CanadianPacific

Interesting! I have two booked cruises upcoming (both post-February). Both have a prepayment option which describes grats @ only $16 per day - but the Cdn$ per diem is CAD$1.75 higher for one booking. Suggests one is charging $16, the other $17. I've emailed Ship Services (per live chat staffer) for an explanation. Will advise. 🧐

Thank you!! I'm an avid LURKER on this board for <checks avatar> 10 years now. Very impressed and thankful for the tremendous amount of useful HAL info and memories shared. ☺️

I agree! My point I guess (beyond answering OP's question) is that there's really no reason to PREPAY the gratuities months in advance. The website could be clearer that you're just buying $XX of OBC, but not locking in the gratuity cost. Gratuities is one item we can prepay in Cdn$ - HAL's exchange usually much better than from a credit card. So I may 'prepay' for my upcoming cruises, but much closer to the sail date.

I was in this situation over the prior gratuity increase. Prepaid at the lower rate. Onboard, the current higher rate was charged daily, with a corresponding credit of the (slightly lower) daily amount I'd prepaid. Brought up the discrepancy, and was offered to complete the 'usual' form to request lowering of the gratuity. Not a big deal, but it did leave a bad taste. I believe most lines honor the prepaid amounts (for....everything!) or else what's the point?