Non Refundable OBC Policy

[ccod]

Earlier this year some reported that on the Constellation non refundable OBC's could not be converted to cash in the casino. For those who have very recently sailed on Celebrity ships what has the policy been, including for the Constellation? We have two upcoming Celebrity cruises, each with a lot of Celebrity OBC's, and we are wondering what our options will be. Thanks for any info.

[djdobrott]

It depends on where the obc comes from. Obc from celebrity is a no for casino cash. Cash from a travel agent "may" be available fo casino cash, but you would need to ask your TA. Don't forget you can always use Obc to buy apple products in the I lounge.

[Miaminice]

There are many parallel posts on this topic already - general bottom line: no cash at the casino for non-refundable OBC... promo chips for gambling only.

[Livin Life]

I've read that there are promo chips for gambling and a different type of promo chip or coupon type thing for slots. Does anyone know specifically how it works in the slot machines? What happens when you play a few rolls and then cash out?

[Pattyhoo]

We were on the Reflection Jan 23 and 30, 2016. We had $450 non refundable OBC for each leg of the btb. At the blackjack table, we asked for $400. The pit boss took our Seapass card and in a few minutes came back with a receipt to sign. The dealer then gave us $400 in regular chips. We continued to play but there was nothing to stop you from leaving the table and bringing the chips to the cashier.

I believe you can do this at any table game, eg craps,roulette,etc.

[az_tchr]

The slots are the same as other casinos for promos. They load "credits" on either your seapass or a promo card. You can then spin to use. The points or spins have no cash value. You keep winnings.

 

Exactly what happens is going to vary for a while as Celebrity is slowly trying to figure out how to make OBC money that is spent on board instead of cashed out and still keep people happy.

[bEwAbG]

We were on the Reflection Jan 23 and 30, 2016. We had $450 non refundable OBC for each leg of the btb. At the blackjack table, we asked for $400. The pit boss took our Seapass card and in a few minutes came back with a receipt to sign. The dealer then gave us $400 in regular chips. We continued to play but there was nothing to stop you from leaving the table and bringing the chips to the cashier.

I believe you can do this at any table game, eg craps,roulette,etc.

 

And this changed on the next Reflection cruise (February 6) when I was only able to get promo chips for the game tables and promo slot credits loaded to my Seapass card. The previous poster is correct: a lot depends on what the scheme of the week is being enforced on any particular ship.

[Cruise Raider]

The slots are the same as other casinos for promos. They load "credits" on either your seapass or a promo card. You can then spin to use. The points or spins have no cash value. You keep winnings.

 

Exactly what happens is going to vary for a while as Celebrity is slowly trying to figure out how to make OBC money that is spent on board instead of cashed out and still keep people happy.

 

Precisely! It appears but the number of threads that people were scamming the system by cashing out their non-refundable onboard credits in order to discount their cruise. This was never the point behind the OBC that was offered by the cruiseline. As a matter of fact, if you purchase the OBC through the go-better promo and you are on a cruise that is less than 10 days, they are giving you money as it is....and you shouldn't be able to then cash it out without any intention of spending it onboard. It seems as though it just may have gotten to the point where the previous system was being abused so they yanked it altogether.

From what I have read, they are rolling it out slowly onto all ships until it will be fleetwide. Don't know where I read this but thought it said it would be completed by this month on all Celebrity ships. Makes little difference to us, we will spend it in the casino so they will most likely get it all back anyway. But, at least I will have fun in the meantime. :D

[Ma Bell]

And this changed on the next Reflection cruise (February 6) when I was only able to get promo chips for the game tables and promo slot credits loaded to my Seapass card. The previous poster is correct: a lot depends on what the scheme of the week is being enforced on any particular ship.

 

The scheming was being done by the passengers who were taking NON-REFUNDABLE credit off the ships. They just finally wised up and stopped it.

[Jade13]

Eventually Celebrity could decide to make the non refundable credit not usable in the Casino. Wouldn't that resolve the issue. People could still use it for speciality dining, spa, shore excursions, drinks, and gift shops.

[Ma Bell]

Eventually Celebrity could decide to make the non refundable credit not usable in the Casino. Wouldn't that resolve the issue. People could still use it for speciality dining, spa, shore excursions, drinks, and gift shops.

 

Why should they punish people who legitimately spend their credit in the casino? That really wouldn't be a very wise move.

[Fogfog]

Non refundable OBC is meant to be used for drinks, specialty restaurants and spa etc.. not cashed out.

 

I do know that if you have both OBC from X and OBC from your TA...the pursers office uses the X OBC first (against your tab on your acct)..then hits your TAs OBC on your account, then your credit card.

 

We had had extra OBC from our TA that wasn't used and it was credited to the credit card on our sign/sail account.

 

I had gone to guest relations to ask about which OBC gets hit first and thats what they explains is the current policy.

[RMSeadog]

Why should they punish people who legitimately spend their credit in the casino? That really wouldn't be a very wise move.

 

Hi Joanie

 

I don't think it will co e to that, eh? The casino can not distinguish between OBN and OBR, so I believe they will treated it all as OBN. I guess bring so cash, eh? ~ Rick

[Oville]

Ugh, so for those of us who book excursions, specialty restaurants and pay gratuities in advance we should lose our non-refundable OBCs even though we have already spent quite a bit of money?

