New to Celebrity question

[dancrm12000]

We are scheduled to sail on the Reflection on March 29. I booked directly through the celebrity website, then called a couple days later and received a $200 shipboard credit. Then a T.A. that I had spoken to called and said if I transferred my reservation to them, I could keep the exact same cabin, the on board ship credits that celebrity offered, and they would throw in an extra 150 in ship credit. Has anyone ever heard of this? If so, can I use the ship credits to upgrade a drink package and pay gratuities with if I am prepaying for gratuities?

 

Thanks for your help.

[Gonzo70]

Travel agents often offer incentives to book with them via giving you a portion of their commission in the form of on board credit (especially the larger, online travel agents that have a large volume of sales). You would not be able to use on board credit towards pre-paid gratuities (as those must be paid in advance, well before the on board credit would become available).

[We're The Groupnors]

Gonzo is correct, and it is not uncommon for TAs to offer additional OBC for booking with them. While you cannot use the OBC for anything that is prepaid (ie. the gratuities in your case), you can use it for any outstanding on-board balances incurred due to drinks purchases, spa purchases, on-board shop purchases, speacialty dining, etc.

[zoncom]

If your prepaids are for select dining. cancel and book fixed dining now, before final payment. Then you can use OBCs towards daily service charges(tips). When you board go to MaitreD, who is usually in MDR,change back to fixed dining. Always book with agency only to double dip on OBCs. You have chosen a beautiful ship for your first cruise. Enjoy.

[dancrm12000]

Thanks for all the info. Am I correct to assume that I purchase the classic beverage package here, then upgrade the premium on the ship and use the ship credits? The remainder could be used toward gratuities when I switch to the fixed dining option, then once on-board switch back?

[cruisestitch]

If you are thinking of keeping your Select Dining until you board, then switching to Traditional in order to use your on-board credit for gratuities, that probably will not work. They might let you switch to traditional, fixed dining, but won't refund your pre-paid gratuities into your SeaPass account so you can use your on-board credit to offset them.

 

zoncom's post wasn't entirely clear but that is the gist of what he was suggesting -- if you intend to use the on board credit for gratuities, switch out of Select Dining before Final Payment date.

 

Then once you are on the ship, you can request the change back to Select Dining.

 

Be aware, however, that it might be sold out and you would not be allowed to move into Select Dining at that time.