Drink Upgrades and OBC

[FlyerTalker]

Simple question:  Can OBC be used to upgrade a drink package once onboard the ship?  Or is this an item that must be paid for separate from any credits?

 

TIA

[DUTRAVEL]

Yes, you can use OBC to upgrade a drink package.

[HskrCrsr]

I posted recently on a not-too-popular thread that Captain's Club discounts on drink packages may only apply pre-cruise. And if you sail with Always Included, may only be upgraded after final payment. So if you want the tiny discount, and believe my interpretation of Celebrity's statements, do the upgrade after final payment and before boarding (4 days or more before, I believe).

 

On the other hand, some recommend waiting until you are onboard, upgrade with a bartender, and they get a commission. Your tiny discount may not apply, and I am not sure about OBC in that case. But the bartender might like you more.

[mikkelhansen]

I believe OBC can be used for any pre-cruise and onboard purchase, except accommodation, flights and transfers.

[jelayne]

Yes,  you can use OBC from C to upgrade the beverage package pre cruise.  Upgrade can be done after final payment.  If you are Elite or above there is a small discount on the upgrade.

[HskrCrsr]

4 hours ago, jelayne said:

Yes,  you can use OBC from C to upgrade the beverage package pre cruise.  Upgrade can be done after final payment.  If you are Elite or above there is a small discount on the upgrade.

With the recent CC program changes, there is a 5% discount on the upgrade for Classic and Select, 10% for Elite and above. Jelayne's statement is still true - it's a small discount for Elite and above. But a smaller discount for others.

 

And looking at the OP question, Jelayne and others answered it well. The discount stuff was my way of upping my post count, I guess.

[cruisestitch]

Mickkelhansen, OBC can be used for transfers from the ship to the airport at the end of the cruise.

[mikkelhansen]

11 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Mickkelhansen, OBC can be used for transfers from the ship to the airport at the end of the cruise.

Thanks, good to know. I thought all add-on services were not eligible.

[cruisestitch]

Because this gets asked so often I've compiled a list of things to spend OBC on. The only thing I know of now that you CAN'T buy with OBC is a deposit on a Future Cruise. Otherwise, here you go:

 

 

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Alcove Rental (some ships)

Apple products etc. and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Babysitting

Barber Shop services (Edge only)

Beverages -- Alcoholic, carbonated soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Chef’s Table

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Extra cost entrees and other items in Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants

Extend Your Stay program

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shop souvenirs, purses, cosmetics, clothing, jewelry, etc.

Gratuities, and extra gratuities

Guests dining with you in Luminae (applies to Suite Passengers only)

Guest entertainers' CD's and DVD's

Hair and nail salon

Hollywood hot glass experiences (some ships)

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Martini Flights

Medical Center purchases (but not treatments)

Mini bar

Portrait photo sessions

Pay-per-view movies

Persian Gardens passes

Personal Training Sessions

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items, and late night delivery fee

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Telephone calls using ship's system

Transfer to another passenger's account

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

[FlyerTalker]

Interesting.  A number of cruise lines will NOT let you use OBC in the casino.

[mikkelhansen]

15 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

The only thing I know of now that you CAN'T buy with OBC is a deposit on a Future Cruise.

You could add Flights By Celebrity and pre-/post-cruise accommodation via Celebrity's website to the exceptions as well, I am pretty sure you can't use OBC for these services, which are although related directly to Celebrity and their website.

[cruisestitch]

 I am Taking the term OBC to mean on board credit. Meaning what can you use it for when you are on board. So it makes sense that it cannot be used for flights and hotel accommodations.

[mikkelhansen]

16 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

 I am Taking the term OBC to mean on board credit. Meaning what can you use it for when you are on board. So it makes sense that it cannot be used for flights and hotel accommodations.

Fair enough. I thought debarkation transfers could be booked before the cruise online, but I don't know if OBC can be use there or only if booking transfer while onboard.

[cruisestitch]

Generally transfers from the ship to the airport can only be booked once you are on the ship. There may be some specific exceptions to that but in general you must wait until you were on the ship and give your Disembarkation instructions to guest services.

[HskrCrsr]

On 4/12/2021 at 5:21 AM, cruisestitch said:

Generally transfers from the ship to the airport can only be booked once you are on the ship. There may be some specific exceptions to that but in general you must wait until you were on the ship and give your Disembarkation instructions to guest services.

 

I'm curious about booking the transfer from the ship to the airport. The only time I tried to book this, our flight was too early and they wouldn't let me book it until one of the last days of the cruise. So my actual experience does nothing to refute your claim. But ...

 

Currently on the Manage Your Reservation page, I see this:

 

And looking at the Travel Arrangements tab, I see this:

 

Both of these suggest they can get you back to the airport and can be booked in advance. I am WAY outside the window for checking this so I cannot verify. Has this changed, perhaps, or do they tease you with this but not let you actually make the purchase in most cases?

 

I appreciate any thoughts you might have on this potential transfer offering. If the earlier statement (quoted above) still stands, I can accept that.

 

 

[WestLakeGirl]

It appears to be new.  Airport to ship transfers couldnt be booked on line inthe past, as I recall