Onboard Credit

[Noire]

In my opinion not really free. Just getting money you already paid back. No they don't have to give OBC's but it's not free. Besides a lot of clothing stores do that. If you take your receipts back within a certain number of days they give you the price difference. They only difference with Carnival is that they make sure the money remains in their pocket. But doesn't matter. Not like you are going to go through the cruise without purchasing something.

[travelntreats]

In my opinion not really free. Just getting money you already paid back. No they don't have to give OBC's but it's not free. Besides a lot of clothing stores do that. If you take your receipts back within a certain number of days they give you the price difference. They only difference with Carnival is that they make sure the money remains in their pocket. But doesn't matter. Not like you are going to go through the cruise without purchasing something.

OK... look at it this way... MANY folks have booked their cruises say 6 months - 1 year in advance.... and then AFTER final payment is made (60 - 75 days before sailing date), then Carnival and rates are lowered and """poof""" instant OBC that they were NOT EXPECTING to have received when they originally booked. Point being it is still FREE $$$ that the cruiseline is giving back to you given that you contracted at a certain price when originally booked and paid in full only to discover the rates have been lowered and yet the cruiseline still will GIVE YOU FREE OBC ! No comparison to a clothing store really. :rolleyes:

[iluvazsun]

I booked my Feb 2009 cruise 2 months ago. I periodically check the price online and it's still the same. Am I checking too soon? or will I never get an OBC? I got it during their one-day sale and got a pretty good deal. But I would love an OBC!!!

[Noire]

OK... look at it this way... MANY folks have booked their cruises say 6 months - 1 year in advance.... and then AFTER final payment is made (60 - 75 days before sailing date), then Carnival and rates are lowered and """poof""" instant OBC that they were NOT EXPECTING to have received when they originally booked. Point being it is still FREE $$$ that the cruiseline is giving back to you given that you contracted at a certain price when originally booked and paid in full only to discover the rates have been lowered and yet the cruiseline still will GIVE YOU FREE OBC ! No comparison to a clothing store really. :rolleyes:

 

You did ask how many places are willing to do this and I answered clothing stores do it all the time. Anyhoo- I'm not going to keep going back and forth with this. You have your opinion and I have mine. I don't think it's free. You do. Oh well. Thanks Carnival for returning to me the money in which I've already paid. :rolleyes:

[travelntreats]

Thats what I love about CC... so many opinions and the best part is, you get your own !!! Happy Cruising.,.. enjoy your OBC !

[travelntreats]

I booked my Feb 2009 cruise 2 months ago. I periodically check the price online and it's still the same. Am I checking too soon? or will I never get an OBC? I got it during their one-day sale and got a pretty good deal. But I would love an OBC!!!

Just keep checking... but remember not all cruise dates will be lowered.... its all about supply and demand !

[yvettedem1969]

i was just on imagination on sept 26th and going again for halloween...onboard credit....to take that out at the cage in the casino DOES NOT charge 3%! only if you are taking it out of your credit card you have associated with your sign and sail acct :) there is a way around everything lol

[2good2b]

Will they automatically give an OBC if the rate drops or do you have to call and ask for it? This is my first Carnival cruise and I'm still learning. :confused:

[sunnidayz]

On the subject of the OBC. We also received a substantial OBC for our Victory cruise (leaving tomorrow) to the tune of almost $800.00 when all was said and done, for two people!!! Our price dropped two times, and not only did our PVPs upgrade us for free, we also received the equivalent of the price drop. We were also informed that what we did not spend of our OBC would be refunded by check following the cruise. That being said, you can also use your OBC to book excursions, in shops, etc.

Can't wait until tomorrow (oops, I'm at work, it's today!!!!!:eek: :D )

I'll be happy to let you know what Carnival actually does about any leftover OBC when we return.

