stickey_mouse Posted February 7, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 7, 2018 I have a couple of questions regarding the onboard spending credit you get toward your mariner status. I know every $300 spent counts toward one day of credit, and that casino purchases do not count. What about pre-cruise purchases made online, such as specialty dining, beverage cards, etc., do they count? Also, would a future cruise booking count toward this, if made onboard? Are you allowed to cheat a little and pay more than the deposit to help get an extra day or two credit on your mariner account? I will be just a day or two shy of reaching 2-star status after my cruise later this month and plan on booking a future sailing onboard anyway. I might as well pay more (of what I will eventually pay anyway) on the ship if it gets me into the next category, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dietemann Posted February 7, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 7, 2018 I have a couple of questions regarding the onboard spending credit you get toward your mariner status. I know every $300 spent counts toward one day of credit, and that casino purchases do not count. What about pre-cruise purchases made online, such as specialty dining, beverage cards, etc., do they count? Also, would a future cruise booking count toward this, if made onboard? Are you allowed to cheat a little and pay more than the deposit to help get an extra day or two credit on your mariner account? I will be just a day or two shy of reaching 2-star status after my cruise later this month and plan on booking a future sailing onboard anyway. I might as well pay more (of what I will eventually pay anyway) on the ship if it gets me into the next category, right? Sorry, but future cruise deposits don't count toward on board spending, but pre-cruise purchases count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 7, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Sorry, but future cruise deposits don't count toward on board spending, but pre-cruise purchases count.Ah, makes sense. Wishful thinking on my part. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted February 7, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Sorry, but future cruise deposits don't count toward on board spending, but pre-cruise purchases count. Future cruise deposits are not charged to on board account but must be paid sepaately by credit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 7, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Future cruise deposits are not charged to on board account but must be paid sepaately by credit card.I had no idea. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 7, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 7, 2018 A day or two short -- buy a wine package -- there are new ones being offered. Book another shore excursion. It is easy to ring up another $600 in spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 7, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 7, 2018 They normally charge your Future Cruise Deposit to the credit card you used to book your cruise. And they will send it to your TA/PCC unless you specify to the contrary. There is a little box that you can use -just check it and then it goes into your Mariner account and you are free to use it with whomover or however you wish :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 7, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted February 7, 2018 A day or two short -- buy a wine package -- there are new ones being offered.Book another shore excursion. It is easy to ring up another $600 in spending. I thought of that, but my goal isn't really to spend any extra money (I've already purchased specialty dining, a massage, and a soda card) that I wouldn't spend anyway. Which is what made think of the future cruise booking, something I know I will do and pay for either onboard or on land, either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 7, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted February 7, 2018 They normally charge your Future Cruise Deposit to the credit card you used to book your cruise. And they will send it to your TA/PCC unless you specify to the contrary. There is a little box that you can use -just check it and then it goes into your Mariner account and you are free to use it with whomover or however you wish :) But you're in agreement that it still won't amount to additional days toward Mariner's status, correct? Also, I know the exact sailing I want and plan on making a deposit for a specific future cruise, if that makes any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted February 7, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 7, 2018 You will not get Mariner days credited for cost of future cruise deposits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 7, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted February 7, 2018 You will not get Mariner days credited for cost of future cruise deposits.It was worth a shot! Thanks, everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrimpboat123 Posted February 8, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I'm not sure if your calculations included the HSC charges to your account. They also contribute towards the $300 per cruise day credit. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea42 Posted February 8, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I have to say that the "benefits" of getting to 2* are practically nonexistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChinaShrek Posted February 8, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I have to say that the "benefits" of getting to 2* are practically nonexistent. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 8, 2018 Author #15 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I have to say that the "benefits" of getting to 2* are practically nonexistent. This.Precisely why I did not want to spend any more money than I would otherwise. ;);) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sambamama Posted February 8, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Really, the only category worth spending to get up to, IMHO, is 4 Star. You get free laundry, 50% off speciality restaurants, priority boarding and priority tendering. There are more benefits, but those, especially the laundry, are the ones that matter to me. I will say, to HAL's credit, that they have always been generous in rounding up on the $300 for a day of sea credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 8, 2018 Author #17 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Really, the only category worth spending to get up to, IMHO, is 4 Star.I just want to be clear that I have no intention of spending a dime more than I would anyway. If future cruise deposits don't count, my Mariner status will just have to stay the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boytjie Posted February 8, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 8, 2018 A day or two short -- buy a wine package -- there are new ones being offered.Book another shore excursion. It is easy to ring up another $600 in spending. No need to spend $600, they very generously round up! $310 may just get you two days. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickey_mouse Posted February 8, 2018 Author #19 Share Posted February 8, 2018 No need to spend $600, they very generously round up! $310 may just get you two days. :)That is generous! At what point do they add the pre-booked online stuff to the onboard spending? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare *Miss G* Posted February 8, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 8, 2018 That is generous! At what point do they add the pre-booked online stuff to the onboard spending? It will appear on your Mariner credits with your onboard spending following your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted February 10, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 10, 2018 I have yet to figure out how HAL calculates these Mariner days credits. Normally, but not always, we get a bit more than expected (very generous in rounding up I think). Sometimes it is not as generous though. If you charge your casino gambling to your cabin, you are not supposed to get credit, but I really wonder if you do not get it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted February 10, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 10, 2018 I have yet to figure out how HAL calculates these Mariner days credits. Normally, but not always, we get a bit more than expected (very generous in rounding up I think). Sometimes it is not as generous though. If you charge your casino gambling to your cabin, you are not supposed to get credit, but I really wonder if you do not get it anyway. I'm often surprised at the rounding up. But part of my surprise is that I just look at the final onboard bill and forget about tours I booked in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicureangirl Posted February 10, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 10, 2018 (edited) I too like the idea of getting to the next tier, but the numbers (me rushing to try and get to a level) don't make sense for the benefits I will get in return. I would be tempted to get those two points if I was going from 3* to 4* though. The two-star mariner benefits (which I am) is not really a benefit I use at all, but 3* will at least give me a 25% discount on the wine packages and dining -- we do eat at Pinnacle and Canaletto a fair amount so the price-break will be nice. I don't think the wine packages are much of a deal to begin with and would rather pay corkage and take my own wine choices aboard and buy by-the-bottle (which I wouldn't get a discount for anyhow!). I would really LOVE the free-laundry and 50% discount at 4* status, but the $$$$ to get there is substantial for that perk. I don't want to pay $300 a night in onboard spending for one cruise day (for things I didn't need either), when ACTUAL cruise days earned by cruising can be had for as little as $130 a day per stateroom (such as for a repositioning or Caribbean last-minute booking). The amount I spent on dining and laundry this past cruise was hundreds $$$, yet getting from 3* to 4* will be more than 100k. I will get there when I get there! Have a fantastic cruise. Edited February 10, 2018 by Epicureangirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicureangirl Posted February 10, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 10, 2018 I have yet to figure out how HAL calculates these Mariner days credits. Normally, but not always, we get a bit more than expected (very generous in rounding up I think). Sometimes it is not as generous though. If you charge your casino gambling to your cabin, you are not supposed to get credit, but I really wonder if you do not get it anyway. I was wondering this too. My points were just posted to my account, and they seemed high compared to what I thought I spent pre-cruise and during the cruise. Because the final bill doesn't show any of your pre-cruise purchases, it isn't clear to me what they're including. I also had some credits I wasn't expecting to see, which I thought would reduce my bonus cruise days. Now I am really curious -- I think I'm going to go do the math! Great way to spend my Saturday... :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise4food Posted February 10, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 10, 2018 I have to say that the "benefits" of getting to 2* are practically nonexistent. HAL seems to have them well planned out so you always have a not-too-distant goal. Just started cruises in 2015, and the two star was quick to arrive, but, yes, not any major benefits. Three star took only a bit more time and does get some price breaks for on-board items. Now the 4 star is a long ways out, but guess what? I can watch and count up to the 100 sail days and get a shiny medallion. After that one arrives, then the 4 star will be next. It is applied psychology to keep our attention on the prize. Seems to work quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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