How do I use my OBC for purchases ahead of my cruise?

[AandBmom]

I would like to purchase cheers and internet and maybe book a shore excursion before we sail.  How do I make sure this comes off OBC?

[ray985]

If your cruise is leaving March 15th or later, OBC now shows up as an option when checking out from the Cruise Planner. 

 

You can see some screenshots on here but it was pretty simple to use:

https://cruisespotlight.com/carnival-guests-can-now-use-on-board-credit-obc-for-pre-cruise-purchases

[skrufy]

1 hour ago, AandBmom said:

I would like to purchase cheers and internet and maybe book a shore excursion before we sail.  How do I make sure this comes off OBC?

As of now you can't use your OBC until you board. Sometime next month Carnival will allow pre- boarding purchases.

[cruizergal70]

3 minutes ago, skrufy said:

As of now you can't use your OBC until you board. Sometime next month Carnival will allow pre- boarding purchases.

Nope.  Using OBC is now an option when buying pre cruise purchases.  I saw it a couple of days ago.

[dbrucern]

When you add a purchase to your cart, right below where you enter your credit card information it will say you have so much money available from OBC to use for the purchase and you choose this option.  I have used for other our March, April and June cruises

[skrufy]

6 minutes ago, cruizergal70 said:

Nope.  Using OBC is now an option when buying pre cruise purchases.  I saw it a couple of days ago.

March 15, 2022

[cruizergal70]

2 minutes ago, skrufy said:

March 15, 2022

Ok. Maybe it's in beta testing but I clearly had the option of clicking on the button to use OBC to purchase my excursion. 

[1kaper]

4 minutes ago, skrufy said:

March 15, 2022

 

I have a sailing on March 26th.  I just went in to buy Cheers (after reading this thread becuase I'm waiting to use OBC) and when I click on payment it tells me  I have a $200 on board credit and would I like to apply it to this purchase.  

[AandBmom]

15 minutes ago, dbrucern said:

When you add a purchase to your cart, right below where you enter your credit card information it will say you have so much money available from OBC to use for the purchase and you choose this option.  I have used for other our March, April and June cruises

I just did a mock purchase and don't see that option... 

 

Here's my screenshot.

[AandBmom]

10 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

 

I have a sailing on March 26th.  I just went in to buy Cheers (after reading this thread becuase I'm waiting to use OBC) and when I click on payment it tells me  I have a $200 on board credit and would I like to apply it to this purchase.  

I just tried to do that.... Does my screen look different than yours? Sailing is March 12...

 

[1kaper]

1 minute ago, AandBmom said:

I just tried to do that.... Does my screen look different than yours? Sailing is March 12...

 

Click to the next screen.  That's where mine was. 

You see up top where it says you are on page 1. Mine was on the payment details page.  

Edited February 11, 2022 by 1kaper

[Caps_Shield]

19 minutes ago, AandBmom said:

I just tried to do that.... Does my screen look different than yours? Sailing is March 12...

 

 I believe the key is March 15, 2022.  As it was stated above if you depart after that date you can use it.  You just said you leave the 12th....so....

[AandBmom]

24 minutes ago, Caps_Shield said:

 I believe the key is March 15, 2022.  As it was stated above if you depart after that date you can use it.  You just said you leave the 12th....so....

 Ah.... Makes sense... but that sucks.  So close!  

 

I have a ton of OBC. 

 

Ideas?  

 

I wanted to buy stuff ahead b/c of the cheaper price.  

 

Can I direct it all at the auto tip?

[tidecat]

Yes, you can use OBC for auto gratuities.

[thekidsandi]

I was able to use OBC for a shore excursion, but I can't figure out how to pay gratuities with it. Can someone who has done that explain how?

[Joe817]

2 minutes ago, thekidsandi said:

I was able to use OBC for a shore excursion, but I can't figure out how to pay gratuities with it. Can someone who has done that explain how?

You really don't have to do anything. Gratuities are automatically deducted from your OBC balance towards the end of your cruise. Of course, you can always go to Guest Services and request that once onboard, if you want. 

[TerReuv]

6 hours ago, ray985 said:

If your cruise is leaving March 15th or later, OBC now shows up as an option when checking out from the Cruise Planner. 

 

You can see some screenshots on here but it was pretty simple to use:

https://cruisespotlight.com/carnival-guests-can-now-use-on-board-credit-obc-for-pre-cruise-purchases

 

 

I am so excited to read this!  We ended up with $1200 OBC and was worried we wouldn't be able to get reservations and such when we boarded.  Now, I can book the spa and our dinners.  Thanks for the info!

 

By any chance, does anyone know if you can book a massage for someone else ahead of time?  I would like to treat my SIL since we have the OBC.  TIA!

[Markmom18]

Hi,

 

  I have already bought everything we need/want for our cruise next month on the Panorama. End of March cruise.

 Rather than cancel & repurchase items or excursions. I thought I might play in the Casino with my OBC (didn’t even know we had it, but there it is online—my Planner).   I am a bit confused that it says I need to use it “pre-cruise”??
 

Anyone else receive this kind of OBC? What did you do?

Thanks!

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi 

Edited February 12, 2022 by Markmom18

[dbrucern]

On 2/11/2022 at 9:33 AM, AandBmom said:

I just tried to do that.... Does my screen look different than yours? Sailing is March 12...

 

Its on the next page where you enter your CC information so from the page you show click complete purchase. our cruise is March 6th and it allowed me to use my OBC for my Cheers but I also had $$$$ OBC due to cancelled cruises. 

[Smuncha Luncha]

12 hours ago, dbrucern said:

Its on the next page where you enter your CC information so from the page you show click complete purchase. our cruise is March 6th and it allowed me to use my OBC for my Cheers but I also had $$$$ OBC due to cancelled cruises. 

We cruise on March 12th & also have $$$$ OBC due to cancelled cruises, but it doesn't show the option to apply OBC when attempting to purchase Cheers. Did you have to do something else to get your March 6th cruise to work for this since it's not supposed to start until March 15th?

[Ralphinsc]

Definitely used OBC and nothing but OBC to buy two Cheers packages, rent a cabana, and buy another shore excursion for a different port for my April cruise. I made these purchases with the OBC back in November, before I even submitted final payment. 

[AandBmom]

On 2/12/2022 at 10:11 PM, Smuncha Luncha said:

We cruise on March 12th & also have $$$$ OBC due to cancelled cruises, but it doesn't show the option to apply OBC when attempting to purchase Cheers. Did you have to do something else to get your March 6th cruise to work for this since it's not supposed to start until March 15th?

Same!  Are you thinking of calling Carnival to inquire? I may. 

[titlediva]

You can only use obc to pay for things now if your sail date is March 15th or after. It’s sail date, not calendar date.