OBC: a good reference article by CC

I see that Cruise Critic has published an article called "Onboard Credit: How to Get It, Where to Spend It."

This is probably most helpful to the new-to-cruising readers out there, but I found it to be a good refresher course as well.

From the article: "Not many need convincing as to why onboard credit -- money automatically deposited into your onboard account-- rocks, but finding out exactly how to get it and where you can spend it is a bit trickier. We found eight ways to hit the OBC jackpot (some more preferable than others) and offer even more suggestions on how to burn through it, although you probably have your own ideas already."

Bonnie, I appreciate the article. The problem is that my OBC is restricted to excursions that cannot be booked until boarding. It would really help if the credits are restricted to allow us to book excursions and pay with OBC once we board. I would love to be able to spend the credits on other things but that is not an option for me.

That article is very informative for people who are new at cruising, and even for people who have cruised but maybe thought you call up and book and pay your money.

BUT, like aquidneck1 said, when you are totally restricted as to how you are allowed to spend your OBC, and you run the risk of losing out on the one thing you are restricted to, then OBC becomes an annoyance rather than a benefit. At risk of being negative, I think Azamara made a huge mistake in restricting OBC to shore excursions, and then refusing to allow people to book the excursions, pay, then cancel and rebook. Those passengers are caught, as we Southerners say "between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea". The excursions they want can sell out, or they can be canceled for supposed lack of interest. It certainly would decrease the excited anticipation of boarding day.

At risk of being negative, I think Azamara made a huge mistake in restricting OBC to shore excursions...

The problem is that my OBC is restricted to excursions that cannot be booked until boarding...

Can the frequent AZ travellers here explain to a 1st-time guest the restrictions, if any, on AZ's Onboard Spending Money? I've read a few postings here on CC (like the ones above) implying that OSM can only be applied to shorex. Yet I've read all the 'fine print' about OSM I can find on the AZ website, and can't find any such restriction.

In partcular, I want to understand limitations regarding OSM from the B2B benefit, aka Extended Voyages Program. The fine print on the EVP webpage says the following:

Extended Voyages Onboard Spending Money (OSM) are per voyage when booking consecutive Azamara Club Cruises voyages. Extended Voyages savings are combinable with most other offers, except reduced fares including but not limited to interline and TA rates. OSM is in USD, per stateroom, and based on double occupancy, has no cash value, is not redeemable for cash, is not transferable and will expire if not used by 10:00 p.m. on the last evening of the voyage. OSM cannot be used in the Casino or for future cruise bookings. Offer is valid for individual and group bookings, with the exception of contracted groups and charters. Guests must request Extended Voyage OSM to qualify.

Thanks.

Onboard Spending Money (OSM) is "redeemable only towards the purchase of a Land Discovery for the booking, has no cash value, is not redeemable for cash, is not transferable and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the last evening of the voyage." OSM is issued only by Azamara Club Cruises.

Should you receive Onboard Credit (OBC) from your TA, this is redeemable on anything onboard.

Bonnie,

Thanks for the quick reply. But I'm left puzzled. The text you quoted comes from the web page describing the cruise pricing program, and is in the context of the "Early Booking Benefit (EBB) of Onboard Spending Money (OSM) for Land Discoveries".

It's found here:

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/en-ca/plan/our-pricing-program

I was asking about "Extended Voyages Onboard Spending Money".

The Extended Voyages Onboard Spending Money is described here, under Terms and Conditions:

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/en-ca/plan/extended-voyages-program

The only exclusion indicated for the latter is that "OSM cannot be used in the Casino or for future cruise bookings." No mention of Land Discoveries.

These two web pages imply that there are different kinds of onboard spending money (i.e., Early Booking OSM vs Extended Voyage OSM). If they are one and the same (and only spendable on shorex), I really think the web page advertising the Extended Voyages program needs to be revised so there is no misunderstanding.

Thanks to 2 back-to-back cruises (34 nights total), we're eligible for $800US of onboard spending money, which we certainly expect to be able to spend "on board" (other than in the casino or on future bookings) as per the EVP description.

Thanks for your help.

(PS - I am really impressed that Azamara has a CBO following these boards and responding to customer questions and concerns. I had a CBO at one of my former companies, but his speciality was Beer!).

