Making the most of OBC - restrictions?

[Jo and Rob]

We have the Classic package included and have pre-paid trips so are wondering the best way to enjoy our $200 OBC on board Infinity this month.

 

Bistro on 5 is a definite for embarkation day lunch and I would like to try Qsine again as we loved it so much on Eclipse. I'm wondering if I can change currency with it or the On Board Credit is just that, credit to be used on board Celebrity only.

 

I would welcome your advice / suggestions as we don't want to waste it.

 

many thanks

[WestLakeGirl]

It depends on what kind of OBC it is, refundable or not? Where did the OBC come from? travel agent, gift, shareholder benefit, 1-2-3 Go, Pick your perk, etc?

[Orator]

We have the Classic package included and have pre-paid trips so are wondering the best way to enjoy our $200 OBC on board Infinity this month.

 

Bistro on 5 is a definite for embarkation day lunch and I would like to try Qsine again as we loved it so much on Eclipse. I'm wondering if I can change currency with it or the On Board Credit is just that, credit to be used on board Celebrity only.

 

I would welcome your advice / suggestions as we don't want to waste it.

 

many thanks

 

It's OBC for the cruise you are on. You can use it for almost anything. One exception is to book a future cruise where it cannot be used. There are two types of OBC: refundable and non refundable. You will see the code OBR for the refundable, OBN for the non refundable. Any unused refundable OBC is returned to your credit card. Any non refundable can be turned into cash at the Casino for a 5% charge. They always deduct the Non refundable first when making a purchase. Don't worry, you will use it. Enjoy.

[sdnich]

When we had a large one a few years back on Azamara I went to the casino and got cash that was then charged to room .We had to pay fee but we were not going to use the full $500. so we gamble a little then had a nice lunch in Croatia and a few souvenirs.

[Barwick Cruiser]

We have the Classic package included and have pre-paid trips so are wondering the best way to enjoy our $200 OBC on board Infinity this month.

 

Bistro on 5 is a definite for embarkation day lunch and I would like to try Qsine again as we loved it so much on Eclipse. I'm wondering if I can change currency with it or the On Board Credit is just that, credit to be used on board Celebrity only.

 

I would welcome your advice / suggestions as we don't want to waste it.

 

many thanks

 

On our most recent cruise we used our obc towards an internet package, laundry and specialty dining. The remainder was credited back to our credit card and was enough to pay for the deposit we made on a future cruise!

[WestLakeGirl]

If it went back to your card it was OBC-R, the refundable kind

[Jo and Rob]

It's OBC for the cruise you are on. You can use it for almost anything. One exception is to book a future cruise where it cannot be used. There are two types of OBC: refundable and non refundable. You will see the code OBR for the refundable, OBN for the non refundable. Any unused refundable OBC is returned to your credit card. Any non refundable can be turned into cash at the Casino for a 5% charge. They always deduct the Non refundable first when making a purchase. Don't worry, you will use it. Enjoy.

 

I've just checked our Celebrity print out. It says ONBRDCR so not sure. :confused:

I booked the cruise while sailing onboard Eclipse so the drinks package was included for free and then I think the on board credit was because we booked while on a cruise?

[WestLakeGirl]

Then it will be the non refundable kind. You can't go to Guest Relations and take it in cash, it won't go back on your credit card. You CAN go to the casino cashier and take it in cash (it will be US dollars) and they will charge you 5%

[Orator]

I've just checked our Celebrity print out. It says ONBRDCR so not sure. :confused:

I booked the cruise while sailing onboard Eclipse so the drinks package was included for free and then I think the on board credit was because we booked while on a cruise?

 

That might be the code for the Classic Drink Package. If your OBC came from booking on board it is non refundable. You'll see your credit listed on your TV in your cabin. Takes a few days for it to appear. Guest Relations can confirm the type of credit on your account.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Orator

[Project_gal]

To answer one part of the OP's question: you cannot purchase foreign currency on board using OBC. You would need to obtain cash in US$ for FX.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Project_gal

[simon stingray]

Bistro on 5 is a definite for embarkation day lunch and I would like to try Qsine again as we loved it so much on Eclipse.

 

I would welcome your advice / suggestions as we don't want to waste it.

 

many thanks

 

Dinner at SS United States was excellent when we were onboard Infinity last August. Not cheap at $45/person and takes 2-3 hours but we had a fantastic evening.

 

They were offering a 30% discount on certain nights during our cruise.

Edited July 7, 2014 by simon stingray

[teecee60]

We have the Classic package included and have pre-paid trips so are wondering the best way to enjoy our $200 OBC on board Infinity this month.

 

I would welcome your advice / suggestions as we don't want to waste it.

