Dramatic Change in Currency Market Due to British Vote

[coo359a2]

 

Also, re ship's excursions, if you buy them onboard are they the same price as if you buy them in advance, or is there a discount for buying in advance like with some other cruise Lines?

Thanks a lot.

 

We always book our excursions when they first open on "My Personalizer". Some of the more popular tours do sell out quite fast. You can always cancel an excursion before you are on the ship or either by the cancel-by-date once you are on board.. I have noticed that excursion prices will increase by a few dollars the closer you get to the sail date. Most always, the excursions are a bit higher if you wait and book on board plus there is always the chance they will be sold out or on a waiting list.

[Suzez]

Can you use pre purchased obc in the casino? Tia

[Esprit]

Sorry, I think I'm getting in a bit of a mix up here. Can I just check that I'm now understanding this correctly.

 

1/ I can buy as much onboard credit in advance as I like in $100 units, paying in sterling at the rate it gives on my booking details.

 

2/ I can book onboard tours now, priced in dollars, to be paid with my onboard account.

 

3/ If I prepay enough in onboard credit now, this means I'll be paying for the excursions at the exchange rate applicable to my booking now, rather than at the current bank exchange rate.

 

4/ Any prepaid onboard credit that I don't use, will be paid back to my card after the cruise.

 

Thanks

 

I've bought US $ via my cruise personalizer for our Royal Princess cruise next month. It currently says you can buy blocks at £17.50, £35 and £70. These equate to $25, $50 and $100 so you are effectively fixing the exchange rate at $1.42857 to £1. The OBC can then be used on whatever you like. I'm not sure any left over will be repayable unless there's a way via the casino. I'm just going to ensure I spend the lot so I haven't any credit left to worry about.

 

You can also cancel your OBC order 72 hours before you cruise. Nice to know in the unlikely event that Sterling with rise above $1.43.

[RDC1]

Carnival today beat expectations on revenue and indicated that their bookings numbers are better for the rest of the year compared to last at slightly higher fares. However, they also indicated potential future weakness from the uncertainty in Europe.

[MicCanberra]

Sorry, I think I'm getting in a bit of a mix up here. Can I just check that I'm now understanding this correctly.

 

1/ I can buy as much onboard credit in advance as I like in $100 units, paying in sterling at the rate it gives on my booking details.

 

2/ I can book onboard tours now, priced in dollars, to be paid with my onboard account.

 

3/ If I prepay enough in onboard credit now, this means I'll be paying for the excursions at the exchange rate applicable to my booking now, rather than at the current bank exchange rate.

 

4/ Any prepaid onboard credit that I don't use, will be paid back to my card after the cruise.

 

Thanks

Correct for all 4, although there may be a limit on how much OBC you buy, it would be in the $1000s though.

[caribill]

Also, re ship's excursions, if you buy them onboard are they the same price as if you buy them in advance, or is there a discount for buying in advance like with some other cruise Lines?

 

 

Sometimes the prices stay the same and sometimes they are higher. Hard to predict.

 

As someone else pointed out, the big problem about waiting is that the excursions you want may be fully booked by the time you embark.

[The CRuIseLLS]

Sorry, I think I'm getting in a bit of a mix up here. Can I just check that I'm now understanding this correctly.

 

1/ I can buy as much onboard credit in advance as I like in $100 units, paying in sterling at the rate it gives on my booking details.

 

2/ I can book onboard tours now, priced in dollars, to be paid with my onboard account.

 

3/ If I prepay enough in onboard credit now, this means I'll be paying for the excursions at the exchange rate applicable to my booking now, rather than at the current bank exchange rate.

 

4/ Any prepaid onboard credit that I don't use, will be paid back to my card after the cruise.

 

Thanks

 

 

Question 1

I rang Princess UK to buy our OBC and was told that there is a limit on how much you can purchase (apparently, it's to stop money laundering :eek::eek:) however, I was informed that I could get around the normal OBC limit by also buying "excursion OBC" (it does exactly what it says on the tin, you use it to pay for the excursions you've booked via Princess - note, it cannot be used for anything other than tours, so don't buy more than you need).

 

If you don't fancy buying both but think that you'll spend more than the allowed OBC limit, why not pre-pay gratuities, buy drink packages and/or internet minutes etc before you go.

 

Qs 2 and 3 - yes you're correct.

Q 4 - don't know - we're hoping we'll spend all ours :D

 

Sue :)

Edited June 29, 2016 by The CRuIseLLS

[CI66774]

It is the cruise lines responsibility to pay their staff and the sooner all cruise lines do this in all regions the better. It is in the cruise lines hands.