Bonnie,

Thanks for the quick reply. But I'm left puzzled. The text you quoted comes from the web page describing the cruise pricing program, and is in the context of the "Early Booking Benefit (EBB) of Onboard Spending Money (OSM) for Land Discoveries".

It's found here:

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/en-ca/plan/our-pricing-program

 

I was asking about "Extended Voyages Onboard Spending Money".

The Extended Voyages Onboard Spending Money is described here, under Terms and Conditions:

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/en-ca/plan/extended-voyages-program

 

The only exclusion indicated for the latter is that "OSM cannot be used in the Casino or for future cruise bookings." No mention of Land Discoveries.

 

These two web pages imply that there are different kinds of onboard spending money (i.e., Early Booking OSM vs Extended Voyage OSM). If they are one and the same (and only spendable on shorex), I really think the web page advertising the Extended Voyages program needs to be revised so there is no misunderstanding.

 

Thanks to 2 back-to-back cruises (34 nights total), we're eligible for $800US of onboard spending money, which we certainly expect to be able to spend "on board" (other than in the casino or on future bookings) as per the EVP description.

 

Thanks for your help.

(PS - I am really impressed that Azamara has a CBO following these boards and responding to customer questions and concerns. I had a CBO at one of my former companies, but his speciality was Beer!).

Hi screen-gem,

Hmmm, you may have stumped the CBO! As far as I know OSM is only applicable to Land Discoveries. I'll send this up the C-o-C (chain of command) for clarification.

P.s. I like your definition of CBO better than mine, especially since I'm writing from the highlands of Mexico this month ;)

I thought there were variations on the T&C for OSM. I know with the Like,Love,Adore program that OSM was restricted to only shore excursions. I never thought that other types were restricted, though. I think when Bonnie researches it, she may find that with some types they can be used in the shops and maybe the spa, on premium wine by the glass, and things like that.

The Like,Love,Adore program caused a lot of discussion because of those restrictions, so that may be causing some confusion.

Bonnie,

At my company (a small hi-tech start-up), the CBO was a very important position, just like here at CC! We even got business cards for him, and he had to go to beer school. Seriously. We usually had a keg of Guinness on tap, and the Guinness company takes the total 'experience' quite seriously. They want to ensure the kegs are operated at proper pressure, kept at the right (warmish) temperature, etc. They wouldn't let us have kegs until our CBO was properly qualified.

But I digress:-)

Thanks for sending my issue about OSM up the C-o-C. I hope they reach the appropriate guest-centered conclusion. Incidentally, I spoke to someone at Azamara last week about my EVP request. I had filled out the on-line application form a couple of months ago, but had not received a reply. The agent I spoke with checked our file and told me my application had been received and processed. She confirmed what I had concluded from the EVP terms and conditions, namely that the onboard spending money on my account can be spent on board (on spa, drinks, internet, etc).

Thanks.

I think the introduction of a third group OSC has really confused things. So now we have OBC-R. Refundable onboard credit able to be spend in spa, restaurants, shops and excursions and if not all spent will be refunded to the guest. This is typically travel agent "gift" credit.

Then we have OBC-NR. Can be spent as above but if not used you loose. This is typically given by the cruise line as a booking incentive eg for booking on board

Finally we now have OSC. Can only be spent on shore excursions. Given as part of the like love adore packages or early booking incentives.

As others say the last two and the last one in particular have such serious drawbacks now the rule you could not prebook and switch to an obc charge onboard was imposed. My issue is as others have I am really not happy that a destination focused cruise line imposes a rule that means you cannot guarantee your discoveries until you are on board. It makes embarkation day far more stressful than it needs to be.

The rule was changed without any associated publicity. I for one committed to bookings and a like package believing I could prebook excursions and switch only to find I cannot.

I think rather than look at suggestions to remove obc from consecutive bookers as is being suggested and escalated to managers on another thread the managers should be asked to explore the issue of OSC and pre booking excursions which adversely affects a larger number of guests and as more become included in the early booking plan the problem will grow.

As a short term suggestion I would suggest land discoveries desk is open immediately guests start to boar and is open for a longer period on embarkation day. Last cruise the line started to form at 1230 which really isn't the picture Azamara should have for first time cruisers embarking just by that desk b

As a short term suggestion I would suggest land discoveries desk is open immediately guests start to board and is open for a longer period on embarkation day. Last cruise the line started to form at 12.30 which really isn't the picture Azamara should have for first time cruisers embarking just by that desk.

