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Getaway2010

Getaway2010

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I just telephoned Royal Caribbean and was told that in order to buy more than $500 in onboard credit, I had to fax them a copy of both sides of my credit card along with my picture ID. They also tried to tell me that I could only buy onboard credit in Canadian dollars but then seemed to agree I could buy U.S. Dollars.

 

Has anyone else experienced this request?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

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leyla

leyla

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I purchased yesterday by calling the Crown & Anchor # 800-526-9723. Waited about one minute on the phone and purchased 550 US for 605 Cnd. Asked if there was a limit and they so NO; any amount. Try calling this number & if okay ask them to send you via email a copy of the Amenity confirmation. Good luck.:)

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Ourusualbeach

Ourusualbeach

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I just telephoned Royal Caribbean and was told that in order to buy more than $500 in onboard credit, I had to fax them a copy of both sides of my credit card along with my picture ID. They also tried to tell me that I could only buy onboard credit in Canadian dollars but then seemed to agree I could buy U.S. Dollars.

 

Has anyone else experienced this request?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

A few people have been told about the $500 but many of us have been able to do more than the $500 without jumping through hoops. I think that there are a couple of mis informed agents worrying the desk. Call back and hope for a different agent.

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canuckcruiselover

canuckcruiselover

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Buy your stateroom credit now at a much better exchange rate then our banks are offering! Hoping to use ours for drinks and tips..

 

Drink packages and excursions have increased in price over the last few days..

I think the exchange rate on onboard credit is still a little better.

$450 onboard credit cost us $495 Canadian

as approsed to the current bank exchange rate ( 1.26 ) which would be $568.00

 

I leave in 2 weeks so should I have RCI do the US conversion rate on my credit card instead of my bank doing it? Or is that totally different?

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Ourusualbeach

Ourusualbeach

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I leave in 2 weeks so should I have RCI do the US conversion rate on my credit card instead of my bank doing it? Or is that totally different?

 

First figure out how much money you think you will spend on board. That would be charged to your Seapass. At the end of the cruise this would be charged to your Credit card and you would pay the high exchange rates.

 

What everyone here is doing is estimating how much they will spend on board and buying OBC ahead of time. PBC is added to your account at the start of the cruise and will offset any purchases that you make on board.

 

Purchasing OBC is no different than purchasing a shore excursion or a drink package. You just tell them how much US$ OBC you want to purchase and they will sell you that amount but in CDN$ at a great rate 10% premium. So to purchase $400 US OBC it will cost you $440 CDN. You would see the $440 charged to your credit card as a purchase at RCI for $440. On board the ship $400 US will be applied to your account.

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canuckcruiselover

canuckcruiselover

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First figure out how much money you think you will spend on board. That would be charged to your Seapass. At the end of the cruise this would be charged to your Credit card and you would pay the high exchange rates.

 

What everyone here is doing is estimating how much they will spend on board and buying OBC ahead of time. PBC is added to your account at the start of the cruise and will offset any purchases that you make on board.

 

Purchasing OBC is no different than purchasing a shore excursion or a drink package. You just tell them how much US$ OBC you want to purchase and they will sell you that amount but in CDN$ at a great rate 10% premium. So to purchase $400 US OBC it will cost you $440 CDN. You would see the $440 charged to your credit card as a purchase at RCI for $440. On board the ship $400 US will be applied to your account.

 

 

Can OBC's be used in the casino?

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willing292

willing292

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sigh,.... I have so much to learn...because I thought our reservations had to always be in US... ?

 

 

 

oh well, we are fine for now.. our cruises coming up are paid for... hopefully by the time we book another one, there won't be so much confusion :D

 

 

 

Happy cruising all

 

 

You select the currency you wish to buy your cruise with. We compare RCI's US price with their Canadian price. Sometimes, the prices are so far apart, that we book in US dollars, and exchange our money at the bank. Sometimes, RCI offers a fair rate of exchange, and we book in Canadian.

 

 

Shirley, Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

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marcoigna

marcoigna

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I just telephoned Royal Caribbean and was told that in order to buy more than $500 in onboard credit, I had to fax them a copy of both sides of my credit card along with my picture ID. They also tried to tell me that I could only buy onboard credit in Canadian dollars but then seemed to agree I could buy U.S. Dollars.

