Gampy1967 Posted August 4, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I have booked and already paid for (please no lectures on the value of waiting to pay in full vs. ahead of time; I am aware I lost some interest on the money I could have earned by waiting) a 20th Anniversary cruise in March 2019 for an OS. When I booked the cruise it was before they started charging the 18% of the value of the meal and drink plans. Currently the cost of the same cruise is $223.92 higher than it was when I booked due to the inclusion of the 18% fees. However, now they are offering $500 OBC, which they were not offering when I originally booked. My wife and I do not gamble at all and will probably book a couple of excursions (3) at the most. Now for the question. Should I cancel/re-book the cruise or just leave as is? Basically I would be spending $223.92 cash for $500 OBC (non-cash I assume). Thanks in advance for everyone's input/suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susique Posted August 4, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I have booked and already paid for (please no lectures on the value of waiting to pay in full vs. ahead of time; I am aware I lost some interest on the money I could have earned by waiting) a 20th Anniversary cruise in March 2019 for an OS. When I booked the cruise it was before they started charging the 18% of the value of the meal and drink plans. Currently the cost of the same cruise is $223.92 higher than it was when I booked due to the inclusion of the 18% fees. However, now they are offering $500 OBC, which they were not offering when I originally booked. My wife and I do not gamble at all and will probably book a couple of excursions (3) at the most. Now for the question. Should I cancel/re-book the cruise or just leave as is? Basically I would be spending $223.92 cash for $500 OBC (non-cash I assume). Thanks in advance for everyone's input/suggestions. I booked a cruise for December 2018 in March 2017 and soon after they added the OBC promo. I just called the customer service number, gave the agent my reservation number and they added the OBC. Would not hurt to call and ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gampy1967 Posted August 4, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I booked a cruise for December 2018 in March 2017 and soon after they added the OBC promo. I just called the customer service number, gave the agent my reservation number and they added the OBC. Would not hurt to call and ask. I did not think about that. Worse they can say is no. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brookie848 Posted August 4, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I did not think about that. Worse they can say is no. Thanks. Honestly, if they say no, try again. Different agents will give you different answers/do different things for you. We have had OBC offer added to a reservation without cancelling and re-booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted August 4, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I have booked and already paid for (please no lectures on the value of waiting to pay in full vs. ahead of time; I am aware I lost some interest on the money I could have earned by waiting)... No lectures here - especially since the interest would be about the cost of a postage stamp! LOL! Though I hate to give anyone my money sooner than needed, but still just fine. As to the OBC. As said,worth a call. Sometimes they will say that is for NEW bookings, which you would have to decide if the new price/package is better than the old. Since your cruise is so far in the future, there probably will be a few other promos, price breaks, etc. I would call and ask and hope for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susique Posted August 4, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I did not think about that. Worse they can say is no. Thanks. Please let us know how it works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marizzle Posted August 4, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 4, 2017 If you booked through a travel agent do you have to ask them? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susique Posted August 4, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 4, 2017 If you booked through a travel agent do you have to ask them? Sent from my iPad using Forums Sorry, I do not know that answer. We always book thru NCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLCMOM Posted August 4, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 4, 2017 We have had OBC offer added to a reservation without cancelling and re-booking. I called several times and was told a hard no to this. I couldn't have the OBC added to my reservation, I would have to cancel and rebook which I would then loose my perks, which I didn't want to do. One of the perks I choose wasn't available anymore. I wonder if your same perks were still available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tel2 Posted August 4, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I would do it. I generally use my OBC to tip the butler and concierge, so this would give me roughly 300. to cover those tips.... Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marizzle Posted August 4, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 4, 2017 Husbands family booked through a travel agent...larger group. [emoji30]I prefer Costco or the cruise line myself. FYI ....you have to go through agent and currently it would cost me more to get the credit because prices have gone up. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gampy1967 Posted August 4, 2017 Author #12 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I would do it. I generally use my OBC to tip the butler and concierge, so this would give me roughly 300. to cover those tips.... Terry I did not think you could use non-cash OBC for tips (including butler/concierge). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gampy1967 Posted August 4, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I called several times and was told a hard no to this. I couldn't have the OBC added to my reservation, I would have to cancel and rebook which I would then loose my perks, which I didn't want to do. One of the perks I choose wasn't available anymore. I wonder if your same perks were still available? Perks are identical (with the exception of the $500 OBC). Since I made the original reservation prior to the added charge of 18% for the value of the perks, I would need to pay $223.92 (current charge for the perks) in order to get $500 OBC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted August 4, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 4, 2017 Perks are identical (with the exception of the $500 OBC). Since I made the original reservation prior to the added charge of 18% for the value of the perks, I would need to pay $223.92 (current charge for the perks) in order to get $500 OBC. Cruise price the same? Isn't $500 more than $223.92? Assuming you have some place to "spend" the OBC? (I use mine to buy Cruise Next) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gampy1967 Posted August 4, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted August 4, 2017 Cruise price the same? Isn't $500 more than $223.92? Assuming you have some place to "spend" the OBC? (I use mine to buy Cruise Next) Yes but I don't know that I would spend the $500 OBC. We don't gamble, so no Casino, and may only go on a few excursions that we would have to book thru NCL in order to use the OBC. That is my problem. I don't know that I would use the $500 and then would lose it (I assume it would be non-refundable since it would be considered non-cash). I don't want to be locked in to another cruise by using it on certificates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susique Posted August 4, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 4, 2017 Yes but I don't know that I would spend the $500 OBC. We don't gamble, so no Casino, and may only go on a few excursions that we would have to book thru NCL in order to use the OBC. That is my problem. I don't know that I would use the $500 and then would lose it (I assume it would be non-refundable since it would be considered non-cash). I don't want to be locked in to another cruise by using it on certificates. I could certainly use it in the shops. I am hoping you can still use it for the butler and concierge, room steward. Bingo, Deal or no deal or those days that they have to $10 sale. It would be fun to spend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gampy1967 Posted August 4, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I got shut down like it was my high school prom date all over again. No OBC without cancelling and re-booking. Prepaid DSC would have gone up a little also because I prepaid that prior to the increase also. Don't think it is really worth it for me. It was worth a try though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted August 4, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I got shut down like it was my high school prom date all over again. No OBC without cancelling and re-booking. Prepaid DSC would have gone up a little also because I prepaid that prior to the increase also. Don't think it is really worth it for me. It was worth a try though. As said, it was a worth trying. I get why they would not do it. They made a decision to either reduce the rates or offer a $500 obc or offer some other promotion. It all comes out in the end. Enjoy your cruise. FYI - some people would be terribly upset and threaten to cancel or never come back in your situation. That is very childish as they (like your example) are still getting EXACTLY what was paid for and agreed to. Some folks just like to be unhappy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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