be added to your account daily

Edited by woodyren
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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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I had an argument with my husband about pre-paying this and I would love to find out I'm right and we should be paying now.. AND so paying OBC now into your account/booking is a great thing too. We do have some savings we had started for the holiday and if it's better in the long run and we pay that in as well..

 

Yes, prepay the gratuities and OBC. Work out what you think you might spend onboard and get as much OBC as you can to cover it.

 

Are you thinking of getting drinks packages? If so find out what rate RCI are offering for OBC. I bought some last month for our Celebrity cruise, same parent company, and the rate was US $1 to AU $1.30 which was better than the exchange rate on the day. Check the prices they are offering online in AUD for the drinks prices. You may be better off buying the OBC and buying the packages onboard. Ultimate was US $67 and Premium was US $57 in March, gratuities were included in those prices.

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NSWP

NSWP

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When I hit east coast of USA on Aurora next month, I think I will refrain from contributing to the US economy, I won't hit Starbucks or Wendys Burgers. Already paid for my shorex in NY, Boston etc in £. But then the £ rate is just as bad as the USD.

 

Such is life.

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flsun

flsun

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I was unable to withdraw refundable OBC in cash from guest services on Rhapsody but was able to on Quantum.

 

I was able to withdraw both types of OBC on both ships from the casino but was charged 5% each time.

 

Celebrity casinos charge 5%, and RCI's charge 10%. We take cash out from the casino throughout our trips and have never had anyone question it. With the amt. of OBC's on last year's Iceland, and next year's Sydney, cruises, I have no issue with them keeping a bit and giving me the rest. After all, they're giving me 90-95% of their (free) money.

 

The process is such that you are taking cash out, and that amount is charged to your onboard account. Your onboard account has your OBCs, so you're 'charging' against your credit.

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woodyren

woodyren

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Celebrity casinos charge 5%, and RCI's charge 10%.

Royal definitely charges only 5% on the ships I have been on. I have withdrawn OBC on both Rhapsody and Quantum this year in the Casino at 5%.

I withdrew $1000 USD on Rhapsody and they charged $1050 to my account.

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Royal definitely charges only 5% on the ships I have been on. I have withdrawn OBC on both Rhapsody and Quantum this year in the Casino at 5%.

I withdrew $1000 USD on Rhapsody and they charged $1050 to my account.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

Time will tell what will be the case by the time we cruise.:D

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Which $17.50 a day more than the Princess Australia based ships. It adds up.

 

Don't worry, you are paying it still (or most of it anyway), it is just included in the upfront prices. Still it is much better to not have to think about it again.:D

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woodyren

woodyren

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Don't worry, you are paying it still (or most of it anyway), it is just included in the upfront prices. Still it is much better to not have to think about it again.:D

 

Well apparently we aren't paying it on Celebrity according to this person with "insider ?" knowledge posting on the main boards.

 

I love CC and have got so much helpful info on here so I always try and assist if I can or at worst crack a (poor) joke.

 

This person hit a raw nerve so for the first time (well maybe the first time since Micks maths typo) I had to call them out.

 

Here is the guts of what they wrote.

 

" Actually, this isn't the reason. There is someone here on CC who has worked in the cruise industry for decades, much of it in managerial roles. He has given us many insights into the cruising business.

 

Based on his insider knowledge, we have learned that the only reason that some cruise lines have now included the gratuities in the base fare for cruises in Australia (and the UK) is quite simple - too many guests were stiffing the crew, most likely because they didn't agree with the gratuity policies on those ships, and would "stick it" to them in order to make a point. The crew moral suffered tremendously as the number of people who refused to give tips was substantial and the crew saw a significant drop in their income when sailing those markets. To prevent angry staff, the cruise lines HAD to instate a modified cruise fare in which guests would no longer have the option of removing those tips. Celebrity does this on their ships only when they are sailing those areas. The normal gratuity policies are reinstated as soon as the ships are deployed to other areas when the cruising season ends there. What is ironic is that these misguided guests seem to think that they are punishing the cruise line by refusing to pay the gratuities. In reality, the hard working staff who is serving them every day is who is being punished, not the "greedy" corporations.

 

So, you Aussies and Brits did it to yourselves. You forced the cruise lines to increase your fares so the crew would no longer be stiffed. You lost your bargaining power because now, for you, you have no option to remove tips if service is actually bad. Well done! "

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