Funbobby68 Posted March 4, 2016 #2626 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I checked two days ago and it was 1.50. I asked how often the rate was set and was transferred to a supervisor. He told me that with the fluctuating dollar, it is re visited every 1 to 2 weeks and recommended that I keep checking back as he said things can change quickly. I will check in a few days dollar seams to be going in the right direction, so maybe fingers crossed they might go to mid 1.30's Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted March 4, 2016 #2627 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I will check in a few days dollar seams to be going in the right direction, so maybe fingers crossed they might go to mid 1.30's Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app The cruise I booked today was at less than 1.30 so $1.50 for OBC is crazy high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted March 4, 2016 #2628 Share Posted March 4, 2016 1.5 for OBC???...official rate at the banks is around 1.38....you would be stupid to pay them 1.5..... I cant believe they went that high as the dollar as NEVER been at that rate recently.....even when it bottomed out at 68.39 But Royals pricing on their cruises' seems to be around 25-30% exchange rate which is pretty fair...too bad their OBC wasn't the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Jacquelyn Posted March 4, 2016 #2629 Share Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) Wow, they are clueless. I just had a supervisor tell me that the 1.5 rate was set when the booking opened for the sailing. The booking opened a year ago, when the exchange rate was around 1.25. They assured me that when the booking opened (ie-1 year ago), the exchange rate was 1.5. This morning, the exchange rate is around 1.35. Is this Royal Caribbean's new business model? To tack a 15% commission onto exchange rate? And then try to convince the customer that is what the exchange rate really was? Edited March 4, 2016 by Host Jacquelyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted March 4, 2016 #2630 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Wow, they are clueless. I just had a supervisor tell me that the 1.5 rate was set when the booking opened for the sailing. The booking opened a year ago, when the exchange rate was around 1.25. They assured me that when the booking opened (ie-1 year ago), the exchange rate was 1.5. So is this Royal Caribbean's new business model? To tack a 15% commission onto exchange rate? And then try to convince the customer that is what the exchange rate really was? I'm not suggesting you do this, just curious of you can. If you're booked in Canadian, can you just add OBC in US to your account and let your credit card do the exchange? I realize it's not as beneficial as the great Canadian rate they used to have but certainly better than the ridiculous 1.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Jacquelyn Posted March 4, 2016 #2631 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I'm not suggesting you do this, just curious of you can. If you're booked in Canadian, can you just add OBC in US to your account and let your credit card do the exchange? I realize it's not as beneficial as the great Canadian rate they used to have but certainly better than the ridiculous 1.5 Nope. Since the booking was in CDN$, it will automatically convert at 1.5. I spoke to Resolutions who told me that I could do exactly what you suggested, but when she tried she realized she could not. In any case, I am not sailing for a while and I am sure this 1.5 will be adjusted, but at this point the rate is just plain userious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted March 4, 2016 #2632 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Nope. Since the booking was in CDN$, it will automatically convert at 1.5. I spoke to Resolutions who told me that I could do exactly what you suggested, but when she tried she realized she could not. In any case, I am not sailing for a while and I am sure this 1.5 will be adjusted, but at this point the rate is just plain userious. Is that the case with anything you prepurchase too, such as Drink Packages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Jacquelyn Posted March 4, 2016 #2633 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Is that the case with anything you prepurchase too, such as Drink Packages? I didn't think so. Onboard Credit goes through Gifts and Gear, which is different from Drink Packages or Excursions. I didn't try though, so I can't say what exchange rate they use. Crazy that they are juggling multiple exchange rates :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funbobby68 Posted March 4, 2016 #2634 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Tough pill to swallow, 90.00+ dollars cnd per day for drink package Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virtopia Posted March 4, 2016 #2635 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Tough pill to swallow, 90.00+ dollars cnd per day for drink package Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app I saw that too and cringed ... and Chops for $49 CDN. I really hope they have the drink cards on my sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted March 4, 2016 #2636 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Well apparently third time and 25 mins on hold did the trick. I got my extra 5%. I also had them add back in the prepaid gratuities that I initially removed as they're being calculated at 21% Thanks everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funbobby68 Posted March 4, 2016 #2637 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I saw that too and cringed ... and Chops for $49 CDN. I really hope they have the drink cards on my sailing. From what I've heard the card only come out the last few days Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hancogran Posted March 4, 2016 #2638 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Well apparently third time and 25 mins on hold did the trick. I got my extra 5%. I also had them add back in the prepaid gratuities that I initially removed as they're being calculated at 21% Thanks everyone Glad it worked out for you. There was no reason you shouldn't have got it in the first place. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hancogran Posted March 4, 2016 #2639 Share Posted March 4, 2016 From what I've heard the card only come out the last few days Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app On Oasis this past January, the card was being advertised late Tuesday so that's when we bought it. We found the 10 drink card worked out great for us. It really was a good deal...just keep your eyes on all the signs around the ship and you'll see it advertised somewhere. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Jacquelyn Posted March 5, 2016 #2640 Share Posted March 5, 2016 I just added prepaid tips to my booking, thanks to this thread! They are using a 1.23 exchange rate. If the dollar improves beyond this, they can always be removed / repriced prior to final sailing. Thanks, guys!! :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rance Posted March 5, 2016 #2641 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Thank you to everyone on this thread...I called and they took $300 of my promenade cabin on harmony. Should I pre pay tips now ? Or buy OBC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moopetguy Posted March 5, 2016 #2642 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Thank you to everyone on this thread...I called and they took $300 of my promenade cabin on harmony.Should I pre pay tips now ? Or buy OBC? If the Gifts & Gear people are still selling OBC at $1.50 CAD to $1.00 USD then definitely don't buy that :eek: On my Grandeur sailing, pre-paid gratuities were $15.91 CAD per person, per day, so an effective rate of approximately 1.23 ($12.95 USD non-suite). You should check what they'll charge you in CAD and see if it's a good deal -- it likely will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted March 5, 2016 #2643 Share Posted March 5, 2016 If the Gifts & Gear people are still selling OBC at $1.50 CAD to $1.00 USD then definitely don't buy that :eek: On my Grandeur sailing, pre-paid gratuities were $15.91 CAD per person, per day, so an effective rate of approximately 1.23 ($12.95 USD non-suite). You should check what they'll charge you in CAD and see if it's a good deal -- it likely will be. That's the rate I got booking yesterday. I initially had them remove the prepaid gears but then I did the math and had them add them back on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rance Posted March 5, 2016 #2644 Share Posted March 5, 2016 When I pull up my reservation in cruise planner all the prices are in CAD$.Is there a way to purchase packages in USD? The premium drink package is showing $92 PER DAY CDN...but website shows $59 USD. That is a bad exchange rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted March 5, 2016 #2645 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Just bought some US$ at the bank today and the rate I was charged was 1.36. Definitely cheaper than Royals rate currently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hancogran Posted March 5, 2016 #2646 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Just bought some US$ at the bank today and the rate I was charged was 1.36. Definitely cheaper than Royals rate currently. :) That sure is a better rate than Royal is offering! I got some US at the bank last week and it was $1.38 so it's heading in the right direction. Hope it continues! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hancogran Posted March 5, 2016 #2647 Share Posted March 5, 2016 (edited) When I pull up my reservation in cruise planner all the prices are in CAD$.Is there a way to purchase packages in USD? The premium drink package is showing $92 PER DAY CDN...but website shows $59 USD. That is a bad exchange rate. You can wait till you board and purchase the package in US dollars. If you purchased your cruise in CAD then everything that you purchase for it prior to sailing (drink packages, excursions,etc.) will also be in CAD. Edited March 5, 2016 by hancogran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted March 5, 2016 #2648 Share Posted March 5, 2016 :) That sure is a better rate than Royal is offering! I got some US at the bank last week and it was $1.38 so it's heading in the right direction. Hope it continues! I could have bought it today for 1.34...definitely heading in the right direction :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rance Posted March 5, 2016 #2649 Share Posted March 5, 2016 You can wait till you board and purchase the package in US dollars. If you purchased your cruise in CAD then everything that you purchase for it prior to sailing (drink packages, excursions,etc.) will also be in CAD. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted March 5, 2016 #2650 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Just bought some US$ at the bank today and the rate I was charged was 1.36. Definitely cheaper than Royals rate currently. I just withdrew some from my US account today. It wasn't painful, and if I don't spend all my OBC onboard I will be brining more home than I took down. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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