Buy OBC in UK

[neena46]

I am thinking of purchasing OBC before my cruise. Is there any advantage to buy direct from Princess rather than through the travel agent (UK) that arranged my cruise?

 

Are there any restrictions for OBC bought through TA, eg is it non-refundable, can it be used to pay tips?

[Psychedout]

I am thinking of purchasing OBC before my cruise. Is there any advantage to buy direct from Princess rather than through the travel agent (UK) that arranged my cruise?

 

Are there any restrictions for OBC bought through TA, eg is it non-refundable, can it be used to pay tips?

 

this is a new one for me, perhaps more experienced cruisers can comment. I never heard of buying OBC, since everything gets charged to your account.

 

Hugh :confused:

Edited March 11, 2014 by Psychedout

[windsor26]

I am thinking of purchasing OBC before my cruise. Is there any advantage to buy direct from Princess rather than through the travel agent (UK) that arranged my cruise?

 

Are there any restrictions for OBC bought through TA, eg is it non-refundable, can it be used to pay tips?

 

To answer the second question first The obc on your account is just that and is used for whatever is spent and as they do not differentiate any unspent money can be taken out via the casino towards the end of your cruise

 

The obc is probably better purchased direct from Princess (rather than going through a 3rd party) also I think Princess direct do not charge CC fees but TA's do I am not sure in UK but that is true here.

[midwestsolo]

I have no experience with Great Britain, but 2 years ago my daughter bought me onboard credit for a cruise around New Zealand(departing from Sydney Aus) as a birthday present. She had my Princess booking number and had no problems at all when calling the Princess 800#. There was a card in my cabin advising of the credit and it was applied to my account as I used it. No other fees and at the time US & AUS currency were about the same value.

[saltypeer]

I am thinking of purchasing OBC before my cruise. Is there any advantage to buy direct from Princess rather than through the travel agent (UK) that arranged my cruise?

 

Are there any restrictions for OBC bought through TA, eg is it non-refundable, can it be used to pay tips?

 

You can buy OBC direct from Princess and, as others have said, you can use it for anything onboard. One tip however (if it still holds true) is that when you call Princess to ask about making a purchase of OBC, ask what conversion rate they are offering you.

 

The last time i rang them they were offering the rate that was relevant at the time i booked the cruise (some months in advance of my call) and the pound had become stronger against the dollar since that time........therefore, i took my cash and exchanged it at a shop in town for a few more dollars at the current, better, rate. This can work the other way of course.

 

Pete

[Flainefan]

Yes, check the rates. We bought OBC at the rate on the date of our booking, which worked out well for us because we got $2 to £1. In fact, we added more to our account and that of our son and daughter-in-law, so all our 'hotel charges', drinks, excursions were amply covered. We even had a surplus which we withdrew in dollars as we left the ship, because by then the dollar had strengthened. It came in useful a few months later when we went to the States!

[neena46]

Thanks everyone. Can you explain how you cash out unused credit at the casino?

 

With OBC loaded, can you withdraw cash from your account as needed during the cruise?

 

If the exchange rate not favourable for me, I was thinking of paying USD travellers cheques into our account when when board. Can this be done? Can I withdraw it as cash later on?

Edited March 12, 2014 by neena46

[caribill]

Thanks everyone. Can you explain how you cash out unused credit at the casino? First, if you are worried about it not being used up by the end of the cruise, on the last evening you can go to the Purser's desk and they will return any unused OBC you purchased to you. It will be in the currency of the cruise, most of which are in US$. No need to involve the casino in this.

If you do want to get money during the cruise from the casino (again in US$), you insert your cruise card into a slot machine and can download money from your onboard account to the slot machine. (This can be done if you have OBC in the onboard account or not. If you do not, it will be an additional charge to your account.) Play a few "pulls" on the slot machine, tell the slot machine to put what is left back on your cruise card. Then go to the casino cashier and ask to get the cash from your card. Obviously must do this while the casino and the casino cashier are open, not at times the ship is in port.

 

With OBC loaded, can you withdraw cash from your account as needed during the cruise? I do not believe this is possible other than via the casino method.

 

If the exchange rate not favourable for me, I was thinking of paying USD travellers cheques into our account when when board. Can this be done? The purser's desk will be happy to either cash travelers checks or put their value on your onboard account. Can I withdraw it as cash later on? I do not believe this is possible other than via the casino method.

 

May I suggest the following if you are bringing travelers checks.

 

o Have a credit card associated with your onboard account (this is done pre-cruise via the Personalizer). If you do not do this, then you must have either OBC set up or make a deposit to the onboard account soon after embarkation. If you do have a credit card associated with your account, then you do not have to quickly add cash (travelers checks) to the account.

 

o If you need cash during the cruise, just cash travelers checks.

 

o The last day of the cruise you can go to the Purser's desk and put any travelers checks you want towards paying off your account.