OBC in Australia

[Ombud]

I know most OBC comes in Australian $s but what happens to the loyalty & OBC gifted to me by my PCP (gave me what shows up as $25USD on a cruise I booked without her .... she was on vacation and I didn't want to lose a great price). Will that revert dollar to dollar or will it convert like USD to Canadian?

[skynight]

The way I understand it if the on board currency is in AUS$ then OBC is also in AUS$ and is not converted. US$25 will be provided as AUS$25 and not converted by the normal exchange rate. But, if the on board currency is in US$ then the OBC will also be in US$.

[By The Bay]

I live and sail from Australia. My Loyalty OBC is converted from USD$ to AUD$. The last USD$75 gave me AUD$ 107.  It follows that a TA's USD$ OBC will convert to AUD$. The Shareholder OBC is AUD$.

[Expat Cruise]

What happens is they give you a conversation at 1 to 1, the 40% exchange Princess keeps, it is nothing but a rip off by Princess.  They do the same thing with Future Cruise Credits you paid in USD and have a stated OBC but once on the ship the credit is in AUD.  One of the worst policies we have found on Princess.

[Ombud]

1 hour ago, By The Bay said:

I live and sail from Australia. My Loyalty OBC is converted from USD$ to AUD$. The last USD$75 gave me AUD$ 107.  It follows that a TA's USD$ OBC will convert to AUD$. The Shareholder OBC is AUD$.

Thanks. That's what I thought as the Purchased OBC was purchased with USD whereas the Shareholder OBC was a benefit with no cash exchanged. 

 

Guess I'll know in 10 days 😁

[Aus Traveller]

4 hours ago, Expat Cruise said:

What happens is they give you a conversation at 1 to 1, the 40% exchange Princess keeps, it is nothing but a rip off by Princess.  They do the same thing with Future Cruise Credits you paid in USD and have a stated OBC but once on the ship the credit is in AUD.  One of the worst policies we have found on Princess.

Sorry, but you are not correct. The original question was about the loyalty OBC of US$25, $50, $75 and $100. On Australian-based cruises these amounts are converted to AUD at a reasonable rate. Other OBC (future cruise deposit, shareholder and military) are paid in AUD at 1 to 1.

[Expat Cruise]

1 minute ago, Aus Traveller said:

Sorry, but you are not correct. The original question was about the loyalty OBC of US$25, $50, $75 and $100. On Australian-based cruises these amounts are converted to AUD at a reasonable rate. Other OBC (future cruise deposit, shareholder and military) are paid in AUD at 1 to 1.

Sorry but ours were done at 1 to 1. But happy to allow you send the difference since Princess said no.

[Aus Traveller]

2 minutes ago, Expat Cruise said:

Sorry but ours were done at 1 to 1. But happy to allow you send the difference since Princess said no.

Our loyalty credit has always been converted from US$ to AUD and several people who cruise from Australia have confirmed that their loyalty credit was converted, but the other OBCs were not. If your loyalty credit wasn't converted from US to AUD, I don't know why. 

[polmcs]

Our FCD was converted at a 1:1 ratio, but our TA OBC was converted at a rate more typical of USD:AUD. 

[azbirdmom]

2 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

Our loyalty credit has always been converted from US$ to AUD and several people who cruise from Australia have confirmed that their loyalty credit was converted, but the other OBCs were not. If your loyalty credit wasn't converted from US to AUD, I don't know why. 

 

I just posted on another thread that our $75 Loyalty credit was converted to $109.43 AUD last month on the Majestic.  I didn't have to ask, it was on the folio when we boarded.  On the other hand we did have to ask about the casino OBC that my hubby was gifted and Passenger Services had to convert that from USD to AUD.

[BRANDEE]

I am having a problem getting an answer regrading AUD:USD on excursions.  I chose all the excursions I wanted for our upcoming NZ and Fiji cruise.  All are quoted in AUD.  When I go to register for them and have to pre pay..the last screen changes the AUD price to USD to be charged to my folio or charge card.  $240 AUD becomes $240 USD.  Princess representative said not to worry my screen is wrong.  Anyone else have this problem.  I have 13 excursions and do not want to wait until we board.

[BRANDEE]

1 minute ago, BRANDEE said:

 

 

Edited November 15, 2019 by BRANDEE

[Ombud]

7 hours ago, Expat Cruise said:

What happens is they give you a conversation at 1 to 1, the 40% exchange Princess keeps, it is nothing but a rip off by Princess.  They do the same thing with Future Cruise Credits you paid in USD and have a stated OBC but once on the ship the credit is in AUD.  One of the worst policies we have found on Princess.

