Beware - RCL USD to CDN$ exchange is bad and you can not book flights in USD on a CDN$ booking

 I just booked my flights for an upcoming cruise on Harmony of the Seas transatlantic.  After checking several websites (airlines, Expedia, Flighthub) the best flight cost I could find was thru Royal Caribbean.  It was an overall about a  $600 CDN savings to any of the other websites. However if you book your cruise in CDN $ you must also book your flight with them in CDN $.   This is where the issue lies with RCL USD to CDN exchange rates.

The flight cost in CDN $ that I chose (even with exchange rate and the 2.5% extra that my credit card charges) was significantly higher than if they had let me pay for the flights in USD. The flight in Canadian $ was approximately $150 CDN more than if they had allowed me to pay in USD (1.50% plus exchange rate).   That is a 11.5% surcharge- really bad.  When I asked why the rep said he had no idea, but had heard this complaint  many times before.  His guess was that it was a Delta/KLM thing as RCL books it KLM flights via Delta.  

If I had of booked the cheapest flights they had to offer it would have been a reasonable exchange rate (at 1.37%)  but the TAP airline flights only allowed a 1 hour and 15 minutes transfer time in Lisbon which is too short and RCL's website clearly stated  it was a short transfer time.  Having missed transfers before I went with the more expensive option of the KLM flights return (a 2.5 hour transfer time)  and this is where I experienced the gauging exchange rate. 

The rep told me to keep watching the flight costs and if it goes down before final cruise payment billing they will give me the cheaper rate if seats on this flight were  still available. 

The good - My guess is that this flight won't go down sufficiently to merit re-booking and its still significantly lower in cost than the book on your own alternatives. 

This is a same day flight to the cruise and I am protected by RCL if there are flight issues.  Also the flight is fully refundable until final cruise payment is due. Of course I ca not book my seats until RCL has received final payment and issued the flight tickets.  Annoying but I still hope I can find a decent seat for the transatlantic portion of the flight.

The other cost saver was the transfers  RCL provides  (to and from the ship) were significantly lower at $100 CDN than the other shuttle alternatives in Houston and Barcelona.  The best shuttle I could find was almost $150 USD for one person from IAH to Galveston.  In Barcelona I could have taken the bus for about $20USD but it is quite involved with walking to the bus stop (about 20 minutes after the port shuttle) and the bus is often quite crowded.  I have taken this bus many times before and it's a great option if you are staying in Barcelona.  But on a same day transfer the convenience of a RCL transfer wins out. 

I just wanted to caution all Canadians booking via RCL to convert the rates on the flights they quote from USD to CDN to see if they are reasonable before booking with them.  

My guess is with the transfer savings and the final amount versus book on your own alternatives I am still doing ok with the cost savings.   I don't really have an alternative. 

Hope this helps 

Marcia

Royal Caribbean "ROYALUP" does it work?

I was just solicited by RCCL to use the Royal Up process to upgrade my cabin.  The ship according to almost all travel sites is totally sold out except for suites. I am hoping that there are enough people upgrading or cancelling last minute to give me a chance.

 When I booked over 6 months ago all that was left at a decent price for a solo was an Interior Promenade View (connecting). I have never tried a promenade view room and didn't want a connecting room but the timing was perfect for my trip to Lisbon.  

I have only once had a connecting  ocean view cabin on NCL and it was loud thru the door as the cabin beside had a baby and young child that screamed all the time (night and day). I have tried to avoid this type of cabin ever since. 

I know people who have stayed in the Interior Promenade view rooms and loved them. I followed their instructions and got a cabin on 7th floor above customer service (it is on fifth deck).  I am told given the cabin is not over the main promenade or bars that it is much quieter than other cabins. You are on a floor with a cabin above and below.  I brought earplugs just in case.

But if possible I would really like an ocean view, so I am trying for the first time the Royal Up process. Most people are not successful in getting an upgrade so I am not holding out a lot of hope.  I was told to bid above the minimum but not above what I think the cabin is worth. Also given I travel solo, what ever price I choose to pay I must double it.   I chose the next level up which is a standard ocean view cabin which could be on various decks but likely decks 2 or 3 that have the most of this cabin type.  The prices for spacious ocean view, balconies and suites were way too high for a solo passenger even at a minimum bid. I am hoping that passengers who bid will want to move up so this seems like the best option. 

All that the RCL confirmation email says is that the acceptance or decline of my offer will likely come 2 days before the cruise and up to 2 hours after the cruise sails.  You can cancel or change the amount of the bid right up until the acceptance or decline offer.  RCL will only charge the credit card that you must give when bidding if your offer is accepted. Most people on sites online state that this timing has been the case for them. 

 I will keep you posted on the success or failure of this attempt at an upgrade. 

Hope this helps

Marcia