Accurate Canadian Intel

[Canagirl]

Devils advocate...

 

 

Isn't cashing it out for casino chips consider spending on board. You might win back the 3% service fee or lose it all (benefits ncl)...

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

 

It certainly could be BUT a lot of people didn't spend it on board and bought more than they would spend on board specifically to cash it out and use elsewhere...If NCL wasn't aware of this based on whatever internal checks they have in place, they would easily have found out since so many posted publicly on a message board that they were doing so.

[djmess]

I hope this question is ok, if not then I'm sure an admin will remove it and I'm sorry.

 

I have a question because I'm trying to educate myself. I'm hoping maybe a travel professional could help me understand.

 

How is the exchange rate handled if a Canadian passenger books with a US based Travel Agency. Does the passenger have to pay in US funds?

 

So is it to the passenger's advantage with the exchange rates not being favorable to Canadians to actually book through a Canadian TA or with NCL directly?

[casofilia]

I would say that the best way would be to approach a number of TAs in both Canada and the USA and also NCL and get quotes for a specific cruise.

 

Mike

[Canagirl]

I hope this question is ok, if not then I'm sure an admin will remove it and I'm sorry.

 

I have a question because I'm trying to educate myself. I'm hoping maybe a travel professional could help me understand.

 

How is the exchange rate handled if a Canadian passenger books with a US based Travel Agency. Does the passenger have to pay in US funds?

 

So is it to the passenger's advantage with the exchange rates not being favorable to Canadians to actually book through a Canadian TA or with NCL directly?

 

Yes, if you book through most US agents, you will be charged in US funds. NCL will also charge you in US funds unless you call in and specifically ask to be billed un CDN$.

 

Make sure to get a quote in US and CDN and do the math to see what works out better. In the last week some have been charged 1.46 by NCL (but got about a 5% discount on base fare).

 

Compare the US$ versus CDN$ quote. If NCL keeps their rate at 1.46, you may be better off paying un US$'

[djmess]

Yes, if you book through most US agents, you will be charged in US funds. NCL will also charge you in US funds unless you call in and specifically ask to be billed un CDN$.

 

Make sure to get a quote in US and CDN and do the math to see what works out better. In the last week some have been charged 1.46 by NCL (but got about a 5% discount on base fare).

 

Compare the US$ versus CDN$ quote. If NCL keeps their rate at 1.46, you may be better off paying un US$'

 

Ok, so in order to get a quote in CDN$, do you have to call NCL directly or have your Travel Agent call. I heard that US travel agency has to charge in US$. Or is that up to the agency or is it dependent on the agency arrangement with NCL?

[casofilia]

Ok, so in order to get a quote in CDN$, do you have to call NCL directly or have your Travel Agent call. I heard that US travel agency has to charge in US$. Or is that up to the agency or is it dependent on the agency arrangement with NCL?

 

Personally I would call NCL direct and ask for a quote in writing (an email would do these days) in CAD and in USD.

 

I would also get quotes from a number of TAs to compare unless you have a tame TA!!

 

They can also quote by email if you email them without a phone number, stops them cold calling in the future.

 

Mike

[Canagirl]

Ok, so in order to get a quote in CDN$, do you have to call NCL directly or have your Travel Agent call. I heard that US travel agency has to charge in US$. Or is that up to the agency or is it dependent on the agency arrangement with NCL?

 

Yes, if you want a price directly from NCL, you have to call and ask for CDN$ pricing.

 

There are several Canadian travel sites you can get CDN pricing online. Most US agents will bill in US$.

 

Also, some agents may have group bookings (they purchased a block of rooms) and may have better pricing for those dates.

 

You can do a mock booking on NCL.com and a Canadian site to get an idea of US$ versus CDN$ pricing.

 

Make sure to compare a US$ and CDN$ pricing to see what is cheaper.

[b_cruise]

I actually have been checking with some TA AND NCL for a Europe cruise. Just yesterday, these are the prices I got.

 

On NCL website USA dollars $1049, NCL Canadian ..I believe it was around 1400, Canadian TA was same as NCL ( usually can get a bit cheaper but not this time perhaps because these cruises were just released). Now I think I should take a chance and book through a us TA to get some extra perks as Canadian TA,s don't seem to offer as many perks as some of the bigger ones. I just am worried the dollar will tank even more by the time final payment is due.

[sueandkent]

Recently booked our first NCL cruise with our regular US based TA in CDN. Only difference was he had to call NCL to get the CDN price, he couldn't just access it through his system.

[djmess]

Thank you guys for the info

 

I'm still stumped if ALL US TA's can handle Canadian funds or if it is based on the agency.

 

In communication with NCL rep for an agency, I was told that since agency is US, it has to be charged in US$

[Canagirl]

Thank you guys for the info

 

I'm still stumped if ALL US TA's can handle Canadian funds or if it is based on the agency.

 

In communication with NCL rep for an agency, I was told that since agency is US, it has to be charged in US$

 

Not all US TA's will charge in CDN funds, but you can ask if they will.

[richstowe]

I just got off the phone with NCL..here is an exact quote which surprised me.

 

US funds $1594.22

Canadian funds $2231.68

 

If I convert it is $2223.98

 

Looks like the days of a good exchange rate from NCL have sailed ( pardon the pun, lol)

 

Just got of the phone with NCL . Current rate is 68.3 :mad: She said the rate was changed

on Monday from 76.2 (or did she say 78.2?) . Either way ,that's a big change . :(

[rochelle_s]

Unless I was looking at a cruise relatively soon or on a holiday itinerary, then I would personally wait.

