RCCL Pre buying OBC.

[MicCanberra]

Yeah Mic, I get your logic, but we don't go to a pub or club for 12 days:p

well some might!!! it's usually a one night out thing, then back to having a beverage at home;)

 

Anyways, we shall go and see how we fare. We really don't mind spending the $$ when we have to, but with our conversion rate on these US based ships in OZ, we just can't justify some of those drink prices.

Might be time to have a teetotalling cruise......now that would be a first:eek:

 

Chez

 

Yes, I understand. I wish the drinks were cheaper as well. If they do that, then the fares will need to go up, to maintain their profits. It would be hard to draw the line at a level that is fair for all and those who drink.

[MicCanberra]

NOT! GOING! TO! HAPPEN! :eek: :eek:

 

I'd rather not cruise :D

 

Agreed, I suppose you just need to make sacrifices elsewhere like specialty restaurants or photos, and moderate your intake.:D

[OzKiwiJJ]

Agreed, I suppose you just need to make sacrifices elsewhere like specialty restaurants or photos, and moderate your intake.:D

 

Not planning on going to the speciality restaurants - too expensive.

 

Don't buy over-priced photos.

 

Not doing any excursions.

 

Not interested in casinos or bingo.

 

Just want good food and affordable drinks.

 

Princess can do it, why can't RCI?

[The_Big_M]

Still cheaper than many bars in the Capital Cities like Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.:D

 

Sure, it's cheaper than some, but it shouldn't be aiming to be the dearest of them all.

 

For their standard, I think it's still priced above comparable now.

[The_Big_M]

Yes, I understand. I wish the drinks were cheaper as well. If they do that, then the fares will need to go up, to maintain their profits. It would be hard to draw the line at a level that is fair for all and those who drink.

 

Well, profits are growing at the moment, so it's not actually a case that the prices needed to increase. Except that they want to make more money.

 

It's just at what point people feel it is poor value and pull back on purchases and/or complain more.

[Aussie FF]

NOT! GOING! TO! HAPPEN! :eek: :eek:

 

I'd rather not cruise :D

 

Agreeing. Well maybe not the second part.:eek:

[OzKiwiJJ]

NOT! GOING! TO! HAPPEN! :eek: :eek:

 

I'd rather not cruise :D

 

Agreeing. Well maybe not the second part.:eek:

 

OK. I'll amend that ... I'd rather not cruise ... with RCI! :D

Edited March 8, 2015 by OzKiwiJJ

[MicCanberra]

Sure, it's cheaper than some, but it shouldn't be aiming to be the dearest of them all.

 

For their standard, I think it's still priced above comparable now.

 

As a total package goes they are not the most expensive by a long shot but that doesn't mean they are the best value either.

Edited March 8, 2015 by MicCanberra

[MicCanberra]

Well, profits are growing at the moment, so it's not actually a case that the prices needed to increase. Except that they want to make more money.

 

It's just at what point people feel it is poor value and pull back on purchases and/or complain more.

 

Agreed, I don't condone the price increase in the gratuities but the majority of the cost is due to the AUD to USD conversion rate.

[MicCanberra]

 

Princess can do it, why can't RCI?

 

I think they are targeting a different demographic.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I think they are targeting a different demographic.

 

Since my cruise on RCI is still a few days away I can't comment on RCI but just comparing what I know so far it seems that RCI are targeting those who are prepared to spend money regardless of whether what RCI are providing is good value, whereas Princess definitely delivered excellent value for money, far better than I anticipated.

[The_Big_M]

Agreed, I don't condone the price increase in the gratuities but the majority of the cost is due to the AUD to USD conversion rate.

 

The conversion is a separate issue, but was just going off the US prices.

 

I'd have to check records, but it seems that there has been an underlying price increase there as well e.g. looking at the base price of the beer.

 

Further confusion comes in the package prices, which if the top price reported is correct, indicates another increase, but there are differing reports so it's not clear whether that's the caes or not.

