Canadian cruisers!!

[molly2kit]

Was told that my sailing on harmony (May 22 2016 [?!]) was too far out and the system wont allow him to add OBC. Told to try again in 2 weeks.

 

 

I have purchased OBC for a cruise in Nov 2016 and another in Mar 2017 so I would phone again and get a different agent. It wasn't a one time deal either as I have multiple OBC on both cruises

[Sandy 7]

Just purchased $ 200 onboard credit for $ 220 Cdn for our February cruise. Glad to see that this is still working :)

[rinse82]

The rep I got allowed me the option to make multiple OBC purchases of $500 to get around their per transaction limit.

[Russ Lomas]

Ken,

I seem to remember that either you or your wife teaches in Ontario. I noticed that you have a 12/16 cruise booked on the Freedom. For some reason, I thought I read somewhere that you had it booked the week prior to Christmas (if I am wrong about this, please forgive me).

 

I know that the Ontario government had stated that the school holidays for 2016 at Christmas would be December 17th til January 1st. My school board just posted today that they have selected to do our Christmas break from December 24th, 2016 til January 8th, 2017 now. They have asked for public input on this change, but rarely (in fact, never as far as we know) deviate from their draft plans for holidays.

 

Not sure if this will impact your plans, but wanted to make you aware of this (as well as any other Ontario people who make their vacation plans far in advance (like many of us do to get the best pricing with RCCL) since it may have repercussions for their upcoming vacation plans).

[Ourusualbeach]

Ken,

I seem to remember that either you or your wife teaches in Ontario. I noticed that you have a 12/16 cruise booked on the Freedom. For some reason, I thought I read somewhere that you had it booked the week prior to Christmas (if I am wrong about this, please forgive me).

 

I know that the Ontario government had stated that the school holidays for 2016 at Christmas would be December 17th til January 1st. My school board just posted today that they have selected to do our Christmas break from December 24th, 2016 til January 8th, 2017 now. They have asked for public input on this change, but rarely (in fact, never as far as we know) deviate from their draft plans for holidays.

 

Not sure if this will impact your plans, but wanted to make you aware of this (as well as any other Ontario people who make their vacation plans far in advance (like many of us do to get the best pricing with RCCL) since it may have repercussions for their upcoming vacation plans).

 

Hi Russ, I haven't updated my signature yet but I have also booked another cruise. Allure 6 day Jan 2 through 8th. (DW will take an unpaid day on the 9th for the drive back). Our board has done the same thing although they are not asking for public input. I booked a couple weeks ago on board the Oasis so it only cost me a couple hundred for deposits. I figured it was better to book now and cancel one than to wait until the prices have risen too much. As it is the Allure will cost me about $1500 more than the Freedom and the kids won't get to experience the Ben & Jerry's suite.

 

It's very frustrating that the Ontario government can publish a recommended schedule 4 years out yet the individual boards do not have to finalize their schedule until 6 months prior to the start of the next year. Makes planning a real challenge.

 

Thanks for thinking of us.:)

[phabric]

Ken,

I seem to remember that either you or your wife teaches in Ontario. I noticed that you have a 12/16 cruise booked on the Freedom. For some reason, I thought I read somewhere that you had it booked the week prior to Christmas (if I am wrong about this, please forgive me).

 

I know that the Ontario government had stated that the school holidays for 2016 at Christmas would be December 17th til January 1st. My school board just posted today that they have selected to do our Christmas break from December 24th, 2016 til January 8th, 2017 now. They have asked for public input on this change, but rarely (in fact, never as far as we know) deviate from their draft plans for holidays.

 

Not sure if this will impact your plans, but wanted to make you aware of this (as well as any other Ontario people who make their vacation plans far in advance (like many of us do to get the best pricing with RCCL) since it may have repercussions for their upcoming vacation plans).

 

Hi Russ, I haven't updated my signature yet but I have also booked another cruise. Allure 6 day Jan 2 through 8th. (DW will take an unpaid day on the 9th for the drive back). Our board has done the same thing although they are not asking for public input. I booked a couple weeks ago on board the Oasis so it only cost me a couple hundred for deposits. I figured it was better to book now and cancel one than to wait until the prices have risen too much. As it is the Allure will cost me about $1500 more than the Freedom and the kids won't get to experience the Ben & Jerry's suite.

 

It's very frustrating that the Ontario government can publish a recommended schedule 4 years out yet the individual boards do not have to finalize their schedule until 6 months prior to the start of the next year. Makes planning a real challenge.

 

Thanks for thinking of us.:)

 

Any idea what the Toronto School Board is deciding on????

 

I have a cruised booked for Dec 24-31, thinking that is what it would normally be.

[Ourusualbeach]

Any idea what the Toronto School Board is deciding on????

 

I have a cruised booked for Dec 24-31, thinking that is what it would normally be.

