SensFan11
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Hi, just wondering what ship you will be deboarding from? We will be getting off the Epic on May 22.
Paul
We're sailing on Brilliance of the Seas in August. We disembark in Barcelona on the morning of August 30th. As suggested here, I'm going to book tickets for the 9:25am train to Paris, where we'll spend a few extra nights before flying back to Canada.
FYI, for those that are trying to figure out the train system in Europe, there's a great website I came across in my planning: http://www.seat61.com It's a great site that describes different options for different routes, and while it doesn't sell train tickets, it provides all sorts of links and options.
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With an infinity travel visa from TD can get a US dollar visa (no fees). No need to have Am address - it is just linked to your CDN TD visa.
True...I have one of those...but to get it, you need the TD all inclusive account, which includes both a C$ Infinity Visa and a US$ Visa, plus an account with unlimited transactions and other perks...for $30/month or with a minimum $5000 balance.
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Yes, thank you! Just the info I was looking for too.
Seems to me we'd need to self-disembark around 7:30am to make the train. At least, as I understand, there's no customs or other formalities upon arrival in Barcelona!
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I have thought about the third idea as well, but the product I know of from Walmart is the Amex Bluebird, which requires a SSN.
I appreciate you taking the time to provide suggestions...however I am looking for a specific solution that somebody knows about or has personally tried. It wouldn't make sense for me to drive down to the U.S. to Target or Walmart on the chance that there's something to fit the bill, only to drive home empty-handed. In short, I am hoping for "you can do this" instead of "you should be able to...". :)
At Walmart, Target and many other stores in the US I've seen prepaid credit cards offered for sale...and I once bought a $200 Amex to give as a gift. There's usually a fee associated with these cards - around $5-10.
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I'm considering making a booking with a U.S.-based TA (I have once previously). But, of course that means I need to pay in USD, over the phone, with a credit card.
For the itineraries I'm currently considering, I have sufficient USD currency in an RBC USD High Interest eSavings account (converted at a much better exchange rate than available now). But, I need some suggestions on how to transfer/load that into some USD prepaid credit card product.
I've done some research on my own so far but the products I've found either require a U.S. address or SSN (e.g. Amex Bluebird), or require you to deposit funds in CAD (e.g. Cash Passport), which obviously isn't what I want to do.
I don't make purchases in USD frequently, so getting a regular credit card in USD doesn't make sense because the ones I know about have annual fees (e.g. RBC's USD Visa card has a $65 USD annual fee). I also don't have any U.S.-based bank accounts or a U.S. mailing address.
This is why I am looking for a one-time, USD prepaid credit card solution.
Does anyone have any further suggestions I can look into? Thank you!
A few ideas...
First off, if you already have one or several accounts wi RBC, I'd ask them if they'd waive the fee on a US dollar Visa (even if just for the first year).
Second, CAA may be able to sell you a prepaid credit card in US cash.
Third, you should be able to buy a one time use prepaid credit card in person in the US at somewhere like a Target or WalMart.
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I'm intrigued by the thought of booking a excursion, in Canadian with the intent to cancelling once we board , to have the credit in US once we cancel . But kinda need to find out what the exchange rate in on the excursion can only seam to get it posted in Canadian dollars on the cruise planner
Here's one way...from this web page you can download a shore excursion brochure:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/shoreExcursions/downloadBrochure/view.do
On that page, you need to enter your ship, sail date, and currency...just choose US dollars, then compare it to what is displayed in your cruise planner.
Cheers,
Noel
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I just heard on the radio this morning that Air Transat Pilots may go on strike as of February 28th, 2016 if a contract isn't reached with the airline. That sucks for me as I am flying on Feb 26th and returning on March 5. I might be able to get there, but not get back. Of course, i could think of worse places to be stuck. Just a heads up to anyone flying with Transat at the end of the month.
Another reason why travel insurance may be a good idea. I just checked my policy - it would cover me and my family for a 'flight delay', and they would reimburse me for the out of pocket cost to purchase a flight home.
