Canadian cruisers!!

[JROMom]

I called today and added $600 OBC (for spa/drinks/maybe casino). Cost us only $660 Canadian :) So glad I found out about this!

[tinkertwo]

We did a B2B in late October and early November on the Oasis and we were able to get the cash on both of the cruises. We did have the OBC in BOTH of our names, if that makes a difference. Certain Casino cashiers said that we were allowed $500 - they did not elaborate and then I would say that we wanted $500 each and they would give it to us. So, sometimes you have to ask or tell them that you are allowed $500 "each" and then they will agree. We were never refused. We dealt with 4 different cashiers during the 2 week cruise and never had a problem.

 

Canuck

 

last time i made a purchase (a few weeks ago) they told me i couldn't do this. i had to put it in one name. when i mentioned i had put one under the cabin before they ignored me and still said no.

inconsistant for sure.

[CanuckCruizer]

last time i made a purchase (a few weeks ago) they told me i couldn't do this. i had to put it in one name. when i mentioned i had put one under the cabin before they ignored me and still said no.

inconsistant for sure.

 

You could call up 10 different times and talk to 10 different agents and get 10 different answers...:eek: I know one time I was able to purchase $1500 at once and then the next time, only $499 - it just depends on who you get, that is for sure!

 

Canuck

[skatie]

I suspect that cruise lines (as most businesses do), set their exchange rates once maybe twice per year and accept the ups and downs. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a new exchange rate set in the new year, but does anyone know for sure - like when was the last time they adjusted their rate from $1.10.

Edited December 28, 2015 by skatie

[mvannie]

Can you only purchase the OBC after you have paid your cruise in full or can you do it before?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[hancogran]

Can you only purchase the OBC after you have paid your cruise in full or can you do it before?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

No, you don't need to have your cruise paid in full to purchase OBC.. just need to have booked in Canadian funds. :)

Edited December 28, 2015 by hancogran

[tallgibb]

So just tried to do this today, but lady had no idea what i was talking about-- maybe I wasn't asking for it right? Help?!

 

Also i'm in a group booking, but paid in CnD funds, this wouldn't matter, would it?

[son3cruisers]

So just tried to do this today, but lady had no idea what i was talking about-- maybe I wasn't asking for it right? Help?!

 

Also i'm in a group booking, but paid in CnD funds, this wouldn't matter, would it?

 

Don't ask them anything. .. Just tell. Lol

Honestly. Less is more!

Call gifts and gear. Just ask to purchase stateroom credit in xx amount of dollars. That's it. Don't talk exchange rates...limits... It only confuses them.

 

Try again. Good luck!

[son3cruisers]

Oh... And I will add, if you are worried about the exchange rate changing, they will give you a total before they charge your credit card.

 

So, for example, I call and say I would like to purchase $100 stateroom credit.

Agent inputs transaction and then says before you give them your credit card number - ok, that will be $110.00 on your credit card .

Done.

If they give you a higher quote ( like that will be $142.00 on your credit card) you will know the deal is over .

 

I can't believe it's been a year at this rate.

[poutanen]

Call gifts and gear. Just ask to purchase stateroom credit in xx amount of dollars. That's it. Don't talk exchange rates...limits... It only confuses them.

 

Exactly my experience. I called, said I'd like to buy some onboard credit for my upcoming cruise. They asked me my booking number (I'm in a group booking for one of the upcoming weeks too), asked how much I wanted, they told me the rate of conversion ($1.10) I said WONTOSTIC, MIND BLASTING, TOO GOOD, gave them my card number and they e-mailed me a receipt. Done! :D

[Ourusualbeach]

Ken, Was all your OBC purchased in one person's name? I was thinking that might be the reason for the maximum $500 per cabin withdrawal. :confused:

 

We're sailing Oasis at the end of the month so now I'm curious. Yes, inconsistencies is right! :rolleyes: It likely wouldn't matter too much to me though, since I wouldn't likely be taking out $500 every day anyways.

 

Yes. It was all in my name and I was also the one that everyone's folio linked to. That could definitely be the reason. We only needed to take some out 2 days anyway and if it weren't for our parasailing being cancelled because of wind we wouldn't have been needed to take money out a second day.

[Newbcruiser1]

Just purchased $100US of OBC at a rate of 1.10 today! Thanks so much for the heads up!

 

Just to clarify - if I don't use all of my OBC during the cruise (and don't want it put back on my CC), OR if I find I need a bit of cash for in port... Where would I be able to "cash out" some of this OBC? Guest services, or the casino? Is there a service fee for doing so?

 

Thanks in advance! :)

[Ourusualbeach]

I suspect that cruise lines (as most businesses do), set their exchange rates once maybe twice per year and accept the ups and downs. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a new exchange rate set in the new year, but does anyone know for sure - like when was the last time they adjusted their rate from $1.10.

 

Royal updates their exchange rates quarterly and that rate is in their quarterly statements that they release. That rate is used for any cruise costs that are direct conversions from US prices, like the cruise fares themselves, drink packages, shore excursions etc.

 

They are treating the OBC as a separate entity and setting a different rate for it that does not tie to the normal exchange rates that they use. This rate has been in effect for about a year now.

