Canadian cruisers!!

[Ourusualbeach]

Hi,

 

Just booked a cruise on the Oasis for Feb 13/16.. Just trying to understand this thread about purchasing an OBC... So, it seems that it is a much better deal to purchase an OBC than buying from a Canadian Bank... the savings seem substantial... can I take advantage of this , if I booked thru Sell off Vacations and not directly through RCI? Also, if I do purchase the OBC , may I then purchase a beverage package online?? Thanks for your thread!

 

Any purchases made on line are charged immediately to your credit card at whatever the rate that they have posted is which is about 20 - 25% on most items. Best to purchase OBC at a 10% premium and purchase your beverage package, restaurant reservations etc. on board.

[Pharmtech1984]

hi.. thanks for the quick responses... yes my credit card was charged in Canadian funds... I will purchase an OBC and then once aboard will then buy one of the drink packages... How long has this service been offered? Thanks so much

[Ourusualbeach]

hi.. thanks for the quick responses... yes my credit card was charged in Canadian funds... I will purchase an OBC and then once aboard will then buy one of the drink packages... How long has this service been offered? Thanks so much

 

First reported end of January 2015.

[robtulipe]

I had no problem today getting OBCs for both DW and I for both of our upcoming Freedom cruises other than I was limited to less than $500US. The agent explained the reason was that any Gift & Gear purchases on a credit card of $500USD or over would have to be faxed in to them. I therefore went with $490USD onboard credit for each of us for both cruises and was charged $539CAD for each.

Our confirmation email also only shows only the $CAD amount that is billed to your credit card.

The confirmation for the OBC we bought for our Radiance Oz cruise last Feb. was the same and the $USD OBC was credited with no problem to both of our onboard accounts for that cruise.

 

I also called Gifts & Gear at 1-800-722-5443.

Edited August 11, 2015 by robtulipe

[Hopetotravel]

I called last night and got $500 US for $550 Can. She said nothing about having to be under $500. When I did it in early July I did the same. Must be just who you talk to.

Edited August 11, 2015 by Hopetotravel

[Genia11]

I just called and was told that the max I can add over the phone is $499 USD. If I wanted to add a higher amount, I would need to fax it it.

[Ourusualbeach]

I just called and was told that the max I can add over the phone is $499 USD. If I wanted to add a higher amount, I would need to fax it it.

 

Did you call gifts and gear or C&A.

 

I wonder if there is a difference?

 

I have always called C&A and always was able to do $500 transactions.

[hancogran]

Did you call gifts and gear or C&A.

 

I wonder if there is a difference?

 

I have always called C&A and always was able to do $500 transactions.

 

I really think it all depends on what rep you get.:confused: I called Gifts and Gear 4 times before our cruise this past May and added $500 each time, without any problem. Guess I was just lucky. :)

 

It really is a puzzle as to why some can purchase the $500 (or more) without faxing the info, yet others have to go with the $499. :confused: I don't think any of us are really complaining though.. it's just great to get such a good rate ! ;)

[mabelcat]

I just talked to the RC rep and she said that any leftover OBC will go back on the CC you paid for it with. So if you OBC of $200 US left over, it will back on your CC as $220.00

 

They don't pay you cash back..!!!

 

Also yesterday I was able to buy $500.00 per person, today $499.00

 

Go figure

:eek:

[mabelcat]

They told me it would have to go back on my credit card (in Canadian dollars)?

[A&L_Ont]

I just talked to the RC rep and she said that any leftover OBC will go back on the CC you paid for it with. So if you OBC of $200 US left over, it will back on your CC as $220.00

 

They don't pay you cash back..!!!

 

Also yesterday I was able to buy $500.00 per person, today $499.00

 

Go figure

:eek:

 

I have gotten cash back on the final day at GS in U.S. funds, even with a CC on file. They also would have given it to me in Canadian. I just said to the person working the counter that I didn't want to pay fees to my CC company and she said no problems.

[Reginaskguy]

I had earlier been able to order $500 each for spouse & myself in OBC. When trying to do so for travelling companions on same cruise I'm now told (after speaking with supervisor) that I should not have been able to do that. Instead RCI's security guidelines are to limit phone orders to fewer than $500; anything more is to be faxed in. Let sigh.

[Ourusualbeach]

I just talked to the RC rep and she said that any leftover OBC will go back on the CC you paid for it with. So if you OBC of $200 US left over, it will back on your CC as $220.00

 

They don't pay you cash back..!!!

