Curr ent CAD exchange rate on new NCL bookings

[pisenor]

I purchased a large amount of obc in December at 1.11 as I was told by ncl rep

I could purchase future cruise in full on board with this obc. The day before my cruise they refunded all but 1000.00 back to my CC. The accounts dept called me and advised that 1000. was the obc limit. I had made purchases over the ncl sight as well as direct with ncl rep over a two week period.

 

I did the same thing and pre purchased a rather large amount of OBC like you. We sail this coming Sunday and I received the same phone call as you just yesterday. Now my nice tidy sum of OBC has been reduced to $1000. Frustrating! :mad:

 

So if anyone has bought any OBC in excess of $1000, you most likely will get the same call as others...:(

Edited January 13, 2016 by pisenor

[macandlucy]

On Monday I booked my cruise on the Getaway. I went through my Canadian travel agent. The rate I got was 1.28. I would say that is pretty good considering the actual exchange rate is 1.42 right now.

 

Saving on the exchange rate plus the free beverage packages they are offering right now seemed like a great deal and I could not pass up!

 

1.28, hmm. I wonder if that is the current (last I read anyway) 1.38 minus the 10% cruise fare portion-only discount NCL has offered Canadians since the fairly recent exchange rate increase. (I booked at 1.33, and some days before could have booked at 1.11, but I did receive a 10% discount off the cruise fare, which was very nice of NCL I thought).

 

Do you know if the 1.28 also applies to things like advanced OBC purchase or is the rate for that 1.38? (Hope that is not too nosy a question -- if it is, sorry and pls disregard!)

[tropical83]

1.28, hmm. I wonder if that is the current (last I read anyway) 1.38 minus the 10% cruise fare portion-only discount NCL has offered Canadians since the fairly recent exchange rate increase. (I booked at 1.33, and some days before could have booked at 1.11, but I did receive a 10% discount off the cruise fare, which was very nice of NCL I thought).

 

Do you know if the 1.28 also applies to things like advanced OBC purchase or is the rate for that 1.38? (Hope that is not too nosy a question -- if it is, sorry and pls disregard!)

 

nothing wrong with that question! I just logged into my NCL account and when I click on the option to purchase OBC, it shows me that $100 US OBC = $133.33 Canadian. So it is still a bit cheaper than the bank rate.

[macandlucy]

nothing wrong with that question! I just logged into my NCL account and when I click on the option to purchase OBC, it shows me that $100 US OBC = $133.33 Canadian. So it is still a bit cheaper than the bank rate.

 

Thanks tropical83 :) 1.33 is also the rate I see when I look at an OBC purchase. I wonder if your 1.28 rate is the 1.33 - 10% of the fare, plus taxes and fees charged at the full 1.33 like I received.

[goeast]

Thanks tropical83 :) 1.33 is also the rate I see when I look at an OBC purchase. I wonder if your 1.28 rate is the 1.33 - 10% of the fare, plus taxes and fees charged at the full 1.33 like I received.

 

I just called an hour ago and was offered 28 % on the cruise purchase. not sure if obc would match

[tropical83]

Thanks tropical83 :) 1.33 is also the rate I see when I look at an OBC purchase. I wonder if your 1.28 rate is the 1.33 - 10% of the fare, plus taxes and fees charged at the full 1.33 like I received.

 

no problem!

[Ontario cruise duo]

I purchased a large amount of obc in December at 1.11 as I was told by ncl rep

I could purchase future cruise in full on board with this obc. The day before my cruise they refunded all but 1000.00 back to my CC. The accounts dept called me and advised that 1000. was the obc limit. I had made purchases over the ncl sight as well as direct with ncl rep over a two week period.

 

Did NCL say you could only have $1000.00 per room booked or per person, assuming there are two people in your room. Just curious.

[goeast]

Did NCL say you could only have $1000.00 per room booked or per person, assuming there are two people in your room. Just curious.

 

Per room

[JillK]

They returned the purchase to my credit card as a refund it was Canadian.

The balance of the obc that we did not use was sent in a cheque in us funds.

