OBC/TA questions

[dukemha]

I made my reservation for a cruise next winter working directly with Celebrity. I reserved a C1 stateroom. After reading many comments about how satisfied and pleased many cruisers have been with the services provided by a TA, I made some inquiries and contacted a TA who was recommended to me. The TA has offered me OBC of $150 to move my reservation. That's an OBC I don't presently have, so I'm inclined to make the move. But first, a couple of questions.

 

1) Is there a standard amount of OBC I should expect from a TA to make a move? As I said, any amount is more than I have presently so it appears to be an attractive offer.

 

2) Initially, the TA also offered to pick up my gratuities for Select Dining. The TA asked if Celebrity was paying for them and when I told her I was paying, she backed away saying I would still be responsible for them. I'm just curious why it would make a difference to her which party is paying the gratuities.

 

3) Finally, are there restrictions about how to use OBCs? Can they be used, say, in the casino, or must they be used on drinks, excursions or specialty restaurants? If they are not fully spent during a cruise is the remainder reimbursed post-cruise?

 

Thanks in advance for your opinions and feedback.

[vvnh16a]

The amount of OBC really depends upon the length of the Cruise and the Dollars paid and also how the cruise is selling out. OBCs are in esence a rebate of the TAs commission. If you are using any coupons that would or could effect OBCs offered. Price reductions or any rebookings would/could effect OBCs offered. What you need to be careful of is that OBCs cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons (ie Captain Club coupons) or OBCs offered directly by Celebrity via on-board bookings. Thye can however be combined with RCCL shareholder OBCs.

 

OBC's can be used for almost any purchase you make that is charged to your room. If you charge casino chips to your room, you would be charged a 3% fee at the casino but then your OBCs would pay teh bill. (Give the casino $100...you get $97 in chips, your room is charged $100) Pre paid gratituies are a differnt form of OBCs and what the agent was fishing for is if Celebrity offered you Pre paid gratituties as an incentive to book with them directly.

 

OBCs are code differently by cruise ships and the code depends if you get cash if they are not used by the end of the cruise. The ones where you cannot get cash are typically from Celebrity itself...not a TA...so I dont think you would have a problem here but believe me $150 in OBCs even on a 7 night cruise will go fairly fast...but as you said earlier its more than you had before.

 

The one drawback of transferring your reservation from Celebrity to a TA, once you do this ALL dealing concerning your reservation must be through your TA...you cannot call Celebrity and expect them to answer your questions regarding your reservations or any changes you may want to make.

[luannsimon]

Since your cruise isn't til next winter, I would hang on to it til right before final payment. There are many places that offer OBC. That will always be available.

[Wine-O]

Since your cruise isn't til next winter, I would hang on to it til right before final payment. There are many places that offer OBC. That will always be available.

 

Yes, I agree. Hang onto the Celebrity booking with Celebrity. It's easier if you wish to make changes -- just a quick phone call. You have up to when you make final payment (about 70 days prior to the cruise) to transfer your booking to a TA. Shop around and do your homework.

 

At a minimum, you should get your gratuities paid for transferring it to a TA. For a normal cabin on a 7-day cruise, that's $161.00. Just like having OBC.

[gracecarmo]

I always do as the previous posters said: book directly with X and then transfer to my TA. I like to have control.

 

As far as amenities and OBC's from the TA: I always e mail her with the amount I am paying for the cruise, dates, etc. and she gives me what she can get from X and also from her comission.

We did get the prepaid gratuities on our last cruise which was $161 per person....that's a good OBC, plus we got the $150 per cabin.

 

We have used this TA many times and are always satisfied with service.

[dukemha]

Thanks for the feedback. Those are great comments and suggestions. Sounds like I have nothing to lose by holding off on moving the reservation until closer to final payment. I had neglected to mention that my cruise is 10 days in length. Not to sound greedy, but perhaps by waiting and doing a bit more research I can find a TA willing to pay my gratuities in addition to an OBC offer. This board really offers great advice. Thanks again.

[Denny01]

There are some restrictions on on what the TA OBC covers (can't be used for casino or gratuity payments sometimes) and many TA OBCs are not refundable if not used. check with the TA to see if you get fare reductions passed on or if you loose the TA OBC - does happen

 

Den