We once had a pre- booked excursion cancelled, due to lack of interest. There was a notice in our cabin when we boarded Century in Hawaii. Celebrity hadn't even given boarders chance to book on the first day of the cruise. I was cross, as we could have made arrangements to go to a Lau before boarding.

I am not liking not being able to prebook an excursion with dedicated excursion credits. Boarding is going to be such a hassle- Wait in line for specialty dinner reservations and wait in line at Land Discoveries. Not a good impression for my relative who has never cruised before. I think it is going to be such a rush as check in opens as people factor in the additional time needed.

I've just learned the following:

"Onboard Spending Money (OSM) can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings) unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Such is the case with the EBB (Early Booking Benefit) OSM as that can only be used for Land Discoveries purchased onboard.

The Extended Voyages (aka B2B) OSM can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings)."

Thus I apologize! I had understood when we switched from OBC to OSM that the latter was only applicable to Land Discoveries. I now understand it all depends on the program.

I've just learned the following:

 

"Onboard Spending Money (OSM) can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings) unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Such is the case with the EBB (Early Booking Benefit) OSM as that can only be used for Land Discoveries purchased onboard.

 

The Extended Voyages (aka B2B) OSM can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings)."

 

Thus I apologize! I had understood when we switched from OBC to OSM that the latter was only applicable to Land Discoveries. I now understand it all depends on the program.

Thanks for the clarification, Bonnie.

I am looking at two invoices generated by Azamara and neither one tells me the nature of the onboard credit (and it's called "OBC," not "OSM") on the invoices, just gives an amount. It would be nice if it were clearly stated on the invoices so we know what the restrictions are.:)

I've just learned the following:

 

"Onboard Spending Money (OSM) can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings) unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Such is the case with the EBB (Early Booking Benefit) OSM as that can only be used for Land Discoveries purchased onboard.

 

The Extended Voyages (aka B2B) OSM can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings)."

 

Thus I apologize! I had understood when we switched from OBC to OSM that the latter was only applicable to Land Discoveries. I now understand it all depends on the program.

Do you know what category the Shareholder Credit is under? In the past this has been non-refundable but could be used for anything onboard (including casino).

Do you know what category the Shareholder Credit is under? In the past this has been non-refundable but could be used for anything onboard (including casino).

If you are one of the few who get it....last time for us it was non refundable and anything onboard EXCEPT the casino.

Agree with Critterchick. Bonnie, at least consider allowing us to book ahead when we have OBC that is restricted to Land Discoveried

1. It allows both parties to better plan. Excursions do not need to be cancelled if Azamara knows ahead of time what people want to do in port.

2. It prevents chaos when boarding

3. The downside for you is that you lose cash up front for excursions. The other downside for you is that if your customers find that there are no shore excursions left that they want when booking, they will move on.

This is my first experience with Azamara and already I am worrying about what is going to happen with the shore excursions and trying to plan alternatives in case they are full. Not a good way to look forward to a port intensive vacation and really will not be pleased if I have to leave money on the table.

Thanks for the consideration.

Back in the day P&O used to have a system where you could book your tours which were then charged to your onboard account once it was established, although I believe they now do the same as everyone else and charge at the time of pre-booking.

Surely it's in everyone's interest to use this system, we can book the tours we want and use our onboard credit, the cruise line know what tours are being booked and crucially it will avoid the first day rush to book tours which annoys passengers and overwhelms the tours desk.

Added problem for us in the UK is that our tours brochure is priced in £ Stirling and we pay onboard in US $ so it makes it difficult to plan spending the OBC as without knowing what exactly the price is.

This is all very confusing to a soon-to-be new Azamara cruiser. We have a small credit that's referred to as an SBC. This comes from the travel group (can't be named) that our TA is affiliated with. I presume this is just a normal OBC that I can spend in any way I want?

This is all very confusing to a soon-to-be new Azamara cruiser. We have a small credit that's referred to as an SBC. This comes from the travel group (can't be named) that our TA is affiliated with. I presume this is just a normal OBC that I can spend in any way I want?

Wendy, FYI, the only forbidden to mention is a Travel Agent and not a consortium that has travel agents as members such as Ensemble, Vacation.com, and others so you certainly can name the consortium as they don't book cruises which is what CC restricts.

Realize you are being careful to not run afoul of CC rules and others do the same but, not problems with consortiums, travel groups, shore excursion guides, etc.

