Is it Possible to Reserve an Excursion and Pay with Onboard Credit?

[ToddinVA]

We've reserved an excursion for our upcoming FoS cruise and paid for it by credit card (via phone, online payments still weren't working). However, we will end up with a decent onboard credit. Was wondering if once we get on the ship would it be possible to shift payment for it to the onboard credit...

[knittinggirl]

Not with Royal Caribbean. That's why we only book those excursions we really want, then wait until we board to book the rest. That said, if you have to cancel for some reason once you board, they refund it in OBC. Which may or may not get refunded to your credit card. We had to cancel a couple shore excursions when I came down with Norovirus on our last cruise. And left the cruise with a $200 credit to our seapass account. Guest relations told us they wouldn't refund us, but they did after all. We also had four more cruises booked with them and Celebrity at the time.

Edited June 22, 2014 by knittinggirl

[leaveitallbehind]

Not with Royal Caribbean. That's why we only book those excursions we really want, then wait until we board to book the rest. That said, if you have to cancel for some reason once you board, they refund it in OBC. Which may or may not get refunded to your credit card. We had to cancel a couple shore excursions when I came down with Norovirus on our last cruise. And left the cruise with a $200 credit to our seapass account. Guest relations told us they wouldn't refund us, but they did after all. We also had four more cruises booked with them and Celebrity at the time.

 

As indicated, at the time of making a shore excursion reservation, the fee is charged to your credit card, which then cannot be paid out of your OBC. Only excursions booked on board can be done via an OBC.

 

If cancelled by three days prior to sailing, the charge is credited back directly to your credit card. If cancelled within three days of sailing and up to 24 hours in advance of the excursion, the amount is credited to your SeaPass account as an OBC or can be used towards a different excursion. But you will receive any remaining OBC from this at the end of the cruise.

Edited June 22, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[Merion_Mom]

We've reserved an excursion for our upcoming FoS cruise and paid for it by credit card (via phone, online payments still weren't working). However, we will end up with a decent onboard credit. Was wondering if once we get on the ship would it be possible to shift payment for it to the onboard credit...

 

As I think you know, you can always take the OBC out of the casino in cash, for a 5% fee. Yes, you will lose 5% of its value, but that's better than losing all of it.

 

The only other choice is to cancel the excursions immediately (I think that you can still get the credit card charge back within a week of your sailing) and take the chance that there are still enough spaces on the excursion of your choice for your entire group.

 

:)

[leaveitallbehind]

As I think you know, you can always take the OBC out of the casino in cash, for a 5% fee. Yes, you will lose 5% of its value, but that's better than losing all of it.

 

The only other choice is to cancel the excursions immediately (I think that you can still get the credit card charge back within a week of your sailing) and take the chance that there are still enough spaces on the excursion of your choice for your entire group.

 

:)

 

...credited directly back to your card up to three days prior to sailing. OBC after that. :)

Edited June 22, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[ixian]

This is a dumb policy - onboard credit should be for stuff you do on board, sure, but it shouldn't only be able to be spent when you are actually on board. That is taking things too literally.

 

It also devalues OBC somewhat. I got $1,000 OBC for my upcoming cruise - now that is a first - and there is no way I'm going to pay for excursions or specialty restaurants with my credit card on top of that. They know this perfectly well, hence the policy to make it less convenient to use. Luckily I got a suite this time so my first task on board is to find the concierge club and book everything. The shows I already reserved since there's no money required for those.

 

Some young MBA at RCI probably got a promotion for the spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides that outlined this policy and how much extra revenue it would drive. :)

[marci22]

This is a dumb policy - onboard credit should be for stuff you do on board, sure, but it shouldn't only be able to be spent when you are actually on board. That is taking things too literally.

 

It also devalues OBC somewhat. I got $1,000 OBC for my upcoming cruise - now that is a first - and there is no way I'm going to pay for excursions or specialty restaurants with my credit card on top of that. They know this perfectly well, hence the policy to make it less convenient to use. Luckily I got a suite this time so my first task on board is to find the concierge club and book everything. The shows I already reserved since there's no money required for those.

 

Some young MBA at RCI probably got a promotion for the spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides that outlined this policy and how much extra revenue it would drive. :)

 

You can also use it for tips if you haven't prepaid via MTD.

[TEXASMUNK]

Most of that comes from Travel agent kickbacks. It is a simple policy. Like it or dislike it, you get to make a buying decision. Because the policy does not suit your desires, does not make it a good or bad policy.

