It's Hard to be a Canadian

[TBone2K]

Dollar is about .80 US cents right now. I know your pain because it wasn't that bad when we booked.

 

Anyway, if you are comparing flights from buffalo or something, make sure you look at the TAXES. That is what makes YYZ so expensive. Being from Markham, you also have the option of Hamilton or Kitchener.

 

My wife and I usually drive, but that only works if you REALLY like road trips.

 

Maybe it was said, but there are cruises out of New York, Baltimore, heck even Quebec City at certain times.

 

The real deals can be found if you are flexible on when and where you want to go.

 

Bottom line, compared to a land-based vacation, it's still a deal, or at least comparable, and you get to see a different place every day.

[squadron]

You booked it for THIS June? I am sure you could have found some last minute fares for MUCH cheaper by looking on other lines or other destinations. There are Alaskan cruises going for dirt cheap leaving in the next week or two. Maybe that's too cool for you and you want warmth and Caribbean waters but I would think there is cheaper out there since that seems to be your biggest complaint.

 

How else is RCCL nickel and diming you? I am genuinely curious as I have never sailed on them but will next summer. I want to be prepared so I am not upset when I get on board and find out this costs money and that costs money, etc.

 

Have always been curious about why people feel they are being nickel and dimed??? You can always say "No" if you don't want to pay extra for anything. Curious what other lines supply free that you think RCI charges for?? Book last minute at the height of tourist season and whine about airfare costs!

[rbschultz]

I'm the most easy-going, most easily-pleased guy in the world. Hell, I've sailed on a converted Greek freighter and had one of the best times of my life. We're experienced cruisers... This is my third this year and, like I said, I've never been on a bad cruise.

What I AM saying is this: cruising has become more and more expensive over the past few years, so I feel the cruise lines should be making every effort to make our cruises exceptional. Instead of nickel and diming us to death with ever-increasing charges (like $5 for luggage tags) just add all that minor stuff into the initial cost. We wouldn't even notice. But it ticks me off no end to be asked for piddly money when I've already spent $4700.

None the less, don't judge me or my motives. I am sure we will have a great time on the cruise. Like I said... bonding time with the Caribbean thrown in for good measure.

But, with so many cruise lines available, I have to make a judgment call as to where I want to spend my money, so each and every cruise has to make the grade. I was concerned when I sailed X for the first time in March because I had never sailed that line before. We loved it. I'm hoping to say the same about RCCL after our June cruise.

 

Yes and no. At the end of the day, Royal Caribbean is a business. Being a business they need to worry about their bottom line and their investors. Rising prices can be seen across all of the major cruise lines as well as the changes to price structure on-board. Royal believes it to be the best in all categories thus believes that the demand is there to charge more. And apparently its working because all of my cruises I have taken have been packed.

[grand isle joe]

.......you know RCL has constructed ice rinks on many of their ships? So as Canadians I assume you will pack your hockey gear and play some "pick up" and honor the national game......and I think they do sell Polident in the on board stores for those pesky dentures that replaced all those teeth lost on the rink.......

[JessyCruises]

.......you know RCL has constructed ice rinks on many of their ships? So as Canadians I assume you will pack your hockey gear and play some "pick up" and honor the national game......and I think they do sell Polident in the on board stores for those pesky dentures that replaced all those teeth lost on the rink.......

 

 

I am a horrible Canadian. I hate hockey and can hardy skate lol

[Smitty815]

I booked my B2B for July in Canadian dollars. Only 10% added on to the US price. I added onboard credits using Canadian dollars as well. $499US cost me $550CAD. Most people have found that $499 is the most you can do at one time without RCCL actually seeing your credit card

 

How can I add onboard credits to my cruise? This would be a cheap way for me to get American Money on the ship.

[Clarea]

How can I add onboard credits to my cruise? This would be a cheap way for me to get American Money on the ship.

If you can call US toll free numbers, then try this: 800-722-5443.

[Tim,n,Sue]

I booked a one week Caribbean cruise for my son and I for June. One week in a hot area of the globe during Canada's hottest months. How expensive can that be? Well, let's start adding it all up. We're from Toronto, so let's start with over $600 EACH in airfare. Let's take a cheap cruise... after all, it's basically just a father/bonding time, so no need to pay a premium to go anyplace really special. Then there's the Canadian dollar, now valued at about 72 cents U.S. By the time you add it all up, it comes out at $4700 Cdn with taxes, etc added in. What the heck happened to cheap cruising?

Anyway... RCCL better make it worth my time. First time sailing with Royal Caribbean. Have been spoiled on X and Holland America. However, I've got to admit, I've never been nickel and dimed to death by any of the other lines like I have been with RCCL. On the other hand, I've never had a bad cruise. First, and possibly, ONLY time sailing on Royal. One chance only... too many other good cruise lines to choose from out there for the same money.

 

You may be better off by $4700 to just stay at home and enjoy the backyard. Canadian Tire has a nice kiddie pool on sale this week if you really want an at sea experience.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Tim,n,Sue

[JessyCruises]

How can I add onboard credits to my cruise? This would be a cheap way for me to get American Money on the ship.

 

 

Clarea provided #. Make sure when you check in you don't provide your credit card number so your account is considered a cash account. That way you can withdraw the USD from the casino with the 5% charge

Edited June 5, 2015 by Canadian Disney Mom

[Langley Cruisers]

I am a horrible Canadian. I hate hockey and can hardy skate lol

 

BLASPHEMER! Haha, just kidding. :D:D:D

 

Have always been curious about why people feel they are being nickel and dimed??? You can always say "No" if you don't want to pay extra for anything.