 

You should be fine with those dates as long as you don't mind possibly leaving on the Friday (23'rd). I wouldn't want to chance flying in on the day of the cruise especially rom Toronto. I was trying to book a 6 day cruise that avoided both Christmas and New Years this not paying the premium prices

[Russ Lomas]

Any idea what the Toronto School Board is deciding on????

 

I have a cruised booked for Dec 24-31, thinking that is what it would normally be.

The TDSB does not have the 2016/2017 calendars posted on their website yet (I work for the TVDSB and they do have them posted as of today). As Ken said, the week of the 24th to the 31st should definitely be ok. It will either be the first week or 2nd week of the break, but kids will definitely be off that week. Like Ken mentioned, you may want to consider an evening flight down on the 23rd however to ensure you do not have travel issues on the 24th thus causing you to miss your sailing.

[Russ Lomas]

Hi Russ, I haven't updated my signature yet but I have also booked another cruise. Allure 6 day Jan 2 through 8th. (DW will take an unpaid day on the 9th for the drive back). Our board has done the same thing although they are not asking for public input. I booked a couple weeks ago on board the Oasis so it only cost me a couple hundred for deposits. I figured it was better to book now and cancel one than to wait until the prices have risen too much. As it is the Allure will cost me about $1500 more than the Freedom and the kids won't get to experience the Ben & Jerry's suite.

 

It's very frustrating that the Ontario government can publish a recommended schedule 4 years out yet the individual boards do not have to finalize their schedule until 6 months prior to the start of the next year. Makes planning a real challenge.

 

Thanks for thinking of us.:)

Great men (or so I like to think of ourselves) think alike;)

 

I too am starting to think of hedging my bets and booking more than one cruise to eliminate issues like this in the future. There is no reason that the boards would not be able to plan the future school calendars a full year in advance but I am sure they will continue status quo and not do this. Booking two separate trips, one for each possible week, when prices are first released and then cancelling one after confirming the dates with the school board sounds like the best method.

 

I am planning on doing similar for the 2018 March Break when RCCL releases them and booking both a San Juan and Florida departure for that week. The cost of flights to San Juan are actually cheaper for March 2016 than those to Florida and San Juan cruises are usually a better deal as well. Best to book one of each and then when airfare is released 6 months after booking the cruises, select which place I want to fly into.

 

Glad to hear you booked a January 2nd cruise on the Allure. I was looking at doing the January 2nd-8th six day cruise as well since they do not include Christmas/New Year's holidays which the cruise lines jack up the prices on. I notice there are a lot of 5 and 6 day cruises leaving on January 2nd of 2017 (nobody wants to kick people off the ship on the Sunday after partying all night I guess). I too was looking at taking January 9th off without pay so we could drive home after a 6 day cruise beginning on January 2nd. I could drive for $300 return as opposed to a $3000-$5000 expense to fly my family of 6 to Florida and back. Well worth one day without pay.

 

Have an awesome cruise.

[happy cruiser1234]

Hi Russ, Thanks for the heads up on the change of dates for christmas break. I really hope they don't change it now. We are booked on the same cruise that Ken is and we got an amazing deal. I would hate to give it up now. :(

Serena

[phabric]

Any idea when TDSB post their dates?

 

Would like to save going a week before a week after expensive dates?

 

Booked out of San Juan Dec 24-31 on the Adventure, plan on flying out Dec 23.

[glu92]

Hi Everyone!

 

Happy New Year! A few friends and I are planning on booking a cruise on the Freedom for April 2016. We've never used OBC before but from reading the posts on this thread, it looks awesome!

 

From what I gather from the posts, I have to contact Gifts & Gear after I book and request to book xx amount of OBC and I will automatically be given a 1.10% exchange rate. Based on how much I want to buy, I may have to call multiple times to get different max limits.

 

For any OBC not used, I can cash out in US funds at the casino during the last day of the cruise.

 

My questions are:

1. Am I able to also add a credit card if I choose to?

2. Is there a way for me to get the unused OBC funds back in CAD?

3. Can I use the OBC for excursions? Or is it just for on board purchases?

4. Can someone explain the cash account?

5. Can we use one OBC account for all 3 of us or do we each have to buy our own?

 

Thanks in advance!!:):):):):)

[Ourusualbeach]

Great men (or so I like to think of ourselves) think alike;)

 

I too am starting to think of hedging my bets and booking more than one cruise to eliminate issues like this in the future. There is no reason that the boards would not be able to plan the future school calendars a full year in advance but I am sure they will continue status quo and not do this. Booking two separate trips, one for each possible week, when prices are first released and then cancelling one after confirming the dates with the school board sounds like the best method.