I didn't pay for the FCC they came with my FCD so that's ok for it to be in AUD. But when OBC was gifted to me or when I buy casino credits in USD I would like them to be properly converted. Seems they will be. I'll know in 10 days 

[Aus Traveller]

52 minutes ago, BRANDEE said:

I am having a problem getting an answer regrading AUD:USD on excursions.  I chose all the excursions I wanted for our upcoming NZ and Fiji cruise.  All are quoted in AUD.  When I go to register for them and have to pre pay..the last screen changes the AUD price to USD to be charged to my folio or charge card.  $240 AUD becomes $240 USD.  Princess representative said not to worry my screen is wrong.  Anyone else have this problem.  I have 13 excursions and do not want to wait until we board.

I would be concerned about this also. I agree that you need to know what you will be charged. You have the option of cancelling the tours you have booked, then re-book them after you board when the prices will certainly be in AUD. However, you run the risk that some of the tours might be sold out.

 

What tours have you booked?

[BRANDEE]

1 hour ago, Aus Traveller said:

I would be concerned about this also. I agree that you need to know what you will be charged. You have the option of cancelling the tours you have booked, then re-book them after you board when the prices will certainly be in AUD. However, you run the risk that some of the tours might be sold out.

 

What tours have you booked?

Our tours are a long list...we are four seniors with one with slight mobility issues.  Cruise is beginning of March.

We are also starting out  5 days in Sydney and I think I took some notes from your posts (Manly Beach, Blue Mt and Hop on/off in Sydney.)   

 

All and any advice appreciated. I usually do non ship tours, but our traveling companions prefer ship tours.

 

New Zealand: Dunedin is city drive and Olveston House & Larnach Castle

                         Akaroa is Manderley Farm and Giant House

                          Wellington is Cable car and Te Papa Museum

                          Napier is city drive and Sileni Winery w/Te Mata Peak

                          Tauranga is Ngai Ranginui Maori Marae

                           Auckland is ferry to Waiheke Island and 2 wineries

                           Bay of Island is taxi to Harurie Falls and Glow Worm tour  (this is off ship tour) then  catamaran to Hole in Rock??

 

Fiji Islands:     Lifou is scenic drive and lagoon beach

                         Port Vila is Ekasuo Village

                         Dravuni is just going to beach/boat tour ?

                         Suva is Sawani Village

                         Savusavu is Lighthouse Reef for Snorkeling

                         Laukata is Orchid Garden & Nadi & Sabeto villages

                         Noumea is Amedee Lighthouse Marine Reserve for swimming and shows

 

Thanks Chris   btw nothing is booked yet..waiting for clarification from Princess on charges.

Edited November 15, 2019 by BRANDEE

[Aus Traveller]

9 minutes ago, BRANDEE said:

New Zealand: Dunedin is city drive and Olveston House & Larnach Castle

                         Akaroa is Manderley Farm and Giant House

                          Wellington is Cable car and Te Papa Museum

                          Napier is city drive and Sileni Winery w/Te Mata Peak

                          Tauranga is Ngai Ranginui Maori Marae

                           Auckland is ferry to Waiheke Island and 2 wineries

                           Bay of Island is taxi to Harurie Falls and Glow Worm tour  (this is off ship tour) then  catamaran

 

Fiji Islands:     Lifou is scenic drive and lagoon beach

                         Port Vila is Ekasuo Village

                         Dravuni is just going to beach/boat tour ?

                         Suva is Sawani Village

                         Savusavu is Lighthouse Reef for Snorkeling

                         Laukata is Orchid Garden & Nadi & Sabeto villages

                         Noumea is Amedee Lighthouse Marine Reserve for swimming and shows

I think it is a good idea to get confirmation (in writing if possible) on the charges for the tours.

 

A few comments on your tours in case you decide to cancel and take your chances on re-booked on board.

       Dunedin - It would be hard to replicate the Princess tour privately

       Akaroa - similar answer

      Wellington - it would be very easy to do the cable car and Te Papa independently

       Napier - easy to do independently. The shuttle bus drops everyone at the tourist info centre where there will bed a lot of tours available

      Tauranga - a lot of tours available in the tourist info tent on the dock

      Auckland - I haven't been to Waiheke Island, but the ferries leave from just beside where the ship will be docked in the middle of town. I don't know how easy it is to get to the wineries

     Bay of Islands - sounds like an independent tour.

 

     Lifou - the locals offer some tours

     Port Vila - nothing offered on the dock. Probably go with Princess

     Dravuni - just a beach day

     Suva - a lot of tours offered by tour operators on the dock

    Savusavu - check out a company called Rock 'n Downunder operated by an Aussie couple. If they are still operating I can highly recommend them. They go to Split Rock and the Lighthouse. Fantastic.

