OBC Questions

[Foggy Bay]

Forgive what will probably seem like a stupid question, but here goes. For our upcoming cruise, between the DH and I, we have $400 in OBC. What can that be used for? What if we end up not using it all? We don't plan to get off the ship on the Mexican Riviera cruise, and I haaaaaated all the upsell intensity when I had my one and only massage on my first cruise....so if you had $400 in OBC with those caveats in mind--what would you do? We've never had OBC on any cruise prior to this one, hence the "duh" question.

[Lizzie68]

Forgive what will probably seem like a stupid question, but here goes. For our upcoming cruise, between the DH and I, we have $400 in OBC. What can that be used for? What if we end up not using it all? We don't plan to get off the ship on the Mexican Riviera cruise, and I haaaaaated all the upsell intensity when I had my one and only massage on my first cruise....so if you had $400 in OBC with those caveats in mind--what would you do? We've never had OBC on any cruise prior to this one, hence the "duh" question.

 

No such thing as a stupid question.:) Your OBCs will be credited to your onboard account in the first day or two, and charges will be debited from them, such anything you spend onboard, and HSC. It doesn't take long to get through $400.:o

[Foggy Bay]

Thank you, Lizzie! I had to look up HSC. :) We have the Signature Beverage package too, so I'm hoping we won't end up with a shocking bill at the end like in the past. ;)

 

I appreciate the quick answer!

[catl331]

It can be used for any charges that appear on your bill except cash advances and the casino.

 

Whether you lose unused OBC depends on the source. Any from HAL or Carnival will be lost if unused, while any gifted from a TA or friends or family, or purchased by yourself, will be refunded.

 

But - even if you have some unused from HAL or Carnival that is non-refundable you can still get some of it in cash. One way is to go to the casino, charge money to your onboard account in a slot machine, play a few spins, and then cash out. If you prefer not to do that, you can go to the front desk and take a cash advance. There will be a 3% fee, but at least you get 97% of what you would otherwise lose.

 

If you still have some that you can't spend, I suggest you go to the front desk and INcrease your HSC, so at least the money will go to the crew rather than to HAL. :)

Edited December 12, 2015 by catl331

[Foggy Bay]

It can be used for any charges that appear on your bill except cash advances and the casino.

 

Whether you lose unused OBC depends on the source. Any from HAL or Carnival will be lost if unused, while any gifted from a TA or friends or family, or purchased by yourself, will be refunded.

 

But - even if you have some unused from HAL or Carnival that is non-refundable you can still get some of it in cash. One way is to go to the casino, charge money to your onboard account in a slot machine, play a few spins, and then cash out. If you prefer not to do that, you can go to the front desk and take a cash advance. There will be a 3% fee, but at least you get 97% of what you would otherwise lose.

 

If you still have some that you can't spend, I suggest you go to the front desk and INcrease your HSC, so at least the money will go to the crew rather than to HAL. :)

 

Thank you! Wow--great info. I'm glad I asked...it only took me 5 months to get up the nerve.

[Lizzie68]

Thank you! Wow--great info. I'm glad I asked...it only took me 5 months to get up the nerve.

 

Oh dear.:( Just about everyone on CC is helpful. Just a few oddballs like in real life, LOL.:D

[Foggy Bay]

Oh dear.:( Just about everyone on CC is helpful. Just a few oddballs like in real life, LOL.:D

 

Yes. I'm allergic to being yelled at, hence my reluctance to ask a question that has no doubt been asked before, somewhere, by someone.

[Lizzie68]

Yes. I'm allergic to being yelled at, hence my reluctance to ask a question that has no doubt been asked before, somewhere, by someone.

 

There is always someone who will tell you to do a search (never works for me:rolleyes:) don't worry about it. Most everyone is willing to answer questions no matter how many time they are asked. It keeps it current because info changes sometimes very quickly.

[Kamloops50]

Forgive what will probably seem like a stupid question, but here goes. For our upcoming cruise, between the DH and I, we have $400 in OBC. What can that be used for? What if we end up not using it all? We don't plan to get off the ship on the Mexican Riviera cruise, and I haaaaaated all the upsell intensity when I had my one and only massage on my first cruise....so if you had $400 in OBC with those caveats in mind--what would you do? We've never had OBC on any cruise prior to this one, hence the "duh" question.

 

Most OBC from the cruise line or a TA isn't refundable. Basically use it or lose it . We are doing a 14 day cruise next fall on Princess . Under a current promotion we get $800 USD as OBC . Basically use or lose it.

Sometimes you can go to the casino and setup an account . Put money in the account . Play a couple of games then go to the cashier and withdraw you money in cash.

If you have bought it will be refunded your CC .

[Crew News]

One way is to go to the casino, charge money to your onboard account in a slot machine, play a few spins, and then cash out. If you prefer not to do that, you can go to the front desk and take a cash advance. There will be a 3% fee, but at least you get 97% of what you would otherwise lose.

 

Just for clarification on the Casino steps:

 

1. Go to the Front Desk and get a copy of your stateroom account on the day before you disembark.
   
2. Note the amount of your credit balance (unused OBC).
   
3. Stop by the Casino during the day and ask one of the Hosts how to establish a Casino account.
   
4. Insert your stateroom card into any slot machine.
   
5. Create a PIN under the guidance of the Host.
   
6. Enter an amount you wish to authorize to your Casino account and charge to your stateroom account (amount from Step 2 above).
   
