cantellu

28 minutes ago, LindaD22 said:

 

Got it. Thery get status but not points which means not the benfits.

On 1/23/2024 at 3:53 PM, LindaD22 said:

I just completed a 5-nt solo cruise that bumps our status to Diamond🎉🎉🎉 Our next cruise starts on February 2, it’s a 12-nt AUS/NZ cruise, so we would really appreciate the perks during that sailing. Realistically, how long does it take for C&A status to be updated?  Do you think it will be done before February 2? 

Does a solo cruise bump the status of 2 people to the next level. What's the language around that rule ?

13 hours ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

I was perusing through the onboard account & noticed just posted some credits for port/air taxes.  I imagine this means we will be missing a port.  No announcement yet.  I have an excursion for St Lucia and no refund for that.  so maybe Tobago tomorrow?  Not sure why else there would be port tax credits posted.

Did you get an answer on why the credits ?

My wife and I will be on this cruse Feb 2nd. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Looking forward to your comment on Trinidad and Tobago excursions.

What was the change they made.... ITs not clear in your post?

I am sailing on the Oasis on November 26th and the entertainment showed up online last week. 

Start checking on a daily basis a month or so prior to embarkation if you're wanting to book early.

Got it. OK. For clarity, that is the number of days until your cruise departs and not the number of days to when you can check-in which I understood the question was in the original post. So for the cruise with 406 days until it departs, what would be the day you could check in ? Maybe I am reading this wrong . I want to be sure for my self because my number says 49 days which is the day we depart and I would like to know the day we can start check-in...

On 10/6/2023 at 6:34 PM, Mum2Mercury said:

Yes, 45 days. 

If you check your online reservation, you'll see the exact day under your "countdown", and you won't have to count backwards for yourself.  

I don't see the exact day or the countdown. can you be more specific. Screenshot ?>

My experience has been that if you used your credit card to book your cruise then it will be on file going forward. I tried to remove i]t and change to a cash account during pre cruise online check-in but it wasn't an option. I either had to call in and have them, remove the credit card which automatically changes your account to a cash account with the $500 credit or go to guest services at on site check-in and remove the CC which also changes your account to a cash account with the $500 credit. 

If you really want to be sure they don't charge your credit card you should go to  guest services and remove your card on file. If it is on file you may see a refundable transaction on day 1 which is what they do to be sure your CC is valid.  Best to just remove it so you can activate the $500 cash credit. 

Just off Mariner in Caribbean. Bought a bucket of beer 2 times. Basically 5 beers for the price of 4.

I can confirm buying for 1 person provides the benefits for 2 people in the same room. . Just on the phone with RC and they confirmed. Crazy good deal. And the ship tour includes engine room which is not in the description of all access tour.

Just after I booked for the Oasis Nov 26/23 cruise. I went back in,  just to double check it is now sold out.

19 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

I saw that and came straight here to see what you guys thought.    
I'd been pondering upgrading one soda package to Voom plus Soda.   For our cruise that would make the internet cost $14/day or $70 total.   

I wonder if by adding two people I was actually buying two packages?   Maybe the package is a plus-one situation?   So it is whoever is on the package, plus another person with them.  That would be nice.   As it is, since our group is two adults and two kids we couldn't use the embarkation and debarkation.   Unless maybe we sent one adult on ahead to secure a nice WJ table.   I expect we'll get the first regular boarding time since I plan on using my Disney-skills.   So the rest wouldn't be far behind.  

I can confirm buying for 1 person provides the benefits for 2 people in the same room. 

Thanks folks. Passport is the only option for us at this point. Hopefully the application made in April will come through in August.

Is a passport required for a Canadian citizen who is leaving from Vancouver and returning to Vancouver for an Alaska cruise. Will a drivers license be enough ?

Passport delays are getting me worried ...

I did check we are the only ship there that day.

How do you find out what ships are in port on the day you are ??

I see the 3 night dining package at $98 CDN Today ???

I am guessing it depends on what ships and what restaurants are on that ship ??

I managed to get some obc before the exchange jump last week. We are planning on using this to cover off a few excursions, drinks (we will buy them a la carte) and in the casino.

 

We are considering purchasing the three night specialty dining package. It is currently priced at $112 per person CDN and the website seems to imply this is a savings of 40% somehow (not sure if it's versus one off meals or buying the package once on board).

 

Thoughts on whether I am better off buying this ahead of time or wait and buy on board using obc would be appreciated, as well as opinions on whether the specialty dining is worth it at all?

 

Thanks!

 

Jill

If you are borderline of breaking even on the drink package, one option would be to wait until day 2 to purchase the package.

 

But I have read from other's posts that they will refund this money (unless they no longer do this, but this post is only from one month ago). Look at this post...first post under section "Once on the boat" http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2284000

Found a good answer on this post...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2281964&highlight=drink+package+taxes

1. Yes you can use your OBC to pay gratuities but only if you pay gratuities onboard. Do not do prepaid gratuities as they will be charged at final payment.

