YC upgrade through Concierge

[no1talks]

23 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

No, I haven’t done that!  What’s the process?

On the slot machines, one has the option to use OBC for credits in the machine.

 

Once loaded from your account, the credits can be gambled or cashed-out as a regular voucher.

 

We don't convert all our OBC to cash-out vouchers all at once, but do a bit here and a bit there.

[DaKahuna]

@MonsterJoe @no1talks   So MSC does not do like Celebrity and force you to gamble about 50% before letting you convert to cash?  There have been reports on the Celebrity Board that you need to bet at least 50% of what you charge or they will lock your account preventing further transfers.  

 

[no1talks]

1 minute ago, DaKahuna said:

@MonsterJoe @no1talks   So MSC does not do like Celebrity and force you to gamble about 50% before letting you convert to cash?  There have been reports on the Celebrity Board that you need to bet at least 50% of what you charge or they will lock your account preventing further transfers.  

 

As of our last cruise, there were no restrictions.

 

It is true that other lines are strict on this topic, even going so far as to exclude OBC use in the casino entirely.

 

If MSC tightens their policy, it will be a significant strike against them, as far as we are concerned.

[DaKahuna]

Just now, no1talks said:

If MSC tightens their policy, it will be a significant strike against them, as far as we are concerned.

 

 I am not sure i would go that far.  I have learned to work withing Celebrity's restrictions and it works out for us.  It is nice that MSC does not impose the same restriction though. 

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

20 minutes ago, MonsterJoe said:

Put credits on a slot machine from your room card - it will automatically use OBC first if they're there, then immediately cash out.  Bring it to the teller and get your cash. Some ships have little kiosks where you can cash out (up to a certain amount in the hundreds) and you don't even have to talk to anyone.  

I use this method extensively throughout the cruise to get money for tips, or to have some walking cash in the ports.

OMG...how did I not know this!!!  Thanks for the tip and for once again validating my time spent on CC 😊.

[Georgia_Peaches]

16 minutes ago, no1talks said:

On the slot machines, one has the option to use OBC for credits in the machine.

 

Once loaded from your account, the credits can be gambled or cashed-out as a regular voucher.

 

We don't convert all our OBC to cash-out vouchers all at once, but do a bit here and a bit there.

I'm definitely checking this out on the first night.  I think one of the reasons this has slipped by me is I don't carry a lot of cash to the casino and often end up charging to the room and paying anything I owe from the casino at GS before I disembark...but I'm changing that strategy and just sticking with cash.  It's too easy to "charge the room".

[Georgia_Peaches]

17 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

@MonsterJoe @no1talks   So MSC does not do like Celebrity and force you to gamble about 50% before letting you convert to cash?  There have been reports on the Celebrity Board that you need to bet at least 50% of what you charge or they will lock your account preventing further transfers.  

 

Not sure.  On Celebrity there is an option to 'Use Promo' or 'Charge Room'. I always charge the room for my play.    The 'Charge Room' feature goes to one's shipboard account and the 'Use Promo' draws from any accumulated free play or Celebrity promo that isn't from outside OBC (like from a TA). 

 

When using Promo play, one has to play 50% before cashing out.  If one wins a sum that they wish to cash out before reaching the 50% threshold, the cash out ticket will only reflect the winning amount and the unused 50% portion the promo will revert back.  

 

Since OBC is attached to the shipboard account and not the player's promo account, I can't see how they could make you play 50% of the OBC before cashing out. The casino machine has no way of knowing how much obc is attached to a shipboard account.

 

Maybe those who have reported having to play 50% were confusing Promo Play with OBC?...For as much as I've gambled on Celebrity ships, that's never happened to me.

[chrisgp999]

On 9/18/2024 at 5:32 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

Sorry, not understanding how it's irrelevant.  While what you have said is true, so is the notion that booking early saves money.  It just does.  Confused.

When and how one procures a cruise, YC or not, is not irrelevant.  The complaints by those who chose to purchae their cruise at a certain time and in a certain way is the irrelevant part.  MSC, as most other enterprises, will price and market their product based on a number of economic factors.  Complaining that one paid more than someone else who purchased their cruise earlier or later or was blessed by the upgrade fairy, while being psychologically therapeutic, will not influence MSC's marketing structure one bit.   

[mnpurple]

While on Euribia, we were told by the concierge that we could not use the non-refundable OBC in the casino. That however proved to be wrong. We tried anyway and started out with a small amount. Lucky for me, I won on a couple spins! We then went back a few more times to continue getting our OBC, which we also use for extra gratuities.

