Using OBC to pay for shore excursions in advance of the cruise?

[Melissaghoti]

I just got off a call with a very nice, very helpful rep at Azamara. She spent a good deal of time talking to superiors and other reps and came back to me with the information that (1) The system wouldn't allow her to book LD with a credit card then credit the cost back to OBC or simply book with OBC and (2) neither she nor the colleagues she spoke to have done any call outs and haven't been directed to. She was very apologetic, since the Royal and Celebrity parts of the system do allow OBC bookings. She checked remaining LD availability for my upcoming cruise and it sounds like I'll probably be okay for at least two of the three I hope to book.

[BBMacLaird]

Yes, it's true! We are rolling out a work-around so that you can use your OBC on the tours you want! (Which is actually the old 'unauthorized' work-around many long-time Azamara cruisers used until it was discovered and stopped. Well, now it's officially/temporarily allowed!) Here's a brief statement. I'm sure you'll have questions and I'll try to be as helpful as I can. Plus, more will come out soon....you, our CC community, are the first to hear about this :D

"We realize you are waiting for Azamara Club Cruises to offer the ability to pre-book tours online using your On-Board Credit (OBC.) We’re working on a solution that will be available this Fall 2017.

As an interim solution, effective immediately guests sailing with Azamara between May and August may pre-book our tours online (using credit card payment) and once onboard cancel and rebook their tours using OBC. This change takes effect today, 5/2/17, and is a temporary policy until our online function is available. Also please note, all tours booked or rebooked onboard will be charged the current onboard price at the time of booking/rebooking.

 

Terms and Conditions:

Shorex Onboard Credit (“OBC”) Offer applies to sailings departing between May and August 2017. Guests may not use restricted OBCs (Casino OBC or Spa OBC) to rebook their Shore Excursions. Tours will be charged at the current onboard price at the time of booking/rebooking. Tours must be cancelled no later than 48 hours prior to tour departure. Shorex OBC Offer excludes tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays, and private tours, which must be cancelled 30 days prior to sailing. OBC is not redeemable for cash and expires on the final night of the cruise. Other restrictions apply."

[QueenP]

Only cruises up until August? We are sailing early Oct and I'd really like to use our OBC for the excursions we want, so that I can book private ones for other ports knowing my preferred excursions are sorted.

 

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[Melissaghoti]

Brava, Bonnie!

Too bad the Azamara phone reps don't know, so there'd be consistent answers, but got it done online and I'm sooo happy!

[pickypicky]

I'll take that to the bank. Thanks to Azamara for recognizing a problem and taking steps to correct it!

[Mickey22]

Bonnie,

 

I am also sailing in October and would like to book now . Why isn't this refund system availsble to everyone who has OBC that can only be used for Land Discoveries?

 

Jane

[laurieb]

This is so so good to hear! Great decision for Azamara to do this!!!

 

 

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[BBMacLaird]

Hello QueenP and Mickey22,

It's because we are working to get the website programmed to take OBC when prebooking tours, and the launch of this is estimated for September or sooner.

But that said, I'll share your wishes with the mgmt that approved this temporary fix. It never hurts to ask!

[QueenP]

If they have it sorted by beginning of Sept then fair enough I guess!

 

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[mare s.]

Hello QueenP and Mickey22,

It's because we are working to get the website programmed to take OBC when prebooking tours, and the launch of this is estimated for September or sooner.

But that said, I'll share your wishes with the mgmt that approved this temporary fix. It never hurts to ask!

 

Thanks Bonnie! We are just anxious that the shore excursions we want don't get cancelled for lack of interest or get sold out before we can book them.

[cpgrneyes]

Since we sail in early September, this won't help us. I did pay for the one excursion I don't want to sail without, the one to Carcassone, but it would be wonderful if I could use the OBC for it.

[nyfeds]

Am I then to assume that we will have the ability to use our OBC for tours, online, sometime in Sept. for our Feb. 2018 cruise? Yes? Does this also apply to using our OBC for dining packages?

 

Hoping for some further clarification.

 

Thanks

[travelberlin]

I am also waiting for my Cruise in October and November. I hope that until September the tours I want are not gone. It would be nice if Azamara extends this offer until the end of the year and not only until August. They can still work on the internet on the mean time...