Canadian cruisers!!

[CruisinCanadaFamily]

Sorry if this has been asked.

 

After reading this forum and watching the CDN continuously fall, I booked an on board credit. My confirmation email states $330 CDN.

 

It doesnt show $300 USD anywhere, I'm worried about the rate dropping when I get onboard even though the agent at RC said it will be $300 USD.

 

Has anyone thought of this or asked for a confirmation in USD?

 

Thank You in advance

[hancogran]

Sorry if this has been asked.

 

After reading this forum and watching the CDN continuously fall, I booked an on board credit. My confirmation email states $330 CDN.

 

It doesnt show $300 USD anywhere, I'm worried about the rate dropping when I get onboard even though the agent at RC said it will be $300 USD.

 

Has anyone thought of this or asked for a confirmation in USD?

 

Thank You in advance

 

Your $300 U.S. will be waiting for you on board. ;) If you read back through the earlier posts you will see that many of us had this same concern but rest assured, even though your confirmation only shows your purchase in CAD, whatever amount you purchased in USD will be there. I'm sure many others can confirm this as well. :)

[Ourusualbeach]

Your $300 U.S. will be waiting for you on board. ;) If you read back through the earlier posts you will see that many of us had this same concern but rest assured, even though your confirmation only shows your purchase in CAD, whatever amount you purchased in USD will be there. I'm sure many others can confirm this as well. :)

 

Absolutely correct. No need to worry.:)

 

Think of this like you would in buying a shore excursion. You are paying the rate on that day for a product and once it is locked in then it's set. In this case that product just happens to be US$.

Edited September 26, 2015 by Ourusualbeach

[LuCruise]

I've always called C&A and had great service but you can also call Gifts & Gear.

 

Thanks. I don't see a telephone number for Gifts & Gear, but I do see one for Crown & Anchor Society. I have a membership number so can call them. Thanks.

[Clarea]

Thanks. I don't see a telephone number for Gifts & Gear, but I do see one for Crown & Anchor Society. I have a membership number so can call them. Thanks.

Gifts & Gear: 800-722-5443.

[Virtopia]

Loving the amazing rate, and I have bought a lot of OBC for my upcoming cruise. I have a question for anyone in the know.....I have always set up a credit card account, but some of you are suggesting that a cash account is the way to go in order to save the 5% charge for taking out cash in the casino. Why am I paying any fee at all to take out my own CASH? If I set up a credit card account when I board, how will this affect me taking out my OBC? Can I not take it out at Guest Relations? I'm sorry if this has been addressed already, but I am still confused...:confused:

 

I'm just getting off the Adventure right now. I had a cash account and they tried to charge my friend the 5% service fee but when I went with her, they didn't. It's a great program. The only slightly disappointing part was that I clearly over thought my spending and had more than $300 credit on my account by day 4. I went to the casino first to take off about $150 and then I wenr to Guest Services to add a credit card. She added it but explained that it's still a cash account so that I'd still have to come down on the last night to close it. I'm like I thought it would go back to the credit card and she's like only if you exceed the credit, then I'll be charged on my card but if I had a credit, I'd have to collect it. She asked 2 people and I got the same answer, so despite having a credit card on the account, I still had to go down to clear out my account last night.

[Clarea]

I'm just getting off the Adventure right now. I had a cash account and they tried to charge my friend the 5% service fee but when I went with her, they didn't. It's a great program. The only slightly disappointing part was that I clearly over thought my spending and had more than $300 credit on my account by day 4. I went to the casino first to take off about $150 and then I wenr to Guest Services to add a credit card. She added it but explained that it's still a cash account so that I'd still have to come down on the last night to close it. I'm like I thought it would go back to the credit card and she's like only if you exceed the credit, then I'll be charged on my card but if I had a credit, I'd have to collect it. She asked 2 people and I got the same answer, so despite having a credit card on the account, I still had to go down to clear out my account last night.

Interesting, never heard that before. Thanks for the info.

[The Sunset Glow]

I'm just getting off the Adventure right now. I had a cash account and they tried to charge my friend the 5% service fee but when I went with her, they didn't. It's a great program. The only slightly disappointing part was that I clearly over thought my spending and had more than $300 credit on my account by day 4. I went to the casino first to take off about $150 and then I wenr to Guest Services to add a credit card. She added it but explained that it's still a cash account so that I'd still have to come down on the last night to close it. I'm like I thought it would go back to the credit card and she's like only if you exceed the credit, then I'll be charged on my card but if I had a credit, I'd have to collect it. She asked 2 people and I got the same answer, so despite having a credit card on the account, I still had to go down to clear out my account last night.

