OBC with RCCL

[charmy98]

This will be our 2nd ever cruise. We are going on the Allure in Feb 2016. My question is can someone please tell me what the On board credits can be used for. We have been given $100 each to use but I have no idea on what.

[Clarea]

This will be our 2nd ever cruise. We are going on the Allure in Feb 2016. My question is can someone please tell me what the On board credits can be used for. We have been given $100 each to use but I have no idea on what.

You can use OBC for just about anything you buy on the ship. The only exception that comes to mind is booking a new cruise.

 

Examples of what you can use OBC for: excursions, gratuities (if you didn't prepay), drinks, shops, spa, specialty restaurants, etc.

[BillOh]

Once on the ship they can be used anywhere for anything that has a cost. The only limitation is you can't purchase things before you get on board, like excursions or drink packages and use the OBC.

Edited August 18, 2015 by BillOh
I saw a message with no replies and tried to beat Bob. Mission failure!

[CaptData]

If I know I have OBC I save booking my Shore Ex such as Segway tour in San Juan.. It is $109 per person. As soon as I board I book it and use up the credit for it. That way the tour cost me $9.00. Then I per-book everything else. If you want to purchase Wifi you can use it towards that bill too. Or you can use it in the stores on board. If you have any left over at the end of the cruise depending on type of OBC you could get it back on your Credit Card or if you did cash you show up at Customer Services the last day of the Cruise and get it back as cash unless it is the type that just vanishes if not used.

 

There are two types on On Board Credit:

 

a. non-refundable (given by cruiseline for pre-booked cruises or for other reason, if not used vanishes; and

 

b. Refundable credit, this is what you get from Cruise Agents (sometimes), when you purchase OBC yourself, or others buy Bon Voyage give packages (newlyweds get this a lot). You will get what you don't spend back on your CC.

Edited August 18, 2015 by CaptData

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Unless it is specified that it is for something (like this past weekend there was the OBC for a shore excursion credit - THAT has to be used towards a shore excursion), as has been said it can be used for pretty much anything onboard except booking another cruise.

 

My one caution about waiting to book a shore excursion while on board is that you really should have a few you're willing to pick from as some DO sell out before the cruise embarks. I have heard some sad stories of people who really wanted excursion A but wanted to use their OBC rather than pay in advance, so they got onboard as early as they could and went straight to guest services to book the excursion only to discover it was sold out. If there is one you 100% will be crushed if you don't get to do, just suck it up and book that one in advance, then use the OBC for another one.

 

(Given that, it would be nice if they gave you the option to use shore excursion specified OBC towards booking one in advance so you didn't risk the one you want being sold out. But I get how if someone did that and then changed their cruise it could be a logistical nightmare.)

Edited August 18, 2015 by WrittenOnYourHeart

[CaptData]

If I know I have OBC I save booking my Shore Ex such as Segway tour in San Juan.. It is $109 per person. As soon as I board I book it and use up the credit for it. That way the tour cost me $9.00. Then I per-book everything else.

[CaptData]

There are 2 types of On Board Credit:

 

a. refundable (which is what TA usually give you, you buy yourself or you get as Bon Voyage packages.) These type will be given back to you at the end on your CC); and

 

b. non-refundable (usually given by the cruise as promotional gifts or you were given some due to a problem you faced before (cruise cancelled and you rebooked, missed port ect). This just vanishes at the end of the cruise if not used. Most people if they get this and have any left they go to the Casino the last night and take it out as cash (they lose 5%).

Edited August 18, 2015 by CaptData

[charmy98]

The Casino option is interesting, anyone know how, do you just go to the cashier with your seapass and ask for the cash? The OBC was given for prebooking a cruise while we were still on a cruise.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

The Casino option is interesting, anyone know how, do you just go to the cashier with your seapass and ask for the cash? The OBC was given for prebooking a cruise while we were still on a cruise.

 

Yep. That's what I did a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to have a little cash for post-cruise, so when I booked onboard, I had the credit applied to that cruise. I then went to the casino and requested $100 case. Since I had my account set up as cash (I had to tell the casino girl) there was no fee - if your account is set up with a credit card there is a fee (5%? maybe less...not sure). She swiped my card, had me sign a slip, and gave me the cash. Easy peasy.

[cruisenfever]

There are two types on On Board Credit:

 

a. non-refundable (given by cruiseline for pre-booked cruises or for other reason, if not used vanishes; and

b. Refundable credit, this is what you get from Cruise Agents (sometimes), when you purchase OBC yourself, or others buy Bon Voyage give packages (newlyweds get this a lot). You will get what you don't spend back on your CC.

Non-Refundable OBC depends on the ship as to whether you use it or lose it. On our recent Liberty Cruise we had less than $2.00 of our OBC from RCI and it was refunded back to our RCI credit card.

 

Refundable also includes OBC from redeeming Visa Points. Anything refundable can also be withdrawn in cash from Guest Services the day prior to debarkation.

[CrusinNana]

Non-Refundable OBC depends on the ship as to whether you use it or lose it. On our recent Liberty Cruise we had less than $2.00 of our OBC from RCI and it was refunded back to our RCI credit card.

 

Refundable also includes OBC from redeeming Visa Points. Anything refundable can also be withdrawn in cash from Guest Services the day prior to debarkation.

 

Do you have to wait until the day before debarkation to withdraw refundable OBC or can it be withdrawn anytime during the cruise (at Guest Services) ?

[Clarea]

Do you have to wait until the day before debarkation to withdraw refundable OBC or can it be withdrawn anytime during the cruise (at Guest Services) ?

You have to wait until the last day. Some ships make you wait until the last evening.

[CrusinNana]

You have to wait until the last day. Some ships make you wait until the last evening.

 

Thank you Bob :)

[OnTheJourney]

Or you could just, as an act of generosity to RCCL - who has given you such great moments over the years - simply donate your credit back to them..... :) (Sorry, I had to get back at you for that comment about the Lehigh Valley Zoo...) Bet you hijack Dennis's threads too.....LOL Just kidding.

[tinkertwo]

if you have both non refundable, say rccl gives you and you have put some on yourself would it be safe to assume that the non refundable would be used first on your purchases or do you need to tell them at time of purchase?

[goodycruising]

We go to the gift shop and buy some t-shirts with any small balance left on the last day. Usually use the rest for speciality dining and coffees, and the odd drink or two.

[Clarea]

if you have both non refundable, say rccl gives you and you have put some on yourself would it be safe to assume that the non refundable would be used first on your purchases or do you need to tell them at time of purchase?

They are automatically supposed to use non-refundable OBC first.

[dorisis]

On our next RC cruise we have paid our gratuities with final payment. We will have $100 OBC and I think we will use it in a specialty restaurant.

[tinkertwo]

They are automatically supposed to use non-refundable OBC first.

 

thank you