$CDN Exchange Rate Question

[Davey-D-99]

We booked early (Last March) for our upcoming Getaway cruise in Feb. 2016.

Great $Canadian exchange rate of $1.11

 

My question is... Does this exchange rate hold right up to sail date? (ie. purchasing extra dining, OBC, Photos..etc)

 

or

 

Do we now lose the exchange rate after final payment was due?...(Which was today)

[hamrag]

Not by design, but through a chance cruisecritic "encounter" with another poster, we booked the 15 March 2016 PoA 11 night cruise from SF to Hawaii with a Canadian TA. As Brits we also stand to benefit from the USD/CAD exchange rate, and the TA has assured me that the rate stands right up until boarding (in reality, that will mean a couple of days before boarding) for all the items you list. We have a 1.19 rate for that particular cruise, compared to the current 1.35ish rate.

 

Because we had an excellent experience with the Canadian TA, we recently booked two other cruises for October 2016 which are essentially B2B albeit different ships from the same port. One of those has a 1.085 rate, and the other is 1.11 both of which are incredible rates! Needless to say, I have a new preferred TA.:)

 

I have no idea why, or how, this has happened and would expect that for your own booking the 1.11 will prevail through sailing date also.

 

Spend wisely!

[pisenor]

Your rate is locked in right up until you set foot on the ship. Anything you purchase via MyNcl before sailing will remain at that wonderful rate. Anything you purchase on board will be billed to your cc at the going bank rate + all the foreign currency fees to boot. I also have the same rate for my 2016 and 2017 cruises. For this reason I am purchasing an adequate supply of OBC for each of these cruises to fund my on board expenditures. On the last day I do not plan on having any charges to my cc in US funds at all.

[hamrag]

Your rate is locked in right up until you set foot on the ship. Anything you purchase via MyNcl before sailing will remain at that wonderful rate. Anything you purchase on board will be billed to your cc at the going bank rate + all the foreign currency fees to boot. I also have the same rate for my 2016 and 2017 cruises. For this reason I am purchasing an adequate supply of OBC for each of these cruises to fund my on board expenditures. On the last day I do not plan on having any charges to my cc in US funds at all.

 

Haven't really thought through all possibilities as yet, but your post makes me think that if you were to purchase an excess amount of OBC then you would get back any unspent element in USD and then back to CAD at a favourable rate.:)

 

Is that the case, or is my thought process too fuzzy??

[Davey-D-99]

Your rate is locked in right up until you set foot on the ship. Anything you purchase via MyNcl before sailing will remain at that wonderful rate. Anything you purchase on board will be billed to your cc at the going bank rate + all the foreign currency fees to boot. I also have the same rate for my 2016 and 2017 cruises. For this reason I am purchasing an adequate supply of OBC for each of these cruises to fund my on board expenditures. On the last day I do not plan on having any charges to my cc in US funds at all.

 

That's awesome!! Thanks. I've read on a previous thread that you can cash out your purchased OBC in the casino for an extra 3%. That makes it a $1.14 exchange. Obviously way better than current bank rate:eek:

[pisenor]

Haven't really thought through all possibilities as yet, but your post makes me think that if you were to purchase an excess amount of OBC then you would get back any unspent element in USD and then back to CAD at a favourable rate.:)

 

Is that the case, or is my thought process too fuzzy??

 

That is the exact case. I actually plan on cashing out my pre purchased OBC in the casino as I don't want to wait upwards of 6 weeks (as reported by others on here)for my refund to come to me in the mail. The casino charges a 3% fee to process the transaction. With my current rate at $1.11 plus the other 3% casino transaction fee I am still a long way ahead of the current exchange rate at $1.33.

 

From what I understand from reading another thread here regarding a revised method of completing a CAD booking. I read that NCL will discount the current rate by 10% then charge the cruise at the $1.33 rate. The cruise cost is still slightly better after the exchange conversion than what the posted fares are. By doing this all CAD booking no longer have such a nice incentive to do what I outlined above.

 

I hope this helps answer your questions.

[Shawnino]

My refund took ten days to arrive.

[casofilia]

The rate you get up to boarding was what was locked in when you first booked and paid a deposit. We have really good rates on our next cruises. However looking at new cruises now the rate is nowhere near as good.

 

Mike

[pisenor]

My refund took ten days to arrive.

 

That is a good turn around time for your refund. In fact I may bypass the casino transaction to secure my refund in a timely manner. I do have a few questions that maybe you can help answer.

 

1. Was your refund was a cheque in USD?
   
2. Did you need to request the refund from guest services or was it sent automatically?
   
3. and lastly, was your refund based on the rate at which you bought your OBC or was it just a straight USD refund? ie my rate is $1.11...will the refund be calculated at the rate I purchased my OBC or is it refunded as a straight USD refund with no conversion back to the rate you bought the OBC?
   

 

Thanks for your answers

[bonbon1111367]

That is a good turn around time for your refund. In fact I may bypass the casino transaction to secure my refund in a timely manner. I do have a few questions that maybe you can help answer.

