What was your USD to CDN conversion rate?

[xcell]

So NCL has it's own currency conversion rate that is lower than your credit card company.

 

One way to figure out what they "might" charge is to do a dummy booking online with Air Canada Vacations.

 

The worst rate I saw was $1 USD = $1.18 but on my last two bookings I have had 1 to $1.11.I have seen a posting of $1 to $1.09 but that could have been a while back where the dollar was better.

 

Anyone recently gotten better than $1.11.

 

Also, I would prepay all the tips, buy some OBC and book specialty restaurants before you cruise so that you get to keep the lower conversion rate. Once on board, they cannot do any conversion, so you have to pay in USD (cash or credit) but they loose in the conversion (my March 2015 trip it was $1 to $1.31).

[Saraphine]

My exchange was either $1.10 or $1.11, I can't remember which now. Amazing deal considering what my bank is charging! We will have the OBC, but I am toying with the idea of adding extra in order to avoid any charges on my credit card.

 

Just for clarity:

 

1. I can use my OBC to pay for anything except DSC, correct? So once on the ship, I will be required to pay the DSC with my credit card at the exchange my bank has set? Or can I prepay the third person DSC prior to the cruise? The first two are already taken care of.
   
2. If my on board purchases exceed my OBC, at the end of the cruise I assume those will be charged to my credit card also at the current exchange rate of my bank?
   
3. If I should have extra pre-purchased OBC at the end of the cruise (not the complimentary OBC that came from booking, but one I have added myself), how does NCL go about refunding that?
   
4. Right now my booking displays my balance in Canadian dollars. When I make a payment, it is taken off my credit card in Canadian as well so no need to worry about an exchange. However, what if I am booking a shore excursion or wanting to reserve a cabana on GSC? The displayed price in in USD, and I would have to pay that with my credit card (and pay the awful exchange rate that is currently charged by my bank). How can you pay for ship excursions, etc, and still use NCL's lower exchange rate?
   
5. Any other tips to take advantage of NCL's lower exchange rate?
    
   

[Lily5083]

My exchange rate (~2 weeks ago) was $1.11. My PCC said I have locked in that exchange rate for my cabin, regardless of what happens, which is a huge relief given how well our dollar is doing right now ;)

 

In response to Saraphine:

The main tips I can think of have already been covered; pre-pay gratuities and shore excursions, get some OBC, essentially pre-pay as much as you can before the trip.

 

For shore excursions, I believe you have to call NCL and book over the phone in order to pay in CAD. Or if you have a PCC, through them.

 

Based on my research, you are correct in your assumption that anything spend above the OBC gets charged to your credit card, and that any leftover OBC should be refunded to the original method of payment. I might be incorrect about that however.

[Kkate]

I paid 7.5% in the beginning of January. Just prepaid $100.00 to use on board for $107.50. In February I paid 11%. Great deal!

[millineumwoman]

Ok where are you guys getting this from I want in!!

 

Yes you can prepay your gratituies

Any obc left over that you purchased you can either put it back on your card or take the cash at guest services last night of cruise

For excursions it depends on who you use, there are some companies online in which you can use cdn or us if you don't want to use the cruiseline. Also check in your rollcall if anyone is organizing any excursions as May be great price

[realtrip]

My exchange was either $1.10 or $1.11, I can't remember which now. Amazing deal considering what my bank is charging! We will have the OBC, but I am toying with the idea of adding extra in order to avoid any charges on my credit card.

 

Just for clarity:

 

1. I can use my OBC to pay for anything except DSC, correct? So once on the ship, I will be required to pay the DSC with my credit card at the exchange my bank has set? that's right Or can I prepay the third person DSC prior to the cruise?that seems a good idea, cheaper The first two are already taken care of.
   
2. If my on board purchases exceed my OBC, at the end of the cruise I assume those will be charged to my credit card also at the current exchange rate of my bank? yes
   
3. If I should have extra pre-purchased OBC at the end of the cruise (not the complimentary OBC that came from booking, but one I have added myself), how does NCL go about refunding that? cash out or back on your cc
   
4. Right now my booking displays my balance in Canadian dollars. When I make a payment, it is taken off my credit card in Canadian as well so no need to worry about an exchange. However, what if I am booking a shore excursion or wanting to reserve a cabana on GSC? The displayed price in in USD, and I would have to pay that with my credit card (and pay the awful exchange rate that is currently charged by my bank). How can you pay for ship excursions, etc, and still use NCL's lower exchange rate? Go a little further, pretend you actually want to book something, the price will then show up in Canadian, at least it does on my end.
   
