Is on-board credit a good deal (if one doesn't spend money)?

[mainewoods]

If I book a future voyage while on-board, and receive on-board credit, am I really getting a good deal? Let's say it's $300 per person.

 

I'm due to board QM2 in a couple weeks for another New England voyage. I would like to look into a future voyage, and have been told that if I book it on-board, then I may get on-board credit. There appears to be something in the voyage guide about this.

 

I have never thought much about it, as I don't spend much money on-board. I may get a glass of cranberry juice (I don't even know if there's a charge), and all I did during my last (July 2010) cruise is spend (lose) about 20 bucks in the casino. Other than that, I didn't have any other bills.

 

So, with that in mind, is on-board credit a good deal? Can it be used (applied) to the total cost? Or.... should I wait it out (not book while on board - thus losing the opportunity for on-board credit) to see if the price drops?

 

Oh, how I do love the feeling of having a future voyage booked though... Geeze, I'm not even on board my next voyage, and I'm ready to book another. I'll go through such withdrawl symptoms once I'm back, if I don't have future plans...

 

I need to win the lottery! It takes me while to save up for the Queen (money and vacation time).

[pnhmrk]

I don't spend much money on-board. I may get a glass of cranberry juice (I don't even know if there's a charge), and all I did during my last (July 2010) cruise is spend (lose) about 20 bucks in the casino. Other than that, I didn't have any other bills.

 

What about your gratuities? Our on-board credit goes almost entirely on that.

[mainewoods]

What about your gratuities? Our on-board credit goes almost entirely on that.

 

Oh yes, that is actually on the bill at the end, isn't it? We've only taken two other QM2 voyages, both being only 5 days each, so I guess that really doesn't add up to all that much as far as gratuties goes. I forget, what about 15 dollars per person per day, or so?

[ocngypz]

It's $11pppd in Brit.. $13pppd in Grills.

 

Your onboard credit can also go towards paying off your shore excursions if you book them through Cunard... onboard shopping.. specialty dining.....spa......etc. etc.

[Salacia]

If I book a future voyage while on-board, and receive on-board credit, am I really getting a good deal? Let's say it's $300 per person.

 

I'm due to board QM2 in a couple weeks for another New England voyage. I would like to look into a future voyage, and have been told that if I book it on-board, then I may get on-board credit. There appears to be something in the voyage guide about this.

 

I have never thought much about it, as I don't spend much money on-board. I may get a glass of cranberry juice (I don't even know if there's a charge), and all I did during my last (July 2010) cruise is spend (lose) about 20 bucks in the casino. Other than that, I didn't have any other bills.

 

So, with that in mind, is on-board credit a good deal? Can it be used (applied) to the total cost? Or.... should I wait it out (not book while on board - thus losing the opportunity for on-board credit) to see if the price drops?

 

Oh, how I do love the feeling of having a future voyage booked though... Geeze, I'm not even on board my next voyage, and I'm ready to book another. I'll go through such withdrawl symptoms once I'm back, if I don't have future plans...

 

I need to win the lottery! It takes me while to save up for the Queen (money and vacation time).

 

Hi Mainewoods. After your last voyage, did you recieve a statement of your on-board account? If not, may I suggest you check your credit card statement as those charges will be billed directly to the credit card you specified prior to boarding.

 

In the event you haven't decided what voyage/cruise you would like to book while on board, perhaps you might consider buying a future cruise credit (I think that is the correct term, but other more expereinced Cunarders will have more advice to offer).

 

But in answer to your question, yes, IMHO, an on-board credit is an important aspect of the fare. As a rough calcuation, I use this formula:

fare + insurance - OBC = X

 

Perhaps that makes sense?

 

Regards,

Salacia

[capnpugwash]

Hi Mainewoods. After your last voyage, did you recieve a statement of your on-board account? If not, may I suggest you check your credit card statement as those charges will be billed directly to the credit card you specified prior to boarding.

Perhaps that makes sense?

 

Regards,

Salacia

 

Your credit card is used to guarantee payment of your shipboard account, which is where the hotel charges are levied

[Jimsgirl]

I cannot imagaine any one going on a cruise and only spending $20 in Total.

 

Gratuities will come to more than that. Certainly you can use the OBC for gratuities,

 

Are you saying that you did not buy even a cup of tea/coffe/chocolate in Sir Samuels or equivalent? Did you not purchase a glass of wine/soft drink at a bar?

 

To book a "future cruise" you make a booking without any date, or ship, you pay approx $300 deposit, and when you return home, you decide which cruise etc, and transfer it to your agent if you use one.

[mainewoods]

Are you saying that you did not buy even a cup of tea/coffe/chocolate in Sir Samuels or equivalent? Did you not purchase a glass of wine/soft drink at a bar?

 

Correct. Other than the gratutities (which I forgot about), we spent very little on-board. No alcohol, and only an occasional juice while watching the show or sitting in the ballroom. Mind you, we had a wonderful time. I guess we just didn't spend that much extra money as it seems that so much is already provided. Plus, we've only been fortunate enough to enjoy the 5 day voyages (with two ports) which seems to be pretty packed full of stuff to do. But now that I think about it, I guess the excursions would fall under OBC too. At first, I thought OBC was for drinks, Todd English, Bingo, spa, etc. (stuff we don't really use), but once you add on the gratuties and excursions, I see where that can add up.

