Un-used OBC

[yoj13]

Its a possibility we may struggle to use all our OBC on our next HAL cruise. Having never been in this situation before, is it a case of 'use it or lose it' or is it refunded back onto the card registered at embarkation. Thank you

[Krazy Kruizers]

It depends on who gave you the shipboard credit.

We had only a little from HAL on our last cruise. But we had gotten the majority of our shipboard credit from American Express, Carnival stockholder and our TA.

We were not able to use it all up and it was credited back to my credit card.

If the majority of your shipboard credit is from HAL, doubt if you will get it back.

[yoj13]

Thank you so much for your very quick and informative answer - much appreciated. The OBC has originated from HAL so it looks like we may be out of luck but thank you once again.

[sppunk]

You can cash it out using a casino deal. Search here, there was a post a month or so back outlining this.

[iancal]

We had use it or loose it OBC on an RCI cruise this past Feb.

 

Thanks to a tip from someone, we went to the casino and took our money out in cash..less the five percent service charge. No issue whatsoever.

[AmberCascades]

We had some non-refundable OBC on Celebrity. We used it in the duty free store to buy gifts. We also used it for a shore excursion. Stock up on ship-shaped fridge magnets for all your friends. :)

 

I've heard that casino thing works as well.

[take us away]

In the past, the casino did not charge a service fee if you charge it to your card, play a spin or 2 (strictly to alleviate a bit of guilt), then cash out. We usually do this a few days before we disembark. The front desk will also do a cash advance for a service fee so you can also use that.

 

You are correct that if it comes from HAL, it stays with HAL but all other OBC sources will be reimbursed to your credit card on file. One nice thing is that HAL 'uses' their provided OBC 1st when settling your account.

[yoj13]

I am very grateful to everyone who have taken the time to reply. Thank you

[slabeaume]

Is stockholders OBC is refundable?

[Windsailer]

Is stockholders OBC is refundable?

 

Hard to tell.

 

The CCL Shareholder Benefit page states: "This benefit is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and, cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account.

 

HAL lumps all the OBC together based on my experience. So it does get used for gratuities and it does get used in the casino - at least for us in the past. One time I had really a lot of OBC - I monitored it closely and the day before the cruise ended I did the casino trick and cashed out $200. I ended up owing just $2 or so on my final bill.

[take us away]

No, stock OBC is not reimbursed. The account system 'knows 'which is refundable and 'spends' that 1st so if you exceed HAL-provided OBC, you will get a refund - or you can use one of the options listed above. On most cruises, the hotel charge usually eats up a lot of the HAL-provided OBC.