OBC Clarification

[JudithLynne]

First of all, please excuse the writing in this post if you see words running together. It is not me, it is the CC program.

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Although we have completed several cruises, we are new to having multiple sources of OBC for a cruise. We will have $910 total on our next cruise from three sources:

1. HAL

2. CCL stock benefit

3. TA (big box warehouse)

It is my understanding that OBC will be applied to our shipboard account in the order above. It is also my understanding that only the TA OBC is refundable. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Do we need to go to the front office to ensure that the nonrefundable OBC is used first? Do we also need to ask the front office to return any refundable OBC? Are these requests automatic w/o a visit to the front desk?

I would appreciate any feedback from those of you who have “been there, done that.”

Thanks so much…..

[grayjay]

We have also had onboard credit from different sources. And yes, the non-refundable portion will be used first automatically, so if anything is left and is of the refundable portion it will be credited back to your credit card or you can cash it in ( which we quite often do despite the fee to use as extra tips - we live in a Euro country and extra US-$ are welcome! ) If you feel unsure, just ask the front desk and they will show you the amount left which is refundable. So you needn't do anything yourself, just spend and enjoy :D

The first two sources you mention are not refundable, the one from your travel agent is.

We use the OBC for many things - drinks, shore excursions, Pinnacle and Tamarind dinners...

[DaveOKC]

Also, OBC can be used to cover your "hotel service charge".

[JudithLynne]

Our "hotel service charges" are covered by the promotion that we booked under.....nice!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Do take a copy of all the shipboard credit that you are due. Our TA always sends us a copy of what amount and where it comes from.

On the second day of the cruise I check to make certain that all the ship board credit that we are due is showing on our account.

It will show as lump sum.

Any time we have had left over shipboard credit at the end of the cruise, it is credited back to my credit card -- the one I registered for the cruise.

[wbrumel]

This is a problem I never seem to have ... even when I've had hundreds in OBC, I've always finished the cruise in the red. Probably bec I'm more inclined to spend OBC than "my own" money.

[Baddabing]

I was told by HAL employees that if I purchase OBC from HAL if not used it is refundable.

[richwmn]

I was told by HAL employees that if I purchase OBC from HAL if not used it is refundable.

 

not sure who you talked to, but any purchased OBC is fully refundable. It can be refunded in cash at the end of the cruise, or put back on a registered credit card. Done the cash bit many times.

[KroozNut]

We use the OBC for many things - drinks, shore excursions, Pinnacle and Tamarind dinners...

 

Regarding using the OBC for specialty restaurants (Tamarind / PG).. Since we can't apply the OBC to advance specialty restaurant reservations online, in your experience have you ever had any issues getting the day and time you wanted for the PG and Tamarind after boarding?

[carnivaljunkie]

When I have OBC that I am not sure to use I put part of it in my casino account. I then check my statement to see if the OCB amount has been reduced. You do not need to gamble at all with the casino money. Just take it out as cash from the casono cashier. Usually I do not have a problem using all of my OBC for expenses.

[kazu]

Regarding using the OBC for specialty restaurants (Tamarind / PG).. Since we can't apply the OBC to advance specialty restaurant reservations online, in your experience have you ever had any issues getting the day and time you wanted for the PG and Tamarind after boarding?

 

It depends on the sailing and people on board and how flexible you are.

 

If you MUST eat at x time (ie 7:00 pm) and no other time will do, you could have a very difficult time. If your time of choice is not a prime time or if you have a wide margin of time slots, then it becomes easier. I have usually been able to add a dinner with some flexibility but not always the night of my choosing.

 

On one sailing there were absolutely no vacancies except for the 9:00 pm time slot and there were only 3 nights available on a 30 day cruise.

 

If a particular night or time is important, I always book it in advance on line.

[DaveOKC]

Regarding using the OBC for specialty restaurants (Tamarind / PG).. Since we can't apply the OBC to advance specialty restaurant reservations online, in your experience have you ever had any issues getting the day and time you wanted for the PG and Tamarind after boarding?

 

If your cruise was offering a free Pinnacle dinner as a promotion (like Explore4 does), it can be difficult getting certain dining times (as they are often very full). Otherwise, it usually is not difficult.

[KroozNut]

Thanks Dave and Kazu.. What Dave describes is exactly our situation; PG included as part of E4 promo, so we won't know our day / time until we board. Hope it's something we like. In our case, we would rather not do PG on embarkation night, and we're having a Bday celebration in the MDR on the first sea day. Also, the last sea day before return would not be desirable.

 

Oh well, I guess we'll find out when we get on board, and if it's not to our liking, we'll make a trip to see the PG manager and keep our fingers crossed. :)

[drowelf]

Thanks Dave and Kazu.. What Dave describes is exactly our situation; PG included as part of E4 promo, so we won't know our day / time until we board. Hope it's something we like. In our case, we would rather not do PG on embarkation night, and we're having a Bday celebration in the MDR on the first sea day. Also, the last sea day before return would not be desirable.

 

Oh well, I guess we'll find out when we get on board, and if it's not to our liking, we'll make a trip to see the PG manager and keep our fingers crossed. :)

 

We always seem to end up with a free PG Dinner or 2, whether from our TA, promotion or what not. We've never had a problem getting it changed to more agreeable day/time. Since we tend to eat later anyway, having an 8 or later PG reservation is not a big deal for us. Don't be surprised if you free PG is scheduled for embarkation day. That always seems to happen to us, but a quick trip to the PG gets that corrected right away.

[KroozNut]

We always seem to end up with a free PG Dinner or 2, whether from our TA, promotion or what not. We've never had a problem getting it changed to more agreeable day/time. Since we tend to eat later anyway, having an 8 or later PG reservation is not a big deal for us. Don't be surprised if you free PG is scheduled for embarkation day. That always seems to happen to us, but a quick trip to the PG gets that corrected right away.

 

This is very encouraging information... thanks!:)

[SeaSickCecil]

Just back from Westerdam and had equal amounts of OBC from HAL promotion and TA...my final accounting showed that they deducted $13 and change from my unused OBC so they obviously DIDN'T use the non refundable first (I'm guessing I should have had that extra glass of wine!). I had never worried about not using all my OBC as I was under the impression that I would get the TA amount back. Now I'm not so sure...

[avian777]

I was told by HAL employees that if I purchase OBC from HAL if not used it is refundable.

 

That was very accurate advice and IMO (& experience) very typical of most HAL advice.