 

Could you have avoided that trip to guest services on the last night by taking out almost all the OBC and then buying say one drink that puts the seapass account over by about $10 (so you now owe them the $10) and then they would just close it out by charging that to the card?

 

Just trying to find a way around it if this is the way they are doing it now. Others have reported that they put the remaining credit on the credit card so we are getting mixed reports. Typical RCI.

[LuCruise]

Gifts & Gear: 800-722-5443.

 

 

 

Thanks so much. Will give them a call. The 1% is such a good deal as it doesn't look like the exchange will improve in the next 6 months.

Edited September 26, 2015 by LuCruise

[Virtopia]

Could you have avoided that trip to guest services on the last night by taking out almost all the OBC and then buying say one drink that puts the seapass account over by about $10 (so you now owe them the $10) and then they would just close it out by charging that to the card?

 

Just trying to find a way around it if this is the way they are doing it now. Others have reported that they put the remaining credit on the credit card so we are getting mixed reports. Typical RCI.

 

That's what I ended up doing. I left$30 on there and ordered a picture and went to Johnny Rockets.

[A&L_Ont]

I'm just getting off the Adventure right now. I had a cash account and they tried to charge my friend the 5% service fee but when I went with her, they didn't. It's a great program. The only slightly disappointing part was that I clearly over thought my spending and had more than $300 credit on my account by day 4. I went to the casino first to take off about $150 and then I wenr to Guest Services to add a credit card. She added it but explained that it's still a cash account so that I'd still have to come down on the last night to close it. I'm like I thought it would go back to the credit card and she's like only if you exceed the credit, then I'll be charged on my card but if I had a credit, I'd have to collect it. She asked 2 people and I got the same answer, so despite having a credit card on the account, I still had to go down to clear out my account last night.

 

That's what I ended up doing. I left$30 on there and ordered a picture and went to Johnny Rockets.

 

So if I understand what happened to you I should do the following for my upcoming Indy cruise. Set it up as a cash account. In the first few days withdrawl almost all of my OBC and then put my CC on the account. Then I should buy a couple of drinks using up my remaining credit and let any extra charges go onto my newly added CC or pay any balance in cash the second to last day. That should help me avoid going to GS on the last day.

[phabric]

I'm just getting off the Adventure right now. I had a cash account and they tried to charge my friend the 5% service fee but when I went with her, they didn't. It's a great program. The only slightly disappointing part was that I clearly over thought my spending and had more than $300 credit on my account by day 4. I went to the casino first to take off about $150 and then I wenr to Guest Services to add a credit card. She added it but explained that it's still a cash account so that I'd still have to come down on the last night to close it. I'm like I thought it would go back to the credit card and she's like only if you exceed the credit, then I'll be charged on my card but if I had a credit, I'd have to collect it. She asked 2 people and I got the same answer, so despite having a credit card on the account, I still had to go down to clear out my account last night.

 

Why did you not take all your money out at the casino to have a 0 cash balance and then put your credit card down?

[hancogran]

Why did you not take all your money out at the casino to have a 0 cash balance and then put your credit card down?

This is what we did on the last night but didn't put a credit card down.

 

We had a balance of $67 OBC left and simply went to the casino to withdraw it. We got $65 because they have to give it to you in $5 increments but we were ok with that. Lost $2 but saved standing in the huge long line that night so it was well worth it. We knew we wouldn't be buying any more drinks so no credit card needed. :)

[TheCount]

Good day

We are about to cruise in the next few weeks. We want to do this OBC pre-purchase. From all the reading, any cash OBC remaining on the account is only available for withdraw on the final day at GS or by withdraw at Casio with a 5% service charge? Does this seem correct?

If we "settled up" on Day 6, and put a credit card in place at that time, would this not be the same or similar? Thanks in advance for your advise. :)

Edited September 27, 2015 by TheCount

[Clarea]

Good day

We are about to cruise in the next few weeks. We want to do this OBC pre-purchase. From all the reading, any cash OBC remaining on the account is only available for withdraw on the final day at GS or by withdraw at Casio with a 5% service charge? Does this seem correct?

If we "settled up" on Day 6, and put a credit card in place at that time, would this not be the same or similar? Thanks in advance for your advise. :)

I believe that if there is a credit card in place at the end of the cruise, then any remaining refundable OBC would be credited to the credit card.

