Pre-purchasing credit

[Burgmeister]

I looked at pre-purchasing some credit for our Princess cruise but, as I am a UK customer, the credit is priced in GBP. It doesn't tell me how many USD I would get for my money.

 

Does anyone know what rate they give when pre-purchasing in GBP?

 

Thanks

[Orlando Vic]

What is your reason for pre-purchasing credit? Why not just pay your bill at the end with your credit card?

[Burgmeister]

Its a very good question Vic, but I do have a reason (albeit a tenuous one).

 

My wife won a small amount of money recently that we decided we should use to treat ourselves on our cruise. If we use it to pre-purchase credit then I know it will get used for the intended purpose, however, if we just leave it in with all of our "normal" money then it will just get "lost" amongst it and become part of our everyday money.

 

Yes, we could put the cash aside or say to ourselves "Don't forget that £XX was from that win so we should use that" but by the time the cruise comes round it won't feel like that. It will just feel like we are spending our "Normal" money.

 

I may be unusual in this but that's how my mind works.

[RocketMan275]

Its a very good question Vic, but I do have a reason (albeit a tenuous one).

 

My wife won a small amount of money recently that we decided we should use to treat ourselves on our cruise. If we use it to pre-purchase credit then I know it will get used for the intended purpose, however, if we just leave it in with all of our "normal" money then it will just get "lost" amongst it and become part of our everyday money.

 

Yes, we could put the cash aside or say to ourselves "Don't forget that £XX was from that win so we should use that" but by the time the cruise comes round it won't feel like that. It will just feel like we are spending our "Normal" money.

 

I may be unusual in this but that's how my mind works.

Not bad logic but if that is the way you look at it, why does the conversion rate matter?

 

BTW, you could put the money in an envelope and take it on the cruise with you. Once aboard, purchase credit with that money. Perhaps that would work for you.

 

If you want the real rate Princess will charge, then call Princess.

[maiseric]

I looked at pre-purchasing some credit for our Princess cruise but, as I am a UK customer, the credit is priced in GBP. It doesn't tell me how many USD I would get for my money.

 

 

 

Does anyone know what rate they give when pre-purchasing in GBP?

 

 

 

Thanks

 

 

 

Increments are 25, 50 and 100 dollars so divide the dollars by the pounds to get the rate. Also it depends on when you booked as to what rate you get. Hope that helps

 

 

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[Burgmeister]

Increments are 25, 50 and 100 dollars so divide the dollars by the pounds to get the rate. Also it depends on when you booked as to what rate you get. Hope that helps

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi, yes that is helpful, thanks.

[Burgmeister]

Not bad logic but if that is the way you look at it, why does the conversion rate matter? Because I don't like throwing money away.

 

BTW, you could put the money in an envelope and take it on the cruise with you. Once aboard, purchase credit with that money. Perhaps that would work for you. But, that's my problem. Between now and then it will just become "normal" money"

 

If you want the real rate Princess will charge, then call Princess. I've emailed them and awaiting their response. Thanks

Please see above in red.

 

 

I'm not saying I'm normal or logical, but it is just the way I'm wired.

[minikiss]

The last couple of times we have sailed with Princess I pre loaded the account with credit. As said earlier it works out in lots of $25. It is worked on the rate based on when you booked. For us it was in our favour to as the rate was a lot higher than the rates of the day.

I seem to remember I was able to purchase on line through the booking, but I would not recommend it for anyone in the UK unless they fixed their system.

It screwed up my bank account as it put a hold on the same amount till it cleared, in effect my account was minus the amount I paid plus the same again. it should have come off when cleared but it stayed in place. I had to call them and complain heavily as it took my account in the red. They were very apologetic and I got a free meal on board. They did say the online payments system was prone to doing that and said in future I would be better to call and they would do it over the phone with out the hold being used.

I normally like to load it up to cover the tips and a bit extra for any treat items, that way at the end our bill is quite small.

I personally think your idea is a sound and sensible one.

Enjoy yourselves

[roxievegas]

I can not address the conversion of pound vs us dollar - but purchasing credit for use on board. I talked with a Princess representative about purchasing gambling dollars, since I don't want to take too much cash on board. The rep told me that he puts money towards his future cruises every paycheck so that when he goes on the cruise, he has a credit that can be used for expenses he knows will be there and now is paid for in advance. Our next cruise we will have over $750 for gratuities and probably some alcohol and then casino charges. I plan to pay ahead so that those charges will be wiped off with the prepaid charges. Also, if I overpay, it will be refunded. For some people this works, for others, they would rather have a credit card bill waiting for them when they get home.

[goofy559]

The exchange rate to purchase onboard credit will be the rate that was in effect when you booked your cruise. Depending upon when you booked it could be very favourable (pre brexit). If it is a good rate, there is no limit to the amount you can purchase (other than your budget)

 

Good luck!

 

Lisa

[Burgmeister]

Thanks Goofy. I've had a response from Princess saying the same. Unfortunately, we only purchased last weekend so, whilst the rate has been worse, it still isn't great.

 

Knowing it is the rate at time of purchase though does lock in a rate and if the £ falls again I could always pre-purchase just before we depart.