Am mentioning this as many are too careful and the mentioning of non TA's can and does help others.

Do you know what category the Shareholder Credit is under? In the past this has been non-refundable but could be used for anything onboard (including casino).

Uktog is correct...the Shareholder Credit is non-refundable, and can be used on all except casino and buying future cruises.

This is all very confusing to a soon-to-be new Azamara cruiser. We have a small credit that's referred to as an SBC. This comes from the travel group (can't be named) that our TA is affiliated with. I presume this is just a normal OBC that I can spend in any way I want?

You should be able to spend this credit as you wish on-board.

Seems to me if a credit is given as part of a promotion it is clear what that credit can and can't be used for. It's spelled out in the promotion announcement. So if someone books a cruise where the promotion includes a credit that can only be used for shore excursions, he or she should understand that up front and decide whether it's worth booking with that promotion or not, and not complain about it after the fact.

The issue about having to wait until boarding before using that credit for an excursion is a different matter.

Seems to me if a credit is given as part of a promotion it is clear what that credit can and can't be used for. It's spelled out in the promotion announcement. So if someone books a cruise where the promotion includes a credit that can only be used for shore excursions, he or she should understand that up front and decide whether it's worth booking with that promotion or not, and not complain about it after the fact.

 

The issue about having to wait until boarding before using that credit for an excursion is a different matter.

I'm not complaining about it. When one books a cruise two years out, it's easy to forget the spending restrictions and if the invoice only says "onboard credit," there's no reminder. That's all I'm after here. Of course, I'd rather just have OBC to spend on Caymus; what red wine drinker wouldn't?:D

 

"Onboard Spending Money (OSM) can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings) unless explicitly stated otherwise. Such is the case with the EBB (Early Booking Benefit) OSM as that can only be used for Land Discoveries purchased onboard.

 

The Extended Voyages (aka B2B) OSM can be used for anything onboard (except Casino or future cruise bookings)."

 

@Bonnie,

Thanks for looking into this and posting the clarification about the various types of "OSM". Like Wendy the Wanderer, I'm also a soon-to-be first-time Azamara cruiser, and I agree with her when she wrote:

"This is all very confusing to a soon-to-be new Azamara cruiser."

Judging from some of the other responses on this thread (and other posts on CC), it's clear "OSM" is a source of confusion, if not dissatisfaction, with some of your clientele. And no wonder, since "OSM" means different things in different contexts (EBB vs EVP...).

As I'm sure you know, the term OBC (OnBoard Credit) has been around for a long time, is used consistently on most other cruise lines, and is well-understood by most customers and TAs. That's not the case with "OSM". It appears that someone in Azamara's marketing department decided to play some headgames and introduce a new AmAzing term "OSM", no doubt in the quest to differentiate the Azamara value proposition. What a mistake that was. The great irony is that the EBB type of "Onboard Spending Money" can't actually be spent on board. Guests can't use it to pay for onboard expenses like spa, wine, cocktails, laundry, internet, gift shop, etc etc. It's limited to paying for off-board expenses, specifically Land Discoveries. Describing it as onboard spending money is disingenuous, at best.

So in the interests of all concerned (customers, TAs, on-board staff who surely deal with dissatisified guests who find their type of 'OSM' can't be spent on board), I'd suggest that AZ rename the EEB type of OSM to make it clear that it's limited to only land purchases. You could call it:

- LDD: Land Discovery Dollars (since that's all it's good for)

- SEX Credits: (ShoreX Credits). Who wouldn't want to get some SEX Credits for booking early? Talk about an AzAmazing cruise...

Please pass this up your C-o-C for their consideration.

Thanks.

@aquidneck1 and others,

There are several comments here about 'chaos when boarding', 'boarding such a hassle', 'long lineup at the Discoveries desk', etc.

Can someone explain what this is all about, and suggest how a 1st-time AZ cruiser can best navigate this journey in the quest for a pleasant holiday?

@Bonnie,

Thanks for looking into this and posting the clarification about the various types of "OSM". Like Wendy the Wanderer, I'm also a soon-to-be first-time Azamara cruiser, and I agree with her when she wrote:

"This is all very confusing to a soon-to-be new Azamara cruiser."

 

Judging from some of the other responses on this thread (and other posts on CC), it's clear "OSM" is a source of confusion, if not dissatisfaction, with some of your clientele. And no wonder, since "OSM" means different things in different contexts (EBB vs EVP...).

