OBC for educators

[Ineke]

I understand there is a credit available for educators. Where would I find information about it? I’d like to apply. Thanks!

[renee00]

I'm not sure if it works for Canadians, but this is the link I used: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/deals/teacher-appreciation-offer.html

[Ineke]

Thanks! Filled out the form - now we wait. Retired since 2015.

[bennybear]

10 minutes ago, Ineke said:

Thanks! Filled out the form - now we wait. Retired since 2015.

Let us know,  when I looked it said you had to teach in the.US.  Fingers crossed! 

[kluv2cruz]

Looks like Canada and US and you need to select the school, BUT, looks like actively working, not retired. Please post if you were successful at receiving!

[Ineke]

There is a retired option, so that’s all right, too. But I submitted the last College of Teachers membership card, and apparently that’s not good enough. So digging into old files I go, I must have an old paystub  somewhere…

[kluv2cruz]

Oh! I didn’t see the retired option. Thanks.

[RD64]

9 hours ago, renee00 said:

I'm not sure if it works for Canadians, but this is the link I used: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/deals/teacher-appreciation-offer.html

Yes it works for Canadians - working or retired. Your educational institution may not be listed, and you may have to get it added.

[S&B]

WOW!  We never knew this was also for retired teachers.  32 years but I will have to go back and see what I have that will give us verification.  We save everything that is important so I should have something.  A Big Thanks!!!

[mustang lover]

   Yes, it does work for Canadian retired educators. Some form of proof is needed though. I used my retired teacher's pension form as proof and it worked. Within a few days my OBC claim was approved and shortly thereafter the OBC was added to our latest cruise. It could not, however be applied to 2 previous cruises that we had booked. 

[mkl55]

I did this fairly recently as a retired teacher (US).  I was unsuccessful with the first document I submitted which was a tax document.  I thought that should be the gold standard, but apparently not.  Someone else suggested taking a screen shot of my profile page on my state's teacher retirement webpage.  That was done and accepted.  Hope it works for you.  It sure saved me a lot of time plowing through old records.

 

 

 

[sherryf]

To be clear, this program is for "educators" so you do not necessarily need to be a teacher.  I am a paraprofessional, and I qualified for it.  I think anyone who works for a school should be able to get it, since you only need to show proof that you work there, not what position you hold.

[Ineke]

I was surprised that my last valid BC College of Teachers membership card (from 2015 when I retired) was not acceptable. My school was listed, so noproblem there. But a pay stub? I don’t think I have any old ones. I do have my 2015 T-4 slip, guess that’s my next attempt.

[twoforone]

I was told that the teacher’s OBC cannot be combined with a casino room offer.  Has anyone else had this happen?  

[happywandering]

Do you have to apply for each cruise does account "remember" the information?

[Riversedge]

I tried to do this and had several go-rounds with them (3rd party co) thru emails.  First they told me active only so I copied the HAL advertisement that said retired or current.  Then they told me that my school has to be on the drop down menu which seems to be mostly colleges or large cities.  They said they would research my very small public school but it would be at least 30 days, which to my mind means never.   I wish they wouldn’t throw deals out there that are impossible to get.  

[twoforone]

We have already been approved for the teacher OBC but they say it cannot be combined with our casino offer.  Anyone else have this happen?

[Nodakboiler]

Thanks to this forum I just realized retired educators qualified. Got approved but can't apply it to the 6 HAL cruises scheduled over the 15 months- only to new bookings after approval. Guess I have to look into more travel!!

[luvteaching]

Thank you to the OP @Ineke for starting this thread. It jogged my memory to get it done as I'm a retired educator (32 years teaching 6th grade in the elementary setting). I scanned in a copy of my DRS paper and put my school name badge as well. It worked and I've been approved. Like @Nodakboiler it won't help with the ones I have booked but it will on new ones. 

 

Karen

[Infi]

Thank you for sharing this! I was aware of the military/first responder OBC but had never heard of this one for educators. It is a nice little benefit.

 

I work in administration at a university and it appears I qualify from their description so have submitted my documents - fingers crossed.

[TiogaCruiser]

23 hours ago, twoforone said:

We have already been approved for the teacher OBC but they say it cannot be combined with our casino offer.  Anyone else have this happen?

If it’s the same rules as for health care providers, you cannot. We had a private sale that fell under the casino fare code and were declined. 

 

But the offers are not totally the same:

 Per the website, while military and educators can qualify when retired, apparently HCPs have to be active. 
 

 

[alwaysfrantic]

On 7/21/2023 at 7:23 PM, Nodakboiler said:

Thanks to this forum I just realized retired educators qualified. Got approved but can't apply it to the 6 HAL cruises scheduled over the 15 months- only to new bookings after approval. Guess I have to look into more travel!!

Try again.  Our TA got it applied for us after booking. 

[Nodakboiler]

I emailed my PCC to get details and he said only applied after verification to new bookings.

[Riversedge]

For all of you got approved, was your school on the drop down menu?

[Infi]

Yes, it was. I was surprised that the approval process was an automated scanning and I received a response back within minutes. I submitted a pay stub which clearly has my university name listed.