Can I Pre-Load the Shipboard Account

[MarinaDCA]

Totally random but here I go.

 

I would like to purchase on board credit our cruise in December. Is this possible? I spoke with a princess rep but I am not sure he gave me accurate info ;)

 

Basically I'd like to place money on the account, essentially pre-fund it before me leave....putting extra/found money on it so DH doesn't spend it. :D

 

I am thinking of this as a budgeting thing, so when its time to go we wont have to have a huge pile of cash sitting in our checking account and we can pay for most of our onboard stuff in advance. The gentleman I spoke with told me there was no way to do this, but I could have sworn I read somewhere round these parts that it was possible.

 

What say you wise ones?

[Toto2Kansas]

Yes, you sure can. Here is the link to the Princess site for sending yourself an onboard credit gift. You can order as many as you wish, or the amount you wish. ;)

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/services/gifts/onboard_credit/OnboardCredit.jsp

[Treven]

Absolutely. I've done it and will continue doing it on future cruises. This way I'm spending my pre-loaded funds during the cruise, and not using my MasterCard.

[NotWthOutablcony]

I highly recommend it! You can do it directly through Princess or your TA, we just keep making "payments" after the cruise is paid off and average what we will spend on drinks, merchandise, shore excursions etc. and we'll overpay a few hundred over that amount so that we never go over, and usually at the end of the cruise, they reimburse us a few hundred dollars, its a wonderful way to not end up with a surprise bill!

[MarinaDCA]

Thank you for the link!!! And all of your tips. I had a feeling the person I spoke with did not either understand what I was asking or didn't know it was something that could be done. Sure wish he had though :)

 

Another related question, the person just above me mentioned getting refunded for unspent amounts, how is this done?

[Ula]

We are planning to do this for our next cruise. With the holidays and the boarding kennel fees it makes things easier. Do not like big charges on the card.

[holidayhelen]

In the uk we get a fantastic deal for 'pre paying'. I rang princess today to ask about the pre payment. They offered me 2 $ to 1£ - we are running about 1.5 here at the moment. This gives us a fantastic bonus. The person I spoke to said it is classed as a 'gift'. I believe you can also use the money in the casino - the only thing you cannot use it for is the Auction.

[Nana G]

We always do this. When calling Princess, request a gift in the amount of$$$$. Never have a problem and usually put at least $1ooo.00. We also do this as a budget thing and oh such a good feeling when we get onboard and usually come within a hundred or so either way. Saves on Credit card. Pretty good estimators!

[Treven]

Another related question, the person just above me mentioned getting refunded for unspent amounts, how is this done?

 

The last evening of your cruise, go to the purser's desk for a printout of your account. If you've funded your Sea & Sail account with a credit card, you'll get a credit back to that card. If you've funded your S&S account with cash, you'll get the refund in cash.

Like other's have said, I don't want a big bill on my CC when I get back from my vacation. On my last cruise, this past spring, I got about $150 back in cash as I'm pretty good about making sure I don't "overspend" on my cruises.

[NotWthOutablcony]

We always do this. When calling Princess, request a gift in the amount of$$$$. Never have a problem and usually put at least $1ooo.00. We also do this as a budget thing and oh such a good feeling when we get onboard and usually come within a hundred or so either way. Saves on Credit card. Pretty good estimators!

Every time I see your name it makes me smile, my nephew calls me Nana:D but that's what we try to do also, usually about $1,000, that's usually about right for a 10 day cruise, to the OP, refunds are super easy! You have to go settle your account the night before your cruise is over, so when you reach the desk they'll say, "you have a credit of X amount left to your account, then they'll refund you (in cash only) then you sign a paper saying that you received the amount listed and your done! Now that is the downside, is that they only refund in cash, but hey, you can always take it to the casino:D we usually will use it for extra tipping etc. Like I said, pending on how long your cruise is, check your account once or twice just to see where your at, we usually try to budget $100 per person per day, its always nice getting a little something back!