 

As I'm sure you know, the term OBC (OnBoard Credit) has been around for a long time, is used consistently on most other cruise lines, and is well-understood by most customers and TAs. That's not the case with "OSM". It appears that someone in Azamara's marketing department decided to play some headgames and introduce a new AmAzing term "OSM", no doubt in the quest to differentiate the Azamara value proposition. What a mistake that was. The great irony is that the EBB type of "Onboard Spending Money" can't actually be spent on board. Guests can't use it to pay for onboard expenses like spa, wine, cocktails, laundry, internet, gift shop, etc etc. It's limited to paying for off-board expenses, specifically Land Discoveries. Describing it as onboard spending money is disingenuous, at best.

 

So in the interests of all concerned (customers, TAs, on-board staff who surely deal with dissatisified guests who find their type of 'OSM' can't be spent on board), I'd suggest that AZ rename the EEB type of OSM to make it clear that it's limited to only land purchases. You could call it:

- LDD: Land Discovery Dollars (since that's all it's good for)

- SEX Credits: (ShoreX Credits). Who wouldn't want to get some SEX Credits for booking early? Talk about an AzAmazing cruise...

 

Please pass this up your C-o-C for their consideration.

 

Thanks.

 

 

@aquidneck1 and others,

There are several comments here about 'chaos when boarding', 'boarding such a hassle', 'long lineup at the Discoveries desk', etc.

Can someone explain what this is all about, and suggest how a 1st-time AZ cruiser can best navigate this journey in the quest for a pleasant holiday?

First boarding is a MUCH more pleasant experience than happens on larger cruiselines.

Second it all depends what matters to you! Some people will want to book speciality restaurants to be sure of their preferred days and times. However, they usually have two places set up to take bookings, one as you go into the 9th floor Windows Cafe and another as you board. It is a relatively quick process provided you do not get stuck behind the group who don't know which night or restaurant or time and chop and change what they are wanting!

The issue where lines now exist is at Land Discoveries which usually does not open until 1300 and often is not fully staffed. This was never an issue so long as guests could prebook on line, pay by credit card and then switch it to an onboard credit in some form. At the same time as Azamara changed early booking incentives to onboard credit and restricted the place to spend to land discoveries, they brought in a new rule you could not switch over an existing booking to OBC once onboard. From the guests point of view the old system worked, you knew on boarding you had the excursions you wanted and you only went and did the swap at a later time that day. Now everyone who wants specific excursions and has some larger sums in restricted credits concentrates on getting in line to book their trips. Now it's still only a line of eight or ten guests on my last cruise, but it is still a line we are not used to on Azamara.

I saw a frequent cruiser on one of the roll calls I am on refer to the buffet on Deck 9 on boarding day as a zoo - sorry I just cannot agree! On the first day they serve you to manage infection control. Whilst it might make service a little slower, they have lots of servers and helpers in place. We have never had problems with service or getting a table unlike on larger ships. Actually the atmosphere is great, servers getting to know guests, guests getting to know others and wine nicely flowing!

One thing they try and do on most cruises you can check your carryons in once onboard at a special desk - they take them to outside your room (you should not be accessing your room until after the announcement usually around 1330, something the "entitled" sometimes like to ignore which is totally unfair to the housekeeping team and their fellow guests). What we do, in one carryon we have items that can be left in a case outside our room - it's pretty safe, cctv etc anyway but have anything valuable in the second one, we check in one and keep one. As a result we and most other guests do not have large amounts of luggage by tables in the cafe.

So yes you can have onboard lines, you might not need to join the lines anyway and most posters are mainly annoyed that a system that worked for guests re OBC and excursions no longer works.

PS when I was booking and switching, I was only doing this to secure the booking for my chosen trip as we often went on ones restricted to 12 -20 guests. We still spent the refund back to our account onboard elsewhere. Maybe if the issue was people cheating the system we should be allowed to book in advance and have the refund given back as onboard credit. It's just because we can only use it for land discoveries and have to wait until we are onboard that is our issue. If they could guarantee so long as I went to land discoveries by close of business night one I would be guaranteed to get the pre offered trips I would be happy, but I know in many places that is not an option for Azamara because of capacity

PPS. I would like SEX credits any time but that's another issue discussion about which would get be banned ;)