Canadian Princess Cruisers

[Adventures ahead]

We found we saved by prepaying tips. Our cruise is in September and we paid $202 CDN per person for a 16 day cruise. It would be $184 US. We only paid 10% exchange. A very good deal at today's rates. I have heard they are charging 20% exchange for cruises after September.

 

We are going to use our OBC for drinks and specialty dining. I'm hoping that we have a zero balance when we get of the ship.

 

I'd make sure of it!

 

We are doing a 21-day cruise. Our promotional OBCs appear on our Cruise Personalizer as 'non-refundable... to be enjoyed onboard'. If I pre-pay our tips to save on the exchange rate, I don't think we would spend enough to use up the balance of the OBC. I suppose, we could work on it :rolleyes: but would rather not. Losing OBC would be :eek:!

[Kamloops50]

Exchange rate is based on the date of the cruise. Cruises after Sept 2015 are based on a 20% exchange rate.

[St Paul Girl]

Exchange rate is based on the date of the cruise. Cruises after Sept 2015 are based on a 20% exchange rate.

 

The September date does not automatically imply 20%. We are booked for an Oct 28th sailing around Tahiti and we are at 10%! I just checked on the Princess Cruise Personalizer, and all of our OBCs, pre-paying gratuities, beverage packages, etc are all at 10%. Your rate depends on when you purchased your cruise and if you purchased it in Cdn dollars or USD.

The most accurate way to check is to log-into your cruise Personalizer and check there. No confusion and if you buy on-line you will know if you are going to be charged, on your credit card, in CDN or USD.

Hope this helps:

[Cayoooga]

HI Pat:

First, did you pay for your cruise in US or CDN dollars? If you booked in CDN, go on-line to the Princess Cruise Personalizer and you can buy everything there(OBC, Casino Credits, pre-pay gratuities, beverage packages, etc, and it is quoted in CDN dollars at the exchange rate that you will be charged. Hope this helps. I think the problems have occurred when people call Princess and then the agent "screws up" what currency to charge.

Have a great cruise:

 

Update

I originally booked October 2015 cruise beginning of year Jan 2015 and paid in CDN $ @ 10% FX.

I have just paid final payment, Vacation protection, gratuities, and $$$ in OBC all at 10% FX on line through "My Princess" Cruise Personalizer.

FYI

the OBC is totally refundable up to 72 hour before cruise.

 

I have experienced the problem calling Princess and then the agent "screws up" what currency to charge.

 

I have previously received my unused OBC from a refund cheque mailed out weeks after a cruise.

I have had friends receive cash from their OBC through the Casino Account, but have never done so myself.

 

Thanks for all the comments

Cheers

Edited July 13, 2015 by Cayoooga

[goofy559]

The September date does not automatically imply 20%. We are booked for an Oct 28th sailing around Tahiti and we are at 10%! I just checked on the Princess Cruise Personalizer, and all of our OBCs, pre-paying gratuities, beverage packages, etc are all at 10%. Your rate depends on when you purchased your cruise and if you purchased it in Cdn dollars or USD.

The most accurate way to check is to log-into your cruise Personalizer and check there. No confusion and if you buy on-line you will know if you are going to be charged, on your credit card, in CDN or USD.

Hope this helps:

 

So true! We are sailing December 27 and have the 10% exchange rate.

 

Sent from my SGP312 using Forums mobile app

[ehogan]

Interesting, we booked in CDN dollars at the begin of July and it was at an attractive Fx rate but not 10%.

 

Our cruise is in Nov. And final payment is not due till Sept.

 

I did a fake pre pay of gratuities on line and the exchange rate was about 18%, so still a good rate considering.

 

 

We pay our final bill with our US credit card since charges on board will be billed in USD.

Edited July 13, 2015 by ehogan

[AE_Collector]

Interesting, we booked in CDN dollars at the begin of July and it was at an attractive Fx rate but not 10%.

 

Our cruise is in Nov. And final payment is not due till Sept.

 

I did a fake pre pay of gratuities on line and the exchange rate was about 18%, so still a good rate considering.

