Canadian Exchange changing by Princess on Monday September 25, 2019

[dstables]

This happened to us a few years ago the cruise line (not Princess) dropped their exchange rate. For those of us who had already made final payment the exchange rate dropped for anything which could be purchased before we left at the lower rate including OBC. Not good customer service on Princess's part as far as I am concerned.

Princess has always tied their exchange to the rate you book at. Sometimes it works to the passengers advantage and sometimes for Princess. I have booked in the past when the exchange was great for me and when I sailed the actual daily exchange rate was much higher. Princess runs the risk that people booking right now at the 1.20 rate could prepurchased items just before they sail in maybe 2019 and maybe the current exchange rate could be much higher then. Princess then loses money.

[Island wannabe]

managed to have my Med cruise rebooked at the new rate, however it took 45 minutes on the phone with the Princess agent as she initially insisted that the new exchange rates only apply to certain voyages!!! Anyway long story they cancel your current cruise and rebook as they can't just refare - at least so I was told!

[Steelers36]

v

 

I called Princess about OBC under Gifts showing $1.30. I was told if re fared the $1.30 stays, if you rebook as a new booking it will be $1.20.

 

So, why couldn't you re-book? Were they preserving some "goodies" for you from original booking? I guess just figure out the net value between re-booking and not and make the call.

 

I guess you can always buy your own USD "OBC" at the bank in Canada and carry it with you and put in safe or deposit on account at the PSD.

[Steelers36]

managed to have my Med cruise rebooked at the new rate, however it took 45 minutes on the phone with the Princess agent as she initially insisted that the new exchange rates only apply to certain voyages!!! Anyway long story they cancel your current cruise and rebook as they can't just refare - at least so I was told!

 

Don't you hate it when you get one of "those" agents? I do find most of them pretty good. But when it is a tricky or complex issue, I often ask if they have been working for Princess very long. My TA sometimes has similar issues with them. (Now I call her "my" TA as I used to cast around a bit more, but have now booked several trips with her, plus our friends, and I appreciate her knowledge, ability and agency discounts).

[Josie2]

The exchange tied to your booking is what is tied to everything else that is prepurchased with that booking. If you refare or cancel your current booking and rebook then everything prepurchased for this booking would be at the new exchange rate of 1.20. Prepurchased beverage package, coffee cards, prepaid gratituties, OBC, casino credits would all be 1.20.

 

 

 

I didn't know that. I'll lose $400 obc and a specialty dinner from princess if I rebook, but it's still a good savings. Will have to mull it over.

 

 

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[joe d]

I had 3 cruises booked at the 1.30 exchange rate. My TA was able to rebook one with no problems. Princess was not willing to do anything on the other two but one of them has gone down a lot in price in addition to the exchange rate change so we are in the process of cancelling and rebooking. The third one has gone up a lot in price so there is not much I can do about it.

[koolforkatz]

The third one has gone up a lot in price so there is not much I can do about it.

 

We're in that situation too plus our category is wait listed. I get that, but it would have been nice if they could have adjusted the exchange for buying on board credit, gratuities, drinks, etc. On a 30-day cruise that makes a difference. Nice to hear some others have been able to take advantage of the this.

[ceilidh1]

How would this affect EZ Air? Would the rebooking cancel the existing holds I have on flights? If so, I'm not sure I will take the risk just to save some $$ (not a significant amount in our case as the cruise in question is a short one)....

[loupana]

Just got off the phone with Princess, updated my 15 day Grand Princess cruise and saved $367.86.

 

Also now in the cruise planner all onboard items are also cheaper such as new beverage package was $89.xx before i changed, and is now $82.xx. That is still a ridiculous price for the new beverage package and if you multiply that for two people for 15 days... :eek:. (old beverage package last week was listed as $74.69).

[joe d]

How would this affect EZ Air? Would the rebooking cancel the existing holds I have on flights? If so, I'm not sure I will take the risk just to save some $$ (not a significant amount in our case as the cruise in question is a short one)....

In my case the EZ Air was also cancelled (I knew it would be). I only had one flight on EZ Air and rebooked it for just a few dollars more. I don't have the final figures yet but I estimate that overall I will save around $1000. The process is a little complicated because part of my "refund" will be in the form of Onboard Credits which I have to get from the insurance. It only took a couple of minutes to complete the insurance information on line.

[luckyinpa]

does princess exchange money on board? i'm guessing i'll be using my credit card for most things but just curious if there's a fair exchange on the ship?

 

was spoiled in bermuda with one for one so no need to exchange.