 

Also yesterday I was able to buy $500.00 per person, today $499.00

 

Go figure

:eek:

 

Some of the reps really do not have a clue as to what actually happens on the ship.

 

If you use a credit card for your set sail pass then any leftover OBC will go to that credit card in US$ and be converted at the prevailing rates. You also have the option of going to guest services on the last evening and getting US$ cash.

[Dreamer115]

If you want the US cash go to the casino and withdraw there a few hundred dollars a day for the last few days. This is what I have learned from reading the posts in this thread.

[Virtopia]

I think what I'm going to do is buy an extremely large amount of OBC and them withdraw a bulk of it on day 2 for my excursions and on shore spending cash. I know someone who recently bought $100 US from the bank in Toronto and paid $135 CDN. If that was $400 US, it would've been $540 .... No way am I doing that.

[A&L_Ont]

If you want the US cash go to the casino and withdraw there a few hundred dollars a day for the last few days. This is what I have learned from reading the posts in this thread.

 

If your account is a cash account there is no fee. If it is a credit card account there is a 5% fee.

[mabelcat]

Hi Ken,

You seem to know the ins and outs of this..... is it true that we can get American cash out thru the casino at anytime??

If so I will add more onboard credit to my son's girlfriends account as she is a student and this declining Canadian dollar really hurts when you are on a budget.

 

My son is working on the Oasis, so maybe I will ask him if he can find out any info for me

 

So excited we get to see him after he has been away many months at sea!!!!

[mjforfunca]

Just wondering what will be the limit if any when getting cash from the casino?

[hancogran]

Just wondering what will be the limit if any when getting cash from the casino?

 

You are limited to $500 per day from the casino. :)

[Ourusualbeach]

Hi Ken,

You seem to know the ins and outs of this..... is it true that we can get American cash out thru the casino at anytime??

If so I will add more onboard credit to my son's girlfriends account as she is a student and this declining Canadian dollar really hurts when you are on a budget.

 

My son is working on the Oasis, so maybe I will ask him if he can find out any info for me

 

So excited we get to see him after he has been away many months at sea!!!!

 

Anytime that the casino is open. Just make sure that during the on line check in or at the pier you set your Seapass account up as a cash account to avoid the 5% fee.

[ladysail2]

Anytime that the casino is open. Just make sure that during the on line check in or at the pier you set your Seapass account up as a cash account to avoid the 5% fee.

 

And don't give a credit card when checking in at the terminal. Just tell them that the account will be set up as a Cash type.

[mabelcat]

talking to Royal C today, they told me to take cash out at the casino it would cost 8%, and to avoid this go to customer service and ask to take cash out????? Seemed to get mixed answers everytime I talk to them.

Was able to add $500 again today not restricted to $499 !!!

[Ourusualbeach]

talking to Royal C today, they told me to take cash out at the casino it would cost 8%, and to avoid this go to customer service and ask to take cash out????? Seemed to get mixed answers everytime I talk to them.

Was able to add $500 again today not restricted to $499 !!!

 

Royal customer service has consistently given out incorrect information regarding many aspects of this deal. The information that is posted here on this thread is from people's actual experiences on the ships and not someone sitting behind a desk guessing.

 

No fee to withdraw cash from the casino if your Seapass is set up. A cash account. You may have to remind them at the casino that you have a cash account.

 

Guest services will only give you cash back on the last day.

Edited August 14, 2015 by Ourusualbeach

[hancogran]

talking to Royal C today, they told me to take cash out at the casino it would cost 8%, and to avoid this go to customer service and ask to take cash out????? Seemed to get mixed answers everytime I talk to them.

Was able to add $500 again today not restricted to $499 !!!

 

This information is incorrect. :rolleyes: We were told the same thing on the phone by a rep from Gifts and Gear before our sailing in May (but they said 5% at that time). I can tell you that our on board account was set up as a cash account (no credit card attached), and we withdrew money from the casino many times with NO service charge.

 

When I went to the casino to make the first withdrawal, I asked the cashier if there would be any service charge and after she swiped my card she told me there wouldn't be... since we were set up as a cash account. ;)

[mabelcat]

Thanks everyone again for all the helpful information added another $500 to my account today

Better to exchange my Money with royal than here at home!!!!! Finding out this good info has been a bonus

 

2 more weeks !!