5. Any other tips to take advantage of NCL's lower exchange rate?
    
   

My comments are in red. I, too, would love some more ideas. We are quite lucky NCL offers this. I wish all companies did this!:D

[gilsan]

We also got the $1.11 exchange rate, which is excellent.

[Raynebaby]

I got 1.11 at the beginning of March, I plan on prepaying my DSC and my excursions and buying some OBC before my cruise.

[xcell]

So it looks like it's set at $1.11 which is much better than my $1.31

 

You can also buy FCC before you board...BUT if you want to use it for someone else's booking you have to sign a waiver (this is new) before it can be applied...what a waste of time. I was booking for my parents and my verbal OK should be good enough, no???

 

I'd cash it out at the end but can cash out mid trip at the casino but they will charge a 3% service fee which is still better than buying it at the bank in Canada IMHO

[blan2]

Just booked a couple days ago and the exchange rate was 11%. It is so great to be able to get the gratuities and a few other things at this rate.;)

[murcor]

I booked a cruise in cad at the end of Jan and got the 1.16 exchange.

 

About 2 weeks later I booked another and got the 1.1 exchange

 

We are planning on paying our dsc and shore excursions before we cruise.

 

[Ladypeartree]

Hi,

I booked a few days ago and my deposit went on my credit card and I paid an exchange rate of $1.27, very high. I went on NCL but my booking is in USD, are you saying I can change this? Please clarify someone if you can.

 

Thank you.

[xcell]

Yes you can ask NCL to bill you in CDN (the entire trip) and the exchange rate should be less plus you dont have to pay the credit card company's service fee of 2-3%.

 

BUT - since they already charged you in USD not sure how the refund will work because you will get the refund minus the 2-3% service charged by your CC (you can always call the CC and argue they should refund you that amount as well).

 

Good luck...

[Ladypeartree]

Yes you can ask NCL to bill you in CDN (the entire trip) and the exchange rate should be less plus you dont have to pay the credit card company's service fee of 2-3%.

 

BUT - since they already charged you in USD not sure how the refund will work because you will get the refund minus the 2-3% service charged by your CC (you can always call the CC and argue they should refund you that amount as well).

 

Good luck...

Thank you xcell. I will look into this today. Very good to know.

[Saraphine]

My exchange rate (~2 weeks ago) was $1.11. My PCC said I have locked in that exchange rate for my cabin, regardless of what happens, which is a huge relief given how well our dollar is doing right now ;)

 

Just a question about this: as I booked my cruise with the $1.11 rate, when you say you "locked in the rate", do you mean that whatever else you add onto the reservation at a later date (OBC, shore excursions, etc) will be guaranteed at that rate even if the NCL exchange rate goes up?

[bfamily4]

Hi,

I booked a few days ago and my deposit went on my credit card and I paid an exchange rate of $1.27, very high. I went on NCL but my booking is in USD, are you saying I can change this? Please clarify someone if you can.

 

Thank you.

 

 

you have to call ncl and book in cdn funds to get the good exchange rate. maybe you can just cancel your existing cruise and book the same one in cdn.

[pisenor]

Just a question about this: as I booked my cruise with the $1.11 rate, when you say you "locked in the rate", do you mean that whatever else you add onto the reservation at a later date (OBC, shore excursions, etc) will be guaranteed at that rate even if the NCL exchange rate goes up?

 

That is exactly how it works. I have been booking this way since I started sailing NCL in 2011. It is a great policy they have and I take full advantage of it. Everything you pre purchase before sailing is at your locked in rate. Once on board you are paying USD. That is why I pre pay everything possible and load up with OBC to cover my on board expenses.

[nbsjcruiser]

We got $1.11 which was the deciding factor in us booking with NCL. We had the Carnival Breeze booked with a much better itinerary but we paid almost $500 more and it was mostly due to the USD conversion. When I called in to get a price on the Getaway for next year I was shocked to find they were charging only 11%. I booked it immediately.

