Pre-purchasing Onboard Credits - Princess

[OzKiwiJJ]

Arrrgh!

 

The reason there are varying prices showing in different people's personalizers is that Princess sets the USD-to-local-currency exchange rates for every cruise based on what Princess's exchange rate is at the time you book that cruise. And they set that exchange rate regardless of whether it is needed or not. Unfortunately some time in the last year or so, a bug crept into the Princess online software so it is applying the exchange rate to all prices including the AUD ones.

 

So the correct prices are:

 

1. AUD - $59. This is applicable to all cruises departing from or arriving in Australia/NZ. These days that includes repositioning cruises. If you're cruising on an AUD onboard cost cruise you will pay $59 onboard. Unless you particularly want to pay for your drinks package ahead of time then it is better to buy the package onboard.

 

However if you do choose to buy it through the personalizer make sure you take a copy of your receipt with you. Princess will refund the difference to your onboard account.

 

2. USD - $56.35 inclusive of gratuities. All other Princess cruises operate in USD onboard.

 

In this case it pays to check what exchange rate has been applied to your account for that cruise. This is easy to work out, just look at the AUD cost of OBC. The prices quoted there buy USD $25, $50 and $100 respectively. Compare that to $56.35 converted at the actual current exchange rate.

 

If there is a big saving and the exchange rate is holding steady then buy it through the personalizer.

 

If the current exchange rate is more favourable then wait until you board, but check the exchange rate regularly in case it takes another dive.

 

Note: If you booked an overseas cruise through a US TA all your personalizer prices will be in USD. In this case it's worth watching the exchange rate and buying when it's favourable.

Edited September 9, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[OzKiwiJJ]

But $59 usd is currently $78 aud and my personaliser is currently $70 aud to purchase. So cheaper to buy in advance.

 

 

If it's an Aussie-based cruise the onboard cost will be AU $59 so, no, it's not cheaper to buy in advance.

 

If it's an overseas cruise the onboard cost will be US $56.35. AU $70 means your account has an exchange rate of .80. The current exchange rate is .7542 which would make the price $74.72. Therefore at the moment it is cheaper to buy it online.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I agree that there seem to be glitches in the system when pricing goods & services in AUD, but I wonder if there is another factor. International cruises and items purchased on board do not attract GST, but I wonder if services like drinks packages, coffee cards etc if pre-purchased, have to have GST added because they are purchased in Australia. Just a thought. :)

 

No, I'm fairly certain it isn't a GST issue. I did some research a while back, when people were posting a variety of prices, and the only thing that made sense was incorrectly applying an exchange rate factor.

[Aus Traveller]

No, I'm fairly certain it isn't a GST issue. I did some research a while back, when people were posting a variety of prices, and the only thing that made sense was incorrectly applying an exchange rate factor.

Fair Enough. I can see you have investigated the matter thoroughly. :)

[cheznandy]

Thanks OZKiwi....luvvin ya!!

Was waiting for you to get out of bed to answer that one:p

 

I was responding to the two posters that are on our cruise and Rollcall, yes, those on US based cruises are USD so a different approach to deciding what is best is needed. Great explanation and we need it as a sticky, maybe you should just copy and paste that one every other day;)

[kunoichi]

thanks cheznandy

 

I got stung by pre-purchasing the AIBP last time - this time I shall be purchasing the AIBP on board.

 

As a result I may even shout you a frothy *wink*

 

Cheers

 

And thanks to folks on this forum, I won't get stung with the pre-purchase issue!

 

You gals and guys are the best. :)

[Pushka]

If it's an Aussie-based cruise the onboard cost will be AU $59 so, no, it's not cheaper to buy in advance.

 

 

 

If it's an overseas cruise the onboard cost will be US $56.35. AU $70 means your account has an exchange rate of .80. The current exchange rate is .7542 which would make the price $74.72. Therefore at the moment it is cheaper to buy it online.

 

 

Gotcha! :p

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Dobby_The_Ship_Elf]

And thanks to folks on this forum, I won't get stung with the pre-purchase issue!

 

You gals and guys are the best. :)

 

Being the best is what we do :D

 

It helps when others ask us questions cos sometimes it reminds us about that one thing we may be talking about

 

ok so maybe I am being a bit liberal with the term we *wink*

[GUT2407]

No, I'm fairly certain it isn't a GST issue. I did some research a while back, when people were posting a variety of prices, and the only thing that made sense was incorrectly applying an exchange rate factor.

 

No doubt that's what is happening. If you track the rate they are using on OBC and apply that rate, it supports the view.

[wishfulone]

Arrrgh!

 

The reason there are varying prices showing in different people's personalizers is that Princess sets the USD-to-local-currency exchange rates for every cruise based on what Princess's exchange rate is at the time you book that cruise. And they set that exchange rate regardless of whether it is needed or not. Unfortunately some time in the last year or so, a bug crept into the Princess online software so it is applying the exchange rate to all prices including the AUD ones.

