Can On Board Credit from TA be used for gratuities?

[karlsselindh]

Several months ago, we booked a HAL cruise through a TA who offers "points" which can be redeemed for on-board-credit, dining, or other perks. The cruise also has a $50/cabin OBC from HAL.

 

Now that the cruise is getting closer and I'm about to redeem the "points" for OBC, I checked with the TA to confirm that the OBC could be used for gratuities and the casino.

 

She said that they advise that the OBC received from them was not supposed to be used this way, but it was up to the cruise line's discretion. I forgot to ask if the $50 credit from HAL was prohibited from being used for tips and casino.

 

In my experience, each cabin has ONE on-board account, to which all spending is charged, and all OBC is lumped into this account. How would HAL know whether OBC came from a TA or other source and be able to block its use for certain purposes?

 

Thanks for any info--

[kazu]

I've had obc from TA's and from my FCC's - I just check to make sure it's there on day one.

 

I don't see why it can't be used for gratuities. Basically all the charges go to your cabin number. The obc is credited to that account. I am sure you will spend more money than just your gratuities.

 

If not, you are far more talented than I:D

 

In any case, I don't see why the gratuities should be an issue here :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

all the different shipboard credits that we have gotten over the years can be used for the Hotel Service Charges -- hal does 'lump' it all together and thus has no way once you are on the ship of telling exactly where each of the shipboard credits have come from

we don't use the casino -- so i am not certain if the shipboard credit can be used for that

[luvcruisn']

All onboard credit is posted as a credit on your shipboard account. All charges - for excursions, hotel charges (the $11.00/day charge), drinks, etc., are then posted as debits to your account. Casino charges are also debited from your account. I have never had any problems with using onboard credit for any type of charge to my account.

[scm1848]

It is my understanding that our shareholders' OBC cannot be used for gratuities. I wish it could be.

[RuthC]

It is my understanding that our shareholders' OBC cannot be used for gratuities.

That may be true in theory, but in reality CCL credit is used for gratuities. The credit is listed at the beginning of your statement, and charges are deducted. There is no separation of gratuities.

[obriendan]

It is my understanding that our shareholders' OBC cannot be used for gratuities. I wish it could be.

 

This is not true. We have used OBC from shareholder's stock for the last six cruises and it has always been used for the $11 per day hotel charge and any other debit to our shipboard account.

 

Dan

[bethaniesmom]

sure you can use OBC for gratuities....it is just a credit on your account. I never have a problem spending more than any OBC I have. This time we traded our OBC for an upgrade to a suite!

Have a great trip.

 

Beverly

[Craigster-diver]

Yes, as others have stated any OBC can be applied towards auto-tipping, and most (casino??) other on-board purchasing.

 

However, OBC can not be refunded or carried forward to another cruise. It's a matter of use it or lose it on the cruise you're getting the credit.

 

Cheers,

C.

[Typhoon1]

Of course it can. The OBC is added to your shipboard account. HAL doesn't discriminate how you spend it.

[Typhoon1]

 

However, OBC can not be refunded or carried forward to another cruise. It's a matter of use it or lose it on the cruise you're getting the credit.

 

Cheers,

C.

 

This is not the case. We've gotten any remaining OBC refunded to us in cash on disembarkation day.

[catl331]

This is not the case. We've gotten any remaining OBC refunded to us in cash on disembarkation day.

This depends on the source of the OBC. Yours must have been purchased (by you, a friend/relative, a TA etc) as those are refundable, but any given by HAL or CCL are not.

[kyriecat]

I was on Zuiderdam from April 2 - 12 (10-night partial PC sailing). I had $675 in OBC - $500 from TA for "points", $100 shareholders, and $75 HAL promo. At the end of the cruise, we had used all the OBC and spent another $137. Since the hotel service charge was $11/day X 2 people X 10 days ($220), at least some of that amount was covered by either the shareholder or TA OBC.

 

A couple of years ago on Maasdam, I had more OBC than we spent. I forgot the amount, but we had some from the TA, shareholder, HAL cancelled shore excursion, and family. I ended up getting the leftover amount returned as cash, but I think it was because HAL considered it either the cancelled shore excursion or gift from family.

[cruzn single]

We had OBC last year on our 7-day Alaska cruise--never did figure out where it originated, but felt it was something with the cruise/tour we were on. At end of cruise, we found out that HAL would just get balance back since we didn't use it all. Went to Front Office last night after we had charged everything we were going to, and filled out a form where outstanding credit balance could go to "gratuity pool." Our $11/day/person had been deducted from this OBC amount, so know that OBC can be used for HSC!

[HamburgAvonLady]

sure you can use OBC for gratuities....it is just a credit on your account. I never have a problem spending more than any OBC I have. This time we traded our OBC for an upgrade to a suite!

Have a great trip.

 

Beverly

 

:) That's not entirely true --- we had substantial OBC's for our 46 day South American cruise --- well over $ 1500

and would simply go to the Purser's Desk and withdraw

cash (for the casino, supposedly). Never a problem and

we used the money to pay for our independant shore excursions and to tip our waiters and room stewards

as we like to do this personally.

 

It is correct that IF you do have credits

still in your favor ---- they may NOT be transferred

to another cruise. However, we know of passengers who

have had the credits applied back to the credit card they

listed with the Purser's office.

 

Personally, I would draw out any remaining credits in the

form of cash prior to cruise returning to port.

[docksider21]

No.

 

All gratuities must be paid in Chocolate. (hehe.):p

 

Happy Easter. :)