What to do with onboard credit?

[LindaM]

This is our first time with Regent. My TA is giving us a $500 OBC. Since the price of the cruise includes most everything, what is left to spend this on? We are signing up for a premium shore excursion which will take $200. I am not normally a gambler, but could this be used in the casino? What do mani/pedis run onboard???

[PEPALR]

If it's a true OBC, any amount you don't use, they give you back in cash at the end. We used ours in the Spa. I think the pedicure was around $90, I didn't get a mani but I think it was around the same. Tip is included in that price though. Also, if you decide to get any premium wine or liquor, there is a charge for that. And we needed a few sundry items at the gift shop and got a few other things there. In the end I think we got about $10 back in cash.

[hoosier74]

Laundry, internet

[rallydave]

This is our first time with Regent. My TA is giving us a $500 OBC. Since the price of the cruise includes most everything, what is left to spend this on? We are signing up for a premium shore excursion which will take $200. I am not normally a gambler, but could this be used in the casino? What do mani/pedis run onboard???

Regarding using the OBC credit for excursions, you can only do that on the ship so if you sign up for an extra cost excursion before the cruise you have to pay in advance. You can however use your OBC by going to Destinations and canceling the excursion and then rebooking. You get your money paid by credit card back in cash and the new booking is paid with your OBC. This only works if the excursion is not full as if it is full, your cancellation will go to the first person on the wait list.

As another person said, if your OBC came only from your TA, it is redeamable for cash but, if Regent had anything to do with the credit, it has to be spent or lost. You should get a card in your suite spelling that out and if not, you can ask at reception.

Have a great cruise.

[Travelcat2]

Regarding using the OBC credit for excursions, you can only do that on the ship so if you sign up for an extra cost excursion before the cruise you have to pay in advance. You can however use your OBC by going to Destinations and canceling the excursion and then rebooking. You get your money paid by credit card back in cash and the new booking is paid with your OBC. This only works if the excursion is not full as if it is full, your cancellation will go to the first person on the wait list.

As another person said, if your OBC came only from your TA, it is redeamable for cash but, if Regent had anything to do with the credit, it has to be spent or lost. You should get a card in your suite spelling that out and if not, you can ask at reception.

Have a great cruise.


What you posted is 100% correct. However, do you realize how convoluted it sounds?

[MotuIslander]

What you posted is 100% correct. However, do you realize how convoluted it sounds?

It SOUNDS that way because it IS! It is dumb that you cannot use your OBC pre-cruise and yet they are willing to credit and re-book on board.

Bottom line with OBC is that the Regent part is non-refundable, if it is from an outside party (American Express, SOMETIMES your TA) it MIGHT be refundable.

[Hstergo]

Go to the casino and get cash back ..yes there is a 3% charge to do that but that adds up to 15 dollars.

With the money now in your pocket do what ever you please even take it home with you. No need to book and rebook excursions.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

The AMEX Plat OBC is not refundable for cash.

I have successfully cancelled/rebooked a paid excursion onboard and had the refund turned into a refundable credit.

[SnoBirdCruiser]

We just donate any left over OBC to the Crew for their partys.
On the other cruise line we sail on, they like to have a crew party everynight they set the clock back an hour, so they use these credits.
We also like to give to the pool guys, who bend over backwards, to make sure you are having a good time.

[rallydave]

Go to the casino and get cash back ..yes there is a 3% charge to do that but that adds up to 15 dollars.

With the money now in your pocket do what ever you please even take it home with you. No need to book and rebook excursions.


Huh??? This really needs an explanation. Any money you get in the Casino comes from you and your credit card. Where does 3% come to $15 unless you assume one is taking out $500?? Could be more than $15 or less.

And, how does this avoid getting money back for the excursions you pre-booked and paid for?? All you are doing is adding to your credit card bill to pay yourself back for the previous credit card bill. With the book and rebook, you get real money back from Regent.

And yes tc, it is a convoluted process made that way by Regent's processes. What's the point of your post??? Practicing your 100 words/minute with errors??

[LindaM]

Regarding using the OBC credit for excursions, you can only do that on the ship so if you sign up for an extra cost excursion before the cruise you have to pay in advance. You can however use your OBC by going to Destinations and canceling the excursion and then rebooking. You get your money paid by credit card back in cash and the new booking is paid with your OBC. This only works if the excursion is not full as if it is full, your cancellation will go to the first person on the wait list.