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It's a ten night cruise, so I kind of doubt they'd cancel it outright. Good chance they'll drop it down to eight nights and drop a port or two...
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For Canadians trying to save money on airfare have you looked into getting the Westjet MasterCard? It offers a $250 Westjet welcome bonus, and a $99 return companion flight annually. It also gives you 1.5% back in Westjet dollars for every dollar you spend on the card. My DH and I both have our own card so we each get a companion flight which works out great for our family of 4. The card does come with a 99/year fee but the benefits far out way the cost.
And, don't forget that the Westjet MasterCard also offers first bag free when flying on Westjet for you and your travelling companions. For a family of four with four checked bags, that's a $200 savings on round trip baggage fees!
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Thanks Serena.:). Will have to keep that one in mind.
Another card that we haved save a lot with is the Mariott rewards visa. A 30,000 point sign up bonus (we used for 3 hotel nights) and an annual certificate for a free night at a Category 1-4 hotel. The $129 CDN annual fee is waived for the first year. The first year we used it for about $800 US worth of hotels and now we are paying $129 CDN annually and get a hotel valued at $200 - $250 US per year. Just signed DW up for this.
The Marriott VISA also has the great advantage of no currency exchange fee. With almost every other Canadian credit card, they tack on 2.5% over and above the exchange rate, not just on hotel stays, but on every single thing you buy in the US (or any other country)!
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Fascinating thread...and I sure hope you make it, Rich!
Here's a thought outside the box...if you've got good insurance, head up to Toronto.
Here's my thinking: a lot of the challenges during and in the immediate aftermath of the storm (Sunday) will be planes and crews being in the wrong places...and so many flights to Florida go through those affected airports. I think that's what's happened with your Sunday flight - conditions likely aren't going to be that bad in ISP, but they just can't get the plane and crew there...it's going to backlog US carriers for days.
The difference is, all of Air Canada's flights to Florida originate in Canada and will be unaffected by the storm. Sure, they've got some aircraft that serve NE US cities, but it's not on the scale of SW, JB, UA and others trying to restart the bulk of their systems on the run.
If you could get up to Toronto on Friday evening, there's several nonstop options to Florida airports...and most importantly, I expect all those planes will go. The trouble is, if you can't get up to Toronto tonight, you're unlikely to be able to fly out Saturday...even if the storm hasn't hit NYC yet Saturday morning, most flights are already cancelled as the airlines don't want their planes stuck in NYC, potentially for days.
On Saturday, Air Canada alone has 16 nonstop flights to Florida...there's more on Canada's #2 airline, Westjet...and at least five more flights Sunday morning that get in early enough to board Allure.
As for joining Allure in Jamaica - yes, check with RCCL. Falmouth is a couple hours by taxi from the airport in Montego Bay. But I'd also look soon into securing reservations for Monday or Tuesday...there's going to be a backlog of travellers trying to book a limited number of seats...even though JetBlue has nonstop flights from JFK, flying on Air Canada via Toronto might be easier to find a seat on a plane that actually departs on Monday...
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Gee, thanks for rubbing it in..:p
Right now I'm looking out my window at snow and it's 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which translates to -7 Centigrade for our friends Down Under.
I guess I shouldn't complain too much. My countrymen near our nation's capital are about to get buried in more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow..
Here in Ottawa - our nation's capital - we have a name for 2 feet of snow and 20 degrees Fahrenheit: January. ;)
(although, truth be told, sometimes also goes by the names of February, March, December...and even occasionally November and April).
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Thought I'd stick this question in here given all my fellow Canadians are already following along - it may be a stupid question but thought I would ask anyways. I have read that you can use a Starbucks card onboard at Starbucks (We are on Oasis). Does that count for Canadian cards too?
Yes you can! I've used my Canadian Starbucks card on both Oasis and Allure!
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Second if plan to us Visa strongly suggest getting a Cdn Bank US visa that way you can pay off when you get home and know how much you spend. Do not pay the Bank or Visa US premium fee.
