Canadian cruisers!!

[CGinMTL]

Yes, that's always been one of the stipulations to purchase OBC in CAD. If you read back, you'll see a few people have complained about the same thing. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way around it. :(

.

Thank you. Now I don't feel as bad about missing the 1,1

However, I will look at booking in CAD when we are on board the Serenade in Feb.

Edited January 14, 2016 by CGinMTL
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[hancogran]

Thanks for the reminder. :)

 

I had checked on ours almost a year ago and at the time it made sense to use OBC to pay our gratuities but most likely that has changed. The rate for gratuities is locked in at the time you book and we booked almost 2 years ago.

 

After reading this, I just called RCI to inquire about prepaying our gratuities for our upcoming Oasis (Jan. 30th). Originally, I had planned on using the OBC I purchased but it makes more sense to prepay them now. It was $111.34 per person CAD vs $90.65 USD. :D Every little bit helps!!! :D

 

Anybody else who's got a cruise coming up should check into it. ;)

[Ourusualbeach]

After reading this, I just called RCI to inquire about prepaying our gratuities for our upcoming Oasis (Jan. 30th). Originally, I had planned on using the OBC I purchased but it makes more sense to prepay them now. It was $111.34 per person CAD vs $90.65 USD. :D Every little bit helps!!! :D

 

Anybody else who's got a cruise coming up should check into it. ;)

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Our first time on her in December and we had a great cruise. The only thing that we didn't like was Cats, loved everything else. Can't wait to sail Allure in March.

[hancogran]

Have a great cruise.

 

Our first time on her in December and we had a great cruise. The only thing that we didn't like was Cats, loved everything else. Can't wait to sail Allure in March.

 

Thank you, Ken! I have booked Cats but after reading the reviews from different people I am 99.9% sure DH wouldn't sit through even 10 minutes of it so we'll likely skip it. Glad you had a good time on Oasis.. we're a bit worried about the ship being so large. Heard some negative things about restaurants and shows being overcrowded and line ups, etc. :confused: but we're anxious to find out for ourselves and so excited about it. :)

 

We're low key and go with the flow type of people (easily pleased) so we don't sweat the small stuff.. we're just happy to be on the ship! :)

[NSnewcruiser]

How long would I have in order to prepay my gratuities? Is there a way to check what they would be?

[hancogran]

How long would I have in order to prepay my gratuities? Is there a way to check what they would be?

 

I would imagine you'd have up until just a few days before sailing to prepay them. You would likely be better calling to inquire what the gratuities would be in CAD. I called to ask the amount then did my math and called back and said to go ahead and prepay them.

Edited January 14, 2016 by hancogran

[JillK]

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

[Ourusualbeach]

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

 

The price is $80 US which is a 1.4 exchange rate. If you have OBC that you bought at 1.10 you are better off booking on board.

 

We did specialty restaurants 6 nights and the WJ once on the Oasis a few weeks ago. So many choices. We are planning on booking the 4 or 5 night package for Allure in March.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Ourusualbeach

[JillK]

The price is $80 US which is a 1.4 exchange rate. If you have OBC that you bought at 1.10 you are better off booking on board.

 

We did specialty restaurants 6 nights and the WJ once on the Oasis a few weeks ago. So many choices. We are planning on booking the 4 or 5 night package for Allure in March.

 

OK great - thanks Ken. I couldn't see the pricing anywhere online in USD so couldn't figure out the math. Seems like you think the specialties are well worth it so I'll plan on buying this once on board. I expect I'm better off to wait until after sailing to avoid Florida State tax.

 

Jill

[Ourusualbeach]

OK great - thanks Ken. I couldn't see the pricing anywhere online in USD so couldn't figure out the math. Seems like you think the specialties are well worth it so I'll plan on buying this once on board. I expect I'm better off to wait until after sailing to avoid Florida State tax.

 

Jill

 

I don't think you will have a problem going to 3 restaurants. It can be used at

 

Chops

Giovanni's

150 Central Park

Izumi

Solarium Bistro

Sabor

 

Central Park, Chops, Giovanni's and Izumi would be the most expensive so you get a bigger bang for your buck by eating there.

 

I wouldn't recommend ucpsing it at Sabor as 2 can eat there for under $30 in total. Use the package for other restaurants and if you try Sabor just pay for it separately.

[NSnewcruiser]

I would imagine you'd have up until just a few days before sailing to prepay them. You would likely be better calling to inquire what the gratuities would be in CAD. I called to ask the amount then did my math and called back and said to go ahead and prepay them.

 

 

Thanks.I will give them a call.

[Fishnbrews]

Thanks.I will give them a call.

 

 

Please share your answer when you call. We are cruising in two weeks and would like to know the savings by pre paying. Thank you

[Ourusualbeach]

Please share your answer when you call. We are cruising in two weeks and would like to know the savings by pre paying. Thank you

 

You need to call yourself to get the rate. Everyone's rate will vary based on when you booked your cruise. The exchange rate for gratuities is locked in at the time you book.

 

I called and paid mine today for my March cruise. It was $111.34 for the 7 days pp. an exchange rate of about 1.23.

