How to apply Princess Gift Card onboard?

[808cruisers]

I want to buy a drink onboard and I don't want it to charge my credit card on file. 

Can I apply my gift card to my onboard credit at Guest Services beforehand (on board) and then --does it automatically deduct from there first? 

[Jadn13]

That’s exactly how it works

[JimmyVWine]

Take either your plastic card or a printout of your e-card that shows the number and PIN to Guest Services.  They might add it to your account right then and there in front of you, or if they are busy, they will take the card/printout and do it in the back room when they have more time.  Either way, the amount goes onto your account.  You needn't worry about anything being charged to your credit card until departure day.  All expenses just keep piling up on your account and get "paid" on the last day when they process your form of payment.  Non-refundable OBC gets used first; followed by refundable OBC; followed by charges made to the form of payment you have on file with Princess (which is a credit card). The credit card will not get touched until after all OBC is used up.  Gift Cards are refundable OBC, so if you give them a $100 card and only use $90, you will get the rest back, usually in the form of a check sent to the address they have for you on file.  There may be a way to cash out at the casino, but I have never tried that.  Hope this helps. 

35 minutes ago, 808cruisers said:

I want to buy a drink onboard and I don't want it to charge my credit card on file. 

Can I apply my gift card to my onboard credit at Guest Services beforehand (on board) and then --does it automatically deduct from there first? 

 

[justafem]

I've bought AARP GC's while on the ship, when I know I'm going to have a balance.  I take my email to customer service, where they do their magic and it's applied to my account, either immediately or sometime in the middle of the night.

 

Happy cruising!

[JimmyVWine]

38 minutes ago, justafem said:

I've bought AARP GC's while on the ship, when I know I'm going to have a balance.  I take my email to customer service, where they do their magic and it's applied to my account, either immediately or sometime in the middle of the night.

 

Happy cruising!

I just did this at an LL Bean store.  Saw an item that I needed.  Used my phone to go to a site that sells GCs at a discount.  Got 14% off of a $90 gift card and received an immediate confirmation and e-card. Then I took my phone to the cash register and paid.  Got 10% off the price of the item due to the sale price, and another 14% off by buying a GC at a discount, all in real time. No reason why one cannot do the same on a cruise. (Though the best discounts that I have seen for Princess GCs are the 10% off ones from AARP.)  This does depend, however, on having a reliable wifi signal. 😄