As another person said, if your OBC came only from your TA, it is redeamable for cash but, if Regent had anything to do with the credit, it has to be spent or lost. You should get a card in your suite spelling that out and if not, you can ask at reception.

Have a great cruise.

Thanks for the explanation about the shore excursions!! I realized that I would be charged immediately when I was asked for my credit card info. Ended up signing up for a "free" tour.

[alexandra cruiser]

[quote=rallydave;30540913]Regarding using the OBC credit for excursions, you can only do that on the ship so if you sign up for an extra cost excursion before the cruise you have to pay in advance. You can however use your OBC by going to Destinations and canceling the excursion and then rebooking. You get your money paid by credit card back in cash and the new booking is paid with your OBC. This only works if the excursion is not full as if it is full, your cancellation will go to the first person on the wait list.

As another person said, if your OBC came only from your TA, it is redeamable for cash but, if Regent had anything to do with the credit, it has to be spent or lost. You should get a card in your suite spelling that out and if not, you can ask at reception.


and booked excursions with cost ,,,but thought it would be inc...didnt give credit card info to Regent,just my TA and booked exc.on own,,,got invoice with OBC listed,,,and one with booked exc..I just "assumed" it would be covered,,but NO?? Wouldnt have booked if I thought I d have to PAY,,yikes,,final payment due this Thurs...should I wait and cancel and rebook onboard,,,you re right,,,VERY CONFUSING...or pay final payment and see what invoice I get back???Really need an answer,,thanks.:confused:

[rallydave]

and booked excursions with cost ,,,but thought it would be inc...didnt give credit card info to Regent,just my TA and booked exc.on own,,,got invoice with OBC listed,,,and one with booked exc..I just "assumed" it would be covered,,but NO?? Wouldnt have booked if I thought I d have to PAY,,yikes,,final payment due this Thurs...should I wait and cancel and rebook onboard,,,you re right,,,VERY CONFUSING...or pay final payment and see what invoice I get back???Really need an answer,,thanks.:confused:

Would like to help but, can't understand what happened to you and what answer you need. I'll try to explain the extra cost excursion booking:

If you book an extra cost excursion on line, by contacting Regent yourself or by having your TA contact Regent, in order to complete the booking process for the extra cost excursion, you have to pay for it up front.

Think what you said is that your TA booked your extra cost excursion and gave them your credit card number to pay the cost up front.

Your final payment for your cruise has nothing to do with booking excursions.

If you cancel your excursion and wait to book on line, it may or may not be full once you get onboard and you may or may not get the excursion.

You can look at it this way; if you really want the excursion and there is a risk of it being full before you board and you don't want to pay up front in hopes of getting the money back, you take the risk of waiting until you board.

If you really want the excursion, best to book and pay up front and then the only risk you have is that you might not be able to cancel and rebook getting your money back so you will need to find another place to spend your money.

Only you can make the choice of what you want to do in this situation. And what risk you want to take.

Feel free to explain your situation if I don't have it correct and I along with others will try to help solve your issues.

Thanks,

[Travelcat2]

Huh??? And yes tc, it is a convoluted process made that way by Regent's processes. What's the point of your post??? Practicing your 100 words/minute with errors??

Sorry you don't understand my post. It soundrd as if you did. Some people reading your post might find it confusing. The purpose of my post was to acknowledge that others find it convoluted as well - but this is Regent's policy. MotuIslander understood the post, so, if further explation is required, I defer to him.

[rallydave]

Sorry you don't understand my post. It soundrd as if you did. Some people reading your post might find it confusing. The purpose of my post was to acknowledge that others find it convoluted as well - but this is Regent's policy. MotuIslander understood the post, so, if further explation is required, I defer to him.

It sounded as if you were attacking me for writing a convoluted post. Then MotuIslander said it well that it was because Regent has made the process so convoluted and I was simply trying to explain the process. Felt like MotuIslander was supporting me in how it sounded to me so he/she took it the same way I did.

Perhaps if you would further expand what you say sometimes, the true meaning of what you write would come across better and people wouldn't have the need to take you to task so often. This would certainly help eliminate the removal of so many posts.

[Travelcat2]

It sounded as if you were attacking me for writing a convoluted post. Then MotuIslander said it well that it was because Regent has made the process so convoluted and I was simply trying to explain the process. Felt like MotuIslander was supporting me in how it sounded to me so he/she took it the same way I did.

Perhaps if you would further expand what you say sometimes, the true meaning of what you write would come across better and people wouldn't have the need to take you to task so often. This would certainly help eliminate the removal of so many posts.


I thought that my first sentence "what you posted is 100% correct" indicated my concurrence. It sounded convoluted because it is . . . . . but, it has nothing whatsoever to do with you -- only with Regent's policy.

I suppose we simply misunderstood each other.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

and booked excursions with cost ,,,but thought it would be inc...didnt give credit card info to Regent,just my TA and booked exc.on own,,,got invoice with OBC listed,,,and one with booked exc..I just "assumed" it would be covered,,but NO?? Wouldnt have booked if I thought I d have to PAY,,yikes,,final payment due this Thurs...should I wait and cancel and rebook onboard,,,you re right,,,VERY CONFUSING...or pay final payment and see what invoice I get back???Really need an answer,,thanks.:confused:

Sorry Alexandra, it is a bit tough to understand your short-hand sometimes.

But, if you booked an excursion for cost before the cruise, your credit card should have been hit immediately. I.e., they don't wait for final payment. Check your statement.

[alexandra cruiser]

and see if I can cancel and rebook,,,its excursion for hubby and he really wants to go.So can always spend my OBC on jewelry,clothes,etc......how bad is that,right?Wendy,sorry for shorthand,,must think that way,,sort of texting in head...whew...:)

[Dreps]

On our most recent cruise in August, I was able to cancel and rebook excursions, however the price of each and every excursion had gone up $10 per person since I originally booked them, which I found aggravating and unprecedented. In addition, my TA said that I was "lucky" I was able to do this at all because it is no longer a "given" even if there is availabity for the excursion once onboard.

From the get go, I have been disappointed that we cannot use our OBCs when we originally book online. This is something that should be corrected. I'm tired of having to make last-minute purchases at the botique to use up remaining OBCs at the end of our cruises.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

...
From the get go, I have been disappointed that we cannot use our OBCs when we originally book online. This is something that should be corrected. I'm tired of having to make last-minute purchases at the botique to use up remaining OBCs at the end of our cruises.

I absolutely agree. I spent a lot of time last December poring over the meagre offerings in the boutique. They didn't even have any nice purses (used to have Fossil, but no more.)

[alexandra cruiser]

that I failed to see,,,so now have $800 from referrals and $500 from TA,,,that s lot of massages,shirts,etc...will have to check out the art and jewelry,since they dont transfer..PS..if they just gave me credit towards cruise price,it would be a REAL deal,hahaha ..know what I ll be doing on at sea days,,hanging around SHOPPING>.:D

[rallydave]

that I failed to see,,,so now have $800 from referrals and $500 from TA,,,that s lot of massages,shirts,etc...will have to check out the art and jewelry,since they dont transfer..PS..if they just gave me credit towards cruise price,it would be a REAL deal,hahaha ..know what I ll be doing on at sea days,,hanging around SHOPPING>.:D

Sincerely doubt you have any OBC's for referrels. If you were referred (first Regent Cruise) you have $200 OBC and if you referred 4 people to Regent, you have $800 off of your cruise fare. People who do the referring get a $200 credit and believe it is now limited to one referrel and those who are on first cruise get the OBC. Your TA should be able to tell you where you stand with referrels.

Sorry, not as much shopping. But, if your TA provided the OBC independent of Regent supporting the OBC, you will be able to take all of that as cash home with you to buy what you really need at home and not the overpriced stuff on board.

[purpleally]

Our ta always gives us obc. The first time I went on a spending spree thinking use it or lose it. Now, second day we cash out and take the money.

[Kwaj girl]

Our ta always gives us obc. The first time I went on a spending spree thinking use it or lose it. Now, second day we cash out and take the money.

This will be my first w/ OBC on Regent - do you just go to the Purser's office & request the cash in-hand?

[Responder]

Another reason to cash out if you can might be that if your credit card offers rewards or cash back as mine does, you put the cash in your pocket and the charges on the card.

[mimito4]

The solution to true travel agent contributed on board credit is to use a TA who will give you a rebate by check BEFORE the cruise begins. This is the only way I book an all-inclusive cruise. And btw, check around to see who will give you the most as a rebate. That way, you don't have to go through the nonsense of going to the excursion desk, canceling excursions, then rebooking in order to use the OBC for excursions.

As for other types of OBC, I believe, in spite of my recent experience, that it is a case of "use it or lose it". Therefore, treat yourself to spa services, upgraded bottle of wine, and/or donate to the crew fund if you find yourself, like me, wanting to adopt them all. ;)

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

T, completely agree w/your OBC solution...would much, much rather get a Trvl Agent cash rebate to spend as my DW and I see, fit; rather than have her spend $500 to $1500 OBC on board. When you're talking spending $15K to $30K per cruise, you're talking about real savings with cash rebates vs TA offered OBC no matter how generous.

[Hambagahle]

Our TA gives us cash back before the cruise and now on the next one an $800 OBC. No wonder I like her!

My problem is that if I take the cash home with me it isn't worth much in CHF. So I rather think I shall be at the spa a great deal!! And since it is a trans-Atlantic cruise there will be a lot of time to do this!!

[Travelcat2]

Receiving a percentage of the cruise fare back and on board credits are, in my opinion, different things entirely. I do not think that TA's always have the option of giving refundable OBCs. And, the OBCs from American Express are never refundable. We just have to get used to finding things to spend them on (many great ideas on this thread). We think of it as Monopoly money and enjoy it.

[KathyPet]

Can't use it in the casino, Spend it on Spa treatments, in the shop or for a special bottle of wine with dinner.

[tombo]

Before we were "gold", I used some of the SBC to get daily printed newspapers (WSJ, NYT, etc.), which I believe were $6 per day each. I have never felt the need to buy an upgraded bottle of wine as I've been happy enough with the daily wines. On special occasions, I've splurged for the good caviar, although on Sundays they have "free" caviar in La Veranda and Compass Rose. I used to do the occasional Cuban cigar, but have since stopped smoking altogether. Between the special excursions, the spa and the gift shop, we've never had much trouble using up non-refundable credits.

[commodoredave]

Wouldn't it be nice if we could use OBCs towards the purchase of our next Regent cruise?

[Travelcat2]

That would be great! I have $1,200 OBC on our next cruise... . it would be a nice start towards deposit:)

[alexandra cruiser]

that I failed to see,,,so now have $800 from referrals and $500 from TA,,,that s lot of massages,shirts,etc...will have to check out the art and jewelry,since they dont transfer..PS..if they just gave me credit towards cruise price,it would be a REAL deal,hahaha ..know what I ll be doing on at sea days,,hanging around SHOPPING>.:D

When I posted this I THOUGHT I had that much OBC...but NO,,,have been given 3 DIFFERENT answers,,,,first told NO,,,the referral credits will only be given AFTER the person TAKES the cruise.Then called back and told ,,NO, one person is taking MY CRUISE and will get OBC for that one,,2 wks later with no response,called AGAIN,,and now told will get $200 taken off this Dec.Cruise,,NOT OBC s.But did check and it was taken off my credit card...whew...how confusing.Still have $500 from my TA,,and then will have "future cruise credits for $600...." they say...///?????:confused::confused:

[rallydave]

When I posted this I THOUGHT I had that much OBC...but NO,,,have been given 3 DIFFERENT answers,,,,first told NO,,,the referral credits will only be given AFTER the person TAKES the cruise.Then called back and told ,,NO, one person is taking MY CRUISE and will get OBC for that one,,2 wks later with no response,called AGAIN,,and now told will get $200 taken off this Dec.Cruise,,NOT OBC s.But did check and it was taken off my credit card...whew...how confusing.Still have $500 from my TA,,and then will have "future cruise credits for $600...." they say...///?????:confused::confused:

As mentioned back in Sept. your credits for referring someone are in the form of cash discounts and the person you refer has to travel before you cruise or on your cruise. If they cruise after you, then you have to wait to use the discount on your next cruise. That is exactly what the last person told you and is the correct answer. Have no clue why the other reps gave you incorrect information but, that appears to be the norm with Regent lately. It is a shame that they gave you incorrect information but, you now have the $200 discount on your current cruise and the $600 future cruise credit as well as the $500 OBC from your TA which you can convert to cash on board.

You are good to go and hopefully less confused. You can always get the correct answer on CC while it is a crap shoot getting the correct answer from a Regent telephone representative.

Hope you feel better and less confused now.