Canadians - Current Exchange Rate?

[santacap]

making an assumption here, but I assume it is safe...

 

if the price drops etc and I would have to cancel and re-book I am subject to any new exchange rates?

 

I like the fact that I know what my credit purchases before hand are going to be on my CC, not a fluctuating rate...

 

and happy its 1.19... wish it was 1.11;)

[santacap]

Yes, it does!

 

For our Epic cruise, I bought a bunch of OBC to use on the ship for $1 tips, souvenirs.

 

This time on the Escape, I am going to book our excursion through NCL so I get the better exchange rate on that too.

 

That way I only need US cash for any taxis and meals pre-cruise at the hotel or post-cruise at the airport

 

oh and thanks for the help

[Shawnino]

Pre- Purchased all my NCL excursions with CDN dollars for my upcoming cruise so I saved on that!

 

...but you probably paid 2X, 3X what you would have paid if you booked directly.

[burm]

I just called NCL and prepaid my gratuities at $1.11 exchange, same as my original booking. I spoke with 3 different people who said they could not tell me if I could get the same rate on excursions, but when we booked a hypothetical cruise, it did indeed come up at that rate as well. So presumably that $1.11 will be honoured up until the time of the cruise.

[burm]

I also purchased OBC today at $1.11 (the rate at which I booked back in April) and had confirmed that whatever I did not use would be credited back to my card at the same rate.

[ilovetotravel1977]

making an assumption here, but I assume it is safe...

 

if the price drops etc and I would have to cancel and re-book I am subject to any new exchange rates?

 

I like the fact that I know what my credit purchases before hand are going to be on my CC, not a fluctuating rate...

 

and happy its 1.19... wish it was 1.11;)

 

Yes, you are correct. You are then locked into the new exchange rate. I am going to call back at the end of August to see if it has changed.

[canuck059]

I also purchased OBC today at $1.11 (the rate at which I booked back in April) and had confirmed that whatever I did not use would be credited back to my card at the same rate.

 

I'm not sure about NCL but on RCCL we did not link our credit card to our account ie it was a 'cash' account with our prepaid OBC. At the end of the cruise they refunded US cash (which we then used to pay for our after-cruise hotel, etc). This should work out better than crediting it back at the same rate.

 

Also, because it was a 'cash' account we could withdraw US cash from the casino without the 3% service fee anytime after the first night. Once you link the credit card, even if you are using OBC, you pay the service fee at the casino. (You can always link the CC after you have used up your OBC if you need more money)

 

Susan

[Snowrose]

I just called NCL and prepaid my gratuities at $1.11 exchange, same as my original booking. I spoke with 3 different people who said they could not tell me if I could get the same rate on excursions, but when we booked a hypothetical cruise, it did indeed come up at that rate as well. So presumably that $1.11 will be honoured up until the time of the cruise.

 

We booked in Oct 2014. Any idea if we'd have the $1.11 exchange rate?

Edited July 16, 2015 by Snowrose

[burm]

We booked in Oct 2014. Any idea if we'd have the $1.11 exchange rate?

 

If you booked in Canadian back then, they will honour the rate you were given at that time. You probably have an even better rate than $1.11.

[Snowrose]

If you booked in Canadian back then, they will honour the rate you were given at that time. You probably have an even better rate than $1.11.

 

Oh. We didn't book in Canadian at the time. :(

[snurly]

I'm checking the price for OBC on the cruise I booked this weekend, and it shows $100 credit costing $111.11 CDN. Will that price remain constant, or should I be buying the OBC now before the CDN tanks even more?

[burm]

I'm checking the price for OBC on the cruise I booked this weekend, and it shows $100 credit costing $111.11 CDN. Will that price remain constant, or should I be buying the OBC now before the CDN tanks even more?

 

I spoke with several reps but none wanted to give me a direct answer as to conversion policy. They have to make a fake purchase to see what rate comes up. This suggests to me that policy can change at any time, so buy your OBC at a good rate while you can.

 

All of us here on CC know how NCL can change their policies at any time, with no notice.

[3earnhardt8]

I'm checking the price for OBC on the cruise I booked this weekend, and it shows $100 credit costing $111.11 CDN. Will that price remain constant, or should I be buying the OBC now before the CDN tanks even more?

 

yes, the rate at time of booking remains constant. booked dec'14 for nov'16 at 7.5% exchange an am I glad

[xcell]

So far when I dummy book my obc for my Dec cruise it's still at 1.11. Not looking forward not taking a cruise cause of the dollar next year.

 

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[Jane Don]

So far when I dummy book my obc for my Dec cruise it's still at 1.11. Not looking forward not taking a cruise cause of the dollar next year.

 

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I have been visiting selloffvacations dot com and checking out land vacations too. But the food in Cuba is so tasteless. Another option is a Canadian travel service who often have great cruise rates. If you sail from a close US port, for me an 8 hour bus or train ride to NYC, then it is still doable.

[burm]

I have been visiting selloffvacations dot com and checking out land vacations too. But the food in Cuba is so tasteless. Another option is a Canadian travel service who often have great cruise rates. If you sail from a close US port, for me an 8 hour bus or train ride to NYC, then it is still doable.

 

We stayed away from Cuba for years because of it's reputation for poor food, but we spent a week before our Cruise in Havana and 4 four more nights after.

We found that if we asked for recommendations, there was indeed some excellent meals to be had at incredible prices. The worst meal we had was the most expensive.

[ilovetotravel1977]

What ever the exchange is they give you when you book, all other purchases through NCL will be the same rate (i.e., OBC, excursions, DSC, etc).

 

If your cruise is at a rate of 1.11, then all of the above will be as well, no matter if they increase or decrease the rate.

 

Now, if you see a price drop and decide to go for it, make sure you are still getting a deal as the exchange rate could (and likely will be right now) higher than what your original booking was set at (1.11 vs. 1.19).

[KCBailey]

I usually book direct with the cruise line. Just checked Air Canada Vacations for a December cruise and the rate seems to be 1.11% vs NCL use rate. Works out to be $240 to book with Air Canada. Do you know if there are any down sides going that route va booking with NCL directly?

[Jane Don]

I usually book direct with the cruise line. Just checked Air Canada Vacations for a December cruise and the rate seems to be 1.11% vs NCL use rate. Works out to be $240 to book with Air Canada. Do you know if there are any down sides going that route va booking with NCL directly?

 

Try expedia dot ca too. They have some of the best rates I've seen. Actually less CAD than on NCL in USD.

[xcell]

I usually like to book thru my Scotia rewards visa gold as they offer 5% cash back for cruises/packaged vacations/flights. But you have to pay in advance, so I usually use them for last minutes...

 

Maybe I'll look into Cuba. ..never gone there

 

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[burm]

Each booking is unique because there are so many things to factor in. Getting the best possible deal today takes a bit of homework.

 

I like to deal directly with a cruiseline whenever possible, because I don't like to have to run everything through a middleman. However, if Air Canada Vacations, Expedia, or any other major player offers the best deal, there is no reason not to book through them.

[KCBailey]

Thanks. Doing my homework and checking out Canadian TAs now.

 

If I book through Canadian TA do you know if my onboard account will be in CDN, or can I request it to be in CDN? I assume it would use the NCL exchange rate at that time?

[ilovetotravel1977]

If using a Cdn TA, you will be booked in Cdn.

[burm]

Exhange rate today was .34 to purchase US. :eek:

[minaco]

OBC will be in USD, but your cruise fare can be booked in either USD or CAD, your choice. The current exchange rate NCL uses for Canadian bookings via travel agents is much less than the current actual rate. Approx $1.11