 

I guess my thinking is... even if you spend all your OBC (which, as it seems, is pretty easy to do, expecially once you include the excursions, Todd English, and I shall try the cocoa in Sir Samuels) I have to think about whether it's worth it to book on board, or play with that crystal ball and hope that the price drops by that amount. From watching the prices, it seems that the prices fall as the time get's closer (but I do understand that that too has its drawbacks) - and that more than makes up for the couple hundred bucks (or so) you get for OBC (I'm not in the Grills, and I have to book shorter voyages).

[pnhmrk]

I think I'm right in saying that if you book a FCC (Future Cruise Credit) you don't have to decide on your cruise there and then. You can wait and see what happens to the prices before you book :)

[Salacia]

Correct. Other than the gratutities (which I forgot about), we spent very little on-board. No alcohol, and only an occasional juice while watching the show or sitting in the ballroom. Mind you, we had a wonderful time. I guess we just didn't spend that much extra money as it seems that so much is already provided. Plus, we've only been fortunate enough to enjoy the 5 day voyages (with two ports) which seems to be pretty packed full of stuff to do. But now that I think about it, I guess the excursions would fall under OBC too. At first, I thought OBC was for drinks, Todd English, Bingo, spa, etc. (stuff we don't really use), but once you add on the gratuties and excursions, I see where that can add up.

 

I guess my thinking is... even if you spend all your OBC (which, as it seems, is pretty easy to do, expecially once you include the excursions, Todd English, and I shall try the cocoa in Sir Samuels) I have to think about whether it's worth it to book on board, or play with that crystal ball and hope that the price drops by that amount. From watching the prices, it seems that the prices fall as the time get's closer (but I do understand that that too has its drawbacks) - and that more than makes up for the couple hundred bucks (or so) you get for OBC (I'm not in the Grills, and I have to book shorter voyages).

 

Hi Mainwoods. I booked my next cruise while on board. The booking went through my travel agent who added another OBC. The fare was higher than I would have liked, but the on-board credits were really sweet. Anyway, as the fare decreased in the following months, my travel agent lowered my final payment amount (sorry friends in the UK who don't have that option).

 

I don't see a downside to booking on board and/or buying a future cruise credit, unless you want to wait until just weeks before the voyage in the hopes of catching a flash sale---if there is one, and if the accomodations you want are being offered. BTW, I've found that sometimes the fares increase closer to sail date.:eek:

 

Regards,

Salacia

[foodsvcmgr]

For U.S. bookings, I can't see a down side to not booking onboard.

 

Last December I booked aboard QM2 for this December, they were

actually offering double OBC ($600 p.p.) at the time.

 

As Salacia stated, the fare then was rather high. Subsequently

it has dropped 5 times prior to my paying in full. Just keep checking

the fares on the website, when you see a drop call Cunard and they

will cheerfully adjust it for you.

 

If you are unable to travel, the onboard deposit is fully refundable

(unlike HAL)

 

Really no downside or reason to wait.

[rrunner]

If I book a future voyage while on-board, and receive on-board credit, am I really getting a good deal? Let's say it's $300 per person.

 

I'm due to board QM2 in a couple weeks for another New England voyage. I would like to look into a future voyage, and have been told that if I book it on-board, then I may get on-board credit. There appears to be something in the voyage guide about this.

 

I have never thought much about it, as I don't spend much money on-board. I may get a glass of cranberry juice (I don't even know if there's a charge), and all I did during my last (July 2010) cruise is spend (lose) about 20 bucks in the casino. Other than that, I didn't have any other bills.

 

So, with that in mind, is on-board credit a good deal? Can it be used (applied) to the total cost? Or.... should I wait it out (not book while on board - thus losing the opportunity for on-board credit) to see if the price drops?

 

Oh, how I do love the feeling of having a future voyage booked though... Geeze, I'm not even on board my next voyage, and I'm ready to book another. I'll go through such withdrawl symptoms once I'm back, if I don't have future plans...

 

I need to win the lottery! It takes me while to save up for the Queen (money and vacation time).

We use the credit for shore excursions - tips - spa treatments etc. We have a $600.00 credit on our January cruise - it will not be to difficult to spend.

[mainewoods]

Thank you for all your kind responses and great suggestions. I like the idea of the FCC so that I can take advantage of the OBC offered.

 

This is the first time that I've really considered the FCC, as I just thought it was a benefit of putting a smaller down payment on a future voyage.

 

Happiness is a future voyage planned!

[Jimsgirl]

Mainwoods,

 

A word of warning

 

Cruising is very additive, far worse than dope you buy on the street corner.

 

Seriously , I wish you well, with longer cruises. Booking an inside room D8 is really acceptable in order to cruise longer, after all no one knows which grade of room you are in once you in the public areas. Maybe like myself you will also be visited often by the upgrade fairy,

 

Best wishes

 

Lynn