[Ourusualbeach]

Good day

We are about to cruise in the next few weeks. We want to do this OBC pre-purchase. From all the reading, any cash OBC remaining on the account is only available for withdraw on the final day at GS or by withdraw at Casio with a 5% service charge? Does this seem correct?

If we "settled up" on Day 6, and put a credit card in place at that time, would this not be the same or similar? Thanks in advance for your advise. :)

 

It sounds like you are initially setting up a cash account. If that is the case then you should be able to withdraw cash at the casino at any time during the cruise and not pay the 5% fee.

 

 

If you provide a credit card on day 6 then the small amount remaining or any money owing will be credited/charged to your credit card.

[jtdlmc]

My daughter and her boyfriend had ,between the two of them, $800 OBC. She called yesterday to add some more and was told that they had the maximum OBC allowed for the cabin! Called back today and added more without an issue. This is the first I've heard of that so thought I would add it to the list of inconsistencies in case anyone else gets that line - just call back and get a different agent :)

Edited September 27, 2015 by jtdlmc

[jellyfish39]

Just off Liberty of Seas. We used the advice on this board and "bought" lots of OBC for the cruise and set up a cash account. We withdrew cash for shore excursions from the Casino with no questions and no 5% service fee. On the last night we withdrew some cash from casino then went to guest services (luckily no line up) and withdrew the remaining small balance and added a credit card for any last night expenses.

We ended up with US$600 in cash to bring home which is great as our cruise next year is on Celebrity and although they are a sister company they don't seem to be giving preferred rates for Canadians buying OBC (we tried calling and were quoted an exchange rate of C$1.30/US$1.00)

[ckrobyn]

Just off Liberty of Seas. We used the advice on this board and "bought" lots of OBC for the cruise and set up a cash account. We withdrew cash for shore excursions from the Casino with no questions and no 5% service fee. On the last night we withdrew some cash from casino then went to guest services (luckily no line up) and withdrew the remaining small balance and added a credit card for any last night expenses.

We ended up with US$600 in cash to bring home which is great as our cruise next year is on Celebrity and although they are a sister company they don't seem to be giving preferred rates for Canadians buying OBC (we tried calling and were quoted an exchange rate of C$1.30/US$1.00)

 

Thanks for the update. This is my intention on my upcoming Indy B2B. I'm setting up a cash account and will add a CC on the last day of each cruise. Hopefully there is consistency and I will not be charged a fee in the casino.

[phabric]

 

Holland does not have a preferred rate for Canadians booked in CDN$ For OBC, just what your credit card charges.

 

Canadians booked in CDN$ on Princess have a rate of $1.10, $1.20 depending on when they booked. I have read that Princess adjust their exchange rates every 6 months, and it might go to $1.30.

Edited September 27, 2015 by phabric

[LuCruise]

Just off Liberty of Seas. We used the advice on this board and "bought" lots of OBC for the cruise and set up a cash account...

 

What's the difference between OBC and a cash account? We just purchased OBC but don't know why we'd need a cash account.

[JessyCruises]

What's the difference between OBC and a cash account? We just purchased OBC but don't know why we'd need a cash account.

 

You do not need to have a cash account. The advantage of having one is that you should be able to withdraw cash at the casino and not be charged the 5% fee you are normally charged.

[LuCruise]

You do not need to have a cash account. The advantage of having one is that you should be able to withdraw cash at the casino and not be charged the 5% fee you are normally charged.

 

Hmm..ok, thanks. Guess we'll just stick with our OBC and also bring USD with us for ports (well, assuming the sites use USD...I haven't' really looked into it yet).

[JessyCruises]

Hmm..ok, thanks. Guess we'll just stick with our OBC and also bring USD with us for ports (well, assuming the sites use USD...I haven't' really looked into it yet).

 

 

I think you might have misunderstood what I meant. If you buy OBCs, and you have your account set up as cash (i.e. don't give a credit card at check in), you should be able to withdraw the money from the casino without being charged 5%. You can use it at ports, casino, bring it home, etc etc.

 

In the previous post, I just meant you did not have to set your account up as cash. For instance if you knew you were spending all the OBC on board or you don't mind paying 5% to get your own money back from the casino.

 

We have $300 OBC from myvegas and bought another $1500. We might buy more as well. We are both getting a drink package and will be using it in casino and for spending money at the ports. If there is any balance left, we will bring it home & deposit it in our US account at CIBC.

[barnoner]

I saved this from a previous poster re buying OBC with Celebrity.

 

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/bonvoyage/cruise-onboard-credit/onbdcr/item-code-c171