When you book and get some OBC from an agency, you know, or have learned that it can be used onboard, not prior, for any additional billings.

[leaveitallbehind]

This is a dumb policy - onboard credit should be for stuff you do on board, sure, but it shouldn't only be able to be spent when you are actually on board. That is taking things too literally.

 

It also devalues OBC somewhat. I got $1,000 OBC for my upcoming cruise - now that is a first - and there is no way I'm going to pay for excursions or specialty restaurants with my credit card on top of that. They know this perfectly well, hence the policy to make it less convenient to use. Luckily I got a suite this time so my first task on board is to find the concierge club and book everything. The shows I already reserved since there's no money required for those.

 

Some young MBA at RCI probably got a promotion for the spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides that outlined this policy and how much extra revenue it would drive. :)

 

Obviously the OBC covers anything charged on board to your SeaPass card. Specialty restaurants do not need to be booked or paid for in advance - this can be done on board and is how we always do it. Same with the beverage packages if one wants to purchase that as well or just use the OBC to cover the standard weekly bar tab. If standard dining is selected daily gratuities would use the OBC also. You can also wait and book excursions on board so that the OBC will cover them with the only risk being limited availability.

 

Unfortunately an OBC is taken literally as it's intention is only to be used on board. :)

Edited June 22, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[Merion_Mom]

Obviously the OBC covers anything charged on board to your SeaPass card. Specialty restaurants do not need to be booked or paid for in advance - this can be done on board and is how we always do it. Same with the beverage packages if one wants to purchase that as well or just use the OBC to cover the standard weekly bar tab. If standard dining is selected daily gratuities would use the OBC also. You can also wait and book excursions on board so that the OBC will cover them with the only risk being limited availability.

 

Unfortunately an OBC is taken literally as it's intention is only to be used on board.

 

Exactly.

 

It is called OBC. On Board Credit.

 

It's not called FM. Free Money.

 

:)

[molly361]

exactly.

 

It is called obc. On board credit.

 

It's not called fm. Free money.

 

:)

 

Like!!!! :):)

Edited June 22, 2014 by molly361

[39august]

Any OBC that is NOT from RCI can be refunded, either back to your cc or in cash on the last day, if you do not spend it all on board. If you have OBC left over that IS from RCI, you can get that cash from the casino less the 5 % charge.

[Merion_Mom]

...credited directly back to your card up to three days prior to sailing. OBC after that. :)

 

That's if you trust Royal Caribbean. ;)

[ixian]

Most of that comes from Travel agent kickbacks. It is a simple policy. Like it or dislike it, you get to make a buying decision. Because the policy does not suit your desires, does not make it a good or bad policy.

When you book and get some OBC from an agency, you know, or have learned that it can be used onboard, not prior, for any additional billings.

 

I got my OBC direct from RCI - I booked with them and they gave it to me so I'd go with a CL instead of an OS at the same price - and while I respect your opinion I'm going to go right on thinking it's a dumb policy :)

 

I'm not really bent out of shape over it, I'd just like to be able to get all the reservations/excursions out of the way before I cruise so it's one less thing I have to do on the boat. If that's what I have to do to take advantage of OBC though, well, there are worse things in life.

[HandE]

If you book it onboard, you can use OBC. You could probably book before, pay with your credit card, cancel once onboard & immediately rebook to use OBC but what a pain! 😳

[Merion_Mom]

I got my OBC direct from RCI - I booked with them and they gave it to me so I'd go with a CL instead of an OS at the same price - and while I respect your opinion I'm going to go right on thinking it's a dumb policy :)

 

I'm not really bent out of shape over it, I'd just like to be able to get all the reservations/excursions out of the way before I cruise so it's one less thing I have to do on the boat. If that's what I have to do to take advantage of OBC though, well, there are worse things in life.

 

I remember your post about getting the $1000 OBC from RC when you booked the cruise.

 

I have to tell you, I have NEVER heard of this happening before.

 

NEVER.

 

So, count your blessings, enjoy that OBC, and stop complaining!!!!

 

:)

[ixian]

I remember your post about getting the $1000 OBC from RC when you booked the cruise.

 

I have to tell you, I have NEVER heard of this happening before.

 

NEVER.

 

So, count your blessings, enjoy that OBC, and stop complaining!!!!