 

2. The deal with the cheaper gratuities was for those of us that booked cruises back when the CDN$ was stronger than the US$ a couple of years ago, as you booked in July 2015 this would not apply.

 

3. You can choose whether to set up your account as a cash a cash or credit card account when you complete your set sail pass online prior to your cruise. You can also change this at the pier check in if you wish.

 

Cash accounts can get cash up to $500 per day from the casino. Cash from guest services is only on your last full day aboard the ship.

 

With a cash account you must stand in line to close your account and pay any remaining balance or get your cash back the last evening. To avoid this many will go to guest services the last day and give them a credit card to settle their account with to avoid standing in line.

 

By waiting until the last day to give the credit card you can get cash from the casino with no fee and then have the convenience of an easy check out with any remaining money refunded in US$ to your credit card.

I was assuming that if I don't pre-pay gratuities then I will pay for gratuities at final payment with my OBC in USD on the last day. Not sure if this is correct or advisable. Your answer to question 1 leads me to believe that I would pay gratuities as I consume drinks/food etc. rather than pay at final payment on last day in USD. Do on board staff know if you have prepaid or not and expect to be given gratuities if you have not prepaid ?

I read their post to say they saved $20 in tax by waiting to purchase their drink package once they sailed out of port. If it was purchased in port there would have been tax of $20 added to the purchase price.

 

Edit: they would have bought every day of the drink package.

Got it. I could go with that and assume I would save $80 USD on 4 drink packages for my 6 day cruise even if they were the select package and not the premium package. That would be a great assumption but maybe not so realistic.. I may be off base but would rather set my expectations correctly...

Just wanted to follow up. First, thanks again to the OP for the tip! Worked out great for us.

 

We purchased $1500 OBC at 10%. Took many phones calls to make the three $500 purchases, but no big deal.

 

We were on the Allure last week and had NO issues taking money out at the casino. I simply told them I had a cash account and they handed me my $500 each time without question and no fees. Was simple and easy.

 

We even returned with $500 US, so ended up making a bit of money in the end.

 

Also, with respect to purchasing drink packages, definitely best to do it with your OBC and do it after you LEAVE PORT if you can. Otherwise, you get charged taxes. I purchased a Premium drink package after we sailed away and saved $20. Ok, it's not much, but it's still something :).

To help others estimate savings, can you share how many days of the premium drink package you purchased to save $20. Or let us know what the tax rate is ?

There, I just added $499 USD OBC to both our staterooms for our next cruise. Still got the 1.10 exchange rate but limit was $499 per transaction (As explained by that particular agent ;-) YMMV

 

I know our cruise is still a ways away but did not want to miss out on that exchange rate and I don't see our CAN $ going north of 1.10 anytime soon.

 

The agent also sent me 2 emails confirming the Purchase of OBC in the amount of $548.90 CAD each.

 

dp

Did the email show you how much OBC you had in US dollars. That's the important part. What if the exchange was not 10% and you actual OBC was $460 USD

This is a very long thread so the information below is already posted I apologize for the repeat.

 

Just back from Nov 10th Anthem 12 night, this cruise was booked in CAD funds.

 

Prior to cruise we purchased $3000 ($500 six times) for a total cost of $3300 CAD. Amazed? I was! Once we arrived in our room the account feature on the TV showed a balance of $3000 USD and it decreased as we used it but always showing the balance.

 

On board we paid for 2 beverage packages (much cheaper than prepaying in CAD online).

 

Gratuities of $12.95 USD per person came from the balance.

 

Went to casino each day to withdraw a few hundred dollars, $500 is the max per day. I did this until there was only enough left in the account to cover gratuities, speciality dining, photos, onboard purchases. There was never a service fee for taking this cash at the casino.

 

Doing this saved us 23-25% on exchange rates at our local bank. Being able to take our cash at the casino also provided for in port and onboard spending as well as occasional tips to our servers/staff etc. It also saved us money on shore excursions and all onboard spending. Not to mention we did not have to travel with a pile of cash.

 

On the last day of the cruise, with only a few dollars left in the pre purchased OBC, I went to guest services, added my Visa to the account and spent the balance at the logo store. Any amount I went over was simply charged to my Visa.

 

I had been reading this with the same interest as many of you, somewhat in disbelief, however now that I've done it for myself I had to report back. This is an amazing way to save hundreds or more.

Is access to OBC only availbale on day 2 or beyond. I would ike to buy my drink package with OBC as soon as I get on Board ??

This is an insane deal for CDN passengers.

For $1100 CDN I get $1000 US OBC.

AS another person stated. I will buy my drink packages and excursions when I get on board with the OBC instead of pre-purchase in CND dollars online. The online price is converted using a much higher exchange rate...

Stephen