 

On the other hand if you book in Canadian and our dollar improves then you can always cancel and re-book with the more favourable rate. That is assuming you are outside of the penalty faze.

 

 

Rochelle

[casofilia]

Just got of the phone with NCL . Current rate is 68.3 :mad: She said the rate was changed

on Monday from 76.2 (or did she say 78.2?) . Either way ,that's a big change . :(

 

From NZ I have to do an exchange however I book. If we have lost the CAD benefit I cannot see us booking for a while.

 

It may pay to look at the NCL Aus site to see if they quote in NZD!!

 

Mike

[tinker 4]

I booked two weeks ago for a Jan 2017 cruise with NCL. I paid 1.40 Canadian. I then went to a Canadian travel agent who gave me the same price. My NCL agent said that when I pay on my account that if the dollar if doing better he will rebook the cruise at that rate and I would still get my proms.

 

Not sure that this helps but this is what it is.

 

Ian

 

PS they told me that the rate change happens every 3 months.

Edited February 11, 2016 by tinker 4

[triptastic]

I was wondering if anyone has heard if they have grandfathered those who booked pre Jan 21st? I was on the phone today with my pcc for another matter and I asked her to double check my OBC account. She confirmed the amount that I purchased. I then mentioned the policy change and she casually said "yes, that came into effect a few weeks ago, but you bought this way before the change so you are good" I didn't press, I just wondered if this really is true?

I fully expect to arrive on the ship to b e told that my OBC is $1000, but a girl can dream!

[c-ditty]

I was wondering if anyone has heard if they have grandfathered those who booked pre Jan 21st? I was on the phone today with my pcc for another matter and I asked her to double check my OBC account. She confirmed the amount that I purchased. I then mentioned the policy change and she casually said "yes, that came into effect a few weeks ago, but you bought this way before the change so you are good" I didn't press, I just wondered if this really is true?

I fully expect to arrive on the ship to b e told that my OBC is $1000, but a girl can dream!

 

I called the corporate office and talked to someone there and was told that the $1000 was retroactive and the Jan 21st date didn't matter. She said they were manually going through all the bookings and removing any OBC over $1000 from bookings.

[Canagirl]

I was wondering if anyone has heard if they have grandfathered those who booked pre Jan 21st? I was on the phone today with my pcc for another matter and I asked her to double check my OBC account. She confirmed the amount that I purchased. I then mentioned the policy change and she casually said "yes, that came into effect a few weeks ago, but you bought this way before the change so you are good" I didn't press, I just wondered if this really is true?

I fully expect to arrive on the ship to b e told that my OBC is $1000, but a girl can dream!

 

Not according to all the posts. The complaints are from people who bought prior to the change. In some cases, long before.

[triptastic]

I called the corporate office and talked to someone there and was told that the $1000 was retroactive and the Jan 21st date didn't matter. She said they were manually going through all the bookings and removing any OBC over $1000 from bookings.

 

As I suspected. Thanks. I was just hoping:)

[mexico8]

From NZ I have to do an exchange however I book. If we have lost the CAD benefit I cannot see us booking for a while.

 

It may pay to look at the NCL Aus site to see if they quote in NZD!!

 

Mike

 

Am wondering how you get the Canadian rate when you live in NZ or Australia? I see lots of your posts on Canadian questions and wondered about it.

 

For the poster that booked with a US agency I was under the impression we could only book in Canadian dollars directly with a PCC at NCL or a Canadian agency.

 

Wendy

Edited February 18, 2016 by mexico8

[casofilia]

Am wondering how you get the Canadian rate when you live in NZ or Australia? I see lots of your posts on Canadian questions and wondered about it. Wendy

 

Hello Wendy

 

We live in New Zealand but have a daughter who lives in Canada whose address we use for all dealings in North America which includes NCL, BMO, Royal Canadian Mint, Best Western, la Quinta and so on.

 

We visit Canada twice a year and so have had bank accounts with BMO since our first visit at least 25 years ago; now we have CAD and USD current and credit card accounts.

 

I also deal direct with NCL (a PCC).

 

Mike

 

Mike

[b_cruise]

Hi Wendy, I book with us agents a lot. They seem to be able to give better perks than Canadian agents but u really have to shop around and be careful of any added fees like change or cancel. I just booked a Baltic cruise through a us agent as the exchange rate NCL is charging right now has no savings. I'll be watching it closely though.

 

Something I did not know though is I always looked at that aarp box to tick when booking on NCL direct and thought it was just for us citizens. But if u go to carp and sign up $29 for 2 years, u can get a nice discount on a lot of NCL cruises. Carp is the Canadian aarp. Just saved over $150 us on my Baltic cruise

[xcell]

I was wondering if anyone has heard if they have grandfathered those who booked pre Jan 21st? I was on the phone today with my pcc for another matter and I asked her to double check my OBC account. She confirmed the amount that I purchased. I then mentioned the policy change and she casually said "yes, that came into effect a few weeks ago, but you bought this way before the change so you are good" I didn't press, I just wondered if this really is true?

I fully expect to arrive on the ship to b e told that my OBC is $1000, but a girl can dream!

 

NCL said the same thing to me and then a week later I got the call..."sorry, you went over your $1000 OBC limit, so we will refund you the rest"...

 

I asked for an updated Amenity invoice...emailed that the same day to me.

 

A week later credit was bacl on my Visa card...

 

I did find out that some Canadian TAs (but mostly on NCL line...not sure why) will prebook mid ship cabins (balcony) to lock in a rate. My next cruise in July, though is a $1000 more than I paid last year, I still got it for a 1.11 exchange rate. I checked and anything pre-cruise is locked in at that 1.11 rate.