Should I pre-purchase onboard/casino credits

[ariel23]

My Fiance and I are going on a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the NCL Pearl. Both of us will be newbies on NCL. Keep in mind we are planning on purchasing 2 drinks per person/per day, about $100-$150 for onboard souveniers, and we plan on gambling with about $300-$400 for the entire cruise.

 

 

With that in mind, do you think I should purchase Onboard and Casino Credits before the cruise or am I just wasting my time and money?

[terrymtex01]

My thoughts OP are that as long as you have a credit card that can handle all of your onboard charges, why give someone else your money before you have to. There really is no true benefit to purchasing it before hand. Now that is just my opinion. Some folks like knowing they have already paid for everything free and clear before they leave home and so it is worth it to them. Neither is right or wrong, it is just what you feel most comfortable doing. Don't forget to budget in your $12.00 per person per day Daily Service Charge into your budget.. 8-)

[garycarla]

Many reasons not to give out your money in advance.

 

Very little reason to give out your money in advance.

 

 

Confused?

[johnql]

I agree with both terrymtex01 and garycarla - hold onto your money as long as your credit card can handle the charges. I've always viewed the onboard credit certificates as convenient ways to give a gift but not something to purchase for myself.