[2CtheC]

Just off Rhapsody and had ~190 pre purchased 1:1 OBC left on account and was asked if wanted US cash or balance returned to CC. The bank converted it to ~250 aus

[MicCanberra]

Just off Rhapsody and had ~190 pre purchased 1:1 OBC left on account and was asked if wanted US cash or balance returned to CC. The bank converted it to ~250 aus

 

Good job, I take it you didn't spend as much as anticipated or you had lots of OBC to start with.:D

[MicCanberra]

Since my cruise on RCI is still a few days away I can't comment on RCI but just comparing what I know so far it seems that RCI are targeting those who are prepared to spend money regardless of whether what RCI are providing is good value, whereas Princess definitely delivered excellent value for money, far better than I anticipated.

 

I think that they are targeting more families as they have the 'dreamworks' themes and breakfasts along with some of the gimmicks like Flow rider, rock wall etc. I suppose some of these things are only on the newer ships but the prices and policies are across all of them. I am sure you will have a good time despite the drink prices.

[OzKiwiJJ]

The conversion is a separate issue, but was just going off the US prices.

 

I'd have to check records, but it seems that there has been an underlying price increase there as well e.g. looking at the base price of the beer.

 

Further confusion comes in the package prices, which if the top price reported is correct, indicates another increase, but there are differing reports so it's not clear whether that's the caes or not.

 

I think I saw somewhere on the RCI board that drinks prices had gone up recently. And the steakhouse restaurant cover charge also increased in price.

 

The Ultimate package price is still showing as $99 when I access it through my booking.

[aronde]

Just off Rhapsody and had ~190 pre purchased 1:1 OBC left on account and was asked if wanted US cash or balance returned to CC. The bank converted it to ~250 aus

 

Good to know - but I don't think we will have any OBC left to see if it works on Radiance!

 

For others that have asked RCI is currently quoting $A1.28 to pre-purchase $US1 so it is basically the current exchange rate. And my trip planner still has the ultimate drink package at $A84. If it changes I will post back.

[Yorto]

I think I saw somewhere on the RCI board that drinks prices had gone up recently. And the steakhouse restaurant cover charge also increased in price.

 

The Ultimate package price is still showing as $99 when I access it through my booking.

Is the $99 in AU or US ?

[OzKiwiJJ]

Is the $99 in AU or US ?

 

$99 AU, it was $84 AU until a few days ago, it went up two weeks before the cruise departs.

 

The US price is $55 +18% gratuity, so about $83 AU.

 

An Aussie cruiser ripoff?

[Yorto]

$99 AU, it was $84 AU until a few days ago, it went up two weeks before the cruise departs.

 

The US price is $55 +18% gratuity, so about $83 AU.

 

An Aussie cruiser ripoff?

 

I was close to cancelling an RCI I booked. Lucky for me I was able to purchase the $ for $ deal which saved me from cancelling.

I am hoping the price of the drinks in US don't go up :\

[OzKiwiJJ]

I was close to cancelling an RCI I booked. Lucky for me I was able to purchase the $ for $ deal which saved me from cancelling.

I am hoping the price of the drinks in US don't go up :\

 

I just missed out on that. It was over before I booked the cruise. I got a great last minute deal but the drinks prices are going to wipe out the savings, I think. :mad:

[Gold Coast Cruisers]

Currently on board Voyager of the Seas, AS$50.00 will give you US $35.00. We have been diverted from our destination to Suva and Lautoka due to cyclone Pam and are now going to spend 2 days in Hobart. As I look out we are just coming into the Derwent River. Definitely cold down here and nobody bought warm clothing so the Hobart shops will be busy when we all shiver in the door looking for something warm to buy.

Jill

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Currently on board Voyager of the Seas, AS$50.00 will give you US $35.00. We have been diverted from our destination to Suva and Lautoka due to cyclone Pam and are now going to spend 2 days in Hobart. As I look out we are just coming into the Derwent River. Definitely cold down here and nobody bought warm clothing so the Hobart shops will be busy when we all shiver in the door looking for something warm to buy.

Jill

 

 

 

We called at Burnie once and the Target store did a roaring trade in cheap fleecy tops.:D

[jd07]

Apparently you can not buy drink packages on line for cruises leaving from Asia. So I will have to wait till November when I'm on board legend's Asia cruise. Let's see how the price goes then :)

[fairywren]

We are booked on b2b cruises from Singapore on Legend in September. Up until a couple of weeks ago no beverage packages were showing except Evian water :eek:

 

Last week Replenish and Ultimate appeared for both cruises, so keep watching.

Edited March 12, 2015 by fairywren