Question for Canadians

[Ruthk]

As I am sure we all are watching our dollar dropping as fast as the oil prices, I am wondering about future cruise bookings.

 

We have been spoiled in the last number of years and transferred our booking to U.S. based travel agents and received all kinds of wonderful discounts and OBC.

Now there doesn't seem to be much advantage.

 

Has anyone ever found a Canadian agent who was as generous as the U.S. Agents are? We are cruising next month and don't really know how to book our next cruise. help!!!

[RickT]

I've never found one. I did get a few recommendations but the best I've seen is a $100 (total) shipboard credit and that is only occasionally.

 

I used to use a US TA who normally gave $100 per person but with the volatility of the Canadian dollar I stopped using them last year. I've found the exchange rate between US $ bookings and CDN $ bookings to be more than fair and it seems to offset the lack of any extras a TA might provide as well as gives me comfort in knowing my real cost to the cruise.

 

I also find another benefit from booking in Canadian $ and that is all the extras (bev package upgrade, speciality restaurants, excursions) are also priced favourably in Canadian dollars.

 

If/when the dollars come close to parity I'll look at US TA's but for now I just book directly with Celebrity and don't worry about it.

Edited January 8, 2015 by RickT

[Queen of Oakville]

I prefer to pay in US funds. I stock US funds and have a USD credit card.

 

To answer your question, I have never found a Canadian agent to give OBC anywhere close to what the US agents get.

 

I've just done my first booking through a US agent. Service was on par, so I cant complaint about that. I'm getting about $250 more in OBC credit than I have ever received from a Canadian agent. Pretty happy about that. I booked on board and then had my ressie transferred after I confirmed what the US TA would give me (this is on top of 123GO).

[Scrappytraveller]

There are US agents who will book your cruise in $CDN and give perks as well.

Unfortunately CC does not allow us to mention names, so I would suggest emailing various agencies and asking whether they book in $CDN. I just booked one and the price in $CDN worked out to be about 1.09 of the $US price, a very favorable rate these days. Plus you don't have a F/X fee charged by your credit card.

 

(Note that the perks are in USD, so if you look at them as a percentage of your cruise cost, you have to convert the cost back to USD.)

[Cruise Junky]

My TA books in both US and CDN but Celebrities new cruises are pegged at 13% exchange rate. We're looking at switching our 2016 cruise to a Europe land trip. Will keep our cruise reservation for a while but we'll start looking elsewhere

 

 

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[BrendaJ]

I book with an on-line agent that gives me decent onboard credit, and I can choose to pay in U.S. or Canadian dollars. My OBC has ranged from $125 for a 4 night cruise in Concierge Class to $650 for a 7 night cruise in a Royal Suite this May. My main reason for booking with her is the fast response I get when I e-mail her. The OBC is just a bonus.

[tings66]

Hi there-- I have not used a US TA before , but I have used a TA here in Halifax that buys blocks of cabins and I have saved hundreds of dollars because of their discounted group pricing. We are sailing on Silhouette in March 2015 and Constellation in May 2015--- I booked both through the TA, saved over $500 with the Europe cruise (compared to celebrity pricing) and about $250 with our Silhouette sailing. Both also came with additional OBC (but not the large amounts you see with the US TA's). Well worth it.

[Searanger]

I find booking directly with the cruise line websites offer the best prices in Canadian Dollars. Recently booked HAL, RCCL and Celebrity all in Canadian dollars. Cruise lines all offered a better price then I could find when comparing any of the large U.S. cruise booking agents. They (Travel agent) may offer some credit perks, but when you seriously crunch the numbers it is far better not paying in US dollars and converting them back to CND on your credit card. I normally pre-pay gratuities and selected shore excursions in advance and in Canadian dollars prior to departure.

[bccolaman]

I transfer our Cdn bookings to a U.S. agency and get sizeable OBC. They are out there.

[monicajay]

I transfer our Cdn bookings to a U.S. agency and get sizeable OBC. They are out there.

 

Too bad we aren't allowed to share these :rolleyes:. I have yet to find one who can take the booking and keep the CDN booking rate.

 

I get frustrated reading about everybody and their OBC

Edited January 9, 2015 by monicajay

[bccolaman]

Too bad we aren't allowed to share these :rolleyes:. I have yet to find one who can take the booking and keep the CDN booking rate.

 

I get frustrated reading about everybody and their OBC

 

You can email me xstcher at hot****. com

[Cruise Junky]

I bit the bullet this morning and switched our 2016 Med. Cruise to Canadian Dollars at Celebrity's 13% exchange rate. I'll leave our 2017 AU cruise alone.

[Mac7881]

Bccolaman, may we email you too?

[bccolaman]

Bccolaman, may we email you too?

 

Sure!

[JasYHZ]

I'm the same way - I have a US based agent and we used to book on board (in USD as the CAD dollar was close to par) to get the ships perks and then transfer to the agent. But they recently became able to handle CAD bookings so now with $1.00 US equalling $1.20 Canadian we book the same way but use CAD.

 

I've compared the USD and CAD prices on some of our upcoming booked cruises and the CAD equivalent is close to what we'd pay if we left the booking alone in USD after all is said and done. But even if we save the 3% currency charge that our American Express charges every bit helps. For example: we are booked on the November Eclipse Transatlantic from Southampton to Miami. We're booked at USD$1609 for a C2; Celebrity is currently selling it at CAD$2149. If I do a quick conversion for the exchange plus credit card fee it's going to appear on my credit card statement at around CAD$1960 - so I'm ahead around $200 on this one.

