Princess Future Cruise Credit: What It Is, How It Works & Whether You Should Buy One
If you’ve sailed Princess before, you’ve probably seen the signs around the ship advertising Future Cruise Credits — or walked past the Future Cruise Desk wondering if buying one is actually worth it. I’m sailing Princess 4–5 times a year, and I’m finally considering buying one on my next cruise. So let’s break down exactly how FCCs work, who they’re good for, and whether they make sense for you.
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💡 What Is a Princess Future Cruise Credit (FCC)?
A Future Cruise Credit is a deposit you buy onboard that you can use toward a future Princess cruise. In exchange for buying it upfront, Princess gives you bonus onboard credit when you redeem it.
Think of it as: Pay now → get extra perks later.
FCCs are popular because they’re simple, flexible, and beginner‑friendly — exactly the kind of strategy I love.
If you’re new to Princess, you might also like my Princess Plus vs Premier breakdown.
🎁 What You Get When You Buy an FCC
Princess changes the offer occasionally, but typically you get:
A discounted or refundable deposit
Bonus onboard credit on your next cruise
Flexibility to use it on almost any Princess sailing
If you’re planning a Sun Princess sailing, check out my Sun Princess Embarkation Guide.
🧾 What FCCs Can and Cannot Be Used For
Let’s keep it Lazy Girl simple:
✔️ FCC can be applied to:
Cruise fare
Deposits
Fare adjustments
❌ FCC cannot be applied to:
Taxes & port fees
Airfare
Shore excursions
Transfers
Specialty dining
Spa
Onboard purchases
Princess Plus or Premier packages
FCC = cruise fare only.
⏰ Do FCCs Expire?
Yes — but Princess is flexible.
FCCs usually expire within 1–2 years, depending on the promo. If you cancel a cruise booked with an FCC, Princess typically reissues the FCC with a new expiration date.
Still, only buy one if you know you’ll sail Princess again.
🛳️ Should YOU Buy a Future Cruise Credit?
Here’s the honest breakdown:
If you sail Princess often (like me):
YES — it’s almost always worth it. You’ll use it, and you’ll get bonus onboard credit for a cruise you were already going to take.
If you sail Princess occasionally:
Maybe. Only buy one if you already have a future Princess cruise in mind.
If you’re not sure you’ll sail Princess again:
Skip it. FCCs are not transferable and not refundable once applied.
🌸 My Personal Take (Lazy Girl Edition)
I’m considering buying one on my next cruise because:
I sail Princess 4–5 times a year
I always have another Princess cruise booked
I love free onboard credit
It’s a simple strategy — no spreadsheets, no tracking, no stress
If you’re a Princess regular, FCCs are one of the easiest ways to get extra value without doing anything complicated. I am actually kicking myself I haven’t done this sooner.
🧭 How to Redeem Your FCC
Redeeming your FCC is easy:
Log into your Princess account
Go to Payments & Credits
Apply your FCC to your next cruise fare
Your bonus onboard credit will appear automatically
No phone calls, no hassle.
🧳 Can You Stack FCCs With Other Deals?
Yes — and this is where the magic happens.
You can stack FCCs with:
Princess Plus
Princess Premier
Reduced deposit promos
Casino offers
Military benefits
Past passenger deals
Limited‑time sales
FCCs are one of the few things Princess lets you layer on top of other promos.
🔗 More Princess Resources
👩💻 About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, a retiree‑friendly, beginner‑friendly travel hacking blog focused on simple strategies that help families travel better for less.
Julie travels frequently with her husband Brandon and their college‑age sons Tanner and Finn, and she’s known for keeping points simple, approachable, and fun — no spreadsheets required.
Follow along at NoPointLeftBehind.net.