    Lautoka - Orchid Garden and the villages. You could do these independently by taxi very cheaply. 

   Noumea - the only way to do the Amedee tour is with the ship's shore ex. Otherwise the timing doesn't work.

 

Let us know what Princess say about the currency conversion.

 

 

Edited November 15, 2019 by Aus Traveller

[BRANDEE]

Thanks Aus Traveller for all your pointers and advice.  I have another question for you.  Do you know when you start to get Loyality rewards for amount of cruises sailed with Princess... is it after 20 cruises or 25 cruises?  

 

Looking for answer and have not found yet.

 

Thanks again...Chris

[Aus Traveller]

1 hour ago, BRANDEE said:

Thanks Aus Traveller for all your pointers and advice.  I have another question for you.  Do you know when you start to get Loyality rewards for amount of cruises sailed with Princess... is it after 20 cruises or 25 cruises?  

 

Looking for answer and have not found yet.

 

Thanks again...Chris

At your 21st cruise (or your first cruise after 20 cruise credits) you get US$25. If you are on an Australian-based cruise, this is converted to Aussie $ at a reasonable exchange rate.

[azbirdmom]

10 hours ago, BRANDEE said:

I am having a problem getting an answer regrading AUD:USD on excursions.  I chose all the excursions I wanted for our upcoming NZ and Fiji cruise.  All are quoted in AUD.  When I go to register for them and have to pre pay..the last screen changes the AUD price to USD to be charged to my folio or charge card.  $240 AUD becomes $240 USD.  Princess representative said not to worry my screen is wrong.  Anyone else have this problem.  I have 13 excursions and do not want to wait until we board.

 

Interesting that you are allowed to charge to your folio.  A couple years ago the system was changed to either use OBC (which should be 1:1 as that is the same USD or AUD) or charge card.  On our cruise on the Majestic, all of our excursions were covered by our OBC so I don't have firsthand experience to answer your question.  But I would think if they were charged to your folio, it would be in AUD since that is the currency of your voyage.  In terms of credit card charges, if you have access to your online statement for your credit card, you should be able to tell fairly quickly how much it will cost you.  Simply book your excursion, pay for it, then check your statement to see if the amount charged on your credit card is roughly 68% of the price of the excursion.  If it's the same, then you'll know that the better decision is to charge it onboard.

 

By the way, we just visited some of the ports that you will be visiting and thoroughly enjoyed them.  In Vila, we did a wonderful tour that included the Blue Lagoon with Bountiful Tours and Transfers.  We also went on the same excursion that you are booking in Savusavu which included getting on a boat and going to a snorkel stop.  We had the unfortunate luck of encountering rainy and windy conditions there.  We went on the afternoon excursion which wasn't cancelled.  When we got out to the snorkel stop there were pretty high waves and after we all got in the wind picked up significantly.  The operator threw a line out and actually helped some of the folks back to the boat quickly.  They then brought us to the Cousteau Resort where it was much calmer and we did get to see some corals and lots of fish, just not the variety that I observed at Lighthouse Point for the short time we were there.  Under good conditions it would be great but I can't imagine that experience with any type of mobility challenges.

 

 

[LeeW]

I would book one excursion and set it up to charge to a credit card.  You should see actual price on the last page before you commit to paying.  If the US $ price isn't much lower than AUS then don't commit to the purchase.  And azbirdmom advice to check your credit card account immediately afterward - if it isn't correct, then go back to the Cruise Personalizer and cancel.

[California Traveler]

17 hours ago, BRANDEE said:

I am having a problem getting an answer regrading AUD:USD on excursions.  I chose all the excursions I wanted for our upcoming NZ and Fiji cruise.  All are quoted in AUD.  When I go to register for them and have to pre pay..the last screen changes the AUD price to USD to be charged to my folio or charge card.  $240 AUD becomes $240 USD.  Princess representative said not to worry my screen is wrong.  Anyone else have this problem.  I have 13 excursions and do not want to wait until we board.

 

I just checked my credit card for excursion bookings on the Sun next year in Australia - the cc was charged in $US and the conversion was current.  I was wondering myself about the OBC given for Military service, myself and husband were given $100 each. I would think it is in AU$ as everything else is.... 

[Aus Traveller]

59 minutes ago, California Traveler said:

 

I just checked my credit card for excursion bookings on the Sun next year in Australia - the cc was charged in $US and the conversion was current.  I was wondering myself about the OBC given for Military service, myself and husband were given $100 each. I would think it is in AU$ as everything else is.... 

On a cruise where the on-board currency is AUD, the OBC for military service will be AUD. The only OBC that has the US$ converted to AUD is the loyalty credit ($25, $50 etc).