 

I am planning on doing similar for the 2018 March Break when RCCL releases them and booking both a San Juan and Florida departure for that week. The cost of flights to San Juan are actually cheaper for March 2016 than those to Florida and San Juan cruises are usually a better deal as well. Best to book one of each and then when airfare is released 6 months after booking the cruises, select which place I want to fly into.

 

Glad to hear you booked a January 2nd cruise on the Allure. I was looking at doing the January 2nd-8th six day cruise as well since they do not include Christmas/New Year's holidays which the cruise lines jack up the prices on. I notice there are a lot of 5 and 6 day cruises leaving on January 2nd of 2017 (nobody wants to kick people off the ship on the Sunday after partying all night I guess). I too was looking at taking January 9th off without pay so we could drive home after a 6 day cruise beginning on January 2nd. I could drive for $300 return as opposed to a $3000-$5000 expense to fly my family of 6 to Florida and back. Well worth one day without pay.

 

Have an awesome cruise.

 

The drive down this Christmas was great. Still couldn't get over the fact that filling up the car I was getting change back from $30.:eek: I was just under $300 in gas down and back from Oshawa to FLL with a side trip to Orlando on the way back. DW took an unpaid day this Christmas and will do so at March break as well. Like you said...so much cheaper than airfare. I've even considered driving to Florida to get a flight to San Juan...I've seen some sub $200 flights return.

[Ourusualbeach]

Hi Everyone!

 

Happy New Year! A few friends and I are planning on booking a cruise on the Freedom for April 2016. We've never used OBC before but from reading the posts on this thread, it looks awesome!

 

From what I gather from the posts, I have to contact Gifts & Gear after I book and request to book xx amount of OBC and I will automatically be given a 1.10% exchange rate. Based on how much I want to buy, I may have to call multiple times to get different max limits.

 

For any OBC not used, I can cash out in US funds at the casino during the last day of the cruise.

 

My questions are:

1. Am I able to also add a credit card if I choose to?

2. Is there a way for me to get the unused OBC funds back in CAD?

3. Can I use the OBC for excursions? Or is it just for on board purchases?

4. Can someone explain the cash account?

5. Can we use one OBC account for all 3 of us or do we each have to buy our own?

 

Thanks in advance!!:):):):):)

 

OBC not used can be cashed out the last day at guest services.

 

You can cash out OBC at casino any day...if you have a cash account there is no fee...if you have a credit card account there is a 5% fee.

 

Take the funds in US and have your own bank convert to CDN...you will be further ahead.

 

Any excursions you book on board will come out of OBC. If you book anything ahead of time you have to pay for by credit card in CDN (at inflated prices) when you book it.

 

If you each want separate accounts then yes you can each buy OBC in your own name. If one person is responsible for the account for all in the cabin then you can just buy OBC for the 1 person.

 

 

A cash account means that there is no credit card on file. You basically agree to settle your account in cash at the end of the cruise. Royal will allow you to charge up to $500 before asking you to pay down your account. If you have 500 OBC then you could charge $1000 before being asked to pay down your account.

[Ourusualbeach]

Hi Russ, Thanks for the heads up on the change of dates for christmas break. I really hope they don't change it now. We are booked on the same cruise that Ken is and we got an amazing deal. I would hate to give it up now. :(

Serena

 

Hi Serena, sorry I never posted on that roll call. I totally forgot that you were booked on it. We found out a couple days before we left for our Christmas cruise about the possible change.

 

That deal on the Freedom sailing was nice and I'll be sorry to lose it as well if that's what happens.

[happy cruiser1234]

Hi Serena, sorry I never posted on that roll call. I totally forgot that you were booked on it. We found out a couple days before we left for our Christmas cruise about the possible change.

 

That deal on the Freedom sailing was nice and I'll be sorry to lose it as well if that's what happens.

 

The kids are trying to convince me that they can miss that week of school. LOL...My youngest will be in grade 8 so I wouldn't have a problem with that. But the oldest will be in Grade 11, she could miss a lot at that time of year. Hopefully the school board will have their final decision soon. Please let me know if you decide to cancel that cruise, because if we keep it i would Love to have your cabin!:)

[Ourusualbeach]

The kids are trying to convince me that they can miss that week of school. LOL...My youngest will be in grade 8 so I wouldn't have a problem with that. But the oldest will be in Grade 11, she could miss a lot at that time of year. Hopefully the school board will have their final decision soon. Please let me know if you decide to cancel that cruise, because if we keep it i would Love to have your cabin!:)

 

Absolutely if we do not go I will post and wait for a response on the roll call about the cabins.

 

We have both 6305 and 6307 connecting promenades. Are you in promenade cabins now? If so that's great as it would be a no cost switch.

 

Hopefully we will know in March.

 

I agree with you about the kids in school. Up till gr 8 it's really not an issue. Things change once they hit high school. DD is in gr 9 and its semestered so missing even a couple of days is a lot to catch up on. Can't imagine her missing a week.

