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UK cruises buying obc

antsp

By antsp,
in Princess Cruises

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alibali21

alibali21

Posted
Posted
We are only 1.28 for a June cruise, I am considering buying onboard credit but think that I will leave it nearer the time as the exchange rate might improve but I am not optimistic.

 

My understanding is that the exchange rate is fixed at the time of booking and doesn't change before sailing date. I haven't checked the rate for our cruise later this year so that policy may no longer be in place, but fingers crossed it is as when we booked, more than a year ago, the rate was 1.45.

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SWORRUB1

SWORRUB1

Posted
Posted (edited)
My understanding is that the exchange rate is fixed at the time of booking and doesn't change before sailing date. I haven't checked the rate for our cruise later this year so that policy may no longer be in place, but fingers crossed it is as when we booked, more than a year ago, the rate was 1.45.

 

You can check this on the webpage on your planner. The dollar amounts of OBC are fixed at $25/$50/$100, so if the cost is shown £12.50/£25.00/£50.00 then the exchange rate is $2/£1, if however if it is showing £17.25/£34.50/£69.00 then the exchange rate is indeed $1.45/£, so stock up on it. You will not be able to get any excess out directly in cash, (methods do exist though) but you will get a cheque after you arrive back, (mine took 11 weeks) so you need to be in a position that you dont need the cash!

 

Nb

You can search these boards for 'the other methods' too complicated for me I waited for a cheque!

Edited by SWORRUB1
added the Nb!
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Lizzyanne

Lizzyanne

Posted
Posted
Sorry Lizzyanne. Realised you probably meant you were going to wait and see if the High Street rate improved not Princess's rate so just ignore my last post

 

Yes, I will buy obc if the high street rate is less than 1.28 but I did realise after posting that I had not been very clear.

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Wellybeth

Wellybeth

Posted
Posted

We booked last year, pre-Brexit, so our rate was fixed at £1.45 and have been saving to buy OBC for the extras we're likely to spend money on (spa/thermal suite, specialty dining, chef's table or UST, excursions, etc) Will also be pre-paying grats and considering pre-paying for photo package ($99 so £60 something). Hadn't thought about over purchasing, but as we'll be spending time in NYC after it's and interesting idea.

Thanks OP for putting it out there.

 

 

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crows nest club

crows nest club

Posted
Posted
You can check this on the webpage on your planner. The dollar amounts of OBC are fixed at $25/$50/$100, so if the cost is shown £12.50/£25.00/£50.00 then the exchange rate is $2/£1, if however if it is showing £17.25/£34.50/£69.00 then the exchange rate is indeed $1.45/£, so stock up on it. You will not be able to get any excess out directly in cash, (methods do exist though) but you will get a cheque after you arrive back, (mine took 11 weeks) so you need to be in a position that you dont need the cash!

 

Nb

You can search these boards for 'the other methods' too complicated for me I waited for a cheque!

 

Hi - To withdraw any unused obc is not really complicated. Just go along to Casino on last day (even if you don't this venue usually), pop your cruise card into a slot machine (staff member will help). Transfer any unused obc to your, try a couple of spins for luck -ypu may even win a bit. Then cash out to your card and take this to the cage where the cashier gives you the cash. If I can do it, then anyone can! !!Easy peasy.

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kruzfab

kruzfab

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Posted
Hi - To withdraw any unused obc is not really complicated. Just go along to Casino on last day (even if you don't this venue usually), pop your cruise card into a slot machine (staff member will help). Transfer any unused obc to your, try a couple of spins for luck -ypu may even win a bit. Then cash out to your card and take this to the cage where the cashier gives you the cash. If I can do it, then anyone can! !!Easy peasy.

 

Thanks to the last couple of posts being from Britain our pound is so bad that this was great to know. We are Elite with Princess and never thought to check this out in the past but will be using it for this cruise.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

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antsp

antsp

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My booking page is saying that I can buy obc at £18.75/37.50 and £75. I'm a bit dim when it comes to exchange rates but could anyone confirm if this is a good rate. Thanks

 

Your rate is 1.42 so a massive improvement over the current 1.23

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crows nest club

crows nest club

Posted
Posted
My booking page is saying that I can buy obc at £18.75/37.50 and £75. I'm a bit dim when it comes to exchange rates but could anyone confirm if this is a good rate. Thanks

 

The three amounts in sterling quoted are for $25, $50 and $100 dollars respectively. Therefore $100 ÷ £75 = $1.33 and so on. So this is your rate for your cruise. Very favourable against the present high street rate.

 

Hope this helps.

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antsp

antsp

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The three amounts in sterling quoted are for $25, $50 and $100 dollars respectively. Therefore $100 ÷ £75 = $1.33 and so on. So this is your rate for your cruise. Very favourable against the present high street rate.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sorry I read it at £70

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crows nest club

crows nest club

Posted
Posted
Thank you so much for your replies. We are still cruising novices, this is only our second cruise. I hadn't thought about having obc before. We plan to take some excursions so am I right to think that you can pay for this with your obc?

 

These are charged to your on board account so any credit on there can be used for any charges incurred there. Also bear in mind that the rate of $1.33 is used for any on board reservations you may wish to purchase before your cruisre I. e. pre-pay gratuities, pre purchase of coffee card and pre purchase of bottled water. Otherwise load your account with obc credit and leave to purchase on board.

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SWORRUB1

SWORRUB1

Posted
Posted
Thank you so much for your replies. We are still cruising novices, this is only our second cruise. I hadn't thought about having obc before. We plan to take some excursions so am I right to think that you can pay for this with your obc?

 

You can pay with OBC, but even if you pay for excurtions in advance you will get the same exchange rate as your OBC, you are locked into that rate!

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SWORRUB1

SWORRUB1

Posted
Posted
I don't think that will work. If you pay in advance you will need to use a credit card and will be charged in sterling at your provider's current rate. Buy Obc in advance at the good rate and pay with that when you're onboard.

 

Although priced in Dollars when you come to pay the amount is converted to GB pounds before checkout if you are in the UK at the OBC rate.The credit card conversion isn't necessary

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antsp

antsp

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Although priced in Dollars when you come to pay the amount is converted to GB pounds before checkout if you are in the UK at the OBC rate.The credit card conversion isn't necessary

 

It's should work, on my personliser it's states buy obc for £70, now the only thing is doesn't show is how much obc you get in $

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Wellybeth

Wellybeth

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It's should work, on my personliser it's states buy obc for £70, now the only thing is doesn't show is how much obc you get in $

 

 

I believe that the USD amounts are $25/$50/$100. Everything in our personaliser has already been converted to GBP by Princess at our booked rate of £1.45. So, no conversion required by our U.K. bank.

 

 

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antsp

antsp

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I believe that the USD amounts are $25/$50/$100. Everything in our personaliser has already been converted to GBP by Princess at our booked rate of £1.45. So, no conversion required by our U.K. bank.

 

 

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It's a non brainier then, especially if you want $ for another time, you could use Princess as a exchange bureau

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Wellybeth

Wellybeth

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It's a non brainier then, especially if you want $ for another time, you could use Princess as a exchange bureau

 

 

That's my plan, as we'll be spending 3 nights in NYC at the end of our cruise before flying back to the UK.

 

 

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