Australian based cruises and OBC

[triple7tahoe]

Prior to March-April cruise on the Majestic Princess there was quite a lot of discussion about OBC that was thought to be in US$ but since the ship was on AUD, what would the conversion factor,if any, be? We were sailing on B2B cruises to end in Hong Kong and between the two we should have had over $1300US. When we boarded we found that it was all going to given to us at a one to ratio in AUD. A lose of around 30% in buying power since the ship prices, although in AUD, had been raised to make up for the difference. I discussed this with the CSD folks more than once and was given some "goodwill credit" which looked to be what I should have had using my FCD. I was not supposed to share that information with other passengers. I didn't at the time but decided to try and buy FCC while aboard using AUD. I waited until the end to put in my request and after getting off in Hong Kong, found that my US debit card had been charged $91.27 US for each of the four but I had not received the usual email stating that I had purchased them. When I got home I called Princess and was told that since the Majestic was such a big ship it would be a week longer before I got them. I waited a week and called again. Same story but they would investigate. Yesterday, I got a call from Princess-"You cannot buy in Australian dollars so we are going to cancel them". " We will reissue them but charge you  in US$".  Sure enough, got notice of 4 FCD and a bank charge of $400. Guess that showed me that I wasn't all that smart.  To make the wound a little deeper; What I had paid a little over $71 US plus foreign transaction fees was returned at $68 US plus transaction fees.  To top it off, I had $450 "guaranteed" to be in US$ that was refused and I was told "take it in AUD or lose it". Casino was certainly not worth going into.

[DDG 41]

I Don't see what they did wrong. OBC is in $(not USD or AUD) which is converted on a 1:1 ration to the currency of the ship as stated. FCD are $100  in the currency you paid for the cruise.

[Haboob]

Stockholder OBC is given by Carnival Corp & PLC, not by Princess, and is quoted in USD, AUD, GBP, or EUR

depending upon whether it is a "North American", "Australian", "British", or "European" cruise.

 

For example, the 7 day cruise SOBC is specified as "USD 100 / AUD 100 /  £  60 / €  75"

 

The confusion arises because the numerical amounts set for North American and Australian cruises is the

same, but the specified currency is different.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=2ahUKEwiNstm-zYXiAhUgJDQIHcKFAQsQFjABegQIDRAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fphx.corporate-ir.net%2FExternal.File%3Fitem%3DUGFyZW50SUQ9Mjc0MjIzfENoaWxkSUQ9LTF8VHlwZT0z%26t%3D1&usg=AOvVaw0I9_CDLKWNF3bw-IiYT5zt

[triple7tahoe]

I understand about the $ being n the currency either aboard the ship or currency that fare is paid with; On question-If an Australian paid for an Alaska cruise using AUD (and FCD from Australian cruise [AUD]) would the OBC on that cruise be in US$ or AUD?

[Steelers36]

43 minutes ago, triple7tahoe said:

I understand about the $ being n the currency either aboard the ship or currency that fare is paid with; On question-If an Australian paid for an Alaska cruise using AUD (and FCD from Australian cruise [AUD]) would the OBC on that cruise be in US$ or AUD?

Ship's currency dictates.  Alaska is USD. 

 

We had same situation booking Majestic for a NZ cruise.  Unfortunately our OBC (which showed as USD when we booked) was "magically" changed to AUD at some point in our Cruise Personalizer, simply with a currency code change and no compensation for exchange rates.  This is the way Princess does it. 

 

I am not sure if an Australian books and pays for an Alaska cruise in AUD.  I do know we (from N.A.) booked our NZ cruise in USD and applied our usual USD FCD's.  Shareholder is in USD, but of course we got it in AUD (same amount).  

 

It is what it is.  I did inquire with Customer Relations about it and was advised of policy.  I didn't demand /request compensation.  

Edited May 6, 2019 by steelers36

[Steelers36]

I don't think Princess allowed N.A. residents to book an Australian based cruise in AUD.  I believe it is a similar issue for the Brits who might prefer to book with a US-based TA (and some report having success at this).  

 

If we N.A.'s want to cruise out of Australia, we are booking and paying in CAD or USD.  Therefore our FCD's and S/H benefits are in those currencies.  We do have some choice and flexibility here in N.A. as we have two currencies in the market (and perhaps Mexicans have an option - IDK).  

 

We always work with USD since our discount TA is US-based.  Just seems a lot simpler, although I have heard of some TA's in USA who will accept CAD bookings.  Apparently they need a second Princess account in order to do this. 

 

Perhaps you could book an Australian cruise with a TA based there, but then IDK how you would use a FCD.  And would the pricing be to your advantage?

Edited May 6, 2019 by steelers36

[Thrak]

I believe the Shareholder benefit is a different kettle of fish. It appears to me, based on posts here on CC, that a US citizen booking an Australian cruise will receive $100 AU in shareholder credit as listed on top of the shareholder benefit statement. I have no first hand experience but have read posts that seem to support the idea.

[triple7tahoe]

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

I believe the Shareholder benefit is a different kettle of fish. It appears to me, based on posts here on CC, that a US citizen booking an Australian cruise will receive $100 AU in shareholder credit as listed on top of the shareholder benefit statement. I have no first hand experience but have read posts that seem to support the idea.

From first hand experience---You are correct!

 

[Haboob]

17 hours ago, Thrak said:

I believe the Shareholder benefit is a different kettle of fish. It appears to me, based on posts here on CC, that a US citizen booking an Australian cruise will receive $100 AU in shareholder credit as listed on top of the shareholder benefit statement. I have no first hand experience but have read posts that seem to support the idea.

 

Yup.  SOBC follows the nationality of the cruise, not the passenger

BTW, FCD follows the nationality of the payment, not the passenger.