 

If you don't like the tipping policies of the various cruise lines, don't cruise on them. But if you do knowing the tipping policy and go ahead and remove the tips because you have some objection to it, you're not doing anything but cheating the staff and revealing yourself as a hypocrite. Why? Because you talk about the staff deserving better wages, etc., but yet cruise on the line knowing the staff relies on the tips to live and then you stiff them. That's the worst kind of hypocrisy because it reveals your true self - that you're not at all concerned about the staff receiving enough money to live on. Moreover, the rhetoric about "it's the cruise line's responsibility" is a hollow rallying cry if you cruise knowing the policy and remove the tips. You're not fooling anyone with that rhetoric.

Edited June 29, 2016 by CI66774

[lolane1]

If you don't like the tipping policies of the various cruise lines, don't cruise on them. But if you do knowing the tipping policy and go ahead and remove the tips because you have some objection to it, you're not doing anything but cheating the staff and revealing yourself as a hypocrite. Why? Because you talk about the staff deserving better wages, etc., but yet cruise on the line knowing the staff relies on the tips to live and then you stiff them. That's the worst kind of hypocrisy because it reveals your true self - that you're not at all concerned about the staff receiving enough money to live on. Moreover, the rhetoric about "it's the cruise line's responsibility" is a hollow rallying cry if you cruise knowing the policy and remove the tips. You're not fooling anyone with that rhetoric.

 

Can't argue with your logic. Plus if the cruise line pays the staff, that cost will be added on to you basic cruise fare. You will pay either way, unless under the present structure if you decide to remove tips. Certainly not nice.

[majortom10]

If you don't like the tipping policies of the various cruise lines, don't cruise on them. But if you do knowing the tipping policy and go ahead and remove the tips because you have some objection to it, you're not doing anything but cheating the staff and revealing yourself as a hypocrite. Why? Because you talk about the staff deserving better wages, etc., but yet cruise on the line knowing the staff relies on the tips to live and then you stiff them. That's the worst kind of hypocrisy because it reveals your true self - that you're not at all concerned about the staff receiving enough money to live on. Moreover, the rhetoric about "it's the cruise line's responsibility" is a hollow rallying cry if you cruise knowing the policy and remove the tips. You're not fooling anyone with that rhetoric.

 

The following is taken from http://www.princess.com "To simplify the tipping process for our passengers, a DISCRETIONARY gratuity charge will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis". So I like the fact that Princess tipping policy is DISCRETIONARY so will continue to cruise with Princess.

Edited June 29, 2016 by majortom10

[MicCanberra]

If you don't like the tipping policies of the various cruise lines, don't cruise on them. But if you do knowing the tipping policy and go ahead and remove the tips because you have some objection to it, you're not doing anything but cheating the staff and revealing yourself as a hypocrite. Why? Because you talk about the staff deserving better wages, etc., but yet cruise on the line knowing the staff relies on the tips to live and then you stiff them. That's the worst kind of hypocrisy because it reveals your true self - that you're not at all concerned about the staff receiving enough money to live on. Moreover, the rhetoric about "it's the cruise line's responsibility" is a hollow rallying cry if you cruise knowing the policy and remove the tips. You're not fooling anyone with that rhetoric.

 

You judge me too harsh and have read things that I have never posted. I have never said that I remove the tips. What I have said is that is an individuals business and does not concern anyone else what that person does with their tips or not. If the cruise line find that too many people are removing the tips, then they should make them inclusive (and compulsory) like they do in some regions. I also said that the staff are employed by the cruise line so it is their responsibility to pay their staff appropriately, again this should be in the hands of the cruise lines not the passengers.

If you do not agree and feel you want debate the various points, then do so but do not think you know what I do when cruising, that is my business. Please get your criticisms correct .

[MicCanberra]

Can't argue with your logic. Plus if the cruise line pays the staff, that cost will be added on to you basic cruise fare. You will pay either way, unless under the present structure if you decide to remove tips. Certainly not nice.

 

Exactly right, which is why I suggested that if the cruise lines actually cared about how much their staff make, they would make them inclusive and compulsory which stop people from removing the tips.

[MicCanberra]

The following is taken from http://www.princess.com "To simplify the tipping process for our passengers, a DISCRETIONARY gratuity charge will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis". So I like the fact that Princess tipping policy is DISCRETIONARY so will continue to cruise with Princess.

 

And as long as it is done this way, people will do one of a number of things.

1. Leave the tips on; or
   
2. Remove the tips to pay the same amount to some of the staff; or
   
3. Remove the tips to pay a different amount to some of the staff; or
   
4. Remove the tips altogether.
   

Currently, people have the right to choose which option on most cruise lines in most regions.

