OBC Refund

[gpb11]

We must have passed at the dock, I was off the Noordam not long ago also.

 

My unused refundable (Costco) OBC was refunded a day or two after disembarkcation. Didn't have issues with the minibar; we had our steward empty it out the first day and used the fridge for our own stuff.

 

I never paid attention to the holds; they're irrelevant unless you're bumping against the top of your credit limit.

Edited June 17, 2016 by gpb11

[Boytjie]

I have found that even if you load up your onboard account with cash before boarding, HAL will still zap your credit/debit card for the customary $60/$30 per day/per person credit hold. ($30 per day for cruises longer than 25 days). I had enough prepaid OBC on my account on the first day to cover 90% of my anticipated expenses. But HAL still snatched $2500 of my credit card balance and held it for the duration of the cruise, plus about 4 days, then it drops off. It is true that the funds are not actually charged against your card, but they are unavailable for you to use during the cruise. Definitely use a card that has a high available balance, just in case you find that perfect Rolex watch on a shore excursion !!

 

It is a hold on the credit line of your credit card, they aren't charging anything to your credit card and they certainly aren't snatching anything. :rolleyes:

Edited June 17, 2016 by Boytjie

[Boytjie]

That's a great idea. I always thought that even with a substantial OBC from whatever sources, they still wanted that locked-in guarantee that there will be sufficient funds. I would assume that if you started to seriously deplete your OBC, early on in the cruise (casino, expensive excursions), you would get a call from the front office asking you to restore that balance.

 

That is what happens; if your account runs out of cash or OBC they will not allow you to charge anything with your card until you replenish it or provide a credit card.