Canadian cruisers!!

[davidsmum]

Thanks for info. I'm wondering about using the OBC to purchase drink packages... for four of us in our cabin, it's going to come to a lot more than $500. Will they let you put the drink packages on the OBC on day 1 or do you have to wait until it shows up in your account?

 

 

We used OBC to purchase our drink packages as we boarded on a recent 11 night cruise....the transactions as completed within 10 minutes of boarding!

There was no card swipe involved just a paper receipt given and a sticker placed on our sea pass card to identify the package we had purchased

Charges didn't show up until a few days into the cruise.

 

 

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[ckrobyn]

Robyn, did you ever think you'd come home from your Indy cruise to experience this weather we have right now?

 

 

I know right? It's so crazy! Weather is 16 Celsius today, the warmest Xmas Eve on record in Toronto [emoji318][emoji318][emoji318][emoji318]

 

 

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[LuCruise]

Thanks for info. I'm wondering about using the OBC to purchase drink packages... for four of us in our cabin, it's going to come to a lot more than $500. Will they let you put the drink packages on the OBC on day 1 or do you have to wait until it shows up in your account?

 

I did the math for a simple soda package (I forget the name but the lowest package) and it is cheaper to wait until on the ship and use OBC at 1.1% than to buy beforehand, which is charged in CAD. It's $11/day in CAD and $8/day in USD. So if DH gets one we're waiting until onboard.

[docd]

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 :).

Edited December 25, 2015 by docd

[son3cruisers]

 

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 :).

 

Thanks for the great tip! With 4 drink packages we plan on purchasing, this will make a big difference! :)

[Emdee]

Do the taxes apply with respect to the dining packages as well?

[hancogran]

Do the taxes apply with respect to the dining packages as well?

 

No, just drinks. :)

[hancogran]

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 :).

 

Thanks for coming back to report.. Glad you were able to get cash out at the casino no problem. That was how it was for us this past May on our Brilliance transatlantic, and I'm hoping that's how it will be on Oasis this January. It seems different ships have different policies! :)

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks for coming back to report.. Glad you were able to get cash out at the casino no problem. That was how it was for us this past May on our Brilliance transatlantic, and I'm hoping that's how it will be on Oasis this January. It seems different ships have different policies! :)

 

We are on Oasis now and we have been able to get cash at the casino. $500 max per day.

[LuCruise]

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

 

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 :).

 

Is this true? I heard that they should not be charging tax and if they do, you can call after your cruise and get the taxed part back.

[OntarioCruiser38]

Unfortunately I am in a position where I booked my cruise using an online US agency.

 

Does anyone know the onboard exchange rate? If I take Canadian dollars will I be able to purchase USD at a better rate than the bank here?

[traceytd]

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 :).

 

 

Is there a 500 limit per day to get money from the casino?

[Ourusualbeach]

Unfortunately I am in a position where I booked my cruise using an online US agency.

 

Does anyone know the onboard exchange rate? If I take Canadian dollars will I be able to purchase USD at a better rate than the bank here?

 

The onboard rate is worse than purchasing US$ at your bank before you go.

[Ourusualbeach]

Is there a 500 limit per day to get money from the casino?

 

Yes there is a $500 daily limit on cash withdrawals at the casino for a cash account.

 

If you have a credit card account you may withdraw up to $3000 daily but you pay a 5% fee.

[cantellu]

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 ?

[A&L_Ont]

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 ?

 

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.

Edited December 26, 2015 by A&L_Ont

[cantellu]

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...

[A&L_Ont]

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...

 

Hopefully they will report back to help clarify on the type of package they had. If never hurts to be correct or at least realistic.:)

[traceytd]

Yes there is a $500 daily limit on cash withdrawals at the casino for a cash account.

 

 

 

If you have a credit card account you may withdraw up to $3000 daily but you pay a 5% fee.

 

 

Thanks

[tinkertwo]

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 :).

 

but if you wait till you leave port then wouldn't you have to pay for any drinks, in that time period, out of pocket? that could cost more than the $20 savings couldn't it?

maybe i'm confused.

[jaye23]

I'm a cruiser newbie (only cruised once with NCL) and after going through the last ten pages of this thread (thanks for the amazing tip btw!), I have a few questions and I would really appreciate if you could help me out.

1) After buying OBC at the rate of 1.1:1, can I use OBC to pay gratuities?

 

2) I have read on the forum somewhere that prepaying gratuities in CAD is cheaper than paying on board. Apparently someone paid $76.87 CND for a 7 day cruise, whereas in US$ they were $84 ($12 x 7 days). I booked my cruise for Jan 2 2016 sailing in July 2015, am I allowed to do that or am I better off paying my gratuities using OBC?

 

3) What is the difference between having my seapass account set up as cash vs credit card? How do I do the set up initially - is it when I board my cruise? From reading this thread, it seems like if I have my account set up as cash, I can withdraw money from the casino or Guest Services at any time without service charges. At the end of the cruise, do I have to go to Guest Services to pick up any remaining cash including coins? However, if my account is set up as CC, I would be charged a service fee whenever I withdraw cash but any remaining OBCs at the end of cruise will be refunded onto my cruise in $USD.

 

I apologize for the lengthy post!

[Ourusualbeach]

I'm a cruiser newbie (only cruised once with NCL) and after going through the last ten pages of this thread (thanks for the amazing tip btw!), I have a few questions and I would really appreciate if you could help me out.

1) After buying OBC at the rate of 1.1:1, can I use OBC to pay gratuities?

 

2) I have read on the forum somewhere that prepaying gratuities in CAD is cheaper than paying on board. Apparently someone paid $76.87 CND for a 7 day cruise, whereas in US$ they were $84 ($12 x 7 days). I booked my cruise for Jan 2 2016 sailing in July 2015, am I allowed to do that or am I better off paying my gratuities using OBC?

 

3) What is the difference between having my seapass account set up as cash vs credit card? How do I do the set up initially - is it when I board my cruise? From reading this thread, it seems like if I have my account set up as cash, I can withdraw money from the casino or Guest Services at any time without service charges. At the end of the cruise, do I have to go to Guest Services to pick up any remaining cash including coins? However, if my account is set up as CC, I would be charged a service fee whenever I withdraw cash but any remaining OBCs at the end of cruise will be refunded onto my cruise in $USD.

 

I apologize for the lengthy post!

 

 

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.

[cantellu]

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 ?

[hancogran]

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 ?

 

"Final payment" normally refers to your final cruise payment which is due usually around 75 days before sailing. For recently booked cruises, I would pay my gratuities when I get onboard using the OBC that I've purchased at the special rate. When we sailed this past May, we prepaid our gratuities before getting on the ship because, as previously mentioned, it was cheaper to pay in CAD ...back when the CAD was stronger.

 

Yes, the people who receive gratuities on board know who has prepaid. Royal Caribbean will automatically add a $12.95 USD gratuity, $15.95 USD for Suite guests, to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis.

[jtdlmc]

but if you wait till you leave port then wouldn't you have to pay for any drinks, in that time period, out of pocket? that could cost more than the $20 savings couldn't it?

maybe i'm confused.

 

I agree. We board fairly early and purchasing drinks out of pocket until we leave port would cost more than the tax savings on the drink package.