Interesting Math on Crew Appreciation aka Tips

[Anubi]

We like to prepay the crew appreciation but when I went to check the amount seemed a bit high.  Sure enough, they were charging a whopping 25% service charge on the amount.  I thought the service charge was 18%.  I also thought it was interesting that we are paying a service charge on the crew appreciation.  Can anyone shed some light on this?

[gottacruisetoo]

I think the 25% is the exchange rate used on converting US$ tips (onboard currency) to CAD funds, assuming you booked in CAD.  A bargain at today's actual exchange rate.

[Florida_gal_50]

22 minutes ago, gottacruisetoo said:

I think the 25% is the exchange rate used on converting US$ tips (onboard currency) to CAD funds, assuming you booked in CAD.  A bargain at today's actual exchange rate.

You are correct.  That's exactly it and it is a bargain.

[Anubi]

24 minutes ago, gottacruisetoo said:

I think the 25% is the exchange rate used on converting US$ tips (onboard currency) to CAD funds, assuming you booked in CAD.  A bargain at today's actual exchange rate.

 

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

You are correct.  That's exactly it and it is a bargain.

Didn't even consider the exchange rate.  And you are right, its a bargain!!  I think its around $1.35.  😞 

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, Anubi said:

 

Didn't even consider the exchange rate.  And you are right, its a bargain!!  I think its around $1.35.  😞 

The 'Prepay Crew Appreciation' is charged to your credit card in the same currency as the booking! 

Even though we had a lot of OBC on our last cruise, I prepaid the crew appreciation as I knew we would be in euro.  At the end of the cruise, I asked for a cash refund and accumulated a pile of US Dollars for a future trip, at a great exchange rate.

[MAVIP]

12 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

The 'Prepay Crew Appreciation' is charged to your credit card in the same currency as the booking! 

Even though we had a lot of OBC on our last cruise, I prepaid the crew appreciation as I knew we would be in euro.  At the end of the cruise, I asked for a cash refund and accumulated a pile of US Dollars for a future trip, at a great exchange rate.

That's clever, no exchange rates for the refundable amount. Pity I didnot realise this, Colin. 

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, MAVIP said:

That's clever, no exchange rates for the refundable amount. Pity I didnot realise this, Colin. 

Lennie, I believe I posted about the exchange rate on the 'Western Isles' Roll Call, but I was not 100% certain that I could get actual cash refunded instead of a credit to my credit card.

[MAVIP]

10 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Lennie, I believe I posted about the exchange rate on the 'Western Isles' Roll Call, but I was not 100% certain that I could get actual cash refunded instead of a credit to my credit card.

September 10th I visited Guest Service o/b ms Rotterdam (I seldom do) to ask whether they could book the refundable $$ on both our statements to their next cruise October 2nd. They had no possibility to do that. And I never thought about a cash refund in dollars to be used at a future cruise  to USA etc.  Saves travelling to my favourite Amsterdam company for $$ plus %% for all "in betweens" and work for HAL too.  I will remember your advise. Thank you very much!

[kazu]

17 hours ago, gottacruisetoo said:

I think the 25% is the exchange rate used on converting US$ tips (onboard currency) to CAD funds, assuming you booked in CAD.  A bargain at today's actual exchange rate.

 

I did not realize this.  thank you 🙂. That explains a lot and you’re right, ijt is a bargain.  Now that I know this, I might just prepay mine too.

[highscar]

@gottacruisetoois that the case for anything I order from Canada, beverage cards, wine packages etc.   interesting.   

[Florida_gal_50]

46 minutes ago, highscar said:

@gottacruisetoois that the case for anything I order from Canada, beverage cards, wine packages etc.   interesting.   

That would be nice unfortunately it’s not.  

[TiogaCruiser]

20 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

The 'Prepay Crew Appreciation' is charged to your credit card in the same currency as the booking! 

Even though we had a lot of OBC on our last cruise, I prepaid the crew appreciation as I knew we would be in euro.  At the end of the cruise, I asked for a cash refund and accumulated a pile of US Dollars for a future trip, at a great exchange rate.

 

19 hours ago, MAVIP said:

That's clever, no exchange rates for the refundable amount. Pity I didnot realise this, Colin. 

I nominate this thread for the “Best of CC threads collection”.

[VMax1700]

2 hours ago, highscar said:

@gottacruisetoois that the case for anything I order from Canada, beverage cards, wine packages etc.   interesting.   

Only 'Travel Planning' items

 

 

[Florida_gal_50]

It would be so lovely if I got my cabana at a lower rate.  It is expensive.  Same with pre purchased dinners.  I did manage to get sel de mer booked for less earlier this year than it’s showing now.  I’m glad I bought things earlier because the exchange rate sucks right now.

[MAVIP]

On 9/24/2022 at 12:16 AM, VMax1700 said:

Lennie, I believe I posted about the exchange rate on the 'Western Isles' Roll Call, but I was not 100% certain that I could get actual cash refunded instead of a credit to my credit card.

Colin, I have to tell you that it worked out perfectly. We now have enough US$ pocketmoney for our next HAL cruise and nor our bank nor the ECB profits this time 🤫. Thanks again,

Lenny

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, MAVIP said:

Colin, I have to tell you that it worked out perfectly. We now have enough US$ pocketmoney for our next HAL cruise and nor our bank nor the ECB profits this time 🤫. Thanks again,

Lenny

That is good to hear, Lenny 👍

Hope you enjoyed your cruise.

[MAVIP]

2 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

That is good to hear, Lenny 👍

Hope you enjoyed your cruise.

We absolutely did. Pity it takes another 6 months till next one.....