 

We pay our final bill with our US credit card since charges on board will be billed in USD.

 

Your cruise is in November (after September) thus the Canadian exchange rate with Princess for everything is $1.20 Canadian to the US dollar.

 

Anyone who had a cruise booked for after this September and who had booked it prior to this past February/March got it at 1.10 to the US dollar which is locked in even if they haven't paid in full plus if they bought their OBC or prepaid gratuities then (prior to February/March) they got that at 1.10 as well. It was some time in February when rates for cruises commencing after this September (give or take depending on the exact cruise/ship etc) were bumped to 1.20 exchange rate.

 

The other possible scenario is a cruise that commences after this September that was booked prior to February at the 10% rate but no OBC or gratuities were pre purchased at that time will now cost you 1.20 to do it now as the cruise takes place (after September) when the rate has changed to 1.20. It doesn't matter that it was booked when the rate was 1.10. That is how I see it at least.

 

Terry

[Steelers36]

Your cruise is in November (after September) thus the Canadian exchange rate with Princess for everything is $1.20 Canadian to the US dollar.

 

Anyone who had a cruise booked for after this September and who had booked it prior to this past February/March got it at 1.10 to the US dollar which is locked in even if they haven't paid in full plus if they bought their OBC or prepaid gratuities then (prior to February/March) they got that at 1.10 as well. It was some time in February when rates for cruises commencing after this September (give or take depending on the exact cruise/ship etc) were bumped to 1.20 exchange rate.

 

The other possible scenario is a cruise that commences after this September that was booked prior to February at the 10% rate but no OBC or gratuities were pre purchased at that time will now cost you 1.20 to do it now as the cruise takes place (after September) when the rate has changed to 1.20. It doesn't matter that it was booked when the rate was 1.10. That is how I see it at least.

 

Terry

 

Well put! Clear as the Caribbean Sea on a sunny day.

[goofy559]

Your cruise is in November (after September) thus the Canadian exchange rate with Princess for everything is $1.20 Canadian to the US dollar.

 

Anyone who had a cruise booked for after this September and who had booked it prior to this past February/March got it at 1.10 to the US dollar which is locked in even if they haven't paid in full plus if they bought their OBC or prepaid gratuities then (prior to February/March) they got that at 1.10 as well. It was some time in February when rates for cruises commencing after this September (give or take depending on the exact cruise/ship etc) were bumped to 1.20 exchange rate.

 

The other possible scenario is a cruise that commences after this September that was booked prior to February at the 10% rate but no OBC or gratuities were pre purchased at that time will now cost you 1.20 to do it now as the cruise takes place (after September) when the rate has changed to 1.20. It doesn't matter that it was booked when the rate was 1.10. That is how I see it at least.

 

Terry

 

Not totally accurate. My cruise is in December, booked at 10%. If I were to prepay my gratuities today the rate would be 10%. It seems that regardless of when the cruise is, the rate you book at is the rate you can buy OBC at.

 

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[AE_Collector]

That scenario was one that hasn't affected me yet as we never book more than a couple of months prior to sailing date. So I wondered how it would be handled. Several pages back someone reported that they had to pay the new 20 cents on the dollar rate when pre purchasing OBC even though they had booked the cruise in Canadian when it was still at 10 cents on the dollar. Therefore I assumed that was how this situation was being handled.

 

10 cents or 20 cents is still a good deal and looking better all the time. How about pre purchasing some OBC or a 6 pack of beer/coffee card etc to see what actually happens and report back to us with the results?

 

A year or so back someone was insisting that they were still getting pre purchased items at par when everyone else was paying 10 cents on the dollar. Maybe they had paid for the cruise at par (don't recall that question being asked) just like you paid at 1.10 for the cruise and feel that you will be able to continue pre purchasing at 1.10.

 

It is all VERY confusing and people have a very difficult time understanding exactly how it all works. Then throw in the "human factor" which means that service reps might be able to cause different things to happen depending on how they enter the purchase.