 

:)

 

Like I said, not really upset about it, but if you can't nitpick on internet forums then what good are they :-)

 

I've never heard of it either. The best I have ever gotten was $400 ($200 each) and that was for a 2 week Med cruise, and I had lots of family booking cabins with me.

 

Even with the BOGOHO (or in spite of it, depending on your perspective) they appear to be having a really hard time selling CL Suites, at least on this particular cruise. I am really glad I called them - only reason I did was because I was having trouble booking online. I didn't even ask for OBC she flat out offered it: "Hey, if you want to move to a CLS instead of OS I can get you one at the same price, and there is a $1,000 OBC with it". Yeah, I jumped on that :)

 

Because of all my business travel I always book all my own flights and hotels anyway because I can get better deals than TA's. Looks like I will be doing that with cruises going forward too :)

[leaveitallbehind]

That's if you trust Royal Caribbean. ;)

 

...but how could one not?? ;):D

[akcruz]

If you book it onboard, you can use OBC. You could probably book before, pay with your credit card, cancel once onboard & immediately rebook to use OBC but what a pain! 😳

 

Nope, if you cancel once onboard you get your refund as OBC so no reason to go through that!

[marci22]

I remember your post about getting the $1000 OBC from RC when you booked the cruise.

 

I have to tell you, I have NEVER heard of this happening before.

 

NEVER.

 

I'm glad you haven't. I was thinking I must be doing something wrong.

[ixian]

I'm glad you haven't. I was thinking I must be doing something wrong.

 

I was told it was a "new promotion" and the rep said "it was the first one she had done". Maybe it's specific to Loft Suites or even more specific to trying to convince suite bookers to move TO a CL, dunno, but believe me I am happy to get it. It's already shown up on my statement so I'm not dreaming it :)

 

It can't hurt to ask. Remember I got it direct from RCI so it may not be something a TA can do if they book it.

[Paulette3028]

This is a dumb policy - onboard credit should be for stuff you do on board, sure, but it shouldn't only be able to be spent when you are actually on board. That is taking things too literally.

 

It also devalues OBC somewhat. I got $1,000 OBC for my upcoming cruise - now that is a first - and there is no way I'm going to pay for excursions or specialty restaurants with my credit card on top of that. They know this perfectly well, hence the policy to make it less convenient to use. Luckily I got a suite this time so my first task on board is to find the concierge club and book everything. The shows I already reserved since there's no money required for those.

 

Some young MBA at RCI probably got a promotion for the spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides that outlined this policy and how much extra revenue it would drive. :)

 

Sorry, you feel it is a dumb policy, but its name 'clearly tells you what it is for' use ON BOARD -- not for anything you arrange/set up PRIOR TO being ON BOARD. Not a difficult concept.

 

Maybe you would like its name changed to 'For CRUISERS USE while ON BOARD' but that that isn't what it is.

[Sitzmark]

Sorry, you feel it is a dumb policy, but its name 'clearly tells you what it is for' use ON BOARD -- not for anything you arrange/set up PRIOR TO being ON BOARD. Not a difficult concept.

 

Maybe you would like its name changed to 'For CRUISERS USE while ON BOARD' but that that isn't what it is.

 

I doubt the reason is due to the name. Other cruise lines do allow obc to be used for excursions that were arranged through the line in advance after all. I suspect the real answer is more that they just do not want to.

 

I'd prefer they wait to charge but the reason is less for obc and more to avoid refund issues. If you miss a port then you miss your excursion, if they waited to charge you then you would not be charged and never have to screw around with the refund.

[Merion_Mom]

I doubt the reason is due to the name. Other cruise lines do allow obc to be used for excursions that were arranged through the line in advance after all. I suspect the real answer is more that they just do not want to.

 

I'd prefer they wait to charge but the reason is less for obc and more to avoid refund issues. If you miss a port then you miss your excursion, if they waited to charge you then you would not be charged and never have to screw around with the refund.

 

Those lines don't charge you/anyone for the excursion before the cruise. Everyone is charged on board for excursions.

 

That is the difference. It has nothing to do with OBC.

[Sitzmark]

Those lines don't charge you/anyone for the excursion before the cruise. Everyone is charged on board for excursions.

 

That is the difference. It has nothing to do with OBC.

 

Yes, but in addition to charging you when the service is actually used rather than months in advance those other lines also permit the use of obc, regardless of when the booking was made. The pp indicated it is not for things arranged in advance, I was simply pointing out that this is because of RCI policy and that it is not necessarily an industry standard. If RCI wanted to change it, they could.