purchasing onboard credit

[mina]

I just had the strangest conversation with a princess rep at 1-800-princess. She refused to let me buy onboard credit or casino credits through them (we like to pruchase in advance so we have no credit card bill at the end). She said I MUST purchase all gifts as well as onboard credit through my travel agent that they can not do it. Does that make sense? It sure would be a pain to have to call my travel agent every time I want to purchase gifts (I purchase about $200 every month prior to the cruise so that we have a good balance built up by the time we go).

 

I have always purchased OBC directly through princess as well as other gifts. What if friends wanted to send us a gift?? They would have to know who our travel agent is? Has anyone else been told they can not directly purchase gifts if they go through a travel agent to book???

[mizLORInj]

While what you were told may be true, I'd call back. I've found different reps give different answers. Which can be quite annoying.

[vickie_bernie]

we always book thru the website http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/services/gifts/index.jsp

 

we can't actually buy Oboard credits but you can buy casino credits and then cash them in and use them toward your account.

 

Lately we've just decide to put $100 aside every week or so and then when the cruise come we have this windfall -- well sort of.

 

Hope this helps

[Julia’s Journey’s]

I've faxed the form in with my CC details and never had a problem.

Never tried to call but as previously suggested I would call back until someone will do it.:D

[coo359a2]

I called the 800 Princess # and "bought" casino credits with the CSR that I was talking with. I asked for a email confirmation and she sent one to me. I guess the email first would have gone to my TA as it did have her name and agency name on the Special Service Order. It took several days before the amount posted to my credit card.

[gargoyle999]

I've faxed the form in with my CC details and never had a problem.

Never tried to call but as previously suggested I would call back until someone will do it.:D

 

Faxed the form in?? :rolleyes: What century is Princess stuck in? I find it surprising I cannot go to my Personalizer page and order ONLINE as much OBC as I want to add to my account. I hope Princess is not so inefficient in other aspects of their business.

[cmalibu1]

I do know from personal experience, if you book your cruise with someone outside of princess usually all of your onboard arrangements must be made through them (your TA) not sure if that still applies?

[Ethel5]

I use a TA and I usually call Princess direct to "gift" myself in OBC. When I get to my cabin, there are cards telling me who the "gift" is from and how much. I have done this many times without a problem.

[figmentdj]

I use a TA and I usually call Princess direct to "gift" myself in OBC. When I get to my cabin, there are cards telling me who the "gift" is from and how much. I have done this many times without a problem.

 

I do the same as Ethel5. In fact, this is a timely discussion as I will be doing so this evening. Will let you know if there is a problem.

[teripp]

I do the same as Ethel5. In fact, this is a timely discussion as I will be doing so this evening. Will let you know if there is a problem.

 

Me too! I have purchased casino credits, and some fruit and a booze package all on line and used a TA to book the trip no issues at all. Next cruise more Casion credits and use them for On board charges not casino play :):D

[Casshew]

Faxed the form in?? :rolleyes: What century is Princess stuck in? I find it surprising I cannot go to my Personalizer page and order ONLINE as much OBC as I want to add to my account. I hope Princess is not so inefficient in other aspects of their business.

 

Makes sense to me.. they get your SIGNATURE on the faxed form where you fill in the credit card # and authorize the charges.

[Putterdude]

Our experience was that our sons bought us some thru Princess as a Christmas gift while we were on the Diamond over Christmas last year and the announcement cards just appeared in our cabin. So I don't what the problem would be with someone purchasing them for themselves.

[apeller]

So if I buy casino credits in advance, I can simply go to the casino and cash them out so that I have cash to use for my excursions? I do not want to use my credit card in Canada because of the exchange fees charged. This would work so that I do not need to carry a lot of cash on board. I am sure I read this elsewhere, and probably from you Casshew, but I wanted to clarify the facts. Thanks.

[birdstar]

So if I buy casino credits in advance, I can simply go to the casino and cash them out so that I have cash to use for my excursions? I do not want to use my credit card in Canada because of the exchange fees charged.