[Best Cat Mom]

On 9/19/2024 at 8:58 AM, Georgia_Peaches said:

OMG...how did I not know this!!!  Thanks for the tip and for once again validating my time spent on CC

I feel like I should apologize here. This is always how we get our OBC back and since you're the one who recommend the travel agent who gives us so much OBC, I feel bad! We had $1,400 this past cruise and got it all out via slots in the non-smoking Sports Bar.

 

(We disembarked yesterday and now I'm catching up on older threads.)

.

Edited Sunday at 09:17 PM by Best Cat Mom

[LorraineP]

18 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

I feel like I should apologize here. This is always how we get our OBC back and since you're the one who recommend the travel agent who gives us so much OBC, I feel bad! We had $1,400 this past cruise and got it all out via slots in the non-smoking Sports Bar.

 

(We disembarked yesterday and now I'm catching up on older threads.)

.

Great OBC, would like to know travel agent. 

[Best Cat Mom]

1 minute ago, LorraineP said:

Great OBC

We're not allowed to share that here, but if you give me your email address... 😁

[LorraineP]

1 minute ago, Best Cat Mom said:

We're not allowed to share that here, but if you give me your email address... 😁

 

1 minute ago, Best Cat Mom said:

We're not allowed to share that here, but if you give me your email address... 😁

Not comfortable posting my email address is there a way to private message me?

[Georgia_Peaches]

19 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

I feel like I should apologize here. This is always how we get our OBC back and since you're the one who recommend the travel agent who gives us so much OBC, I feel bad! We had $1,400 this past cruise and got it all out via slots in the non-smoking Sports Bar.

You're too kind.  No apologies needed.  😻 Truth be told, I often use our OBC on the slots so I never thought to cash it out and use it for extra tips.  We always just bring cash for that. 

BUT...I am SO happy to know that the TA you're using is continuing to net nice OBC's. They remain my go-to as I haven't found another who can surpass their offering.  In fact, I asked about how they could offer so much recently when I booked a party of 10 for the Meraviglia (I'm a little nervous for that one bc ours will likely be a lively crowd) and was told that since they are salary based, much of the commission gets passed on to the passenger.  That model certainly works for us!

[Best Cat Mom]

7 minutes ago, LorraineP said:

is there a way to private message me?

Unfortunately, CC has PM turned off for us members. I understand about not wanting to post an email here. Next cruise you're on, you should ask around. You could also search the internet for high-volume agencies and then compare what each offers. Good luck!

[LorraineP]

2 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Unfortunately, CC has PM turned off for us members. I understand about not wanting to post an email here. Next cruise you're on, you should ask around. You could also search the internet for high-volume agencies and then compare what each offers. Good luck!

 

3 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Unfortunately, CC has PM turned off for us members. I understand about not wanting to post an email here. Next cruise you're on, you should ask around. You could also search the internet for high-volume agencies and then compare what each offers. Good luck!

OK thank you. 

[MonsterJoe]

1 hour ago, LorraineP said:

 

Not comfortable posting my email address is there a way to private message me?

You can make a burner account like this:

cruisecritic.monsterjoe@gmail.com

(yes, I'd like that info also) 🙂

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, MonsterJoe said:

You can make a burner account like this:

cruisecritic.monsterjoe@gmail.com

(yes, I'd like that info also) 🙂

Word of caution, I was eventually admonished by the mods for posting my email to others to share my TA info. to fellow cc members. And the post was ultimately eliminated Even though I never posted any TA info directly to CC. It seems that even privately discussing TA’s via email is against the rules. 

Edited yesterday at 01:09 AM by Georgia_Peaches

[MonsterJoe]

33 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Word of caution, I was eventually admonished by the mods for posting my email to others to share my TA info. to fellow cc members. And the post was ultimately eliminated Even though I never posted any TA info directly to CC. It seems that even privately discussing TA’s via email is against the rules. 

Oh is that the info you thought I was talking about? I thought we were sharing coupon codes for Wisconsin cheese through Amazon...my bad!

[mnpurple]

52 minutes ago, MonsterJoe said:

Oh is that the info you thought I was talking about? I thought we were sharing coupon codes for Wisconsin cheese through Amazon...my bad!

 

You know they are really fresh if they squeak on your teeth when you eat them!

[Best Cat Mom]

13 hours ago, MonsterJoe said:

I thought we were sharing coupon codes for Wisconsin cheese

Sent you a message. 😁

[MonsterJoe]

2 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Sent you a message. 😁

 

[kjbesq69]

2 hours ago, MonsterJoe said:

 

I would love the same information on Wisconsin cheese please!!

 

kxcess@protonmail.com

[Av8tor]

I'd also appreciate that "cheesy" info  🧀 - Thanks so much

 

WIcheese44@gmail.com

[Morgsmom]

It's CHEESEGATE!!! Love it!!!! 🧀