 

I do feel that Princess handles it in a very good way, not changing rates overnight or mid season on a specific route. That coupled with the overall good rate even though reality is getting worse for us almost every day. The flip side is when our dollar starts to climb against the US$ and the pre set Princess rate no longer is appealing at all. I have ben through that situation once already back in 2009/2010 and it gets to the point where it is simply better to book some cruises in US$ until Princess catches up with the new improved rate for Canadians.

 

Terry

Edited July 14, 2015 by AE_Collector

[avcruz]

Booked my December Caribbean cruise last month in Canadian funds. Today ordered a coffee card and was charged a 1.20 exchange rate. Paid CAD $40.02 for a USD $33.35 card. As time goes by, I'll be adding to it by purchasing OBC. Not quite as good as the 1.10 rate I got on my Hawaii cruise last year, but I'll take it. :-)

[cruiser2905]

Just purchased coffee card and unlimited soda and more package for our Feb 2016 Island Princess cruise and paid 10% exchange through my personalizer. Cruise was booked in 2014 in Cdn$. Prepaid gratuities in the personalizer are also showing at 10% exchange and I will be paying those too as our dollar is now sitting at about 78.5 cents! :)

[AE_Collector]

Okay so there is more proof that prepurchasing items DOES follow the "Princess" exchange rate in effect at the time that the trip was booked even if the "Princess" rate for that time period has isnce changed.

 

Terry

[avcruz]

I cancelled & re-booked my December 2016 South America cruise to take advantage of the AIBP. The cruise cost went up $200 pp, and I've now lost my $1.10 exchange rate. :( I figure I'm still ahead though with a $1.20 exchange rate and a beverage package valued at approx. USD $1700 - which we will take full advantage of with so many sea days... :) so I think I've still come out ahead - AND there's still time for the rate to drop again... You just gotta do the math, weigh the pros & cons and figure out what will work for you and your needs & budget. I love the advice & suggestions I receive from Cruise Critic. :D

[Camelia-]

how do you know what exchange rate is being used by Princess when purchasing OBC online? I have a hold on a February 2016 cruise. Yesterday, out of curiosity, I went into my booking and pretended to buy an OBC of $100. The price on the website is already in Canadian Funds so how can I tell what exchange rate they are using? Is it only when I enter my credit card information and complete the purchase that I can find out? I can't see any way to see how much US funds will actually be available to me with my $100 purchase.

 

I'd appreciate your help - as always!

 

Camelia

[toberman]

how do you know what exchange rate is being used by Princess when purchasing OBC online? I have a hold on a February 2016 cruise. Yesterday, out of curiosity, I went into my booking and pretended to buy an OBC of $100. The price on the website is already in Canadian Funds so how can I tell what exchange rate they are using? Is it only when I enter my credit card information and complete the purchase that I can find out? I can't see any way to see how much US funds will actually be available to me with my $100 purchase.

 

I'd appreciate your help - as always!

 

Camelia

 

I just tried it and the option was for CA $120. Since I booked the cruise at 20% I can only think that for the $120 I will get US $100.

[AE_Collector]

Avcruz: That is something for us all to watch out for...losing a better exchange rate when re-booking. The way things are going the exchange rate will be changed to 1.30 (or more) next Feb/Mar for cruises beginning in Sept 2016.

 

Camelia: I have always done prepurchases on the phone with a rep who can tell you what the cost in CDN will be before processing the order. Ordering "online" must be quite new. Only other method used to be faxing in a Form.

 

Terry

[Steelers36]

how do you know what exchange rate is being used by Princess when purchasing OBC online? I have a hold on a February 2016 cruise. Yesterday, out of curiosity, I went into my booking and pretended to buy an OBC of $100. The price on the website is already in Canadian Funds so how can I tell what exchange rate they are using? Is it only when I enter my credit card information and complete the purchase that I can find out? I can't see any way to see how much US funds will actually be available to me with my $100 purchase.

 

I'd appreciate your help - as always!

 

Camelia

 

You are purchasing USD funds as that is the on board currency. If your original booking is in CAD, then you are buying anything for on board at the same 20% exchange rate. So your CAD credit card is billed $120 CAD and you will have $100 USD on board.