Be careful if you are planning on using US dollars in Canada. We were just in Toronto a few weeks ago and they would not take US currency or they would exchange it at less than bank rates. (They say the US exhange rate is too volatile against the canadian dollar, which is pretty weird as in the US we used to say we wouldn't take canadian due to exchange rate always changing)

[apeller]

Be careful if you are planning on using US dollars in Canada. We were just in Toronto a few weeks ago and they would not take US currency or they would exchange it at less than bank rates. (They say the US exhange rate is too volatile against the canadian dollar, which is pretty weird as in the US we used to say we wouldn't take canadian due to exchange rate always changing)

 

Wouldn't they take them dollar for dollar? I think it would be preferable for them to take US dollars rather than have to pay their merchant fees for accepting my credit card. I think it's something like 3%.

[dbdave]

I called the 800 Princess # and "bought" casino credits with the CSR that I was talking with. I asked for a email confirmation and she sent one to me. I guess the email first would have gone to my TA as it did have her name and agency name on the Special Service Order. It took several days before the amount posted to my credit card.

 

Hi Tina & Ken!!!:D

[coo359a2]

Hi Tina & Ken!!!:D

 

Hi Dave and Sherry! How ya'll doing?:D

[vickie_bernie]

Unfortunately if you pay in a foreign currency most retailers will not charge you a very good rate. This has happened to us when we use Canadian in the US, US in Mexico and US in the Caribbean. My recommendation is if you are going to be in a foreign country use their currency if possible (sometimes this is not realistic) and go to bank for the best rates.

 

We are sailing to LA from Vancouver and it wouldn't make sense to pay the shuttle driver in Canadian to take use to the airport. But if we pay with credit card we will be charge a foreign currency charge.

[birdstar]

We are from detroit area and have always considered canada as almost a suburb. When the dollar was stronger than the Loon Canadians would take the dollar with no problem and give us a good exchange rate and give us change back in US Dollars. (They still will do that in Windsor ) but in Toronto they did not want our dollars either CC or Canadian.

[vickie_bernie]

We are from detroit area and have always considered canada as almost a suburb. When the dollar was stronger than the Loon Canadians would take the dollar with no problem and give us a good exchange rate and give us change back in US Dollars. (They still will do that in Windsor ) but in Toronto they did not want our dollars either CC or Canadian.

 

Yes Windsor is a suburb, isn't it?

 

I remember working in a restaurant during Expo 86 in Vancouver and I was always surprised at how many people would pay in US and actually expect change in US. That just doesn't happen in the big cities I guess. I would never expect Canadian change in US -- but then again I know in may border communities that does happen. For example Bellingham Washington.

[apeller]

I emailed the 2 companies we are using in Canada for our tours regarding paying by US dollar and will post their replies.

[mina]

Okay -- this was continuing to bug me so I called 1-800 princess again and this time said -- I want to "order a gift" instead of saying I want to buy OBCs -- GUESS WHAT -- NO PROBLEM -- went straight through. I asked the rep why I got told I could not do it earlier and he had no idea -- so if you get the you can't do it answer -- call back and get a different rep!

[apeller]

So I heard back from Freedom Tours in Saint John, NB and YourCab in Halifax, NS and they both said they will gladly take American dollars. Freedom Tours said that any change will be in Canadian. So now I can help bring this thread somewhat back on track since I helped veer it off topic. I will be calling Princess to buy that "gift" of Casino Credits and maybe some beer for my husband.

[gargoyle999]

Okay -- this was continuing to bug me so I called 1-800 princess again and this time said -- I want to "order a gift" instead of saying I want to buy OBCs -- GUESS WHAT -- NO PROBLEM -- went straight through. I asked the rep why I got told I could not do it earlier and he had no idea -- so if you get the you can't do it answer -- call back and get a different rep!

 

Thanks Mina for posting what you found out. I'll give them a call and order a gift for myself. Still would love to be able to do it online though! :)

[BAGLADY.45]

Hello,

 

I am sailing to Alaska in 7/09...would it be to soon to purchase these "gifts" for myself? Thanks for your responses!

 

Lindy