[NotWthOutablcony]

OH! Yes I forgot, Treven is right, if you use an actual credit card, not a debit or bank card, then you will receive the credit back, but if you use your debit or bank card that's linked to your checking account, you will receive cash. (sorry, we only use the bank card)

[MarinaDCA]

The last evening of your cruise, go to the purser's desk for a printout of your account. If you've funded your Sea & Sail account with a credit card, you'll get a credit back to that card. If you've funded your S&S account with cash, you'll get the refund in cash.

Like other's have said, I don't want a big bill on my CC when I get back from my vacation. On my last cruise, this past spring, I got about $150 back in cash as I'm pretty good about making sure I don't "overspend" on my cruises.

 

Thank you for the answer :) I really hate to use the credit card at all, so I was hoping to just pay for everything I could with cash (or debit :) ) so at the end I would have minimal spending on any card (credit or debit)...I think it would help with the relaxation of a cruise to pre-fund it. But I will likely over estimate so, getting the $$ back if needed is definitely crucial!

[windsor26]

In the uk we get a fantastic deal for 'pre paying'. I rang princess today to ask about the pre payment. They offered me 2 $ to 1£ - we are running about 1.5 here at the moment. This gives us a fantastic bonus. The person I spoke to said it is classed as a 'gift'. I believe you can also use the money in the casino - the only thing you cannot use it for is the Auction.

 

 

Does anyone know if we can do the same here in australia and whether we would get a gift exchange rate??:o

[cmarshall9]

I'm confused. The link that Toto sent was for the On Board Credit gift cards. Someone mentioned a Sea and Sail account. I can't find any reference to this account on the Princess website, but would prefer that to the gift cards. Where can I find information on this Sea and Sail Account? :confused:

 

Also, with the gift cards, Princess told me that when you square things with the Pursers desk, you can split the amount on the cards between the parties in the cabin, i.e. one gift card can pay for the tips for each person in the cabin even though they are different on board accounts.

[Toto2Kansas]

I'm confused. The link that Toto sent was for the On Board Credit gift cards. Someone mentioned a Sea and Sail account. I can't find any reference to this account on the Princess website, but would prefer that to the gift cards. Where can I find information on this Sea and Sail Account? :confused:

 

Also, with the gift cards, Princess told me that when you square things with the Pursers desk, you can split the amount on the cards between the parties in the cabin, i.e. one gift card can pay for the tips for each person in the cabin even though they are different on board accounts.

 

The link I posted was to purchase onboard Gift credit. It is not a gift card in any way. The amount you purchase goes directly onto your shipboard account as a credit. Your sail and sign card is your cruise card that all charges are charged to during your cruise (along with it being your pass on and off the ship and your key to your stateroom). All charges you add onboard, along with the automatic gratutity go to your shipboard account and are deducted from the credit you applied before you left.

 

I think it used to be listed as a gift CARD, but no longer, it is an Onboard Gift CREDIT now.

[monakayk]

The link I posted was to purchase onboard Gift credit. It is not a gift card in any way. The amount you purchase goes directly onto your shipboard account as a credit. Your sail and sign card is your cruise card that all charges are charged to during your cruise (along with it being your pass on and off the ship and your key to your stateroom). All charges you add onboard, along with the automatic gratutity go to your shipboard account and are deducted from the credit you applied before you left.

 

I think it used to be listed as a gift CARD, but no longer, it is an Onboard Gift CREDIT now.

 

Toto,

 

If I want to purchase a certain amount like $50.00 with the OBGift Credit, can I specify which person can use it if I am traveling with the DH? I want to place a specific amount on his card alone for only him to use....and not on mine. Is that possible? Or since we are in the same cabin...will this amount I purchase be for both of us? I am confused.:confused:

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto,

 

If I want to purchase a certain amount like $50.00 with the OBGift Credit, can I specify which person can use it if I am traveling with the DH? I want to place a specific amount on his card alone for only him to use....and not on mine. Is that possible? Or since we are in the same cabin...will this amount I purchase be for both of us? I am confused.:confused:

 

Monakayk-If you are both having your accounts go on the same credit card, it really won't matter who the credit is given to, it will come off the shipboard account. You can send it in his name though. Although you both will receive seperate copies of what you spent onboard, at the end the credit will be deducted and both accounts will be added together and charged to the credit card.