[avcruz]

Avcruz: That is something for us all to watch out for...losing a better exchange rate when re-booking. The way things are going the exchange rate will be changed to 1.30 (or more) next Feb/Mar for cruises beginning in Sept 2016.

 

Camelia: I have always done prepurchases on the phone with a rep who can tell you what the cost in CDN will be before processing the order. Ordering "online" must be quite new. Only other method used to be faxing in a Form.

 

Terry

 

Yes, Terry the online ordering is new. Now when I go into my Cruise Personalizer for my next cruise, one of the options it gives me is "Onboard Reservations". It lets me purchase any of the beverage packages, internet packages, wine, casino, spa, etc. It also will let me pre-pay gratuities. It is asking for payment now for any items I order online.

I prefer to do it through my TA. She can add all my requests to my reservations, I can see them in my personalizer, I don't have to pay for them until Final Payment is due, and I'm locked in at the 1.20 exchange rate. Works for me!!! :)

[Carla3]

I'm cruising in October to Hawaii. We intend to purchase the all inclusive beverage package. Price online now is $67 cdn per day. On board its $49 u.s per day. I'm wonder how often princess adjusts the cdn price as our dollar fluctuates. Have to watch cdn$ and see which is better rate

[Steelers36]

I'm cruising in October to Hawaii. We intend to purchase the all inclusive beverage package. Price online now is $67 cdn per day. On board its $49 u.s per day. I'm wonder how often princess adjusts the cdn price as our dollar fluctuates. Have to watch cdn$ and see which is better rate

 

Not sure if you have read other parts of the thread, but the rate is set for a season. I think you would have to agree that the 20% rate has been quite attractive and is even moreso now that the BOC just lowered central bank rate by 0.25% today. CAD tumbled down even further. Soon enough you will be saving 10 cents on the dollar.

 

It was increased earlier this year from 1.10 to 1.20 and is in effect at various dates in SEP timeframe as ships transition seasons. It will vary depending on ship and location. Unfortunately, we decided to book a cruise for NOV after the rate had changed, so I booked with a US agent in USD because we saved a load of money and got OBC as well (compared to a Princess CAD booking or using a Cdn TA). Fortunately, we have a lot of USD so I don't have to buy more right now. So what I am saying is, you need to look at your own situation and shop around, but the 20% rate is going to be very attractive for quite a while.

Edited July 16, 2015 by steelers36

[St Paul Girl]

I'm cruising in October to Hawaii. We intend to purchase the all inclusive beverage package. Price online now is $67 cdn per day. On board its $49 u.s per day. I'm wonder how often princess adjusts the cdn price as our dollar fluctuates. Have to watch cdn$ and see which is better rate

 

Hi Carla:

You are paying a 20% exchange rate at $67. The $49 does not include the 15% gratuity that is added when you buy it. Your $67 per day includes the 15%.

Hope this helps and all other pre-cruise purchases will be at the same 20%.

Have a great cruise;

[AE_Collector]

Hi Carla:

You are paying a 20% exchange rate at $67. The $49 does not include the 15% gratuity that is added when you buy it. Your $67 per day includes the 15%.

Hope this helps and all other pre-cruise purchases will be at the same 20%.

Have a great cruise;

 

I agree, the gratuities are what is making this look like a higher exchange rate. You arent going to beat Princesses 20 cents on the dollar anytime soon. Well, except anyone who grabs a last minute cruise leaving within the next 60 days or so. The rate is STILL 10 cents on the dollar until various times in September.

 

Terry

[newbrunswicker]

I have only cruised Princess one other time and had some on board credit that was refunded at customer service the last night of the cruise. I have an upcoming cruise on Island Princess where I will have a large amount of OBC due to a move over offer. For those of you who had a cheque mailed to you after leaving the ship, was it refunded as US funds or did Princess convert it to Canadian funds?

[Adventures ahead]

Our OBC, $550 total for the two of us, is non-refundable. $200 of it is for shore excursions.

 

"*Please enjoy using these credits onboard as they are not refundable."