Obc

[bandmp]

What are OBC's used for on Cunard? We heard that they cannot be used to pay shore excursions is that confirmed? Thanks - Mary

[Dcoy]

You can use OBC for excursions if you book them on the ship. You can not prebook an excursion before the cruise using OBC.

 

Don

[Underwatr]

The terms say you can't use OBC for gambling but at the tables there was a sign advising that your OBC could be used at the table. I may have misunderstood the sign -

 

Similar to excursions, someone recently mentioned that you can book spa treatments in advance but payment would be charged to a credit card at the time of booking.

 

We had a lot of onboard credit on the last trip and ended up looking around for places to use it up rather than leaving money on the table Ended up visiting the jewelry store.

[axelskater]

What are OBC's used for on Cunard? We heard that they cannot be used to pay shore excursions is that confirmed? Thanks - Mary

 

Chopard & Champagne

[Salacia]

What are OBC's used for on Cunard? We heard that they cannot be used to pay shore excursions is that confirmed? Thanks - Mary

 

Hi Mary. First and foremost, I use on-board credits to pay the Hotel and Dining charge. Usually the H&D charge for the length of the cruise/voyage appears on my in-folio statement on the first full day on aboard - if not, I request at the Purser Desk to apply that charge.

 

After that charge has been deducted from my OBC, I kept in mind that a couple of sodas, a few adult beverages, a hair cut in the salon and one or two photos will top more than 300USD very easily.

 

I've also used on board credits towards shore excursions - but has been mentioned, on board credits can not be applied to shore excursions booked on line. -S.

Edited January 13, 2015 by Salacia

[bandmp]

Thank you for all the great suggestions. :)Mary

[lannp]

OBC can be used for internet charges if you don't already receive complimentary time.

I don't use the spa or buy wine or alcohol so I use my OBC for items from the gift shop and Todd English and of course the hotel charge (gratuities).

[capnpugwash]

I know it's a bit of a pain to look in the FAQs on Cunard's site but had the OP done so she would have found the following;

 

What can on board credit be used against?

 

When on board credit (either received as part of a promotion or purchased via our Gift Collection is applied to your on board account, you may use this against most purchases on board. This includes:

•Items purchased from any of the shops

•Spa, & salon treatments and services (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Photography services

•Laundry & dry cleaning

•Internet and telephone charges

•Shore excursions (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Beverages from the bar and restaurants (where applicable)

•Restaurant cover charges (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Automatic tips (gratuities).

 

 

 

On board credit may not be used against:

•Purchasing shore excursions prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Purchasing restaurant cover charges prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Purchasing Spa treatments and services prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Visas that require payment

•Medical facilities

•Future Cruise Downpayments

•Artwork

•Ad hoc gratuities

•Foreign currency

•Casino chips, credits or any other kind of gambling

•Charitable donations

 

 

 

Please note on board credit is non refundable and no cash alternative available. It may not be spent prior to embarkation.

[PunkiC]

I like that Cunard charges all of our gratuities against on OBC on the first day. That makes it very clear how much we have left to spend for the rest of the cruise.

 

We usually buy a bottle of wine for dinner every night and get extra internet time, so between the gratuities, internet, and the wine, it eats up most of our OBC. Oh, DH, also uses OBC to get his tux shirts washed and ironed. I don't do tux shirts. If there is money left, I play the last Jackpot Bingo round. I never win. :p

 

Since we are veterans, stockholders and have FCC, we will start our 21-day cruise with a reasonably healthy OBC, but I am certain we will use it all.

[lannp]

I am generally on for several weeks and I keep track of the remaining OBC so I can spend it somehow. A couple of years ago my sisters each received a wallet because I had to find items that were small enough and fairly light enough to take home.

Last year I invited several tablemates to lunch in Todd English because I am a firm believer in use it or lose it. The most unspent was 56 cents.

[Salacia]

I like that Cunard charges all of our gratuities against on OBC on the first day. That makes it very clear how much we have left to spend for the rest of the cruise.

 

We usually buy a bottle of wine for dinner every night and get extra internet time, so between the gratuities, internet, and the wine, it eats up most of our OBC. Oh, DH, also uses OBC to get his tux shirts washed and ironed. I don't do tux shirts. If there is money left, I play the last Jackpot Bingo round. I never win. :p

 

Since we are veterans, stockholders and have FCC, we will start our 21-day cruise with a reasonably healthy OBC, but I am certain we will use it all.

 

Hi PunkiC. Yes, I also prefer to have the H&D charges on my in-folio statement at the start of the cruise/voyage for the same reason that you stated. But I understand that some passengers prefer that charge is posted on a daily basis for the reason being that gratuities should be given for good service, and not in advance of service yet to be received - a position with which I have no argument.

 

Anyway, just from my personal experience, it varies as to whether or not the H&D charge for the entire voyage is charged at the beginning of the voyage, or per diem. Or has it become standard to show the entire H&D charge for the voyage on the first day?

 

Best wishes for your upcoming voyage.

Regards,

Salacia

Edited January 14, 2015 by Salacia

[Underwatr]

As a data point, it all showed up on one day on my Christmas trip.

[MicCanberra]

Thank you to all for the information. The search function is not that great and tends to ask you to send an email for further info.:D

[Underwatr]

It may not be obvious with the present website layout but http://ask.cunard.com is a good resource for getting answers to various questions.

[lannp]

I've seen comments that OBC has not appeared on the account. I always have a copy of the invoice showing the OBC or have access to one in my emails that I can take to the Purser's desk for proof. It hasn't happened to me - yet but I want to be prepared with something in writing.

[Underwatr]

Yes, and check early in your cruise because if there's a discrepancy they will need to communicate with the TA and/or the shore office. It happened to be Christmas Eve when I discovered my issue which meant it took a couple of days to straighten out.

[Ballater]

I like that Cunard charges all of our gratuities against on OBC on the first day. That makes it very clear how much we have left to spend for the rest of the cruise.

 

We usually buy a bottle of wine for dinner every night and get extra internet time, so between the gratuities, internet, and the wine, it eats up most of our OBC. Oh, DH, also uses OBC to get his tux shirts washed and ironed. I don't do tux shirts. If there is money left, I play the last Jackpot Bingo round. I never win. :p

 

Since we are veterans, stockholders and have FCC, we will start our 21-day cruise with a reasonably healthy OBC, but I am certain we will use it all.

 

It was my understanding that bingo is gambling, and OBC can not be used to buy bingo cards? Is this incorrect?

[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]

It was my understanding that bingo is gambling, and OBC can not be used to buy bingo cards? Is this incorrect?

 

You are correct, the bingo is organised by the casino and OBC cannot be used. The charge appears as a deduction on your statement.

 

M-AR