Low CDN dollar how many CDNs are still cruising

[NOSaints1]

With the low dollar and costing more to cruise, how many are still cruising and how many are staying home till the US dollar falls against the CDN dollar, and what's causing this? Any advice on what your doing to not spend as much in US dollars and can you book all of your packages in CDN dollars.

[laurien]

Well we paid for our March cruise early luckily and we kept some US currency from last year - always we will not be going

We will thinking hard about what we purchase on board

 

 

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[SMSACE6]

I made my deposit a while back, while it was still around 72 cents, and since I am sailing solo, that means 500.00, leaving me with a smaller amount to pay on final due date. I will however be not spending as much on board, and will probably not even step into the casino, as well as limit my dod"s. But I have cruise before when the dollar was low, and I will do it again this year, but we will have to see how low it will go, and I read somewhere today, that they expect it to go down to 59. And then see how long it stays low. But after this one, I doubt I will be cruising again next year.

[mr green]

My cruise to Hawaii at the end of April was quoted, and billed in Canadian $s, also we have over $500 in OBCs, so things are not to bad.

However I don't know what will happen in the future.

 

john

[OVgirl]

We were also fortunate to have book a January 2017 cruise last June in Canadian currency before the Canadian dollar did too much of a nosedive. Who knew? Guess that was our lottery winnings for the year.

[Langley Cruisers]

For the first time in many years, we do not have a cruise booked. We have been absolutely blessed to be able to cruise and travel as much as we have in our lives together, so for now we shall enjoy one another's company at home, with maybe a long weekend or two thrown in for good measure. But we are trying to save up for a European B2B in 2017, so we shall see... :)

[DanJ]

We are cruising next weekend and booked it last March. I paid it off gradually over the year, which reduced the hit somewhat. We are operating as business as usual for the this trip, which will be our first in 3 years, and I'll worry about things later. We aren't frequent cruisers anyway, so we'll see what we plan to do in a couple years. We are talking about Alaska, which involves a lot of Canadian expenses anyway.

[soccersharon]

After our Vista cruise in November, we likely will not cruise until our dollar rebounds. There are always other vacation options :)

[CowPrincess]

We have a January 2017 cruise booked in Cdn $s. Managed to get that price locked in a number of months ago :) We have US $s that we bought at a much better rate than the current rate; those will more than cover any US $ expenses for that cruise.

 

I'm eyeing an Alaska cruise for this May but haven't pulled the trigger.

 

I expect that we won't be cruising nearly as regularly. Cdn $s and Mexican pesos are maintaining similar value, so it is likely we'll be looking at spending time in Mexico as our winter break(s) until the Cdn $ regains some strength.

[DanJ]

Also, I remember back when the dollar was low against the USD back in the late 90's and early 2000's, a few of the cruise lines offered promo's to Canadians. I wouldn't be surprised that if this continues, the lines will notice a drop in Canadian customers and if we aren't replaced by others, then they will come up with some promos again to get us back. Time will tell.

[iancal]

We did quite a few cruises when the US and European economy was in the toilet and our dollar was strong.

 

At the moment, we are not even bothering with cruises, any vacation option priced in USD or travelling to the US.

 

We are going to alternate places where our dollar goes further. This winter it will be SE Asia. Next fall it will be Southern Europe. Next winter it will be South America. No intention of buying a cruise at the current price or the current exchange rate.

[cbr663]

We have a cruise booked for Dec of 2016. We were able to pay in CAD$ and booked before the cruise line raised prices. For the first time in a long time, we have also transferred the booking to a TA for additional OBC. On-board spending is still in US dollars and every little bit helps.

 

We will also be using points to book the hotel prior to the cruise. We have lots of points and now is a good time to use them. Hotel prices in the USA seem to be up across the board and with the CAD$ expected to drop even further, those points are now looking really attractive.

 

We will also be sailing on a brand new ship and we have decided that we will try out the MDR on our next cruise. This will hopefully save us some money as we usually avoid the MDR and partake in more speciality dining instead.

[cbr663]

Also, I remember back when the dollar was low against the USD back in the late 90's and early 2000's, a few of the cruise lines offered promo's to Canadians. I wouldn't be surprised that if this continues, the lines will notice a drop in Canadian customers and if we aren't replaced by others, then they will come up with some promos again to get us back. Time will tell.

 

Celebrity has been offering all-inclusive packages for Canadians for a few years now. Air, transfers, cruise ticket, tips, drinks all included. It will be interesting to see if they continue with the program this year.

[Cruise Junky]

Celebrity has been offering all-inclusive packages for Canadians for a few years now. Air, transfers, cruise ticket, tips, drinks all included. It will be interesting to see if they continue with the program this year.

 

So far, I have not seen one of these promos for Western Canada. They've all been for the east. I'm confident that there will be specials. But I kind of like that this pushes out of our comfort zone and makes us look at other areas. Asia, Portugal, Southern Spain. Good bargains.

