Dawg74

Yes the exchange rate is terrible but I'm still paying for my cruise in US funds even adding 30% to the us rate I'm still ahead about $100. Plus I got $450.00 OBC. So I'm still ahead I think.

Luckily we booked this cruise a year and a half ago when the exchange rate was still around par so the Canadian price was very similar and we were still able to take advantage of the OBC offer in US dollars.

We purchased a bunch of on board credit and also paid $27.20 CAN for $25 US. It showed up on my credit card at the proper exchange rate although the receipt I got from celebrity only showed what I paid not what I purchased, I didn't really like that and called to confirm again.

Also, I asked the person from Gifts by Celebrity about taking money out in the casino, she told me I can get cash in the casino as many people on here have indicated for a 5% charge. Based on that we are planning on withdrawing money from our sea pass which will in turn be covered by the OBC we purchased. Of course we will spend some money on board but we bought extra so we could take some for shore excursions. The Canadian exchange rate is just so crappy right now that we thought we would try it. Hopefully it goes smoothly. :rolleyes:

We just bought 90 units on the weekend in Canadian Dollars, we spent $2448 for $2250 in US funds and will take the 5% hit to cash it out onboard. Our credit card was charged within a day so hopefully it works. The only thing that seemed funny was the receipt, it showed what we paid but not how much we bought. I called celebrity and they said we had paid for 90 units at $ 27.20 Canadian per unit of $25. So it should work out. (hopefully).

Hi guys, I am not sure if its the same thing or not but we just booked a cruise for March, 2016 and we got the 123 promo and a captains club discount, we received a higher category of stateroom for a lower price. I didn't know if this was the same as the loyalty discount but wanted to mention it.

This would be great I am going to try this to.

Hi there, we have the Classic Alcohol package as part of the 123 promo as well and I don't drink alcohol, my wife does a little. I had asked celebrity if I could have the premium non alcoholic package instead and they said no. I did read some threads on here recently by searching where people said if you go to guest relations as soon as you board the ship and before you swipe your card to get a drink they may let you switch to the premium non alcoholic package as a down grade with no refund for the difference in value. I might go and ask, otherwise we will just by the odd bottle of san pelligrino or whatever is not included if we really want it.

Please post when you come back home as to your findings when on the ship, and whether you were successful in cashing in at the casino, paying the 5% extra, and whether it was worth it in the end.

Most interested in hearing the results.

Thanks.

I will let you know how it goes. We are sailing in March!!!

I appreciate everyone's input, and Smurfette, your right even with the 5% the casino charges it is a better deal. Last I looked $ 25 US was $ 27.20, or 108.80 for 100. I think we are going to do it this way at least for a portion of our spending money.

:) happy cruising

Hi there, I have read some threads on converting OBC to cash while onboard but I wanted to ask for some experiences from others. As a Canadian, I can get a better exchange buying OBC from Celebrity than bringing US dollars exchanged at home. We are a family of 5 heading out on the Eclipse for two weeks and my plan was to buy all our spending money as OBC and then change it for cash on the ship to spend in port. Has anyone done this with OBC purchased from Gifts by Celebrity? My vacation planner told me I couldn't change OBC to cash but I see other stories on here. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks :)

Happy Sailing, Paul and Edward. We loved the Eclipse last year at New Years and will be on her again in March. We have never tried the Silhouette, can wait to read about your experiences. :). Bon Voyage !!!

We had two sunset veranda rooms last year on the eclipse and we loved them. No soot really, it was quiet, we didn't mind the walk to the restaurants, coffee shops and so on. The view was very nice, we especially enjoyed the view during sail away at each port. Good Luck!!

I got my bonus cards late this afternoon!! Paid off my cruise now saving the rest for OBC!! :D

I bought 3 last night at 9:30 pm, still no promo card either. :(

Just ordered 3 of them, hoping my promo card shows up later or tomorrow. It will let you guys know!! :)

Hi, we took our three children on the Eclipse this past New Years for 14 nights and they loved it. The kids are 7, 10, and 13, and they have been on one carnival cruise before. They only participated a little bit in the kids club but they had tons of fun. We played mini put, bocce ball, swam in the pools and hot tubs, enjoyed many fine meals,together, it was great. There were also several activities on board such as the boat building contest which kept the kids busy as well. Basically you had to collect junk to build a boat and then float it in the pool on the last sea day. Our kids enjoyed the many different ports we visited to. They certainly do enjoy the movie screen, high ropes and water park on carnival but they don't need that constantly. Our kids just enjoy travelling and breaking normal routine, I bet yours would to. What ever you decide, have fun.:)

Hi there, I meant to post this a while ago but never had the chance. We used Natasja Gibbs from Dushi Taxi on January 1, 2014, she provided us with Transportation to and from a beautiful beach from the port. Her rate was very reasonable and we learned a lot about the island. Honestly the trip to and from the beach was as much fun as actually being at the beach, and that was thanks to Natasja. We will be returning to Curacao and will use her services again.

While on the Eclipse I was booking another cruise over a year in advance. The person at the future cruise sales office kept telling me that every available room that was connecting ( we needed two) was unavailable. We even tried just two rooms next to each other no sorry we were told, not available. I went online on my own the following evening and put two rooms on a 24 hour hold, then went back and got them to complete the booking. :rolleyes:

Hi there,

We had our three kids age 7, 10 and 13 on the Eclipse at New Years and they loved it. Certainly they enjoy the ships with water parks and climbing walls etc... But the pools, hot tubs and splash pad, the kids program, some of the entertainment and the ports are just a few of the things that kept them having fun. One of the things they really enjoyed was a ship building contest, you sign up and look for stuff on shore and around the ship to make your own ship out of, then on the last sea day it goes to the pool deck for a float in the pool and judging. I know your daughter is a little younger than our youngest but I bet she will have a blast with you on board!! :)

Hi Cruisetrail, I just wanted to thank you for your input on the sunset veranda cabins, we never noticed that our two were a bit wider than standard but that will be nice with our kids having one big balcony. Keep sending us all these great pictures and info when you have time. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy New Years!!!

Hi Cruisetail, my wife and I have been enjoying your comprehensive review of the Eclipse, your pictures are great. I wondered if you could comment on 7317 and 7364, they are sunset verandas and we booked them for our cruise next year on the Eclipse with our children. :) if you do not have any specific comments then that's ok to we will just keep following your thread. It's fun reading these detailed posts and reviews while the count down is on. Have a great day!!

Devin

I forgot about flat stanley!! I am going to dig out my daughters flat Rheannon she made and bring it with us. My wife will think I am silly but it sounds fun to me.:p