Pre purchase of onboard credit - attention/ question for Canadian cruisers

[Josie2]

If anyone reads the Royal Caribbean board, you will see a lengthy thread about the deal for Canadians in pre purchasing on board credit at an advantageous exchange rate. We did this on our recent Oasis cruise. We are cruising the Equinox later this year. I noted that I can pre purchase on board credits, seemingly in only one denomination, at a cost of $27.20 Canadian. Does anyone know how much USD this will get me? If it's $25 USD that's an excellent rate.

 

Any insight would be welcome. Thanks.

[matt0148]

$25 USD.

 

Keep in mind if you booked through a US travel agent and booked your cruise in USD you will be charged USD so you won't get this great rate.

[Cruise Junky]

$25 USD.

 

Keep in mind if you booked through a US travel agent and booked your cruise in USD you will be charged USD so you won't get this great rate.

 

Who you book with doesn't matter. It all depends on what currency your cruise is booked in. I'm booked with a US agent but my booking is in Canadian.

[Josie2]

I'm booked in CDN funds with a CDN agent. Great deal.

[upwarduk]

There are already a couple of threads on this subject.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2156280&page=11

Edited March 8, 2015 by upwarduk

[matt0148]

Who you book with doesn't matter. It all depends on what currency your cruise is booked in. I'm booked with a US agent but my booking is in Canadian.

 

That's why I said booked in USD :)

[SuntanD]

I am Canadian, but booked my cruise in US funds. I too thought WOW, $108.80 for $100 OBC so jumped in and purchased $400. I specifically authorized my credit card to charge me the $108.80 CDN. When I got my statement last week, I was charged $128.56 with the US conversion. I called my credit card company and disputed it and they are crediting me back the difference. Celebrity was of no help to me and basically brushed me off.

 

Definitely a lesson learnt!

 

D~

[Dawg74]

We purchased a bunch of on board credit and also paid $27.20 CAN for $25 US. It showed up on my credit card at the proper exchange rate although the receipt I got from celebrity only showed what I paid not what I purchased, I didn't really like that and called to confirm again.

 

Also, I asked the person from Gifts by Celebrity about taking money out in the casino, she told me I can get cash in the casino as many people on here have indicated for a 5% charge. Based on that we are planning on withdrawing money from our sea pass which will in turn be covered by the OBC we purchased. Of course we will spend some money on board but we bought extra so we could take some for shore excursions. The Canadian exchange rate is just so crappy right now that we thought we would try it. Hopefully it goes smoothly. :rolleyes:

[az_tchr]

I am Canadian, but booked my cruise in US funds. I too thought WOW, $108.80 for $100 OBC so jumped in and purchased $400. I specifically authorized my credit card to charge me the $108.80 CDN. When I got my statement last week, I was charged $128.56 with the US conversion. I called my credit card company and disputed it and they are crediting me back the difference. Celebrity was of no help to me and basically brushed me off.

 

Definitely a lesson learnt!

 

D~

 

The problem is you booked your cruise in USD so everything related to your cruise is in USD. If you had booked in CDN you would have gotten the other rate for OBC.

[DebbieActon]

I did this today. $200 USD OBC for $217 CDN!:D

[soccerdad64]

Yes the exchange rate is terrible but I'm still paying for my cruise in US funds even adding 30% to the us rate I'm still ahead about $100. Plus I got $450.00 OBC. So I'm still ahead I think.

[monicajay]

Worked fine, just got off the Summit and had $100 USD for the $108.80 CAD. Awesome rate of exchange. It took a few days though for us to get the confirmation.

[Dawg74]

Yes the exchange rate is terrible but I'm still paying for my cruise in US funds even adding 30% to the us rate I'm still ahead about $100. Plus I got $450.00 OBC. So I'm still ahead I think.

 

Luckily we booked this cruise a year and a half ago when the exchange rate was still around par so the Canadian price was very similar and we were still able to take advantage of the OBC offer in US dollars.

[Josie2]

Thought I'd post this update on today's purchases.

 

I pre-purchased, on-line, dinner at Tuscan Grill. Cost was $42.40 Cdn. per person. I understand the on-board price is now $50 USD pp. Good deal.

 

I also upgraded our beverage package from classic to premium. This came at a cost of $14.28 (gratuities included) Cdn. pp/per day, which I now realize after getting off the phone, is not a good deal.

 

Does anyone know if I can cancel the upgrade? I'd be better off buying OBC and upgrading once on board. I wish I could do this on-line instead of having to call.