 

So the correct prices are:

 

1. AUD - $59. This is applicable to all cruises departing from or arriving in Australia/NZ. These days that includes repositioning cruises. If you're cruising on an AUD onboard cost cruise you will pay $59 onboard. Unless you particularly want to pay for your drinks package ahead of time then it is better to buy the package onboard.

 

However if you do choose to buy it through the personalizer make sure you take a copy of your receipt with you. Princess will refund the difference to your onboard account.

 

2. USD - $56.35 inclusive of gratuities. All other Princess cruises operate in USD onboard.

 

In this case it pays to check what exchange rate has been applied to your account for that cruise. This is easy to work out, just look at the AUD cost of OBC. The prices quoted there buy USD $25, $50 and $100 respectively. Compare that to $56.35 converted at the actual current exchange rate.

 

If there is a big saving and the exchange rate is holding steady then buy it through the personalizer.

 

If the current exchange rate is more favourable then wait until you board, but check the exchange rate regularly in case it takes another dive.

 

Note: If you booked an overseas cruise through a US TA all your personalizer prices will be in USD. In this case it's worth watching the exchange rate and buying when it's favourable.

 

On a cruise we did early this year the exchange rate was $110 AUD for $100 USD. Cruise in Nov is $125 AUD for $100 USD. One we have booked for next year is showing in the personaliser as $130 AUD to $100 USD. It seems to be getting worse before it gets better.

[OzKiwiJJ]

On a cruise we did early this year the exchange rate was $110 AUD for $100 USD. Cruise in Nov is $125 AUD for $100 USD. One we have booked for next year is showing in the personaliser as $130 AUD to $100 USD. It seems to be getting worse before it gets better.

 

Yes, it does.

 

Princess seems to fix its exchange rates at certain times of the year and stays with that exchange rate for several months.

 

So I'm guessing that you booked the cruise you did earlier this year before October/November last year? No, I'm not omnipotent :rolleyes: I had the same rate on my last cruise. :D

 

November appears to be when the rate went from .90 (or 1.10) to .80 (or 1.25), and the AUD did do a nosedive during 2015 so the .80 rate was probably fair. I remember chatting to someone who had rebooked a cruise around November last year and got hit with the different exchange rate. So I'm guessing you booked your November cruise after that exchange rate change.

 

The 1.30 (.76) rate is actually a tad better than the current rate so you're still just winning.

 

We won't see the glorious days of .90 (1.10) anytime soon, I suspect. :(

 

BTW if the exchange rate stays where it is over the next couple of months it would be worth buying OBC to cover any expected onboard spending for your November cruise. In fact get more that you think you'll need. Princess will refund the difference by cheque a few weeks after you disembark. We made a nice little profit doing that on our recent Golden cruise. ;)

Edited September 10, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[wishfulone]

Yes, it does.

 

Princess seems to fix its exchange rates at certain times of the year and stays with that exchange rate for several months.

 

So I'm guessing that you booked the cruise you did earlier this year before October/November last year? No, I'm not omnipotent :rolleyes: I had the same rate on my last cruise. :D

 

November appears to be when the rate went from .90 (or 1.10) to .80 (or 1.25), and the AUD did do a nosedive during 2015 so the .80 rate was probably fair. I remember chatting to someone who had rebooked a cruise around November last year and got hit with the different exchange rate. So I'm guessing you booked your November cruise after that exchange rate change.

 

The 1.30 (.76) rate is actually a tad better than the current rate so you're still just winning.

 

We won't see the glorious days of .90 (1.10) anytime soon, I suspect. :(

 

BTW if the exchange rate stays where it is over the next couple of months it would be worth buying OBC to cover any expected onboard spending. In fact get more that you think you'll need. Princess will refund the difference by cheque a few weeks after you disembark. We made a nice little profit doing that on our recent Golden cruise. ;)

 

Yes, it's been worth our while to buy lots of OBC. Won't be diving in on the cruise for next year though. We'll wait and see what happens to the exchange rate between now and then.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Yes, it's been worth our while to buy lots of OBC. Won't be diving in on the cruise for next year though. We'll wait and see what happens to the exchange rate between now and then.

 

Yes, that's wise. And plenty of time for that one too.

[kunoichi]

Being the best is what we do :D

 

It helps when others ask us questions cos sometimes it reminds us about that one thing we may be talking about

 

ok so maybe I am being a bit liberal with the term we *wink*

 

Heheh, nice! ;)

[GandM-nq]

I am on the Diamond in March. The ship is in USD. If I buy $200 OBC and only spend $150 on the ship. The last night or morning of the cruise can I get the balance $50 USD back in cash??? Or must it be credited to my card or sent in a cheque. Will I have a cash option?

 

Thanks you

No cash back unless you have a cash account when on board. They will send a cheque if you have a card linked to the account, it may take up to 6 weeks.