I used to do it this way, but don't any more. I have a US dollar via (from TD Canada Trust) and I used to use it for my on board account...until 2014 when RCCL converted my final bill to Canadian dollars (despite my explicit instructions not to opt in to the currency conversion program).
So, in the end, with the US dollar credit card I paid:
3% RCCL currency conversion fee
+
2.5% TD Visa fee to convert it to US dollars
+
1.8% approx fee to purchase US dollars with my TD borderless account
In the end, my US$1000 in on board charges ended up costing me C$1140...and that was when the dollar was at par!
Since then, I only use the Marriott Visa. Even if RCCL screws up again and opts me in to the currency conversion program, I'll only pay their 3% fee once!
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I'm just reviewing my Set Sail pass and have a question about the Currency Conversion Program. It appears that if I consent, there will be an extra 3 percent charged to my account if I use my credit card and have RC do the billing. I am quite confused and will appreciate any advice/tips. The Canadian dollar is terrible now and any further charges will make things even worse.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, this is a very confusing matter...and for most people it's not the 'service' RCCL suggests it is!
If you 'opt-in' to the currency conversion program, at the end of your cruise Royal Caribbean will convert your final on board bill to Canadian dollars, charging the exchange rate in effect on that day plus a 3% fee.
If you 'out-out', they'll charge your final on board bill in US dollars, which your credit card company will convert to Canadian dollars...for most credit cards, they charge the exchange rate plus a 2.5% fee.
One way to save is to use a credit card that charges 0% currency conversion fee...there's a handful in Canada...the one I suggest is the Marriott Rewards Visa from Chase.
The other thing to watch for is that Royal Caribbean may opt you in to the currency conversion program, regardless of what you select on the form! That happened to me on one cruise...I highlighted, circled and discussed with the check in agent that I wanted to 'opt out'...I was opted in anyway!
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We've done two similar excursions, most recently in March 2014 when sailing on Oasis.
In St. Thomas we boarded a private, chartered boat that was docked very close to Oasis (3 minute walk away). All St. John excursions were on this boat. When we docked in Cruz Bay (the main town/port on St. John) we were told what time the boat left back for St. Thomas. Each excursion then left separately...some folks were loaded on buses for other parts of the island. On one occasion when we did a 'shopping and on your own' tour, it first started with a 30 minute walking tour of Cruz Bay.
Last time, once we arrived in Cruz Bay we grabbed a shared taxi to Trunk Bay...it's approx 10 min. drive away.
As mentioned by others, there's an admission to the park.
There's a stand that rents beach chairs.
There's also a small restaurant/bar...but be forewarned, it gets VERY busy around lunchtime. A 30+ minute wait in line to order food is common. There's also an express service bar.
It's more rustic than somewhere like Magans Beach, but beautiful and so much less crowded! Worth the trip to St. John, IMHO.
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I have not sailed in a Central Park Balcony but have researched them. It is that close and you really can see into a room across the way. We've ruled them out for this reason.
As noted, I have sailed in a Central Park balcony on two occasions. It is true that people can see in your room...just as people can see in your hotel room in any major city. The solution: close the drapes!
For me, the big advantage is that it's less windy overlooking Central Park - especially in the evening.
On several cruises I've taken where I've had an ocean balcony, it gets downright cold out there at night as the ship is speeding to the next port. I just love the Central park balcony ambiance at night...especially if my wife and I can relax out there with a glass of wine after the kids are asleep!
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Yes, sadly the ability for Canadians to buy on board credit at a 10% exchange rate seems to have ended last week :(
One small thing worth checking would be - presuming you booked your cruise in Canadian dollars - to ask your travel agent if you can prepay your gratuities, and at what price. In that case it gets added to your invoice, that's due on final payment date (usually around 70 days before sailing). There's some unconfirmed reports that prepaid gratuities are charged by Royal Caribbean at the exchange rate in effect on the day you may your booking and put down your deposit...it you booked your cruise a year ago or more, that may be close to par!
Also, as suggested, a credit card that doesn't charge a currency conversion fee is a good idea (most charge 2.5% on top of the exchange rate)...I recommend the Marriott Rewards Visa from Chase...it has an annual fee, but is waived for the first year, and also offers some free hotel nights and Marriott Rewards points.