 

Agreed - we have twice left with a zero balance at the end of a cruise. It can be done. :)

[Paddy41]

Clarea provided #. Make sure when you check in you don't provide your credit card number so your account is considered a cash account. That way you can withdraw the USD from the casino with the 5% charge

 

So two choices...withdraw it at the casino with a charge or wait until the last evening/morning and go to guest services and withdraw any US cash left with no charge. But I think with the casino you can do it at any time during the cruise and with guest services only at the end. And, as said, only if you don't give them a credit card.

[Paddy41]

How can I add onboard credits to my cruise? This would be a cheap way for me to get American Money on the ship.

 

 

Phone RCCL or, if you used a Canadian TA, ask them to do it for you. I put two credits on my booking and my husband put one. But you have to have booked your cruise in Canadian dollars.

 

I'll give a hunt on cruise critic and see if I can find the thread. It had great info for Canadians on it. After reading it, I had my TA book me an NCL cruise in Canadian dollars and their exchange rate was also 10%.

[budisal]

Thanks Paddy41. At least you didn't flame me. Goodness, people are sensitive!

[Mousy]

Not sure if its been suggested I did not read all the threads, but price out flying out from Buffalo I find the prices from flying with Southwest and Jetblue MUCH cheaper.

[JessyCruises]

I'll give a hunt on cruise critic and see if I can find the thread. It had great info for Canadians on it. After reading it, I had my TA book me an NCL cruise in Canadian dollars and their exchange rate was also 10%.

 

 

 

Here is the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2159570

[budisal]

We have a fabulous hotel we stay at when we visit Buffalo --- very special to us, so for the next cruise (coming within the next few months), we'll definitely looking to Buffalo Airport.

[budisal]

Thanks Canadian Disney Mom.... we'll be looking into your suggestions as well.

[Paddy41]

Here is the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2159570

 

 

Oh thanks. I just found it again too. I typed in Canadian Cruisers in the search window and was so surprised to see how many threads there are for Canadians. Happy reading.

[Shih-tzu]

Where are you from in NB? We are just outside Saint John and usually drive to Portland or Manchester and fly Southwest. We can usually get to FL return for $250-$300 usd, sometimes less. It adds up when there at least 33 of us every time. We only ever fly from home if it's paid on points.

 

From Freddy :) Usually I only travel as far as Bangor but have never paid over $404 CAD for any flight to FL or CAL

[Smitty815]

Thank you so much for your help, Clarea and Canadian Disney Mom!!

[Robinola]

I don't know how you Canadians do it! Even a magazine subscription costs three times the amount for you. Crazy. I have been to Canada, I get it, it is beautiful, but I live in Florida. What are the perks for you? It is confusing, why do you live there? I am serious...there must be perks that we don't have, right?

[Smitty815]

I don't know how you Canadians do it! Even a magazine subscription costs three times the amount for you. Crazy. I have been to Canada, I get it, it is beautiful, but I live in Florida. What are the perks for you? It is confusing, why do you live there? I am serious...there must be perks that we don't have, right?

 

I live here because I was born here. That's essentially it! There are the obvious perks to living in Canada, however, I wouldn't want to entertain a political debate on a cruise forum.

 

That being said, I love Florida and I go there every year. Honestly if I could keep the same job/salary that I have here and move to Florida, I probably would. The cost of living is about half as much as where I am, so I would be rolling in disposable income! Perhaps when I retire I'll buy a condo down there, but I'm only 29 so I have a lot of time for that yet.

[molsonschooner]

We have a fabulous hotel we stay at when we visit Buffalo --- very special to us, so for the next cruise (coming within the next few months), we'll definitely looking to Buffalo Airport.

 

which hotel is that.

[JessyCruises]

I live here because I was born here. That's essentially it! There are the obvious perks to living in Canada, however, I wouldn't want to entertain a political debate on a cruise forum.

 

That being said, I love Florida and I go there every year. Honestly if I could keep the same job/salary that I have here and move to Florida, I probably would. The cost of living is about half as much as where I am, so I would be rolling in disposable income! Perhaps when I retire I'll buy a condo down there, but I'm only 29 so I have a lot of time for that yet.

 

 

Agreed. I live here because I was born here. I also do not want to get into a debate, but if the U.S. had our healthcare and social benefits, I would consider moving. I have a friend who fell and hit her head in the U.S. last year and racked up a $13K hospital bill in under 5 hours. It would have been $0 if she fell at home. I also got an entire paid year off with my son when he was born. That is two pretty good reasons to me to live in the great white north

[mollyeilis]

I don't know how you Canadians do it! Even a magazine subscription costs three times the amount for you. Crazy. I have been to Canada, I get it, it is beautiful, but I live in Florida. What are the perks for you? It is confusing, why do you live there? I am serious...there must be perks that we don't have, right?

 

You know they don't just let you change citizenships easily, right? If they did I'd be Canadian! Or an Irish citizen. Not sure. :) Alas, no one wants Americans, and I don't want to be denied access to my favorite countries, so I haven't snuck anywhere to try to live.

 

I have a friend who fell and hit her head in the U.S. last year and racked up a $13K hospital bill in under 5 hours. It would have been $0 if she fell at home. I also got an entire paid year off with my son when he was born. That is two pretty good reasons to me to live in the great white north

 

This isn't about Canada, but the UK: My husband was on a work trip last summer and he managed to fall and hurt his knee badly AND gash his head open. It was not pretty. He went to an urgent care type of place, and they made him go to a hospital. He got checked out by everyone (though they did not do any scans), and it was $0. Zero. For urgent care and an ER. Was amazing.