 

1. Was your refund was a cheque in USD?
   
2. Did you need to request the refund from guest services or was it sent automatically?
   
3. and lastly, was your refund based on the rate at which you bought your OBC or was it just a straight USD refund? ie my rate is $1.11...will the refund be calculated at the rate I purchased my OBC or is it refunded as a straight USD refund with no conversion back to the rate you bought the OBC?
   

 

Thanks for your answers

 

I was lucky enough to get the exchange rate at Par last april, and I definitely took advantage by ordering lots of OBC.

 

To answer your questions

- It did take about 6 weeks for me to get my refund cheque

- The refund cheque was sent automatically. There was no special step I had to take

- To my satisfaction, the cheque was indeed in US dollars. If you bought 100 USD for $111.1 CAD, you will get a cheque for 100 USD, not 111.11 CAD.

[hamrag]

I was lucky enough to get the exchange rate at Par last april, and I definitely took advantage by ordering lots of OBC.

 

To answer your questions

- It did take about 6 weeks for me to get my refund cheque

- The refund cheque was sent automatically. There was no special step I had to take

- To my satisfaction, the cheque was indeed in US dollars. If you bought 100 USD for $111.1 CAD, you will get a cheque for 100 USD, not 111.11 CAD.

 

Was a cheque issued because you had a cash account on board? Presumably if a credit card is associated with the onboard account, any refund will go directly to the card on disembarkation day?

Thanks for the information provided.

[pisenor]

I was lucky enough to get the exchange rate at Par last april, and I definitely took advantage by ordering lots of OBC.

 

To answer your questions

- It did take about 6 weeks for me to get my refund cheque

- The refund cheque was sent automatically. There was no special step I had to take

- To my satisfaction, the cheque was indeed in US dollars. If you bought 100 USD for $111.1 CAD, you will get a cheque for 100 USD, not 111.11 CAD.

 

Thanks, that's what I was thinking would happen but just wanted first hand info from someone who has been through the process. Now my big decision is whether I want to wait for up to 6 weeks for my refund to arrive or take the 3% hit to cash out in the casino.

[Shawnino]

@pisenor: what bonbon said, but again, my refund arrived much more quickly. Cheque, USD, automatically.

 

@hamrag: They did take my CC at check-in. I didn't want to provide it, really, but the clerk was pretty insistent. (I'm pretty sure she was just following rules.) I also expected the refund to go to the card, but it did not. Guessing here, but it seems to me that upon disembarkation if you owe NCL that's the only time the look at the CC (and is their best shot at collecting). If they owe you, however, somehow it comes by cheque.

[SuiteCruiser]

Just a word of warning for some people with a US cheque, some banks will put a month long hold on it because it takes a long time to clear. It depends on amount and the set up, but if you have a lot due back, you might want to keep that in mind.

[Ontario cruise duo]

We booked early (Last March) for our upcoming Getaway cruise in Feb. 2016.

Great $Canadian exchange rate of $1.11

 

My question is... Does this exchange rate hold right up to sail date? (ie. purchasing extra dining, OBC, Photos..etc)

 

or

 

Do we now lose the exchange rate after final payment was due?...(Which was today)

 

I booked our cruise back in February of 2015 and just got off the ship on Sunday. I had initially purchased $200.00 onboard credit when I booked the cruise. After final payment and BEFORE the cruise (approximately six weeks and as soon as three weeks before sailing) I bought several hundred more dollars at my exchange rate, which was also $1.11 US. I had no problems whatsoever cashing out my money on 4 separate occasions while onboard at the casino, at which each time the cashier would confirm that was I aware there was a 3% surcharge to do so. So when I took out $500 I was charged a convenience charge of $15.00. No problem, sure beats today's bank rate of almost 40 cents on the dollar, whereas I only paid a total of 14%. The one thing that I will suggest you do, however, is bring proof of your onboard purchase with you when you sail. Initially my account only showed the initial deposit of $200.00. On day 2 I inquired at the front desk as to where my additional onboard credit was that I had purchased and after several minutes of reviewing my account, they could find nothing. The person at the front desk said that since it was after hours (8:00 at night), they would have to check with head office in the a.m. and would have an answer for me, at which time she also made a photocopy of each of my additional 4 onboard credit purchases. By 1:00 in the afternoon, the next day, I checked on the online account (through the tv in our stateroom) that I had been credited with ALL of my onboard credit which I had purchased prior to departure. The front desk had also left a message on my phone to indicate that everything had been rectified and all four of my additional onboard credit purchasers were now showing on my account. They will still require for you to give a credit card to post any charges to, but that was never an issue. On the last night I inquired as to my surplus onboard, which at this point was around $380.00 and they said at the front desk that they could only give me cash on the spot if I had less than $50.00 sitting it my account. Not wanting to wait for them to mail me a cheque, I proceeded back to the casino and withdrew another $400.00. So, in the end a small amount was posted to my US Visa, and now that I am home, I will just pay that off with the balance of the US money that I brought home. Couldn't have been any easier and I highly recommend doing this. P.S. I am not a big gambler by any means, but was lucky enough to win $167.00 at a 25 cent slot machine and that more than paid for my convenience charges that I incurred. ALL IS GOOD:p (Sorry if this is a bit long, but should answer your concerns.)

[RobTheGob]

On the last night I inquired as to my surplus onboard, which at this point was around $380.00 and they said at the front desk that they could only give me cash on the spot if I had less than $50.00 sitting it my account. Not wanting to wait for them to mail me a cheque, I proceeded back to the casino and withdrew another $400.00. So, in the end a small amount was posted to my US Visa, and now that I am home, I will just pay that off with the balance of the US money that I brought home. Couldn't have been any easier and I highly recommend doing this. P.S. I am not a big gambler by any means, but was lucky enough to win $167.00 at a 25 cent slot machine and that more than paid for my convenience charges that I incurred. ALL IS GOOD:p (Sorry if this is a bit long, but should answer your concerns.)

 

Thanks for the reply - I had heard that you could get a cash refund on the last night of the cruise for any surplus, but wasn't aware of the "less than $50" limit.

 

I'll likely use the casino as well (19% rate on my acct).

[hamrag]

My thanks to those who answered the questions I asked, much appreciated!

[burm]

I purchased more OBC yesterday and was once again assured that at the end of the cruise, the balance could be placed on my $US credit card. (I paid in Canadian at 1.11) My credit card company told me that I can cash out any outstanding credit if there is no balance on my account. This money can then be added to my $US bank account with no extra conversion charge. Sweet. I will keep the money in the US account until our dollar eventually bounces back.

[lamchops]

I just got off the NCL POA recently that was booked at 1.11% in August. I also purchased $700us OBC for $777.77cdn. :) $400 was purchased shortly after booking and $300 was purchased 2 weeks before boarding as I was considering a cruise next purchase for a 2016 cruise. I used OBC of $250us ($277.50cdn) and purchased 2x (50%off) cruise next credits. The onboard consultant wrote on the invoice that the credits were for 2x $250us or 2x $330cdn.:D $277.50cdn for $660cdn or $500us was something I had to take advantage of. I've got 4 years to use it so maybe the cdn dollar will rebound in that time. The refund would only be $250us or $330cdn as it was a 50% off deal.

 

There's still some money left over so a cheque will be coming back.

 

As the POA is port intensive there really wasn't much time to spend on board the ship. There's no casino so withdrawing cash was not an option and the cruise next credits was the best option for me.

[Ontario cruise duo]

I purchased more OBC yesterday and was once again assured that at the end of the cruise, the balance could be placed on my $US credit card. (I paid in Canadian at 1.11) My credit card company told me that I can cash out any outstanding credit if there is no balance on my account. This money can then be added to my $US bank account with no extra conversion charge. Sweet. I will keep the money in the US account until our dollar eventually bounces back.

 

I am sure you are going to do this, but when you check in for boarding on the ship, you will give them your US charge card (as opposed to a Cdn one) and therefore I assume they would then credit back to your US card any surplus onboard credit you have purchased and not use.:rolleyes:

[burm]

I am sure you are going to do this, but when you check in for boarding on the ship, you will give them your US charge card (as opposed to a Cdn one) and therefore I assume they would then credit back to your US card any surplus onboard credit you have purchased and not use.:rolleyes:

 

Exactly. :)

[RobTheGob]

I am sure you are going to do this, but when you check in for boarding on the ship, you will give them your US charge card (as opposed to a Cdn one) and therefore I assume they would then credit back to your US card any surplus onboard credit you have purchased and not use.:rolleyes:

 

I've not read that the OBC will be reversed to a CC - only refunded in cash (less than $50) or a USD cheque mailed (more than $50).

[Jtaps]

Is anyone aware of the maximum about of OBC one can buy? We recently purchased 20 x $100 OBC with no issues but now it will not let us purchase anymore. It stated that the item cannot be delivered on the date requested. We have tried numerous other dates also with no luck. Any thoughts? Yes, WE ARE CANADIAN....

[willise]

We actually have a rate that is better than par - also booked through a well known Canadian TA. :)

 

We have always booked in CDN funds and purchased OBC for delivery on board. Never had an issue getting it cashed out for excursions, etc at the casino.

[burm]

I've not read that the OBC will be reversed to a CC - only refunded in cash (less than $50) or a USD cheque mailed (more than $50).

 

I was told by 3 different NCL reps that this is their custom. I am thinking that perhaps the people who were mailed the US cheque do not have a $US credit card in addition to the Canadian one with which they booked.

 

I was also assured that I would have no problem cashing out my OBC during the cruise by paying an extra 3% (still a bargain for those of us who booked months ago at a great exchange rate). Many have mentioned doing this in the casino, but I was told that one could do it at the main reception desk as well. All perfectly kosher and above board. No need to pretend you intend to gambol it away.

 

When we check in on board the ship, I will be sure to give them my US card.