 

I'm considering purchasing OBC now for our cruise this coming December since the media is reporting that the dollar is predicted to continue to slide.

 

I'm curious about how I'll get the difference back post-cruise if I don't use it all.

 

How long did it take for you to get your cheque? Did you have to do anything to initiate this or was it automatic?

 

Also, our agency is giving us a small amount of OBC - I assume this is the "non-refundable" variety and that it would be used first? Anyone know?

 

Many thanks!

 

Jill

[Ontario cruise duo]

I'm considering purchasing OBC now for our cruise this coming December since the media is reporting that the dollar is predicted to continue to slide.

 

I'm curious about how I'll get the difference back post-cruise if I don't use it all.

 

How long did it take for you to get your cheque? Did you have to do anything to initiate this or was it automatic?

 

Also, our agency is giving us a small amount of OBC - I assume this is the "non-refundable" variety and that it would be used first? Anyone know?

 

Many thanks!

 

Jill

 

Any OBC from your travel agent or NCL directly is definitely "non-refundable".

If you paid for your cruise in Canadian $$'s, then I would definitely purchase some of your own OBC now, assuming that today's conversion rate is in your favour (which I'm sure it is). If you paid for your cruise in US $$$'s, then any onboard credit you purchase will be charged to you in US $$$'s. Call your travel agent to confirm this now, if unsure.

 

If you don't use all your own OBC, you can cash out at the casino for a 3% convenience charge or NCL will mail you a cheque after the cruise. Some have posted that it is taking anywhere from a couple of weeks to more than 6 weeks to get their refund back, and yes, the refund is being sent out in the form of a US cheque.

 

Also, prepay your DSC or any onboard excursions you plan on taking now, provided again you can purchase/pay for them ahead of time using NCL's favourable Canadian exchange rate.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Ontario cruise duo

[JillK]

OK thanks Ontario cruise duo.

 

I did book last spring in Canadian $ to "lock in" the rate, knowing the dollar was expected to tumble and pre-paid my gratuities as well.

 

I'll have a good look at NCL's site to see if I'm ready to commit to specific excursions now or will buy OBC now to cover booking them on board.

 

Appreciate the advice!

 

Jill

[Frenchsnowhite]

Ok, i am a bit nervous with this, never done this before!!!

 

If I buy a 1000$ in OBC for our cabin to cash out and use in the islands, could I cash it out on the second day of the cruise???:confused::confused:

[JillK]

nothing wrong with that question! I just logged into my NCL account and when I click on the option to purchase OBC, it shows me that $100 US OBC = $133.33 Canadian. So it is still a bit cheaper than the bank rate.

 

Very interesting as when I log into myncl it shows obc can be purchased at $100 usd = $111.11 cdn. I booked back in March when the exchange was more favourable. Meanwhile, the 3 night UDP is priced at $59 usd but in myncl it is listed at $77.36 cdn, which works out to an exchange rate of approximately 1.32.

 

Jill

Edited January 13, 2016 by JillK

[Freckles_51]

Very interesting as when I log into myncl it shows obc can be purchased at $100 usd = $111.11 cdn. I booked back in March when the exchange was more favourable. Meanwhile, the 3 night UDP is priced at $59 usd but in myncl it is listed at $77.36 cdn, which works out to an exchange rate of approximately 1.32.

 

Jill

 

Is it possible that $77.36 includes the 18% service charge?

 

Edit: Just went to check on my booking and it does say that the price includes an 18% specialty service charge

Edited January 14, 2016 by Freckles_51

[casofilia]

Is it possible that $77.36 includes the 18% service charge?

 

It does.

 

Mike

[JillK]

Is it possible that $77.36 includes the 18% service charge?

 

Edit: Just went to check on my booking and it does say that the price includes an 18% specialty service charge

 

Ok that makes sense - I was a little unclear as to whether or not they were included, so thanks for letting me know!

 

Jill

[cjcruises]

Is the $1000 limit confirmed as per cabin? I have already purchased more than that for our Epic cruise in March. I was planning to purchase more. We are a party of 5, travelling in a suite for 22 days. I wonder of the $1000 is firm regardless of the size of one's party and cruise length....