[DanJ]

Celebrity has been offering all-inclusive packages for Canadians for a few years now. Air, transfers, cruise ticket, tips, drinks all included. It will be interesting to see if they continue with the program this year.

 

Yeah, it's a great deal if that's what you are after. It's one ship you get to pick from, which isn't really for me. Someone was asking me at work the other day about it and I told them to go for it, you can't beat the convenience of flying right from here and basically knowing how much the entire package is going to cost up front. I would love to see other cruise lines offer something like that.

[maggie0057]

We are going on our first cruise on Carnival Magic next February and although the low dollar really sucks this is a dream vacation and we are just going to grin and bear it. At least our flights from Kelowna to Orlando will be in Canadian dollars

[By The Bay]

With the low dollar and costing more to cruise, how many are still cruising and how many are staying home till the US dollar falls against the CDN dollar, and what's causing this? Any advice on what your doing to not spend as much in US dollars and can you book all of your packages in CDN dollars.

Canada, like Australia is a major exporter of commodities that have been affected by the rising USD and falling demand from China. The good news is that here in OZ Princess, Carnival and P&O Australia, when sailing from OZ, have their prices in AUD and gratuities are included, no need for tipping (un-Australian). :)

 

With the CAD and AUD being on parity, it might be time to consider a trip down under. :D

[iancal]

We did two cruises from Australia last winter.

 

The second, an RCI 17 day, was booked while we in Australia. We called the RCI Australia office to book. Booking inside the final payment window about 3 days out.

 

The cost was 25-30 percent less than the price on the US/Canada web site, adjusted for currency. We got lucky. If there is a next time, we will call from Canada and check on the prices prior to booking with our on line TA in the US.

[Nic6318]

It's funny, I have friends who are going on their first cruise this year. For many years I have been suggesting cruising to them, showing them how much fun and what great value they are. Now I am kidding them, pointing out that they have picked the most expensive year in decades to go on a cruise, but it doesn't matter. They have planned for it, they have budgeted for it and they will have fun.

 

It's not the first time the CDN$ has fallen this low vs. the US$, and you have to also realize that while there is some CDN$ weakness, it is mostly the US$ strength that we are seeing. The US$ is now approaching par with the Euro.

 

The longer things stay this way the more we will just get used to it. We are starting to see some companies giving us a break. Last week when we came back from Detroit the duty free shop at the border was offering CDN $ purchases at 90cents on the $. This week I booked a US Niagara Falls hotel that had casino promotions for CDN$ at par. With the promotional values included the hotel room is free. They just want you there spending your money.

 

We will be going on a cruise to Alaska in May. They money is either already paid or in the bank. As a consumer our job hasn't changed. We need to be aware of what is available and determine what we can afford. If it takes a little longer to save up you just have to be patient. The US$ won't stay this high forever and neither will the oil price stay this low. So while you may not like one, I sure appreciate the other when I fill up my car or when I heat my house.

 

whatever your vacation choice

have a great time

[nissach]

With our crappy $$ we will be not likely be doing a lot of trips to the US or trips priced in US $$. We have a cruise booked at the end of March that was booked last year that we are looking forward to but until the dollar rebounds we will travel Canada in the warmer months and look for really kick*** deals for US trips. We will hate to not get away in the cold winter months, but we don't want to break the bank to do it.

[YubaSutter]

Living in the states, we have decided not to take a winter cruise this year. Instead, we just got home from a ski trip to Whistler BC. Enjoyed the low Canadian dollar. We also bought 5k in Cdn $ @ 1.43 to enjoy another trip this summer.

[hotrod610]

I do not see us cruising much until dollar rebounds or cruise lines offer at par rates

[iancal]

We were planning to snag a last minute Med cruise this fall. Changed our plans because of a wedding and the low dollar. Now it is Newfoundland and then Ireland. A great air deal made the decison for us to knock these two from our bucket lists. No cruise this fall. Well, never say never.

 

Still looking at a South America cruise in the winter as part of a land winter trip. But only if we get a last minute fare otherwise we will stick to a land based trip w/ a much better exchange rate.

Edited June 27, 2016 by iancal

[Cruise Junky]

I do not see us cruising much until dollar rebounds or cruise lines offer at par rates

 

There's still some ok deals out there if you're willing to go off season. We recently booked NCL for end of March 2018 for a Spain/Canary Island 10 day cruise. Balcony with drinks and specialty dining included it was $2,150 Canadian pp (including the 18% gratuity for the packages). It was about $100 pp cheaper the two cruises before ours. Not steller but at least I can still cruise.

[iancal]

It also pays to consider booking cruises, vacation packages etc. in the destination country, where possible.

 

We have booked vacations with a UK travel agent and cruises direct with an Australian firm and a UK agency. You do need to be aware of the differences. In general there is much less flexibility for re pricing, changes, etc.