[Kingmaker_inc]

Just a question about this: as I booked my cruise with the $1.11 rate, when you say you "locked in the rate", do you mean that whatever else you add onto the reservation at a later date (OBC, shore excursions, etc) will be guaranteed at that rate even if the NCL exchange rate goes up?

 

 

Yes. BTW, NCL adjusts its rate in three month increments, but it does lock you in when you book.

 

The present rate is, as others have indicated, 1.11 - which is $0.10 per dollar better than your credit card / bank.

 

Saved us $1300 actual dollars in our booking, and that makes a huge difference to us (as it would anyone)!!

[pisenor]

This may be a little off topic but still very much related. I just logged in to MyNcl account and discovered something new.

 

I currently have two bookings with NCL. One for January 2016 and the second for January 2017. My 2016 reservation has remained the same (as in appearance) while my 2017 reservation has changed. As I stated in an earlier post I have my reservations locked in CAD and happy with that. I noticed that my 2017 reservation is now displaying in Canadian funds. Here are screenshots of both. Notice the upper right hand portion of the second shot. It is my 2017 reservation and it has changed what it shows. It has also changed all pricing within the reservation. All prices are showing in CAD as well. This is new to me. Has anybody elso noticed this as well?

 

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I paid 7.5% in the beginning of January. Just prepaid $100.00 to use on board for $107.50. In February I paid 11%. Great deal!

 

Same for me! $161 CDN for $150 US OBC...Pretty much at par :)

Edited April 9, 2015 by ilovetotravel1977

[Lily5083]

This may be a little off topic but still very much related. I just logged in to MyNcl account and discovered something new.

 

I currently have two bookings with NCL. One for January 2016 and the second for January 2017. My 2016 reservation has remained the same (as in appearance) while my 2017 reservation has changed. As I stated in an earlier post I have my reservations locked in CAD and happy with that. I noticed that my 2017 reservation is now displaying in Canadian funds. Here are screenshots of both. Notice the upper right hand portion of the second shot. It is my 2017 reservation and it has changed what it shows. It has also changed all pricing within the reservation. All prices are showing in CAD as well. This is new to me. Has anybody elso noticed this as well?

 

Just tried logging into my NCL, and I have the same message as well: All prices shown in CAD. I like that, it means I can see the actual price rather than doing conversions in my head, and perhaps means we can purchase things online in CAD rather than calling NCL?

[pisenor]

Just tried logging into my NCL, and I have the same message as well: All prices shown in CAD. I like that, it means I can see the actual price rather than doing conversions in my head, and perhaps means we can purchase things online in CAD rather than calling NCL?

 

We always could make CAD purchases online. The system always showed the USD price initially but once you added the item to your cart then, and only then, was the CAD price shown. It appears that the NCL site has been adjusted to show the CAD price up front.

[Saraphine]

I am not sure if my computer is backwards, but it's still displaying USD for me. When I add a gift/excursion, it will convert it to CAD in my cart, but when I am looking at new cruises, it still displays USD with never the option to show it in CAD. Would be lovely to have a Canadian version of the website that automatically shows everything in CAD!

[pisenor]

I am not sure if my computer is backwards, but it's still displaying USD for me. When I add a gift/excursion, it will convert it to CAD in my cart, but when I am looking at new cruises, it still displays USD with never the option to show it in CAD. Would be lovely to have a Canadian version of the website that automatically shows everything in CAD!

 

Your computer isn't backwards, it is working just fine. The problem is with the NCL site. Look closely at my two screenshots I posted. The first one is my reservation next year and it is still displaying things the old way but look at the other and you can plainly see it has been changed to CAD. Both reservations are in MyNCL and one shows the new CAD formatting and the other the traditional USD format.

 

Ncl must be in the middle of this changeover on their site. When the promotion changed on the 7th the prices for my cruises went through the roof. Nearly a $900 increase each. Some of the features, namely the KSF portion of the new promo were not configured properly. Even though it was part of the promo, passengers 3 through 8 were still being charged a cruise fare not just the port fees. After a day and a half the problem was corrected and all is right with the world....for now! ;)