 

Adrienne

[yvettedem1969]

On the subject of the OBC. We also received a substantial OBC for our Victory cruise (leaving tomorrow) to the tune of almost $800.00 when all was said and done, for two people!!! Our price dropped two times, and not only did our PVPs upgrade us for free, we also received the equivalent of the price drop. We were also informed that what we did not spend of our OBC would be refunded by check following the cruise. That being said, you can also use your OBC to book excursions, in shops, etc.

Can't wait until tomorrow (oops, I'm at work, it's today!!!!!:eek: :D )

I'll be happy to let you know what Carnival actually does about any leftover OBC when we return.

 

Adrienne

 

They LIED! You will not get a check...maybe a chuckle for you not taking your money out at the casino cage! If you don't take it, Carnival WILL keep it!!! When you get onboard, go to the front desk and ask them for yourself! They will tell you if you don't use it, you lose it!

[GeekyMom]

They LIED!

:D Yeah, I don't know about a check in the mail with an OBC. We're getting a $100 credit back to our credit card 1 month after our sail, but this was clearly stated verbally and in writing when we booked our cruise.

 

I hope this is true, but I just wouldn't count on it. But hey... if it isn't; that's a lot of Apple Martini's and quite a few other things on board ship, i.e. shore excursions. All kidding aside; I would take the posters advice and check 1st thing when you board ship.

 

Good luck to you. :)

[julieajr]

Sorry, newbie here. I'm unclear about how people are receiving OBC when the price of their cruise drops.

 

Yesterday I noticed that the price of our Destiny cruise in January had dropped by a total of $120. I called the 800 number for Carnival, talked to an agent, and she agreed that our price could be adjusted (we have not made final payment yet). When all was said and done, we received a $38 credit to our total cost, as the new price had to be adjusted by the NEW FUEL SUPPLEMENT cost (which had gone up since we booked in April). No mention at any time of onboard credit, upgrades, etc.

 

If anybody can shed a little more light on how to get the best deal when the price drops - whether OBC, upgrades, or just a price discount - I would sure be interested. Thanks!

[can'twaittacruise]

Sorry, newbie here. I'm unclear about how people are receiving OBC when the price of their cruise drops.

 

Yesterday I noticed that the price of our Destiny cruise in January had dropped by a total of $120. I called the 800 number for Carnival, talked to an agent, and she agreed that our price could be adjusted (we have not made final payment yet). When all was said and done, we received a $38 credit to our total cost, as the new price had to be adjusted by the NEW FUEL SUPPLEMENT cost (which had gone up since we booked in April). No mention at any time of onboard credit, upgrades, etc.

 

If anybody can shed a little more light on how to get the best deal when the price drops - whether OBC, upgrades, or just a price discount - I would sure be interested. Thanks!

 

OBC is usually given only after final payment is made if there is a price adjustment to the cost of the cruise. We had our fuel supplement cost go up also when we received our price reduction but ours was after final payment which resulted in OBC for us.

Continue to keep an eye on your rates. Ours has gone down more than $50 per person each week for the last three weeks.

[kaylahszoo]

Okay, this may seem like a stupid question. but how do they assign OBC. For the last 2 cruises we were on, we had like $100 per cabin (4 in a cabin) and everyone else had OBC on the account but me. I am the one who booked the cruised, gathered money from my family, and did the final payment. Does anyone know how they allot it. I was the 1st name on our cabin 1st time and got $0 either time. One sister was great $ shared with me, the other did not and kept it all to herself. Just wondering.

[Hollaback]

In 2004 I went on a 4 day cruise on Ecstasy. I remember being very conservative with my purchases and my final bill was $194. That was just MY bill. Everyone else in my room had their own bills.

This is my idea of conservative my purchases were:

2 photos 8X10

1 bottle wine $35

1 bottle suscreen

2 cheap silver bracelets

1 shore excursion (bus tour Catalina Island)

10 domestic beers (maybe less)

4 days tips

I know prices have changed for inflation, but that will give you an idea of what it cost one person.