[caribill]

The following is taken from http://www.princess.com "To simplify the tipping process for our passengers, a DISCRETIONARY gratuity charge will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis". So I like the fact that Princess tipping policy is DISCRETIONARY so will continue to cruise with Princess.

 

Beats the policies on other cruise lines which require you to pre-pay the gratuities before the cruise.

[MicCanberra]

Beats the policies on other cruise lines which require you to pre-pay the gratuities before the cruise.

 

But only if you intend removing them, otherwise it makes no difference.

[caber]

You judge me too harsh and have read things that I have never posted. I have never said that I remove the tips. What I have said is that is an individuals business and does not concern anyone else what that person does with their tips or not. If the cruise line find that too many people are removing the tips, then they should make them inclusive (and compulsory) like they do in some regions. I also said that the staff are employed by the cruise line so it is their responsibility to pay their staff appropriately, again this should be in the hands of the cruise lines not the passengers.

If you do not agree and feel you want debate the various points, then do so but do not think you know what I do when cruising, that is my business. Please get your criticisms correct .

 

I totally agree with you.

[pablo222]

But only if you intend removing them, otherwise it makes no difference.

 

Currently you can pay gratuities with on board credit.

If there were are requirement to prepay, one would not

be able to do so.

 

Also, I thought NCL has some pre-paid, can't-be-cancelled thing.

[RDC1]

Currently you can pay gratuities with on board credit.

If there were are requirement to prepay, one would not

be able to do so.

 

Also, I thought NCL has some pre-paid, can't-be-cancelled thing.

 

I believe on NCL that you have to submit a letter and it is returned as a refund after the cruise. So you have to pay and cannot get it removed while on the cruise, only refunded after the cruise.

Edited June 30, 2016 by RDC1

[MicCanberra]

I believe on NCL that you have to submit a letter and it is returned as a refund after the cruise. So you have to pay and cannot get it removed while on the cruise, only refunded after the cruise.

 

I am sure some people would do it as well.:(

[Bubble-Ont.]

In answer to the question about on board credit. I have bought on board credit on my last 2 cruises. I paid by credit card for the credit. On both occasions, I still had a credit at the end of the cruise. It was refunded to me by cheque in about 4 weeks post cruise.

[ellie1145]

I would certainly encourage Americans to buy sterling at the moment.

 

Lets face it, when Trump or Clinton take over the White House who knows how far the dollar will slump!;)

 

So buy sterling while you can.

 

If you think we Brits are in for a rocky ride just wait until your Presidential election really gets going!:D

 

Oh, and by the way, the Scots have been kicked into touch with their ambitions to stay in the EU when the rest of the UK leaves? They've been told in no uncertain terms that they can't!

[pablo222]

It is the cruise lines responsibility to pay their staff and the sooner all cruise lines do this in all regions the better. It is in the cruise lines hands.

 

How long has this been going on? 100 years?

I'm sure the cruise lines are all reading cruise critic, and about

to change the system based on the posts here.

 

The people working on ships are doing so in expectation of tips.

The passengers know this. It is essentially cheating the people

working for you by not tipping them.

 

You can cheat them, because the system allows you to.

Doesn't make it right.

 

The definition of integrity is -- how you behave when no one is watching.

[cactusrose]

How long has this been going on? 100 years?

I'm sure the cruise lines are all reading cruise critic, and about

to change the system based on the posts here.

 

The people working on ships are doing so in expectation of tips.

The passengers know this. It is essentially cheating the people

working for you by not tipping them.

 

You can cheat them, because the system allows you to.

Doesn't make it right.

 

The definition of integrity is -- how you behave when no one is watching.

 

Plus 1

[pablo222]

This comment is uncalled for. :mad: Anyway, we can prepurchase our gratuities in pounds, which I have done for our next cruise. The rate has not changed since yesterday.

 

Plenty of comments in this thread about weak pound

and cancelling tips.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2403362

[bazbov]

Just to add my thoughts on the British pound against the Euro.

 

I am a Brit who now lives in Spain. I paid my contributions in Britain and receive a british sterling pension. i now get 20% less than what i got 2 weeks ago ,however at the start of the world economic crisis a few years ago the British pound was almost at parity. People said it would struggle to recover,but eventually it did and i believe it will do so again.

 

Whatever my feelings are on Brexit, the British people voted and by a smallish majority, voted in favour of leaving. That's Democracy and i have to accept that. I truly believe that some sort of 'deal' will be reached with Europe but it won't be easy. Britain must be prepared for some sort of comeback and will have to accept some level of compromise. In the meantime i just have to accept the fall against the pound and tighten my belt a little. This will be the case of thousands of Brits who have chosen to live in Europe. I don't believe the British or European government will hang us out to dry,and the Pound will eventually recover. happy cruising. :)