 

Not everyone gambles and it certainly seems a huge disadvantage to those of us who want to ensure we have our spots on excursions and specialty restaurants.

[Ma Bell]

Ugh, so for those of us who book excursions, specialty restaurants and pay gratuities in advance we should lose our non-refundable OBCs even though we have already spent quite a bit of money?

 

Not everyone gambles and it certainly seems a huge disadvantage to those of us who want to ensure we have our spots on excursions and specialty restaurants.

 

I do not understand how anyone can justify taking "non-refundable" OBC. It's plain and simple and the terminology is perfectly clear. Those who have been taking it from the casino before were getting away with something that was really unethical. Just go shopping, use the spa, buy some photos, do some extra fee activities or give some extra gratuities rather than just losing it. It's also not necessary to pay gratuities in advance any more.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Ma Bell

[Oville]

Just go shopping or give some extra gratuities rather than just losing it. It's also not necessary to pay gratuities in advance any more.

 

Thanks but you are missing my point about paying for things in advance.

 

We are staying in a suites on our up coming b2b cruises and the gratuities, Internet and premium beverage package are included. For the 12 days we have $850 of Celebrity OBC. There are a few pricey but limited shore excursions we've booked as well as restaurants and doubt they will still be available if we cancel and book onboard.

 

So I'm back to ugh. I can easily justify taking the OBC as I've paid online pre-cruise. And a Michael Kors bag with its flashy advertising, not my style.

 

Glad for you that you like the casino, not our thing,

Edited March 6, 2016 by Oville

[Ma Bell]

Thanks, but we are staying in a suites on our up coming b2b cruises and the gratuities, Internet and premium beverage package are included. For the 12 days we have $850 of Celebrity OBC. There are a few pricey but limited shore excursions we've booked as well as restaurants and doubt they will still be available if we cancel and book onboard.

 

So I'm back to ugh. And a Michael Kors bag with its flashy advertising, not my style.

 

Glad for you that you like the casino, not our thing,

 

I made lots of other suggestions too. I know the feeling. We stay in suites as well and we pay the price for added amenities that we don't need because we are Zenith members and have Premium Beverage Packages, free internet and laundry included which really makes those perks worthless on cruises where they are included in the price. We also have lots of on board credit. It is what it is.

 

There are still plenty of ways to spend the credit. How about buying some gifts for friends or family? Treat some cruising friends to a specialty dinner or a nice bottle of wine. Share the blessings.:D Not everyone is fortunate enough to have this kind of problem.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Ma Bell

[Oville]

I made lots of other suggestions too. I know the feeling. We stay in suites as well and we pay the price for added amenities that we don't need because we are Zenith members and have Premium Beverage Packages, free internet and laundry included which really makes those perks worthless on cruises where they are included in the price. We also have lots of on board credit. It is what it is.

 

There are still plenty of ways to spend the credit. How about buying some gifts for friends or family? Treat some cruising friends to a specialty dinner or a nice bottle of wine. Share the blessings.:D Not everyone is fortunate enough to have this kind of problem.

 

We are indeed very fortunate for many reasons as my CC buddies know. Trust me we will not leave the OBC unspent, just wish Celebrity would offset pre-booked "stuff" with their OBC.

[minz56]

To add to the misery, there have been reports on other threads on this subject that X plan to move to a single OBC policy. That is, there will no longer be any distinction between Refundable and Non Refundable OBC and all OBCs will be treated as Non Refundable, irrespective of where it came from.

 

Whether this actually happens remains to be seen.

[gojocruise]

Can you use obc as the deposit for a cruise booked whilst onboard? thinking of booking when onboard next month and have $600 to use. Thought I'd do some excursions but use some as a deposit [emoji1]

[Wine-O]

Can you use obc as the deposit for a cruise booked whilst onboard? thinking of booking when onboard next month and have $600 to use. Thought I'd do some excursions but use some as a deposit [emoji1]

 

Not sure how they do things in the UK, but in the US, the answer is no. You cannot use OBC for a deposit for a future cruise. They will always charge your credit card. Now, if you have refundable OBC, that will be credited to your credit car to offset the deposit charge.

[robcruz]

I was on the Infinity Feb. 14-28. I had $100 OBC from my TA which was spent very quickly Then I booked a cruise on board for which I received $250 NR OBC applied to the present cruise. I had $120 left at the end of the cruise which I had no problem taking out of the casino on the last night of the cruise.

 

So as far as the Infinity is concerned, no change in policy.

 

Robert

[robcruz]

Can you use obc as the deposit for a cruise booked whilst onboard? thinking of booking when onboard next month and have $600 to use. Thought I'd do some excursions but use some as a deposit [emoji1]

 

No you cannot. You have to pay Celebrity a $250- deposit but you get a $250- NR OBC applied to you present cruise.

 

Robert

[The bubble]

We actually had $1.00 left of our NR obc and it was credited to our cc after we came home. Maybe under a certain amount they just refund to cc.

[bEwAbG]

No you cannot. You have to pay Celebrity a $250- deposit but you get a $250- NR OBC applied to you present cruise.

 

Robert

 

There is an option to take the OBC on the current cruise, but then that becomes a nonrefundable deposit if you do that (since you just spent the money). I always just pay the deposit and apply the extra OBC to the next cruise.

 

The amount of the deposit will also depend on a variety of factors including cabin choice and whether they're running any specials as part of the on board booking program.