 

Has anyone else experienced this request?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

 

Didn't have this issue at all. Bought 800.00. No problem.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

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son3cruisers

son3cruisers

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Give a tip, get a tip....

Thanks to whoever posted about gratuities... It was actually a few dollars cheaper Canadian.

So strange. Royal has some very strange math going on..

I too think Monday / Tueday this rate might increase with all the phone calls!

 

Good luck everyone! ;)

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goodml

goodml

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So being the total skeptic that I am :D plus the fact that I've never purchased obc before because prior to this I've never seen the point, has anyone here done this before? RCCL's accounting system is wonky so the obc doesn't show up anywhere on the reservation and we only have this amenities receipt which shows the amount in CDN funds. I really don't want to be standing at guest services arguing with some poor soul because no obc showed up as that is just not what I do on vacation. So who has purchased obc before and can tell me if it's just on there as soon as you board? Or does it show up later? Any issues with the amount not being correct? Has anyone ever run into a problem with this? Murphy's Law and all that. TIA.

Edited by goodml
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goodml

goodml

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I did go back and read the whole thread again and see that some of you were given emails to confirm the amount in USD. C & A has also assured me that they can see the prepurchased amenity in USD. I guess I'm just looking for someone to report back if all was as expected at check in.

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JoannefromNS

JoannefromNS

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Thanks to the OP and to everyone who contributed to this thread!

 

I put $500 US each on two rooms over the weekend at the $1.1 exchange rate (the agent told me that there are no restrictions as to amount). I called back this morning on behalf of my sister & the exchange rate is still $1.1. Paid $550 CDN for each $500 US

 

Joanne

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trev71

trev71

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Thanks to the OP and to everyone who contributed to this thread!

 

I put $500 US each on two rooms over the weekend at the $1.1 exchange rate (the agent told me that there are no restrictions as to amount). I called back this morning on behalf of my sister & the exchange rate is still $1.1. Paid $550 CDN for each $500 US

 

Joanne

 

 

 

Good i am glad that all our Canadiens are taking advantage of this. Makes me wonder how long they will do this for.

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Ourusualbeach

Ourusualbeach

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Is this available only by calling the 1-800 number?

 

I didn't book directly with Royal,I used an online agent- can I still call Royal and put it on?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

There were some that had booked using a TA and were able to purchase this by calling. Worth a try.

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leyla

leyla

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Is this available only by calling the 1-800 number?

 

I didn't book directly with Royal,I used an online agent- can I still call Royal and put it on?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes, anyone can call the Gift & Gear department, even someone close to you that wishes to give you a gift of OBC can do it. Gift & Gear number: 1-800 722-5443 or if you are a Crown & Anchor member call 1-800-526-9723. I found there was less of a wait with the C & A number.

 

I did purchase OBC in July for our last Oasis trip as well. The amount was posted to our on board account on day 2, same day as Royal's OBC given us for booking on board another ship back in March, 2014. As a matter of fact, back in July, was given OBC at par with American $. :D

 

Happy cruising everyone!

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leyla

leyla

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Got ours yesterday and I requested that an e-mail be sent and it was. Purchased two $300 OBC for each week of our B2B. So is it a good idea to pay the daily gratuities when we board using part of the OBC?

You can have the automatic gratuities applied on board or better yet, prepay the gratuities now and save. For some unknown reason (to me anyway) Royal seems to charge the daily grats at slightly less than the US amount. Using purchased OBC in USD and paying an extra 10% defeats the purpose.

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goodml

goodml

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Yes, anyone can call the Gift & Gear department, even someone close to you that wishes to give you a gift of OBC can do it. Gift & Gear number: 1-800 722-5443 or if you are a Crown & Anchor member call 1-800-526-9723. I found there was less of a wait with the C & A number.

 

I did purchase OBC in July for our last Oasis trip as well. The amount was posted to our on board account on day 2, same day as Royal's OBC given us for booking on board another ship back in March, 2014. As a matter of fact, back in July, was given OBC at par with American $. :D

 

Happy cruising everyone!

 

Exactly the info I was looking for. Thanks so much:)

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