On board credit question

[back2tampa]

With other cruise lines we have always pre cruise put money on our accounts so when we board on the ship there is already money on my sign and sail card(room card - first time on Princess so not sure what to call the card). I was wondering if princess is like other cruise lines and have the machines that you can get money off your card, or if you can go to the front desk and get money off card anytime and if you have money left over at the end of the cruise then you have a check under the door that last morning before debark? Do they have a charge for this also?

[Pam in CA]

With other cruise lines we have always pre cruise put money on our accounts so when we board on the ship there is already money on my sign and sail card(room card - first time on Princess so not sure what to call the card). I was wondering if princess is like other cruise lines and have the machines that you can get money off your card, or if you can go to the front desk and get money off card anytime and if you have money left over at the end of the cruise then you have a check under the door that last morning before debark? Do they have a charge for this also?

It's called a "cruise card." :)

 

You can send yourself a "gift" of OBC that can be used for pretty much anything charged to your portfolio. Most TA's offer OBC plus you can apply for Military OBC (if applicable) or shareholder OBC so many people start the cruise with a substantial amount of OBC.

 

You won't need cash for anything on the cruise unless you're in port so there's no need to "get cash" from your folio. There are ATMs onboard but there's a $4.50 service charge for each transaction. I'd use it only in an emergency. I just bring several large bills which take up little space and when I need smaller bills, take one to the Passenger Services Desk and get it exchanged. Otherwise, cash stays in my safe. All cabins have a safe.

 

If you've given yourself a lot of OBC and it remains unused at the end of the cruise, you can go to the Passenger Services Desk and ask for what will not be used.

[back2tampa]

So if I need some extra money in the middle of my 7 day then can I get it whenever I want to and is there a charge?

[Pam in CA]

So if I need some extra money in the middle of my 7 day then can I get it whenever I want to and is there a charge?

Yes. Use the ATM. It'll be a $4.50 service charge. I don't know if you can get cash from your unused OBC during the cruise. It wouldn't occur to me to get cash that way.

[JF - retired RRT]

So if I need some extra money in the middle of my 7 day then can I get it whenever I want to and is there a charge?

Your only option to get cash is the ATM or go win some in the casino:rolleyes:.

Pax services will not give you $$ from your account.

[caribill]

So if I need some extra money in the middle of my 7 day then can I get it whenever I want to and is there a charge?

 

Not from your purchased OBC.

 

At the end of the cruise any unused amount will be returned to you, but how it is returned may vary (not your choice):

o Cash from the passenger services desk -- you must ask for it

o Refunded to the credit card used to buy it

o Check in the mail

[Colo Cruiser]

Your only option to get cash is the ATM or go win some in the casino:rolleyes:.

Pax services will not give you $$ from your account.

 

 

You can also have cash placed on your casino account then cash out.

Its very easy and there is no fee.

[Treven]

I always send myself $ between final payment date and departure; usually $500-750. This "usually" is enough to cover my onboard expenses. Sometimes I owe a little more at the end and sometimes I get a little back.

[AE_Collector]

I always pre purchase OBC and usually have a bit left over at the end of the cruise. The last few cruises it seems the policy has been changed to cash at the PSD for up to $25 maximum but if more than that they will mail you a check within a month or so. I have had refunds to the credit card used to purchase the OBC in the past but they don't seem to be doing that any more.

 

Terry

[skynight]

With other cruise lines we have always pre cruise put money on our accounts so when we board on the ship there is already money on my sign and sail card(room card - first time on Princess so not sure what to call the card).

I was wondering if princess is like other cruise lines and have the machines that you can get money off your card. or if you can go to the front desk and get money off card anytime and if you have money left over at the end of the cruise then you have a check under the door that last morning before debark? Do they have a charge for this also?

You have lots of answers, but let me comment.

You can call Princess and gift yourself as much OBC as you like. Princess will charge this to your credit card. The gifted OBC is refundable so if there is any remaining at the end of the cruise you can get the refund in one of the ways mentioned by other posters. When you board your on board folio will have a credit balance. Each time you purchase something onboard it will be netted to the current balance. Realize that each day, each passenger, including children, are charged an $11.50pp Hotel Charge (also called the auto tip.) The charge is $12/pp/day if you are staying in a mini suite or full suite. This charge is also netted each evening to your on board account.

Cash can be used in the casino and also for extra tipping to room stewards, room service, waiters, etc. Everything else on board must be purchased using your cruise card. The only other exception is that future cruise deposits if you purchase them are charged directly to your credit card and not to your on board account.

You will not have a check under your door at the end of the cruise if your account has a credit balance.

There are no cash machines on board that work with your cruise card. There is a way to use your cruise card to 'load' up a slot machine, and then cash out after a little play.

There is no service charge deducted if you have a refund of OBC. You get the full amount.

We always bring cash along for use in ports, for tipping tour guides, etc. The cash can be locked into the cabin safe. Every cabin has one. There are ATM's, but they don't use your cruise card. They work the same as any ATM with an ATM, debit or credit card.

If you are in a US$ port, such as St. Thomas, you can of course use an ATM in the port.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Gift yourself casino credit, they will be in your cabin upon arrival and when you go to the casino they will cash them, you don't have to do them all at the same time so as you need funds but remember to cash them all out by last night of cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Astro Flyer]

Gift yourself casino credit' date=' they will be in your cabin upon arrival and when you go to the casino they will cash them, you don't have to do them all at the same time so as you need funds but remember to cash them all out by last night of cruise.[/quote']

That's what we do instead of traveling with a lot of cash because there are no fees to get cash.

 

They're available as $50 & $100 vouchers & we use the cash for any additional tips we want to give & to pay cash for independent tours.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Astro Flyer

[crochetcruise]

That's what we do instead of traveling with a lot of cash because there are no fees to get cash.

 

They're available as $50 & $100 vouchers & we use the cash for any additional tips we want to give & to pay cash for independent tours.

 

I'm going to gift myself Casino Credit before I cruise, so I have a cash back up if needed. I'm hoping to get quite a few souvenirs for friends, and have diligently scoured the Princess website for current pricing, then added 20% to allow for inflation and currency variation between the USD and my AUD. I'm also hoping there's a discount voucher available on the cruise, and the Sale in a Dining Room on the last Sea Day to S-T-R-E-T-C-H my Cruise Budget further. Have noted to make sure the Debit Card used for my booking has funds deposited to purchase 2 Future Cruise Certificates. All these tips I've learnt from other posters on Cruise Critic-I love coming here to eagerly read the latest postings.