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STREETKING

By STREETKING,
in Princess Cruises

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STREETKING

STREETKING

Posted
Posted
I tried to do a search for this but I get a message saying the search function has been disabled. So I'll pose this question to all of you, Is there any advantage to purchasing several different gift, casino credits or other type services that just putting money into your onboard account wouldn't accomplish?

Thanks for your replies,

Brad
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Colo Cruiser

Colo Cruiser

Posted
Posted
[quote name='STREETKING']I tried to do a search for this but I get a message saying the search function has been disabled. So I'll pose this question to all of you, Is there any advantage to purchasing several different gift, casino credits or other type services that just putting money into your onboard account wouldn't accomplish?

Thanks for your replies,

Brad[/quote]

Not really.

There are only a couple of items if any that are at a small discount if you purchase early.
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Pam in CA

Pam in CA

Posted
Posted
Buying OBC or gifting yourself OBC goes into the same pot so to speak. It all gives you credit on your folio to start and any purchase, nightly tips, etc. are deducted. No gratuity is really prepaid as it's just a credit.

Pre-purchasing a soda or Ultimate card is the same price as buying it onboard. Only difference is that your cruise card will have the sticker at check-in.

The only thing that I can remember where there's a benefit to pre-ordering is an Internet package. You'll get bonus minutes. If you're Platinum or Elite, do not pre-purchase an Internet package unless you plan to use double what you get as a perk for being Platinum or Elite, which is already very generous.
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RLK33853

RLK33853

Posted
Posted
[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Blue"]I can't confirm (maybe someone else can) but I have read that if you pre-purchase liquor or a beer package you don't pay the 15% gratuity. I am going to try this on our March cruise to see if this is true - not a huge savings but every little bit you save is money they can get out of you some other way..........[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
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chrysalis

chrysalis

Posted
Posted (edited)
[quote name='RLK33853'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Blue"]I can't confirm (maybe someone else can) but I have read that if you pre-purchase liquor or a beer package you don't pay the 15% gratuity. I am going to try this on our March cruise to see if this is true - not a huge savings but every little bit you save is money they can get out of you some other way..........[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

No, that is not correct.

What you may be confused with is that, depending on the port, you may not pay sales tax on the pre-purchase. That is a lot less than the 15% service charge. Edited by chrysalis
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caribill

caribill

Posted
Posted
[quote name='STREETKING']I tried to do a search for this but I get a message saying the search function has been disabled. So I'll pose this question to all of you, Is there any advantage to purchasing several different gift, [COLOR=red]casino credits[/COLOR] or other type services that just putting money into your onboard account wouldn't accomplish?

[/quote]

Casino credits is the one that is different.

Instead of being a credit on your stateroom account, there will be a card in your cabin that you take to the casino during the hours the cashier is there. You then give them the card and they will give you cash which you do not have to spend in the casino.
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NRWPA

NRWPA

Posted
Posted (edited)
[quote name='RLK33853'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Blue"]I can't confirm (maybe someone else can) but I have read that if you pre-purchase liquor or a beer package you don't pay the 15% gratuity. I am going to try this on our March cruise to see if this is true - not a huge savings but every little bit you save is money they can get out of you some other way..........[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

Hate to disagree with anyone, but I pre-purchased a beer package on my Feb 27 Ruby cruise and was not charged the 15% tip. I did, however, give a tip to the guy who brought the beer from room service. I also purchased casino credit - great way to get cash for your cruise and, if you have a hotel, airline or cash back credit card, you will only be charged the casino credit you order and will receive points/miles/cash from your credit card (it will not be charged by your credit card company like a cash advance). Princess casinos also now allow you to charge casino money to your card through slot machines and don't charge for the transaction, so pre-purchasing is no longer such a big deal. Edited by NRWPA
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Pam in CA

Pam in CA

Posted
Posted
[quote name='ExDean']If you purchase (online) the $31 coffee card for your five day cruise can you use the unused portion on your next 10 day cruise a few months later? Or does it become invalid as soon as your cruise ends?[/QUOTE]The punches can be used on any future cruise. The unlimited brewed coffee is good for the cruise on which it's purchased. That's not transferable to another cruise.
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caribill

caribill

Posted
Posted
[quote name='Nancyquilts']About the internet - there is often a discount if you purchase a plan on the first day.[/quote]

Not a discount, but bonus minutes.

However if you purchase the plan in advance you get twice the number of bonus minutes.
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Nancyquilts

Nancyquilts

Posted
Posted
[quote name='caribill']Not a discount, but bonus minutes.

However if you purchase the plan in advance you get twice the number of bonus minutes.[/QUOTE]

Quite right. Too bad it doesn't work for those of us with free internet already. Guess I should just be grateful for all the perks - and I am.:D
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