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I'm also not sure about the case with Australians, but lots of reports on the "Canadian cruisers!!" thread that the great rate for Canadians buying US dollars ended last week :(.
Reports are that for on board credit gifts and gear is now charging C$1.40 per US dollar. Up until last week, they charged C$1.10 per US dollar.
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Your experience may vary, but for my family I personally LOVE Central Park balconies!
We sailed with our two kids in a C1 balcony on Allure when our kids were 8 and 4...we loved it so much we booked Central Park balconies again the year later (2014) on Oasis, but that second time in connecting balconies (more space is nice).
What we especially liked was being able to go out on our balcony once the kids were in bed...we'd have a glass of wine and gather some cheese and crackers from the windjammer. It was lovely! The spring quartet was a nice touch, and what I especially liked was that as we faced inside, we didn't have the strong ocean breezes that you face on ocean balconies at night. It's my favourite spot on any cruise ship!
Noel (also from Ottawa!)
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(In the past they exchanged my USD refund to CAD and refunded to my USD as CAD refund so my bank had to convert CAD to USD INSPITE OF my instruction to RCCL NOT to convert).
I've had the exact same thing happen with RCCL. I CLEARLY specified I did NOT want dynamic currency conversion. RCCL did it anyway! They converted my on board account to Canadian dollars (at a 3% premium above the exchange rate) to charge my TD US dollar Visa. TD then charged me 2.5% to convert it back to US dollars. To pay the Visa bill, I had to purchase US dollars at the borderless preferred rate, which seem to run around 1.25%
Never again do I want to risk being 'triple-charged' currency conversion premiums! That's another reason I use my Marriott Visa...worst case, if RCCL does their dynamic currency conversion, I'll only be charged conversion once!
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I agree with others...get some cash - Euro bills - from your local bank for cash purchase needs while on shore excursions and pre/post cruise.
I'd also recommend getting a credit card that doesn't charge a currency conversion fee. Most Canadian credit cards charge 2-3% ON TOP OF the exchange rate when you make purchases in USD, Euros, or any other currency. Only a very few cards do not charge this fee. The one I use is the Marriott Rewards VISA, issued by Chase. This card has an annual fee, but promos often waive the fee for the first year, and IMHO the free night at a Marriott offered each year makes up for the annual fee.
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SLOW!
Stream video - not a chance!
I was on Celebrity Summit last week and purchased the Internet package. I did several speed tests and averaged 0.19MBps down, 0.34MBps up. But it was the ping that was just awful: 665ms.
One reason I had the Internet was the Blue Jays were in the playoffs for the first time in 22 years. I was shocked that none of the games of the ALCS were on the on board TV (but that's another story). I tried as best I could to follow along to the four games that were played during our cruise. I never successfully got a video stream to work. Audio via the MLB app was hit or miss...sometimes I would get to listen to a whole half inning...often it would cut in and out every 2-5 minutes...and that's just for low bandwidth audio!
Unless your teams game happens to be carried on TV, I'd suggest your best options are for text/graphical play by play updates from an app like theScore or ESPN.
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I would not 'depend' on YOUR game being broadcast. Generally, most X ships carry ESPN Caribbean and ESPN2 Caribbean. If it's not on one of those two channels, it's unlikely (but not impossible) it will be on board.
Last week I was on Celebrity Summit and I was shocked and terribly disappointed to find that the they didn't have the baseball playoffs. Four games of the ALCS were played during our cruise - none of them were available on board. It was a farce - most times in the casino bar instead they showed poker or high school football!!!
I went the extra step to meet with the ships Broadcast Manager, who tried to find the game. Essentially, the answer was that unless Celebrity purchased a feed for a particular event for the entire fleet, there was nothing he could do. :(
Future changes to mobile roaming charges in Europe
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted
I've been wondering about this for our European cruise this summer...anyone here had good success with a SIM card bought in Barcelona that worked throughout the EU...I'm particularly looking for a good price for data.