[Ourusualbeach]

1. Yes you can use your OBC to pay gratuities but only if you pay gratuities onboard. Do not do prepaid gratuities as they will be charged at final payment.

 

2. The deal with the cheaper gratuities was for those of us that booked cruises back when the CDN$ was stronger than the US$ a couple of years ago, as you booked in July 2015 this would not apply.

 

3. You can choose whether to set up your account as a cash a cash or credit card account when you complete your set sail pass online prior to your cruise. You can also change this at the pier check in if you wish.

 

Cash accounts can get cash up to $500 per day from the casino. Cash from guest services is only on your last full day aboard the ship.

 

With a cash account you must stand in line to close your account and pay any remaining balance or get your cash back the last evening. To avoid this many will go to guest services the last day and give them a credit card to settle their account with to avoid standing in line.

 

By waiting until the last day to give the credit card you can get cash from the casino with no fee and then have the convenience of an easy check out with any remaining money refunded in US$ to your credit card.

 

Just purchased $100US of OBC at a rate of 1.10 today! Thanks so much for the heads up!

 

Just to clarify - if I don't use all of my OBC during the cruise (and don't want it put back on my CC), OR if I find I need a bit of cash for in port... Where would I be able to "cash out" some of this OBC? Guest services, or the casino? Is there a service fee for doing so?

 

Thanks in advance! :)

 

 

My post above should answer your question. Point #3 onward.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Ourusualbeach

[Newbcruiser1]

Thanks OurUsualBeach. I have never used a cash account onboard as it sounds like such a hassle.

 

If I were to set up a credit card account but have OBC in place to cover the charges, will I still be able to withdraw the OBC in cash either from Guest Services or from the casino during the cruise? If there is a small service charge for doing so, it likely won't make a huge difference for me as I'm talking small amounts of cash (like $100 maximum being withdrawn for the entire cruise).

 

Thanks once again!!

[Clarea]

Thanks OurUsualBeach. I have never used a cash account onboard as it sounds like such a hassle.

 

If I were to set up a credit card account but have OBC in place to cover the charges, will I still be able to withdraw the OBC in cash either from Guest Services or from the casino during the cruise? If there is a small service charge for doing so, it likely won't make a huge difference for me as I'm talking small amounts of cash (like $100 maximum being withdrawn for the entire cruise).

 

Thanks once again!!

Yes, you can withdraw cash even if you have a credit card securing your onboard account. They will charge you 5% on top of what you request.

[Queensmom2]

Thank you for posting this great info! I will call today!

[Newbcruiser1]

Just added another $100US to my account! I won't feel as bad spending a little bit more on drinks and dining knowing it's not costing me almost one and a half times! :)

 

The rep did tell me though that I cannot withdraw the unused portion as cash, and that it would be refunded to the credit card. Is he mistaken with cruise-line provided OBC perhaps?

 

Also the email confirmation says $110CAD - nothing about it being $100US. I hope they don't pull a fast one and change their exchange rate prior to the date of sailing!

[hancogran]

Just added another $100US to my account! I won't feel as bad spending a little bit more on drinks and dining knowing it's not costing me almost one and a half times! :)

 

The rep did tell me though that I cannot withdraw the unused portion as cash, and that it would be refunded to the credit card. Is he mistaken with cruise-line provided OBC perhaps?

 

Also the email confirmation says $110CAD - nothing about it being $100US. I hope they don't pull a fast one and change their exchange rate prior to the date of sailing!

 

If your SeaPass is set us as a cash account, you certainly CAN get the unused OBC (which YOU purchased) back in cash at the end of the cruise. Any OBC that you may have received from the cruiseline when you originally booked your cruise is non-refundable. You use it or you lose it!

 

Don't worry about the email stating only CAD .. we all questioned this way back when this deal first started and all of us have found we received the exact U.S. funds we purchased so no worries. :)

[Pharmtech1984]

Yet another question.. on an earlier post I read that your OBC doesn't show up until day 2 of the cruise... If I want to purchase drink packages for me and my husband on day 1, will I be able to do so with the OBC still? Thanks

[Clarea]

Yet another question.. on an earlier post I read that your OBC doesn't show up until day 2 of the cruise... If I want to purchase drink packages for me and my husband on day 1, will I be able to do so with the OBC still? Thanks

Yes, as long as your OBC shows up before the end of the cruise, you will still be able to use it. The charges are accumlated daily and any OBC is applied at the end of the cruise.

[A&L_Ont]

Does anyone know what the maximum withdrawal you can make at the casino if you have a credit card on your account? I know it will have a 5% fee. I searched the main board threads and couldn't find the answer.

[Ourusualbeach]

Does anyone know what the maximum withdrawal you can make at the casino if you have a credit card on your account? I know it will have a 5% fee. I searched the main board threads and couldn't find the answer.

 

Andrew, I saw a sign posted on the Oasis last week stating that $3000 was the daily maximum.

[A&L_Ont]

Andrew, I saw a sign posted on the Oasis last week stating that $3000 was the daily maximum.

 

Perfect. I do not plan on using it but it is good to know.

 

Is it safe to say, welcome home?

[Ourusualbeach]

Perfect. I do not plan on using it but it is good to know.

 

Is it safe to say, welcome home?

 

Arrived home and was shovelling the snow out from the driveway still wearing shorts. Wanted to turn around and head back south.