7. Play the slot machine as much, or as little, as you wish.
   
8. Remove your stateroom card and take it to the Casino Cashier to cash-out.
   
9. Place the received cash ($US) in your pocket, smile, and give some of it to your Room Steward/Waiter if they made your cruise a memorable one.
   

The stateroom account reconciliation you receive on the last morning will show a charge to your stateroom for the amount you authorized for Casino use and will not show how much cash you received from the Cashier.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise and the extra OBC.

[jtl513]

Go to the Front Desk and get a copy of your stateroom account on the day before you disembark.

On the Eurodam now it's not even necessary to ask at the front desk. (1) There are two kiosks in the lobby where a swipe of your key card produces a print out, and (2) there is a page on the ship server accessible via your own laptop or smartphone or ship's terminal where you can check your account as often as you like.

 

I expect that will spread to all ships eventually.

 

[Boytjie]

Oh dear.:( Just about everyone on CC is helpful. Just a few oddballs like in real life, LOL.:D

 

Hey, I resemble that comment! :D

[Lizzie68]

Hey, I resemble that comment! :D

 

No need - I count myself as one, LOL.:D

[Lizzie68]

Most OBC from the cruise line or a TA isn't refundable. Basically use it or lose it . We are doing a 14 day cruise next fall on Princess . Under a current promotion we get $800 USD as OBC . Basically use or lose it.

Sometimes you can go to the casino and setup an account . Put money in the account . Play a couple of games then go to the cashier and withdraw you money in cash.

If you have bought it will be refunded your CC .

 

Not so sure about that. My unused OBC was credited to my onboard account the night before we disembarked. Perhaps it depends on the promo that you got it from, but definitely any OBC from the TA is fully refundable if not used, or is in my experience.

Edited December 12, 2015 by Lizzie68

[jtl513]

Most OBC from ... a TA isn't refundable.

I think you're wrong on that. We've gotten excess OBC from a TA refunded. We even got a refund of the price of a gift PG dinner for two from our TA that we didn't know we had until it appeared on the final bill. Edited December 12, 2015 by jtl513

[Janet524]

I haaaaaated all the upsell intensity when I had my one and only massage on my first cruise....

 

I hear you! After my first experience with trying to sell me all kinds of junk that I'd never use, I now start my appointment by telling the therapist up front that I am not interested in any products and do not want to hear about anything when the treatment is finished. Just a hint FYI.

[sail7seas]

On the Eurodam now it's not even necessary to ask at the front desk. (1) There are two kiosks in the lobby where a swipe of your key card produces a print out, and (2) there is a page on the ship server accessible via your own laptop or smartphone or ship's terminal where you can check your account as often as you like.

 

I expect that will spread to all ships eventually.

 

 

That's great to know. First I have read of this.

 

[cruz chic]

That's great to know. First I have read of this.

 

 

Hey, don't you read my threads:D;)? I called it an "app" as I had heard it called that before. I got ripped a new one for that. Most postes were bright enough to understand what was meant.

 

Here's the thread in case anyone wants to see it

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2271744

Edited December 12, 2015 by cruz chic

[retafcruiser]

It can be used for any charges that appear on your bill except cash advances and the casino.

 

You and others then go on to show how to use it for cash advances and in the casino:confused::confused: This is very confusing.

[cruz chic]

You and others then go on to show how to use it for cash advances and in the casino:confused::confused: This is very confusing.

 

I don't understand that either but you can go to the casino, borrow from your card (room) do a spin of two on the slots and cash out. I've done it before and it works.

[Foggy Bay]

I hear you! After my first experience with trying to sell me all kinds of junk that I'd never use, I now start my appointment by telling the therapist up front that I am not interested in any products and do not want to hear about anything when the treatment is finished. Just a hint FYI.

 

Do they listen? I had virtually no need for a body brush (I mean, I might need it, I just didn't want to buy one) but "no for an answer" was clearly not being heard. I'd love an ocean going massage again--I might try your approach. I will report back!

[catl331]

You and others then go on to show how to use it for cash advances and in the casino:confused::confused: This is very confusing.

What I should have said is that HAL SAYS that you can't use OBC from sources such as their promos and stockholder credits in the casino or for cash advances, but in practice I've never seen them distinguish between those types of OBCs and and ones that come from other sources.

[cruz chic]

Do they listen? I had virtually no need for a body brush (I mean, I might need it, I just didn't want to buy one) but "no for an answer" was clearly not being heard. I'd love an ocean going massage again--I might try your approach. I will report back!

 

This is why I no longer go to the spa. They are so agressive and I'm not putting up with that on my vacation.

[richwmn]

I feel that I should add my recent experience on the Oosterdam. I had $600 OBC from HAL and $200 from a TA. Early on I tried the Casino trick and removed $100.

 

On the last night I stopped at the front desk to clear my account. The first person I talked to said that she had to check. The supervisor came up and checked the screen and mentioned "refundable" to the other lady. After determining that what I had left was refundable the supervisor cashed me out.

 

This was the only time that the front desk did more than look at the balance and refund it to me.

[cruz chic]

I feel that I should add my recent experience on the Oosterdam. I had $600 OBC from HAL and $200 from a TA. Early on I tried the Casino trick and removed $100.

 

On the last night I stopped at the front desk to clear my account. The first person I talked to said that she had to check. The supervisor came up and checked the screen and mentioned "refundable" to the other lady. After determining that what I had left was refundable the supervisor cashed me out.

 

This was the only time that the front desk did more than look at the balance and refund it to me.

 

My obc always comes from Hal. I've been told by the front desk use it or lose it. I don't want to take the chance so I use it one way or the other.