[casofilia]

Is the $1000 limit confirmed as per cabin? I have already purchased more than that for our Epic cruise in March. I was planning to purchase more. We are a party of 5, travelling in a suite for 22 days. I wonder of the $1000 is firm regardless of the size of one's party and cruise length....

 

No one really knows what the situation really is. Some people are saying that they have had refunds for all bought over $1000 and many others have not. It would be nice if NCL would make an announcement when they decide to make changes.

 

Mike

[pisenor]

Is the $1000 limit confirmed as per cabin? I have already purchased more than that for our Epic cruise in March. I was planning to purchase more. We are a party of 5, travelling in a suite for 22 days. I wonder of the $1000 is firm regardless of the size of one's party and cruise length....

 

The voice mail I received yesterday indicated several times that all but $1000 would be refunded to my credit card as that was the limit per reservation. We are 5 in a DOS and are being restricted to only $1000. I think it is only a matter of time before you get the call. Almost forgot, the caller said it was a website error that allowed me to purchase more than $1000..... lol

[xcell]

Why not just buy it online...I was not restricted. ...I bought 1500 worth

 

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[Ontario cruise duo]

Is the $1000 limit confirmed as per cabin? I have already purchased more than that for our Epic cruise in March. I was planning to purchase more. We are a party of 5, travelling in a suite for 22 days. I wonder of the $1000 is firm regardless of the size of one's party and cruise length....

 

Wow, a 22 day cruise. I'm just a bit jealous. I would pre-book as many of your excursions as you plan to take through the ship in advance, therefore paying for them at your exchange rate of $1.11 now as opposed to using money from your OBC account once on the ship. I think once you are onboard you can cancel any excursions you are unsure of provided you give 24 to 48 hours notice. Please don't take my word on this though, confirm with the cruise line. That way you have also taken further advantage of the favourable exchange rate. I would also call NCL direct to confirm whether or not you can pre-purchase more than $1,000.00 per cabin limit, as you are travelling for 22 days as opposed to 7 days. Hoping this works out in your favour, but well worth a few phone calls.

[RobTheGob]

We were limited to $1000 per person, but that sounds like we may get a call in the future. I guess we'll see what happens...

[casofilia]

Wow, a 22 day cruise. I'm just a bit jealous. I would pre-book as many of your excursions as you plan to take through the ship in advance, therefore paying for them at your exchange rate of $1.11 now as opposed to using money from your OBC account once on the ship. I think once you are onboard you can cancel any excursions you are unsure of provided you give 24 to 48 hours notice. Please don't take my word on this though, confirm with the cruise line. That way you have also taken further advantage of the favourable exchange rate. I would also call NCL direct to confirm whether or not you can pre-purchase more than $1,000.00 per cabin limit, as you are travelling for 22 days as opposed to 7 days. Hoping this works out in your favour, but well worth a few phone calls.

 

I would agree with all that OCD suggests. Book everything you can at the favourable rate, then if you find something better or the booking appears worse when on the ship you can cancel (48 hours notice) and receive back what you paid. If you then book something else it will be at the higher, going rate.

 

22 days is not long!! Large numbers are travelling Buenos Aires to San Francisco, us included,, and that is 34 days.

Next year we beat that, Rome to Singapore, 42 days. In the roll calls for this one (B2B) there are people doing that and then going on to Hong Kong; over 50 days (B2B2B).

 

Mike

[casofilia]

We were limited to $1000 per person, but that sounds like we may get a call in the future. I guess we'll see what happens...

 

I will be horrified if we are only allowed $1000 for the two of us on the 34 day cruise in Mar/Apr/May ($30 a day) and even more so for a 42 day cruise in Oct/Nov/Dec ($24 a day).

 

Mike

[Tangocherie]

Ok, i am a bit nervous with this, never done this before!!!

 

If I buy a 1000$ in OBC for our cabin to cash out and use in the islands, could I cash it out on the second day of the cruise???:confused::confused:

 

You can cash out your onboard credit at any time at the casino, minus the 3% convenience fee.