[glu92]

thanks so much :)

[glu92]

OBC not used can be cashed out the last day at guest services.

 

You can cash out OBC at casino any day...if you have a cash account there is no fee...if you have a credit card account there is a 5% fee.

 

Take the funds in US and have your own bank convert to CDN...you will be further ahead.

 

Any excursions you book on board will come out of OBC. If you book anything ahead of time you have to pay for by credit card in CDN (at inflated prices) when you book it.

 

If you each want separate accounts then yes you can each buy OBC in your own name. If one person is responsible for the account for all in the cabin then you can just buy OBC for the 1 person.

 

 

A cash account means that there is no credit card on file. You basically agree to settle your account in cash at the end of the cruise. Royal will allow you to charge up to $500 before asking you to pay down your account. If you have 500 OBC then you could charge $1000 before being asked to pay down your account.

 

thanks so much:):)

[son3cruisers]

. DW took an unpaid day this Christmas and will do so at March break as well. .

 

Well , how lucky are you ( your wife) to be able to take unpaid days right before the break !! Our board does not allow unpaid days or even time owing - nothing - allowed the day before or after Christmas and March break. If you happen to be sick, even for one of the days, a doctor's note is required. I would love to be able to leave the Thursday before the break, and would gladly give up a days pay ! The savings would cover it for sure! We paid top dollar this year to fly out on Friday night. Last year , for our 8 day, the only flight we could book was the day of the cruise. Never again!!!

[Ourusualbeach]

Well , how lucky are you ( your wife) to be able to take unpaid days right before the break !! Our board does not allow unpaid days or even time owing - nothing - allowed the day before or after Christmas and March break. If you happen to be sick, even for one of the days, a doctor's note is required. I would love to be able to leave the Thursday before the break, and would gladly give up a days pay ! The savings would cover it for sure! We paid top dollar this year to fly out on Friday night. Last year , for our 8 day, the only flight we could book was the day of the cruise. Never again!!!

 

It has only been since the last contract (3 years ago) that they have been allowed to do this. Up to 5 unpaid days per year no questions asked. Prior to this they had to follow the same rules as you do...Drs note etc. If it were not for that there is no way we could do the 7 day cruises on Oasis or Allure without flying which would eat into our vacation budget significantly.

 

I had thought that it was a province wide initiative that had been put in place but apparently it wasn't. It was initially put in place to save the board money as they do not pay substitute teachers the same rate as permanent teachers.

[J-Wo]

Yes, but it can't be done until the last full day on board. Go early in the morning before the lines at guest services get too long.

 

 

So is this what everyone on here does? If you have a balance remaining in OBC after paying your gratuities, you can always withdraw from guest services (on the last sailing day) and get USD cash?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ourusualbeach]

So is this what everyone on here does? If you have a balance remaining in OBC after paying your gratuities, you can always withdraw from guest services (on the last sailing day) and get USD cash?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That's one way, just do it early in the day on your last full day to avoid lines at guest services.

 

Another way is to have a credit card on file and then any remaining balance will be credited back to your credit card in US$ (as long as you select that option and don't allow Royal to do the conversion)

[monctonguy]

Based on my last cruise..I could not cash out of the casino on the first day with a Cash account and using OBC I had pre-purchased.

 

They said it took up to 24hrs to show at the cash cage, even though Guest Services could confirm the OBC AND I had the certificates in my room confirming the amount.

 

Perhaps it was the ship or the people working...but that's what I was told. After 2 hours and 5 trips back and forth between Guest Services and the cash cage of complaining I was able to access some cash.

 

Just a word of caution for any of those that may want some cash that first day for the casino.

[shanley]

Ken,

I seem to remember that either you or your wife teaches in Ontario. I noticed that you have a 12/16 cruise booked on the Freedom. For some reason, I thought I read somewhere that you had it booked the week prior to Christmas (if I am wrong about this, please forgive me).

 

I know that the Ontario government had stated that the school holidays for 2016 at Christmas would be December 17th til January 1st. My school board just posted today that they have selected to do our Christmas break from December 24th, 2016 til January 8th, 2017 now. They have asked for public input on this change, but rarely (in fact, never as far as we know) deviate from their draft plans for holidays.

 

Not sure if this will impact your plans, but wanted to make you aware of this (as well as any other Ontario people who make their vacation plans far in advance (like many of us do to get the best pricing with RCCL) since it may have repercussions for their upcoming vacation plans).

 

 

That is really annoying. We will be missing a few days of school if they change it for my board. We'll be leaving no later than 22nd.

 

The last time the break went so close to Christmas a lot of kids missed the Thursday and about half the kids missed the Friday.

 

I don't understand why the break needs to be Monday - Friday, they could still do two weeks starting on a Wednesday.

 

I'm already thinking about what I want to do for the 2017 Christmas break based on the provincial calendar.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk