Promotional OBC in Australia/New Zealand

[Wisconsin Travelers]

I just got a rude awakening on the two Princess cruises I booked several months ago, one to New Zealand and another around Northern Australia.  In both cases, Princess was offering $200 onboard credit per person.  BUT . . . the $200 per person is NOT in U.S. dollars, it is in Australian dollars because that is the currency of the ships in this part of the world.  So our total of $400 OBC is really only worth approximately 279 Aussie Dollars!  The customer service folks said that all of the pricing on the ship is in Aussie Dollars so it evens out.  I find it hard to believe that the excursions I would normally be charged $100 per person for will be sold on the ship for approximately 143 AUD.  Can anyone confirm exactly how the prices on a ship with currency in Australian Dollars compares to U.S. Dollars?

 

When I realized that my promotional OBC was not in U.S. Dollars, I got to thinking about my shareholder credit, so I asked Princess how this works.  In this instance, I DEFINITELY will be "losing" value.  My $250 shareholder credit will be posted on my folio as 250 AUD.  And that means the value of $250 U.S. becomes approximately 176 AUD.  It's like I arrive at the dock with $250 U.S. in my hands, turn it over to the purser, and receive a credit on my folio statement for 250 AUD - a value of $176 U.S.  I've just lost $74, simply by stepping onboard the ship!!

 

After a very lengthy conversation with a supervisor in the customer service department, I finally understood the company's policy on this subject.  I'm not happy with it, but there's nothing I can do about it short of cancelling my two cruises.

 

Anyone want to weigh in on this topic?

 

 

[BoopTennis]

I don’t care for the policy either for refundable OBC like military credit. If you don’t spend it on board, they refund that credit to you later, but I assume now it’s a lower dollar amount than on a non-Australian cruise. But it is what it is. Not going to stop me from enjoying my first cruise down-under. 

[skynight]

It's AUS$400 = US$ 279 and AUS$250 = US$179. And yes, you are losing value if compared to US$. I looked up a Sea Princess around Australia cruise for March 10, 2020 which is being offered under the Come Back New promotion. The promotion clearly mentions that the OBC being offered is in Australian dollars. So, Princess is giving you what they advertised.

Regarding the Carnival Shareholder Benefit the details on the Carnival Corp. web site clearly state that for "Australia Brands" the OBC is in Australia dollars. The * indicates that for Princess Cruises the OBC will be in AUS$.

You can see all the details here:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-sharebenefit

[Mud_Shark]

We are budget travelers, trying to get the best experience for an affordable price.  So yes, this is a factor for us.  When the OBC is up to $1100 - $1300 for a voyage, and you lose 30%, that's around $400 just gone, compared with cruising from another area of the world.  We would like to sail the south pacific and New Zealand, but if the total value is not there, we will hold off.  Right now, i am looking at some other lines that run trans pacific cruises to the south pacific and on to Australia or New Zealand, and the economics of it point towards them being the better value.

 

Don

[Steelers36]

I think the main thing that bothers me about the policy is that I am booking in North America in USD and Princess booking offer includes OBC in USD of course.  But, then it is not converted at an exchange rate to AUD - the currency code is just changed to AUD.  So, $200 USD OBC for booking becomes $200 AUD.  Same thing with the OBC rebate from applying a FCD.  

 

I know companies don't have to be "fair" but the reasonable thing to do would be to convert USD OBC into AUD at a going exchange rate - and compared to what is the case now, I would be okay with them using a "bank rate" where you don't get the actual live exchange rate, but something approximating it. 

 

That said, we have done one cruise out of Australia and it will probably be the last - not that it was bad, just not likely to do it again.  But I would visit Australia again - we had a fantastic fly/drive experience there.

 

[lladage]

5 minutes ago, steelers36 said:

So, $200 USD OBC for booking becomes $200 AUD.  Same thing with the OBC rebate from applying a FCD.  

 

I read another post here on CC where the poster complained about OBC from a FCD being changed from USD to AUD.  Their FCD confirmation clearly stated that the currency could not be changed.  I double checked my current FCD confirmations, and that wording does exist on mine.  Princess granted them extra OBC in AUD to make up the difference. I plan to make the same complaint when we use our FCDs to book an Australia cruise.

 

Lynn

[land lover]

Get over it..sorry to be so direct... all travel comes with surprises. And this policy has been questioned probably 10 times on threads since I booked my Aussie cruises.

At least Princess now has denoted it on present offers as AUD.  It disappointed me, just as it has you and  many before us.  And a promo certainly enticed me to book my 2018 Circumnavigation and Queensland cruises, as at the time like you I assumed it would be converted.

 

Your share holder OBC is a gift, always has been so that should be a no issue, take it in whatever currency you can get it.

 

Stop worrying about the small stuff...cancel your cruise or get to planning your adventure. 

 

 

 

[land lover]

10 minutes ago, lladage said:

I read another post here on CC where the poster complained about OBC from a FCD being changed from USD to AUD.  Their FCD confirmation clearly stated that the currency could not be changed.  I double checked my current FCD confirmations, and that wording does exist on mine.  Princess granted them extra OBC in AUD to make up the difference. I plan to make the same complaint when we use our FCDs to book an Australia cruise.

 

Lynn

 Is it really worth your time? for a few dollars......If the Australian dollar was worth more than the USD people would not be complaining...just sayin'

[land lover]

I just reread what I posted don't mean to come off...so..........🙃

 

But have been on these boards for a long time and have been around cruising all my adult life...have seen so many policies change with so many cruise lines....what can you do.....? It's travel afterall....not life & death... 

 

okay off my soap box....

Edited April 25, 2019 by land lover

[triple7tahoe]

Just returned from 32 days aboard the Majestic Princess. All OBC was converted to AUD$.  Chatted with Customer Service Folks and was given a "Good Will" conversion on most of the credit which improved matters slightly. I did have a major problem in the casino where I had been been assured my $450 would be in US and brought letters saying that. Never got the conversion as it stayed in AUD$. Not to be "sour grapes" but the casino was hardly worth going to as it was. As we were leaving in Hong Kong, folks were busy taking out the slot machines and replacing them with table  games (for the upcoming cruises out of Taiwan)_.

I was able to purchase FCC in AUD$ so that may be a bargain, although there is a hold up there even. The credits are not showing in my Captains Circle holdings, even though the bank has processed the purchases. More to follow.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Sorry, it is just a fact of life cruising Down Under. We did for three months two years ago and I wouldn’t even calculate how much that conversion rate cost us because it would be irritating. Plus there’s the Australian practice of charging a certain percentage (1.5%?) on all credit card purchases. It’s part of the cost of travel down there. Actually, I think the Captains Circle OBC (if you qualify) is grossed up so it works out equitably, but when I do a spreadsheet of our cruises, I convert all OBC to Australian $ and I just know that’s the worst it will be. 

[land lover]

32 minutes ago, triple7tahoe said:

Just returned from 32 days aboard the Majestic Princess. All OBC was converted to AUD$.  Chatted with Customer Service Folks and was given a "Good Will" conversion on most of the credit which improved matters slightly. I did have a major problem in the casino where I had been been assured my $450 would be in US and brought letters saying that. Never got the conversion as it stayed in AUD$. Not to be "sour grapes" but the casino was hardly worth going to as it was. As we were leaving in Hong Kong, folks were busy taking out the slot machines and replacing them with table  games (for the upcoming cruises out of Taiwan)_.

I was able to purchase FCC in AUD$ so that may be a bargain, although there is a hold up there even. The credits are not showing in my Captains Circle holdings, even though the bank has processed the purchases. More to follow.

 oh no...... you might be surprised when you see it refunded at the converted going rate and converted back to USD....

 

Was on Majestic a Maiden Voyage that dropped her in China, when ship was still in USD.

Edited April 25, 2019 by land lover

[land lover]

18 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Sorry, it is just a fact of life cruising Down Under. We did for three months two years ago and I wouldn’t even calculate how much that conversion rate cost us because it would be irritating. Plus there’s the Australian practice of charging a certain percentage (1.5%?) on all credit card purchases. It’s part of the cost of travel down there. Actually, I think the Captains Circle OBC (if you qualify) is grossed up so it works out equitably, but when I do a spreadsheet of our cruises, I convert all OBC to Australian $ and I just know that’s the worst it will be. 

Yes, CC OBC is as well as any OBC from your TA.

 

 

Edited April 25, 2019 by land lover

[Ombud]

1 hour ago, triple7tahoe said:

Just returned from 32 days aboard the Majestic Princess. All OBC was converted to AUD$.  Chatted with Customer Service Folks and was given a "Good Will" conversion on most of the credit which improved matters slightly. I did have a major problem in the casino where I had been been assured my $450 would be in US and brought letters saying that. Never got the conversion as it stayed in AUD$. Not to be "sour grapes" but the casino was hardly worth going to as it was. As we were leaving in Hong Kong, folks were busy taking out the slot machines and replacing them with table  games (for the upcoming cruises out of Taiwan)_.

I was able to purchase FCC in AUD$ so that may be a bargain, although there is a hold up there even. The credits are not showing in my Captains Circle holdings, even though the bank has processed the purchases. More to follow.

Just my humble opinion so please dont slam me ~~~~~

 

When I was in Sydney last year (pre-cruise) my hotel was $650usd for 2 nights, it's $660usd in Melbourne pre-cruise this November. And I pay separately for food / entertainment. That's more than the ship daily rate. Understandably 

 

AUS Casino: if I add $$ to my casino card, am I adding in USD and getting AUD back or adding in AUD and getting AUD back? The 2nd option seems fair to me 

Edited April 25, 2019 by Ombud

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, lladage said:

I read another post here on CC where the poster complained about OBC from a FCD being changed from USD to AUD.  Their FCD confirmation clearly stated that the currency could not be changed.  I double checked my current FCD confirmations, and that wording does exist on mine.  Princess granted them extra OBC in AUD to make up the difference. I plan to make the same complaint when we use our FCDs to book an Australia cruise.

 

Lynn

Perhaps some do get compensation.  I made an inquiry and pointed out that my OBC was USD and not fair to not convert it "properly" to AUD, but was told that's the way it is.  It wasn't a hill I was going to die on and didn't pursue it further.

 

[Steelers36]

6 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Just my humble opinion so please dont slam me ~~~~~

 

When I was in Sydney last year (pre-cruise) my hotel was $650usd for 2 nights, it's $660usd in Melbourne pre-cruise this November. And I pay separately for food / entertainment. That's more than the ship daily rate. 

 

AUS Casino: if I add $$ to my casino card, am I adding in USD and getting AUD back or adding in AUD and getting AUD back? The 2nd option seems fair to me 

The ship's currency is AUD.  I did as you mention in the Majestic casino.  I took dollars onto my cruise card, charged to room account and played some BJ in the computer setup there.  Later, I cashed out the balance and kept some for later use on our travels in Australia and put some back on the ship account to settle the balance owed.  All AUD. 

 

PS - Your Sydney hotel was only in USD because you probably booked it pre-cruise, via a third-party website.  Hotels in Australia quote and bill in AUD.  Quotes in other currencies are always just an approximation of your charge you may expect on your "home" credit card after conversion from the hotel's currency.

 

 

Edited April 25, 2019 by steelers36

[Ombud]

4 minutes ago, steelers36 said:

The ship's currency is AUD.  I did as you mention in the Majestic casino.  I took dollars onto my cruise card, charged to room account and played some BJ in the computer setup there.  Later, I cashed out the balance and kept some for later use on our travels in Australia and put some back on the ship account to settle the balance owed.  All AUD. 

 

PS - Your Sydney hotel was only in USD because you probably booked it pre-cruise, via a third-party website.  Hotels in Australia quote and bill in AUD.  Quotes in other currencies are always just an approximation of your charge you may expect on your "home" credit card after conversion from the hotel's currency.

Yes, the Melbourne charge is an estimated $$ based on exchange rate on the day I booked. It now converted to 904.32AUD for 3 nights. (I used booking.com) 

 

Perfect on casino policy. I've got 650 OBC to play with / spend. THANK YOU 🤑

[Steelers36]

1 minute ago, Ombud said:

Yes, the Melbourne charge is an estimated $$ based on exchange rate on the day I booked. It now converted to 904.32AUD for 3 nights. (I used booking.com) 

 

Perfect on casino policy. I've got 650 OBC to play with / spend. THANK YOU 🤑

Technically, the hotel bill is 904.32 AUD and Booking converted it to USD.  It may or may not have been a favorable rate.  For overseas, we have a Visa now that has no currency conversion surcharges.

 

[skynight]

3 hours ago, steelers36 said:

I think the main thing that bothers me about the policy is that I am booking in North America in USD and Princess booking offer includes OBC in USD of course.  But, then it is not converted at an exchange rate to AUD - the currency code is just changed to AUD.  So, $200 USD OBC for booking becomes $200 AUD.  Same thing with the OBC rebate from applying a FCD.  

 

I looked up a promo for an Australia cruise. The Come Back New sale includes OBC and it was clearly stated to be in AUS$. It really depends on the offer itself, and not the country where you book. You have to read the promo carefully to understand exactly what it is and is not. You just can't assume that because the offer is in the U.S. that all parts of the offer are in US$. 

[Steelers36]

1 minute ago, skynight said:

I looked up a promo for an Australia cruise. The Come Back New sale includes OBC and it was clearly stated to be in AUS$. It really depends on the offer itself, and not the country where you book. You have to read the promo carefully to understand exactly what it is and is not. You just can't assume that because the offer is in the U.S. that all parts of the offer are in US$. 

There have been some changes in the way Princess words things now.  And my point wasn't what they do, it was the fairness of it.  They can do whatever they want and the customer can perceive it as good , fair or poor.

[t&atravel]

3 hours ago, lladage said:

I read another post here on CC where the poster complained about OBC from a FCD being changed from USD to AUD.  Their FCD confirmation clearly stated that the currency could not be changed.  I double checked my current FCD confirmations, and that wording does exist on mine.  Princess granted them extra OBC in AUD to make up the difference. I plan to make the same complaint when we use our FCDs to book an Australia cruise.

 

Lynn

 

This is language on the FCD I purchased on the Royal Princess last month (see bold).  

 

* This letter has been issued from the Future Cruise Sales Department for a Future Cruise Deposit (“FCD”) in the amount specified above. The FCD is available to use on new future bookings only and is non-transferable. The FCD currency is non-changeable.   The FCD is combinable with most publicly offered fares and promotions.  The FCD will be automatically refunded if not applied to a new booking created within two years from date of purchase.  Once applied to a booking the FCD is considered money and is subject to booking terms and conditions in the Passage contract. Only one FCD per person applied to a booking will provide shipboard credit.  Shipboard credit is nonrefundable and only applicable to each FCD purchased and applies to the holder of the FCD only, excluding 3rd and 4th berth guests.  Shipboard credit is based on the ship’s onboard currency and is not redeemable for cash.  FCDs do not apply to bookings on Charter voyages.  Reduced deposit and onboard credits do not apply to bookings 45+ days.  The reduced deposit requirement for these bookings may vary based on booking dates, and a fare discount of 3% is provided.  To make your next booking, please contact your Travel Agent, or Princess Cruises at 1-800-PRINCESS. 

 

[Ombud]

10 minutes ago, steelers36 said:

Technically, the hotel bill is 904.32 AUD and Booking converted it to USD.  It may or may not have been a favorable rate.  For overseas, we have a Visa now that has no currency conversion surcharges.

 

Made me look. Cost me $19 on today's exchange rate. Oh well. The hotel would be 50% higher today. I like the location of the Doubletree I picked for the 3 nights (passed it last year in CBD)

[Steelers36]

6 minutes ago, t&atravel said:

 

This is language on the FCD I purchased on the Royal Princess last month (see bold).  

 

* This letter has been issued from the Future Cruise Sales Department for a Future Cruise Deposit (“FCD”) in the amount specified above. The FCD is available to use on new future bookings only and is non-transferable. The FCD currency is non-changeable.   The FCD is combinable with most publicly offered fares and promotions.  The FCD will be automatically refunded if not applied to a new booking created within two years from date of purchase.  Once applied to a booking the FCD is considered money and is subject to booking terms and conditions in the Passage contract. Only one FCD per person applied to a booking will provide shipboard credit.  Shipboard credit is nonrefundable and only applicable to each FCD purchased and applies to the holder of the FCD only, excluding 3rd and 4th berth guests.  Shipboard credit is based on the ship’s onboard currency and is not redeemable for cash.  FCDs do not apply to bookings on Charter voyages.  Reduced deposit and onboard credits do not apply to bookings 45+ days.  The reduced deposit requirement for these bookings may vary based on booking dates, and a fare discount of 3% is provided.  To make your next booking, please contact your Travel Agent, or Princess Cruises at 1-800-PRINCESS. 

 

Yes, the poster you quoted was misinterpreting the clause "FCD currency is non-changeable".  That refers to buying a FCD in USD (for example) on board and then later contacting Princess to change it to CAD, EUR, etc.  IDK if they are more strict now, but we did have a situation in the past where I needed a FCD converted to apply to a booking (probably back when we switched from CAD bookings to USD).  It was done - but we were making a booking and not just changing a FCD (so it was converted and applied and I think actually at the time we were refunded in CAD and then charged in USD).  

[Ombud]

5 hours ago, Wisconsin Travelers said:

I just got a rude awakening on the two Princess cruises I booked several months ago, one to New Zealand and another around Northern Australia. 

In reading the INITIAL sentence and separating it from the rest, I get your point. It's not so much a "buyer beware" as a "buyer be aware" and plan expenses accordingly  .... especially if someone was NOT planning on spending anything other than the initial fare. 

 

Won't stop me from visiting down under at a price point I'm comfortable with 

[Wisconsin Travelers]

1 hour ago, Ombud said:

In reading the INITIAL sentence and separating it from the rest, I get your point. It's not so much a "buyer beware" as a "buyer be aware" and plan expenses accordingly  .... especially if someone was NOT planning on spending anything other than the initial fare. 

 

Won't stop me from visiting down under at a price point I'm comfortable with 

Ombud, you are exactly correct.  It is a case of Buyer BE Aware.  FYI, when I booked these cruises there was absolutely no language about the OBC being in Australian dollars - it just appeared that way on my booking confirmation.  It was my fault to not pay attention to it.  And it was my fault for assuming that my shareholder credit would be in U.S. Dollars, not Australian because the cruises were on "Australian Brand" ships, not U.S. Brand.  But I sure would have appreciated it if the Princess agent I originally booked with would have taken the extra minute to let me know that the OBC was in Australian dollars.  

 

Will I still take these cruises and enjoy them?  Absolutely.   Incidentally, the supervisor I spoke with said that none of the OBC, whether from shareholder or Princess promotion, would be refundable if not used.  

 

I find it curious that none of the posters to this thread who have taken other Aussie cruises have shared what the price was in Australian dollars for various ship amenities and purchases.  For example, what is the charge in AUD for the specialty restaurants?  How about beverages?  Just curious.  Those of use who have not sailed this part of the world are very aware of what we pay on U.S. currency voyages for these things.