BUT, if you would like to send your hubby something only he can deal with, you can send him casino credit, in his name, and he will be the only one that will be able to cash the voucher at the casino cage. He can then either put it towards his account, or gamble with it, or use it in one of the ports after pocketing the cash. But it is the only way I can think of, unless you use seperate credit cards to pay your account at the end of the cruise, where he would be the sole owner of the shipboard credit.

[monakayk]

Monakayk-If you are both having your accounts go on the same credit card, it really won't matter who the credit is given to, it will come off the shipboard account. You can send it in his name though. Although you both will receive seperate copies of what you spent onboard, at the end the credit will be deducted and both accounts will be added together and charged to the credit card.

BUT, if you would like to send your hubby something only he can deal with, you can send him casino credit, in his name, and he will be the only one that will be able to cash the voucher at the casino cage. He can then either put it towards his account, or gamble with it, or use it in one of the ports after pocketing the cash. But it is the only way I can think of, unless you use seperate credit cards to pay your account at the end of the cruise, where he would be the sole owner of the shipboard credit.

 

Thanks Toto, I think I will just get him casino credits. I went back to the website and noticed a different link for those. Thanks for this info.

[aussiecruiser275]

another silly question can you load the credit prior to paying the final balance of the cruise. just that the dollar is doing so well at the moment.

[Toto2Kansas]

another silly question can you load the credit prior to paying the final balance of the cruise. just that the dollar is doing so well at the moment.

 

Yes you can, in fact it is the perfect time to add shipboard credit or purchase casino credits. Always jump on it when the dollar exchange is in your favor. ;)

[victravellers]

another silly question can you load the credit prior to paying the final balance of the cruise. just that the dollar is doing so well at the moment.

 

You may want to call Princess before and find out their exchange rate. I do not think they use the current exchange of the day. I am under the impression that they use a rate they picked about 12 months ago, which wont be in your favour.

Why not buy travellers cheques now (in USD) while the exchange is good. Some places do not charge commission. Just pay them against your account when you are on board.

 

Linda

[srm1961]

I have just called Princess to enquire about onboard credit. The exchange rate they use before cruise is the rate given at time of booking. In my case about $1.30 to the £1.00. :(:( So no point in getting the credit before cruise - unless the rate suddenly dives again. By paying on ship you will be given the rate at that time. Keeping fingers crossed for the $2.00 rate again......:D

[yorkscruise]

I emailed Princess to ask about adding credit to my shipboard account. They replied ....

 

Please telephone our Reservations Team and one of our consultants will be happy to assist you. As on-board credit is added under our gift selection, as such it is non-refundable therefore, I recommend you only purchase what you know will be used. Please be aware that you cannot pre-pay your gratuities by purchasing on-board credit.

So don't add too much.

[Ula]

I emailed Princess to ask about adding credit to my shipboard account. They replied ....

 

Please telephone our Reservations Team and one of our consultants will be happy to assist you. As on-board credit is added under our gift selection, as such it is non-refundable therefore, I recommend you only purchase what you know will be used. Please be aware that you cannot pre-pay your gratuities by purchasing on-board credit.

So don't add too much.

I was thinking about this, and wonder if maybe just the month before make an over payment to the CC company that you are going to use on the ship. That way you know where the money is going to be.

[janetootsie]

I have also heard about the $2 to £1 offer, but when I spoke to Princess when I booked our cruise for next Feb they quoted a much lower rate. I wonder if HolidayHelen could tell me how she managed to get this fab deal. We are going to be purchasing OBC anyway, but would love to get this rate. Thanks to anyone who can help

 

Jane