 

Send me a message if you'd like some info on the US agent.

 

 

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Edited January 11, 2015 by JasYHZ

[Cruise Junky]

One of the downfalls of switching currency is you do have to cancel and rebook so you will be paying current rates and may lose perks. That's why I had my TA do my 2016 cruise so far in advance while the pick your perk is still being offered and there have been no price increases yet. I paid an extra 13% vs 20% that is the current exchange rate plus CC fees

Edited January 11, 2015 by Cruise Junky

[drakes2]

I also usually book with a US based TA and did so for our upcoming cruise in less than two weeks on the Reflection. When I booked in November the dollar was a bit more favourable and would have been = to the same when converted into CDN currency. However, the US TA was offering a $150 onboard credit. Can't seem to find a Canadian TA that will even give you so much as a bottle of wine to enjoy onboard. If I had to book that same cruise today I'd book in CDN and forgo the OBC. It hurts to have to pay over 20 cents on the dollar now.

I'm the same way - I have a US based agent and we used to book on board (in USD as the CAD dollar was close to par) to get the ships perks and then transfer to the agent. But they recently became able to handle CAD bookings so now with $1.00 US equalling $1.20 Canadian we book the same way but use CAD.

 

I've compared the USD and CAD prices on some of our upcoming booked cruises and the CAD equivalent is close to what we'd pay if we left the booking alone in USD after all is said and done. But even if we save the 3% currency charge that our American Express charges every bit helps. For example: we are booked on the November Eclipse Transatlantic from Southampton to Miami. We're booked at USD$1609 for a C2; Celebrity is currently selling it at CAD$2149. If I do a quick conversion for the exchange plus credit card fee it's going to appear on my credit card statement at around CAD$1960 - so I'm ahead around $200 on this one.

 

Send me a message if you'd like some info on the US agent.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[OkanaganRon]

I booked with a Canadian agency (same name subsidiary of well known US agency) and received $100. OBC credit without asking.

[Christine Frances]

One of the downfalls of switching currency is you do have to cancel and rebook so you will be paying current rates and may lose perks. That's why I had my TA do my 2016 cruise so far in advance while the pick your perk is still being offered and there have been no price increases yet. I paid an extra 13% vs 20% that is the current exchange rate plus CC fees

 

Get an Amazon card - I'm very happy with it https://www.chase.com/online/canada/amazon-ca-home.htm

I guess it's a decision between points and 2.5 % lol

Edited January 11, 2015 by Christine Frances

[Cruise Junky]

Get an Amazon card - I'm very happy with it https://www.chase.com/online/canada/amazon-ca-home.htm

I guess it's a decision between points and 2.5 % lol

 

It would still be 18.5% vs 13% so I'd rather stick to my Travel AMEX that comes with insurance and points :)

[Westbeachers]

Hi there-- I have not used a US TA before , but I have used a TA here in Halifax that buys blocks of cabins and I have saved hundreds of dollars because of their discounted group pricing. We are sailing on Silhouette in March 2015 and Constellation in May 2015--- I booked both through the TA, saved over $500 with the Europe cruise (compared to celebrity pricing) and about $250 with our Silhouette sailing. Both also came with additional OBC (but not the large amounts you see with the US TA's). Well worth it.

 

Great Info. :D

[YYC F/A]

Some TA's will have group blocks and if they have early booking group pricing, it can be hundreds less than prevailing rates. This applies to both CAD and USD agencies.

 

Check with some of the cruise specialist agencies in your area in Canada and ask if they ever have any special booking promotions.

 

A group fare could save you a lot, still get you discounted CAD rates, and you'll usually get an OBC, specialty dining credit, or some other amenity like a shore excursion as well.

 

As has been suggested above, make a few calls or send out a few emails and see what you get back. In Canada at least, most of the cruise specialty agencies will have group blocks on a large number of sailings.

[elapel01]

I prefer to pay in US funds. I stock US funds and have a USD credit card.

 

To answer your question, I have never found a Canadian agent to give OBC anywhere close to what the US agents get.

 

I've just done my first booking through a US agent. Service was on par, so I cant complaint about that. I'm getting about $250 more in OBC credit than I have ever received from a Canadian agent. Pretty happy about that. I booked on board and then had my ressie transferred after I confirmed what the US TA would give me (this is on top of 123GO).

 

You are so lucky to have found someone. I am just finding out about what I have been missing all along. I even lost out on the all inclusive deal because I didn't want my TA to lose booking. By next day the prices for Cat CC had gone up by $200-$250.

[Queen of Oakville]

You are so lucky to have found someone. I am just finding out about what I have been missing all along. I even lost out on the all inclusive deal because I didn't want my TA to lose booking. By next day the prices for Cat CC had gone up by $200-$250.

 

I was wrong. I actually have $300 OBC from the US TA plus $550 from X.

 

You have to look at your net. Some agents may not give OBC but may give you reduced fares, which at the end of the day is cash in your pocket. But if all agents are quoting the same X price - then the offered OBC makes a big difference.

[C 2 C]

We're having the same issue using an American TA which gives about 9% obc in addition to Celebrity perks but only accepts US$.

 

We have two Chase cards, a Marriott card and an Amazon card which do not charge exchange fees.