princess gift cards

Where can i use princess gift cards onboard?

 

Thanks

Apparently, just to pay down your on board account.

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-gifts-celebrations/overview/gift-cards/

 

The fine print at the bottom reads:

 

Redeeming Gift Cards

Gift Cards are only redeemable for purchases onboard Princess’® ships or applied as payment to a Princess® booking. Gift Cards may be redeemed for or on any cruise sold or operated by Princess®. If the Gift Card is redeemed on a Princess® ship where the onboard currency is not based in US Dollars, then the amount of the Gift Card will be converted to the shipboard currency at the foreign exchange rate posted at the Passenger Services Desk.

 

The price of each transaction paid for by the Gift Card will be debited against the balance or value on the Gift Card. If the price for a transaction is greater than the balance or value on the Gift Card, the purchaser must pay the difference. If the price for a transaction is less than the balance or value on the Gift Card, the unused portion will remain on the Gift Card until it is redeemed and the value of the Gift Card is decreased to zero, at which time the Gift Card will be deactivated.

 

Gift Cards will not be accepted if the Gift Card number is invalid, the value on the Gift Card is zero, the Gift Card has not been activated, or Gift Card cannot be found within the Princess® Gift Card system.

But if you click on the link to the Frequently Asked Questions next to the 'order now' buttons you get this:

 

HOW AND WHERE TO USE A PRINCESS CRUISE LINES GIFT CARD

Q: Do Princess Cruises Gift Cards need to be activated?

A: Princess Cruises Gift Cards will be sent to you already activated so that the card can be used right away.

Q: Can I redeem a Princess Cruises Gift Card as payment toward an existing booking or for onboard products and services?

A: Yes, the Princess Cruises Gift Card is flexible to use. Gift Cards may be redeemed via Cruise Personalizer for cruise bookings that were made by calling 1-800-PRINCESS or directly on Princess.com, or through your travel consultant for bookings made by your travel consultant.

The Princess Cruises Gift Card may also be applied toward the guest's onboard folio account once the cardholder embarks a Princess Cruise line ship for their cruise vacation experience. To apply a Princess Cruises Gift Card to your folio, you must present your Gift Card to the Passenger Services Desk onboard your cruise.

Q: Can I use the Princess Cruises Gift Card in the shops, Lotus SPA, Shore Excursions desk, bars, restaurants, or other retail locations onboard the ship?

A: At this time, all Princess Cruises Gift Cards must be redeemed at the Passenger Services Desk for purchases made with your Princess Cruises Cruise Card at these locations, but cannot be redeemed inside of these retail locations onboard a Princess cruise ship.

Q: Are there any restrictions in using the Princess Cruises Gift Card towards the payment of products and services offered by Princess Cruises?

A: The Princess Cruises Gift Card can be used for most Princess products and services, with the exception of payment towards Land Excursions and eZAir.

Q: Can I register my Princess Cruises Gift Card for payment of onboard products and services offered by Princess Cruises?

A: You can use your Princess Cruises Gift Card for payment towards onboard products and services by visiting the Passenger Services Desk, but at this time, you cannot register your Princess Cruises Gift Card as your primary payment option for onboard purchases or for auto-charge purposes.

So contradictory information as to its actual use on board.

Also as to whether or not you need to activate the card after receiving it.

 

Important to note that however much money you have in gift cards you still have to open your onboard account with your own source of funding first.

When I had a Princess gift card I just went to the Customer Service Desk and asked them to apply it to my onboard account.

 

In effect, it became OBC.