 

many thanks

 

A couple of martinis, a couple of specialty restaurants, (even at half price) a couple of photos, a couple of shore excursions, a couple of souvenirs. :D

 

It will be gone LONG before you want it to be! ;) :o :rolleyes:

Edited July 7, 2014 by teecee60

[Cruise Raider]

We have the Classic package included and have pre-paid trips so are wondering the best way to enjoy our $200 OBC on board Infinity this month.

 

Bistro on 5 is a definite for embarkation day lunch and I would like to try Qsine again as we loved it so much on Eclipse. I'm wondering if I can change currency with it or the On Board Credit is just that, credit to be used on board Celebrity only.

 

I would welcome your advice / suggestions as we don't want to waste it.

 

many thanks

 

We also had a large sum of OBC on our last cruise on the Solstice -- came to about $500 ...who knew?? I certainly didn't until I went to the front desk to inquire. I guess it was because of the pre-paid gratuities through the TA and this comes back as refundable ...goes right back onto your credit card, nothing we even had to do. For the non-refundable OBC, you could always enjoy a nice spa treatment or excursion in addition to your specialty dining. That will about take care of the $200 but what a nice way to spend it.

As others have mentioned, we took much of it out in the casino -- and played on this money. We ended up winning, which made it all the more special. Very fun way to spend our OBC. Never walk off a cruise ship with that much cash on hand ....hahaha!! :D

[nojoke]

A few months ago we had the same situation-- $200 left over of OBC. I had a hair style done, and purchased some take-home gifts for family in the gift shop. They had a nice array of gifts.

[BBsails]

I was told twice this spring that non-refundable (with a 5% fee) OBC is no longer issued through the casino. I inquired specifically on the Infinity and on the Constellation and was told it had to be spent on board. Same story on both ships. Has anyone received OBC-NR (with the fee) through the casino recently?

 

Betsy

[cruisestitch]

I got my OBC-N on three cruises in Solstice in March and April.

 

I would question how they could make that work to only give you cash to use in casino. Take the cash, walk through the casino and out the other four, what are they going to do?

[Jo and Rob]

Dinner at SS United States was excellent when we were onboard Infinity last August. Not cheap at $45/person and takes 2-3 hours but we had a fantastic evening.

 

They were offering a 30% discount on certain nights during our cruise.

 

What type of dining is the SS United States? I am definitely interested in more information about this specialty restaurant.

[miched]

It's OBC for the cruise you are on. You can use it for almost anything. One exception is to book a future cruise where it cannot be used. There are two types of OBC: refundable and non refundable. You will see the code OBR for the refundable, OBN for the non refundable. Any unused refundable OBC is returned to your credit card. Any non refundable can be turned into cash at the Casino for a 5% charge. They always deduct the Non refundable first when making a purchase. Don't worry, you will use it. Enjoy.

 

I understand that if you set up a cash account instead of using a credit card that you willnnot be charged the 5% when you withdraw cash from the OBC.

 

 

🌊🚢🌅🇺🇸

[Texed]

What type of dining is the SS United States? I am definitely interested in more information about this specialty restaurant.

 

There are a few of us on the roll call that have eaten a few times in SSUS, so you might ask the question there also. :)

[simon stingray]

What type of dining is the SS United States? I am definitely interested in more information about this specialty restaurant.

 

SS United States is French Fine Dining. Excellent service and some dishes are prepared tableside which can be very entertaining-our waiter seemed to be enjoying himself as much as we were.

 

The menu is the same as Murano which is on all of the Solstice Class ships.

 

We also enjoyed Murano on Silhouette but felt that SS United States on Infinity and Ocean Liners on Constellation had a slightly better atmosphere and service.

[We're The Groupnors]

What type of dining is the SS United States? I am definitely interested in more information about this specialty restaurant.

 

Here is the link for the SS United States from the Celebrity web-site. You can get an idea of the atmosphere and see the menu:

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/cruise-restaurants-ss-united-states

[MR_T]

Play it all in the casino... You might win enough for another cruise or you might lose but you are only losing free money! So not really losing in my book!!

[Banjo]

Last year on a Reflection Mediterranean cruise, Celebrity gave us a $1000 (you had to book during December 2012), plus a $75 specialty dining perk. Then the TA threw in some OBC. I actually worried I would not use it all. Not a problem, still ended up paying some at the end of the cruise :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[BBsails]

I got my OBC-N on three cruises in Solstice in March and April.

 

I would question how they could make that work to only give you cash to use in casino. Take the cash, walk through the casino and out the other four, what are they going to do?

 

Interesting, cruisestitch. This was definitely not my experience on the Infinity and Constellation in April and May. I asked early in each of our cruises so was able to use the OBC-NR, which was the shareholder benefit. Had I not asked, I could have lost the benefit.

 

Betsy