OBC Uses

[RossaMotoretta]

Greetings Fellow Cruisers,

 

I just booked an Alaskan Cruise departing in September of 2016! This will be our second Alaskan cruise and we couldn't be more thrilled! We were lucky and received several OBC incentives; however, I have some questions surrounding their usage.

 

Specifically, can they be used for Pre-booked excursions, or things like Bingo (I know it can't be used for the casino).

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

RossaMoretta

[moki'smommy]

They can be used for excursions, tips, spa, photos, shopping, virtually everything and anything that you might charge on the ship. If you plan to buy a beverage package or sticker, wait and purchase that on the ship and use the OBC. If you buy something that you pay for in advance, no the OBC will not apply. But if you pay for it on the ship, it will. So unless you are getting a discount for advanced purchase, wait and use the OBC toward it.

[RossaMotoretta]

They can be used for excursions' date=' tips, spa, photos, shopping, virtually everything and anything that you might charge on the ship. If you plan to buy a beverage package or sticker, wait and purchase that on the ship and use the OBC. If you buy something that you pay for in advance, no the OBC will not apply. But if you pay for it on the ship, it will. So unless you are getting a discount for advanced purchase, wait and use the OBC toward it.[/quote']

 

Moki'sMommy,

 

So, that means it cannot be used towards pre-paid excursions. :(

 

That's what I needed to know - Much appreciated!

 

THANKS! :)

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Moki'sMommy,

 

So, that means it cannot be used towards pre-paid excursions. :(

 

That's what I needed to know - Much appreciated!

 

THANKS! :)

 

You used to be able to pre-book excursions and only pay for them onboard.

Has that changed?

[RossaMotoretta]

You used to be able to pre-book excursions and only pay for them onboard.

Has that changed?

 

I broke down and called Princess... It all depends on where you are sailing. If you are sailing to Alaska, like I am, the OBC does not work for pre-booked excursions; however, you can book once you are on board and use the OBC. Mystery solved. Still, kind of frustrating.

 

I think we will just book the excursions that we REALLY want to do and play the rest by ear and have an adventure! :)

[Astro Flyer]

Moki'sMommy,

 

So, that means it cannot be used towards pre-paid excursions. :(

 

That's what I needed to know - Much appreciated!

 

THANKS! :)

 

You used to be able to pre-book excursions and only pay for them onboard.

Has that changed?

There have been lengthy discussions about the Grand in Alaska this summer "testing" requiring prepayment for shore excursions.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2291574

 

I'm one of those who feel it's merely a "test" in advance of implementing it fleetwide resulting in not being able to use OBC to pay for shore excursions. :mad:

Edited January 8, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[moki'smommy]

We were able to book excursions after boarding, in which case the OBC could be used.

 

If you book the excursions in advance but are not required to pay for them at that time, the OBC will qualify. This was our most recent experience--book ahead, pay after boarding.

 

Internet time and coffee cards do carry a discount for pre-booking and paying...therefore better to pay in advance and use the OBC for tips, etc.

 

Edited to add that several of us were typing at the same time it appears.

Edited January 8, 2016 by moki'smommy

[Colo Cruiser]

One way around it would be to book excursions once onboard to your shipboard account.

Yes there is the possibility of some of them being filled up I would think that there will still be lots of choices if you book asap after boarding. ;)

[paul929207]

Moki'sMommy,

 

So, that means it cannot be used towards pre-paid excursions. :(

 

That's what I needed to know - Much appreciated!

 

THANKS! :)

Pre-booked is okay, but not pre-paid. Why would you want to pay for pre-paid excursions?

[Colo Cruiser]

Pre-booked is okay, but not pre-paid. Why would you want to pay for pre-paid excursions?

 

 

 

Some cruise are requiring prepayment.

Post #6

Edited January 8, 2016 by Colo Cruiser

[skynight]

Greetings Fellow Cruisers,

 

I just booked an Alaskan Cruise departing in September of 2016! This will be our second Alaskan cruise and we couldn't be more thrilled! We were lucky and received several OBC incentives; however, I have some questions surrounding their usage.

 

Specifically, can they be used for Pre-booked excursions, or things like Bingo (I know it can't be used for the casino).

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

RossaMoretta

If you are on the Grand Princess then excursions booked on line must be paid in advance charged directly to your credit card, thus no OBC. However, if you are on any other Princess ship then you can pre-book excursions in the cruise personlizer with the option of no payment. The charges will be applied to your on board account and will be netted against any OBC.

 

I agree with others, the trial on the Grand Princess is fixed in Princess' favor, and the final result has already been determined. It is being tested on an itinerary where sales of private excursions are low, and on an itinerary that gets lots of first and second time cruiser. By next year Princess excursions fleet wide will have to be pre-paid, that is my prediction. Good new for private excursion companies.

Edited January 8, 2016 by sknight

[moki'smommy]

We used a company called Shore Trips in Alaska. They had the same basic excursions available as we could have booked thru the cruise line, but much smaller groups and slightly better prices. In one location, we had literally a private tour. The guide asked my daughter what she wanted to see and altered the course slightly based on her desires. Also, same deal of if the ship can't dock/tender, you get a full refund.

 

Yes, I worried at each port about meeting up with our guide, etc. Each place it was easy. We got instructions on line in advance of the cruise; I printed them out so that when we got to port I didn't have to trust memory.

 

Obviously you can't use OBC for this, but if you can't use the OBC anyhow....well, to me that's a reason to consider going privately.

 

The Alaska prices were good. I looked at them again for our European cruise and they were outrageous there.

Edited January 8, 2016 by moki'smommy

[RossaMotoretta]

I appreciate all of the insight!!! :)