Technically, not correct. OBC which is bought is registered as a + cash balance. You are loading cash onto the account. So if the account (which was technically running as a cash account) is in the positive at final payment, it could be possible to get the excess back as cash.

 

I had bought (gifted) myself OBC for my 4 week cruise on Emerald last year. Final account balance was just under $500 USD in the black (+). I requested and was given the excess amount in cash (USD, including coins!) even though there was also a credit card linked on the account. Be aware, I have since read that some ships may not pay back cash at final payment, but do the cheque in mail. Best to ask early at guest services if they will pay out excess in cash. Otherwise, some suggest withdrawing any excess via a casino account.

 

Also, I had bought my OBC through Princess Australia by phone. Paid with a 28 Degrees MC. This was classified as a 'Purchase in $AUD", not a cash advance. My CC bill had purchase listed as from "Princess Cruises North Sydney" - not sure if that is a 'foreign' listed company so unaware if there would have been any credit card fees if I had used my Commonwealth Bank CC (they charge international transaction fees on foreign listed companies).

Edited September 11, 2016 by GandM-nq
typo

[OzKiwiJJ]

No, charges to Princess Australia aren't foreign transactions.

[MicCanberra]

Technically, not correct. OBC which is bought is registered as a + cash balance. You are loading cash onto the account. So if the account (which was technically running as a cash account) is in the positive at final payment, it could be possible to get the excess back as cash.

 

I had bought (gifted) myself OBC for my 4 week cruise on Emerald last year. Final account balance was just under $500 USD in the black (+). I requested and was given the excess amount in cash (USD, including coins!) even though there was also a credit card linked on the account. Be aware, I have since read that some ships may not pay back cash at final payment, but do the cheque in mail. Best to ask early at guest services if they will pay out excess in cash. Otherwise, some suggest withdrawing any excess via a casino account.

 

Also, I had bought my OBC through Princess Australia by phone. Paid with a 28 Degrees MC. This was classified as a 'Purchase in $AUD", not a cash advance. My CC bill had purchase listed as from "Princess Cruises North Sydney" - not sure if that is a 'foreign' listed company so unaware if there would have been any credit card fees if I had used my Commonwealth Bank CC (they charge international transaction fees on foreign listed companies).

 

We all know how inconsistently the policies are applied across ships, and by staff.

My comment was from experience on the Caribbean Princess, they said that the policy would be adhered to and therefore we had no choice but to use the Casino accounts, play and then withdraw the remainders/winnings to get access to the cash.

[Rubynic]

Does anyone have experience purchasing OBC in £GB for a cruise where the onboard currency is AUD? There are values in my personaliser for purchasing $100 but I guess this is in US Dollars and then this value will be translated into AUD.

 

When we got our OBC for using a future cruise deposit this equated to 125 AUD for the US $100 we were expecting. So is it safe to assume the 1.25 is our fixed exchange rate ?

 

We are sailing on Emerald Princess from Sydney & are trying to work out the best deal for paying for drinks, excursions etc. With 3 currencies involved & inconsistent information from Princess it is difficult to make sense of.

 

Thanks for any guidance.

[MicCanberra]

Does anyone have experience purchasing OBC in £GB for a cruise where the onboard currency is AUD? There are values in my personaliser for purchasing $100 but I guess this is in US Dollars and then this value will be translated into AUD.

 

When we got our OBC for using a future cruise deposit this equated to 125 AUD for the US $100 we were expecting. So is it safe to assume the 1.25 is our fixed exchange rate ?

 

We are sailing on Emerald Princess from Sydney & are trying to work out the best deal for paying for drinks, excursions etc. With 3 currencies involved & inconsistent information from Princess it is difficult to make sense of.

 

Thanks for any guidance.

 

I don't know if it would be safe to assume that, I would be giving Princess a call before committing any money to what could turn out to be a possibly lousy exchange rate.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I don't know if it would be safe to assume that, I would be giving Princess a call before committing any money to what could turn out to be a possibly lousy exchange rate.

 

Agreed, FCDs seem to be in a category of their own. My Princess exchange rate theory may not apply to those.

[kim.elniski]

We are going on the Sun Princess in October around Australia. We are from Canada. I just phoned Princess to order some casino credits. I was told that we buy credits in US and then they are converted AUS when we are on the ship. This is not a good deal as they give a bad conversion for the Canadian dollar in the first place.

Anyone have another suggestion?

[GUT2407]

We are going on the Sun Princess in October around Australia. We are from Canada. I just phoned Princess to order some casino credits. I was told that we buy credits in US and then they are converted AUS when we are on the ship. This is not a good deal as they give a bad conversion for the Canadian dollar in the first place.

Anyone have another suggestion?

 

Take it with you, or use your card, plenty of ATMs in Aus.

[Pushka]

Our obc were bought in AUD which were then converted to USD onboard. This showed up in the personaliser and can be done online. The exchange rate was in our favour. Maybe just do obc and not casino credits.