 

I see that there are a few that have paid this same rate. The rate that was set for gratuities changes either quarterly or annually.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Ourusualbeach

[NSnewcruiser]

Just called and I got the same answer at $111.34 pp for my 7 night cruise that I booked back in November.

[Russ Lomas]

You need to call yourself to get the rate. Everyone's rate will vary based on when you booked your cruise. The exchange rate for gratuities is locked in at the time you book.

 

I called and paid mine today for my March cruise. It was $111.34 for the 7 days pp. an exchange rate of about 1.23.

 

I see that there are a few that have paid this same rate. The rate that was set for gratuities changes either quarterly or annually.

 

True. All depends when you booked. Below is the line I cut and pasted out of our reservations. 7 day cruise in March on the Freedom of the Seas in Canadian funds (the $153.74 at the end is the gratuities TOTAL for TWO people in the cabin).

 

Gratuities 76.87 76.87 0.00 0.00 153.74

[Russ Lomas]

Just wondering if anybody knows if Princess and NCL have raised their OBC exchange rate like RCCL did last week. I was just on the NCL board trying to find out and left a posting there asking. People were saying that they were purchasing OBC at 11% just over a week ago, but there are no newer postings (since RCCL jacked their exchange rates). The reason I ask is that I am helping plan a cruise for a relative for this February and this will play hugely into their decision to take NCL/Princess/ or RCCL.

 

Are you paying attention to this RCCL?

[Ourusualbeach]

Just wondering if anybody knows if Princess and NCL have raised their OBC exchange rate like RCCL did last week. I was just on the NCL board trying to find out and left a posting there asking. People were saying that they were purchasing OBC at 11% just over a week ago, but there are no newer postings (since RCCL jacked their exchange rates). The reason I ask is that I am helping plan a cruise for a relative for this February and this will play hugely into their decision to take NCL/Princess/ or RCCL.

 

Are you paying attention to this RCCL?

 

I thought that I had read that NCL had upped their rate before Royal raised theirs.

 

Great deal on those gratuities. I had those rates on my cruise last March.

[A&L_Ont]

Just wondering if anybody knows if Princess and NCL have raised their OBC exchange rate like RCCL did last week. I was just on the NCL board trying to find out and left a posting there asking. People were saying that they were purchasing OBC at 11% just over a week ago, but there are no newer postings (since RCCL jacked their exchange rates). The reason I ask is that I am helping plan a cruise for a relative for this February and this will play hugely into their decision to take NCL/Princess/ or RCCL.

 

Are you paying attention to this RCCL?

 

In September Princes raised their rate to 20%, but I do t know what has happened since then. The in laws had a British Isle booked and they bought it 10% prior to the Price increase.

[phabric]

I did not add the tip when I booked my cruise.

 

If I add the tip to my booking, it will stay at that rate $111?

 

If I don't add the tip to my booking, if the tip rate changes, I pay the new rate?

[Ourusualbeach]

I did not add the tip when I booked my cruise.

 

If I add the tip to my booking, it will stay at that rate $111?

 

If I don't add the tip to my booking, if the tip rate changes, I pay the new rate?

 

If you call and pay for your gratuities before you sail you will pay in CDN$...they will tell you how much it would be.

 

If you don't add the rate to your booking now and decide to later (before sailing) it should stay the same. Call and add it now to be sure. You don't have to pay it until final payment.

[cantellu]

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

Edited January 15, 2016 by cantellu
more info

[Ourusualbeach]

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 ??

 

It does depend on the ship.

 

On Oasis and Quantum class the 3 restaurant package deal is $80 US or $112 CDN. On all other ships it is $70US or $98 CDN. Both at the 1.40 exchange rate.

[LuCruise]

True. All depends when you booked. Below is the line I cut and pasted out of our reservations. 7 day cruise in March on the Freedom of the Seas in Canadian funds (the $153.74 at the end is the gratuities TOTAL for TWO people in the cabin).

 

Gratuities 76.87 76.87 0.00 0.00 153.74

 

Royal raised their gratuities last year (I think it was June). Before they raised, i called and had them added to my booking (i.e. so I will pay them before our cruise at final payment). I'm at work so can't confirm but $76.87 sounds very familiar so i think that is the CAD price before they were raised. I know overall, we saved about $110 CAD for a family of 4.

[phabric]

I did not add the tip when I booked my cruise.

 

If I add the tip to my booking, it will stay at that rate $111?

 

If I don't add the tip to my booking, if the tip rate changes, I pay the new rate?

 

If you call and pay for your gratuities before you sail you will pay in CDN$...they will tell you how much it would be.

 

If you don't add the rate to your booking now and decide to later (before sailing) it should stay the same. Call and add it now to be sure. You don't have to pay it until final payment.

 

I called to add my tips to my bookings encase the price goes up before my sailings in Dec.

 

7 days - $111.34/pp CDN

8 days - $124.24/pp CDN

[phabric]

What is the Dining Package?

 

Can you choose the restaurant? Or Do have to go to the ones they choose for you?

 

Can you choose the date and time?

 

Can you have the same restaurant more than once?

 

Will be on the Jewel or Adventure, have not been on either ship before.

 

I was on just on a HAL cruise with a free paid restaurant with my booking. HAL chose the date and time because it was a holiday cruise and MANY had this package. We had not choice and could not change, we were not happy to eat at 9pm.