[taikoshiba]

We purchased a bunch of on board credit and also paid $27.20 CAN for $25 US. It showed up on my credit card at the proper exchange rate although the receipt I got from celebrity only showed what I paid not what I purchased, I didn't really like that and called to confirm again.

 

Also, I asked the person from Gifts by Celebrity about taking money out in the casino, she told me I can get cash in the casino as many people on here have indicated for a 5% charge. Based on that we are planning on withdrawing money from our sea pass which will in turn be covered by the OBC we purchased. Of course we will spend some money on board but we bought extra so we could take some for shore excursions. The Canadian exchange rate is just so crappy right now that we thought we would try it. Hopefully it goes smoothly. :rolleyes:

 

We're from Canada (Ontario) and will be on the Equinox in 27 days (yes, the countdown is on!). Just as Dawg74 has written, with the Cdn dollar being what it is, we are thinking of purchasing OBC, but want to be able to use that OBC to get cash in the casino at the 5% surcharge to pay for some PRIVATE excursions that we have booked from Day 5 on. Is this possible? I understand that the purchased OBC may not show up on the account until day 2 or 3. And can we get any refundable OBC that we don't use back in US cash? I would love to hear from anyone who has actually done this.

[robcruz]

Does his OBC at the special rate have to be bought from Celebrity or can I buy it from the Canadian travel agent who booked my cruise in CDN funds?

[If only]

We're from Canada (Ontario) and will be on the Equinox in 27 days (yes, the countdown is on!). Just as Dawg74 has written, with the Cdn dollar being what it is, we are thinking of purchasing OBC, but want to be able to use that OBC to get cash in the casino at the 5% surcharge to pay for some PRIVATE excursions that we have booked from Day 5 on. Is this possible? I understand that the purchased OBC may not show up on the account until day 2 or 3. And can we get any refundable OBC that we don't use back in US cash? I would love to hear from anyone who has actually done this.

 

We were on the Equinox in Feb we had bought 5 units of OBC, the cards were in the cabin showing that we had bought the U.S. & it was in our account the 1st day at sea. Enjoy your cruise.

[If only]

We were on the Equinox in Feb we had bought 5 units of OBC, the cards were in the cabin showing that we had bought the U.S. & it was in our account the 1st day at sea. Enjoy your cruise.

By the way if there is any credit left it will go back to your credit card, that is what I was told, so spend it or take it all at the casino & lose 5%, still the cheapest way to go.

Edited March 11, 2015 by If only

[bccolaman]

Does his OBC at the special rate have to be bought from Celebrity or can I buy it from the Canadian travel agent who booked my cruise in CDN funds?

 

You purchase the OBC on the Celebrity website under Gifts by Celebrity or by calling them.

[Rawall]

This is my first cruise so please be patient with me but what is the benefit of prepurchasing an onboard credit? We did not get any OBC in our package. I have set up a Sea Pass with a credit card. Wouldn't that just get charged at the end of the week? What is the benefit of prepurchasing OBC?Sorry....I'm a Newbie! [emoji15]

[lovemylab]

This is my first cruise so please be patient with me but what is the benefit of prepurchasing an onboard credit? We did not get any OBC in our package. I have set up a Sea Pass with a credit card. Wouldn't that just get charged at the end of the week? What is the benefit of prepurchasing OBC?Sorry....I'm a Newbie! [emoji15]

 

For Canadians, the advantage is a better exchange rate! The prices on the ship are in US dollars.

 

Currently, I can buy $100 in OBC for $108 Cdn. If I was to let that same amount be charged to my credit card, I would have to pay around $127 Cdn based on current exchange rates.

[Rawall]

Thank you for clarifying this for me! So if I prepurchase & do not use it all, will the balance that we did not use be refunded to my credit card? We are leaving this Sunday so just finalizing last few details. [emoji4]

[Josie2]

Yes, unused amount will be refunded on your credit card or in cash, but I believe you are too late to do this online. You could try to call but that may be too late as well. Enjoy your first cruise!

[taikoshiba]

We were on the Equinox in Feb we had bought 5 units of OBC, the cards were in the cabin showing that we had bought the U.S. & it was in our account the 1st day at sea. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Great to know. Thanks very much!!!

[DebbieActon]

For Canadians, the advantage is a better exchange rate! The prices on the ship are in US dollars.

 

Currently, I can buy $100 in OBC for $108 Cdn. If I was to let that same amount be charged to my credit card, I would have to pay around $127 Cdn based on current exchange rates.

 

 

Actually I bought $100 US for $131.27 CDN yesterday at the bank :eek: