The Royal Caribbean cruise ship Majesty of the Seas lies docked at the Port of Miami Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 in Miami. (Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press)

For Canadians used to getting hosed on cruise prices that are traditionally set in U.S. dollars, the newly muscular loonie has been a windfall.

Two years back, buying a cruise priced in greenbacks would have cost 50 per cent more if you paid in Canadian currency. Just last January you'd still take at least a 15 per cent hit.

Now, the tables have turned.

Not only has the exchange differential been erased, but cruise lines are making unprecedented promotional pitches for cruises priced in Canadian funds. We're suddenly more affluent than Americans who are cancelling their vacation plans because they see their home values declining.

But it's still wise to shop around and investigate options for payment to make the robust loonie work best for you, the experts say.

"The sudden rise in the dollar has caught several cruise lines off guard," advises John Lang, president of The Cruise People in Toronto. He points out that big cruise lines like Princess and Carnival published brochures for the Canadian market with prices in Canadian dollars before the value of the loonie skyrocketed against that of the U.S. dollar.

"A year ago when the cruise prices were set, the Canadian pricing they set was favourable. But now those Canadian prices are wildly out of whack considering the dollar's current value," Lang says. Now, he adds, "You could be paying as much as 18 per cent more if you pay the rate in a brochure priced in Canadian dollars. That's a big hit."

It's nobody's fault, he says. The cruise lines were trying to make it easier for Canadians to know what their vacations would cost. And the companies can't be blamed for not wanting to change prices every time the exchange rate fluctuates.

Many cruise lines are now busily printing updated brochures with lower Canadian dollar prices, but in the meantime travel agents can arrange discounted prices for cruises paid in Canadian dollars.

Cruising for deals

That's particularly true for Caribbean cruises in which there is a lot of competition and a lot of deep discounting is already happening for the winter season.

Princess Cruises has been actively courting Canadians by printing brochures in Canadian dollars fares that were very comparable with U.S. dollar prices the company charges in the rest of the world. Now, its brochures have been overtaken by the rapid rise of the loonie and the line is promoting "relaxing prices" for Canadians.

Examples are seven-night cruises from Florida from $547 and nine-day Caribbean cruises leaving New York from $1,176.

Royal Caribbean Cruises has specials on seven-night cruises in the southern Caribbean from $699 Cdn and has been promoting week-long cruises in Europe next summer from $829.

Norwegian Cruise Line has begun promoting U.S. dollar specials and last minute on-line deals such as a nine-day Caribbean cruise priced as low as $529 US and seven-day cruises out of Miami from $379.

And there are packages, such as a 14-night Caribbean cruise, including two nights of hotel stay in New Orleans, two more in New York, and includes air fare from Toronto, is advertised at $2,250 from Toronto (and $100 extra out of Vancouver or Calgary) if booked though Vancouver-based Cruise Connections.

Carnival Cruises is also regularly updating promotions in U.S. dollars on its website. Recent examples are five-day Caribbean cruises from $309 and week-long Caribbean cruises from $449.

And the discounting is not limited to the Caribbean.

Holland America Line has been promoting a continuing series of "three-day sales." Recent offers have included 15-day Hawaii and Polynesia trips from $1,529; a seven-day Alaska cruise from $829; and winter Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego starting at $529. These are available through a travel agent who can request the promotional fare. To get on the sale mailing list, send an e-mail to hollandamerica@email.hollandamerica.com.

Celebrity Cruises is advertising 10-night cruises in the Mediterranean next summer out of Barcelona from $1,529 Cdn if the trips are booked in advance.

Cunard Lines is promoting the arrival of its new ship Queen Victoria with discounts of up to 30 per cent off the brochure rates if booked by the end of January.

Other deals and tips

Princess is also offering specials far afield, including a 12-day Australia and New Zealand cruise starting at $1,264. Cruise details are on www.princess.com and bookings can be made through any travel agent.

On land, Disney World is promoting a "make your dream come true with a strong Canadian dollar" special with a four-night five-day package including theme park tickets for $385, a discount of $132 off the regular price. The package is coded ZWD and details are on www.disneyworld.ca/offer.

Looking ahead, demand is rising for cruises in the Mediterranean. As a result, they can command a premium of 30 per cent to 40 per cent over the Caribbean for comparable accommodation. So if you can get early deals for next summer it might be a good idea to nail them down now, Lang advises.

And remember that the loonie has only risen in relation to the U.S. dollar and has made little headway against the euro, which is still worth about 40 per cent more than the Canadian dollar.

You'll want to pay at the best rate possible. However, not all cruise lines have adjusted to the change in the value of the Canadian dollar, and some are still insisting that Canadian passengers pay in Canadian funds. There are still a lot of inconsistencies and in many cases you will find you can save a lot if you can find a way to pay the tab in U.S. dollars, Lang advises.

You may be able to save even more if you can pay with a bank draft in U.S. dollars rather than put it on your credit card, he adds. The reason is that credit cards charge between one and three per cent as an exchange fee in addition to the spread on the exchange rate, so you'll get more by exchanging your dollars at the spot rate at your bank.

His advice is to "gently ask our travel agent to try to quote the price in U.S. dollars" before you decide how to pay.

And a tip: If you're a past guest on a cruise line, it pays to get on the mailing list of specials and extra discounts offered to repeat guests. For Princess it is the Captain's Circle. For Holland America it is the Mariner's Club and for Cunard it is the World Club.

Being a regular has its advantages.

Wallace Immen is a veteran Canadian travel writer. He has logged 75 cruises to all seven continents.