On Board Credits - Can We Use it to Tip Individual Staff?

[Cahpek]

We realise that on-board credits can be used to off-set gratuities on a cruise,

but if we like and appreciate the service of a particular staff, eg stateroom steward/stewardess/chamberlady, etc., can we also use some of the OBC to tip him/her as (additional) gratuity?

 

Does anyone know the answer to that?

Edited August 25, 2016 by Cahpek

[mountain grandma]

We had the very same idea and tried to do it on our recent Riviera Cruise in July but the front desk said no. It's too bad because many people that have a lot of OBC would love to spend it this way and the staff would benefit.

 

Billie

[PaulMCO]

You could try to donate this to the Crew Fund...

[LHT28]

You could try to donate this to the Crew Fund...

No to that option also ..I tried :D

[LHT28]

You could try to donate this to the Crew Fund...

 

I should clarify my previous answer

If it is a Non refundable OBC you cannot assign it to crew members or the crew fund ..it is use it or lose it

 

If it is refundable OBC then you can do what you want with it

[RJB]

We had the very same idea and tried to do it on our recent Riviera Cruise in July but the front desk said no. It's too bad because many people that have a lot of OBC would love to spend it this way and the staff would benefit.

 

Billie

Same with us in July. Tried to give our Butler and cabin staff extra but could only do it in cash. Which we did. Too bad because we would have given a lot more if we could have used OBC for them. Just had to spend it on shirts and stuff we did not really need. Too bad since i think the crew could have used it more than us getting a bunch of extra stuff. :confused::confused::confused:

[simplelife]

Download OBC to your casino account and then cash out. You can then use the cash to tip or do whatever you wish.

 

 

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Edited August 27, 2016 by simplelife

[LHT28]

Download OBC to your casino account and then cash out. You can then use the cash to tip or do whatever you wish.

 

 

 

Have you done this on Oceania :confused:

curious minds want to know

[RJB]

Have you done this on Oceania :confused:

curious minds want to know

Do not think they will let you do this with non-refundable OBC

[Wol]

Same with us in July. Tried to give our Butler and cabin staff extra but could only do it in cash. Which we did. Too bad because we would have given a lot more if we could have used OBC for them. Just had to spend it on shirts and stuff we did not really need. Too bad since i think the crew could have used it more than us getting a bunch of extra stuff. :confused::confused::confused:

 

We were left with $1500 unspent OBC on a recent cruise and they did allow us to put it into the crew fund.

[Cahpek]

We were left with $1500 unspent OBC on a recent cruise and they did allow us to put it into the crew fund.

 

Being allowed to put it in the crew fund is different from being able to put it to tip an individual staff you choose to give.

 

A crew fund is similar to gratuities, you can use any part of the OBC you for gratuities, so the fact that you put your unspent OBC for the crew fund, it is just like "topping up" the gratuities. So it is not a surprise they allowed you to do so.

 

My initial question was ,would Oceania allow passengers to contribute unspent OBC to individual named staff - contributing to the crew fund, in my view, is something quite a different matter.

[RJB]

Being allowed to put it in the crew fund is different from being able to put it to tip an individual staff you choose to give.

 

A crew fund is similar to gratuities, you can use any part of the OBC you for gratuities, so the fact that you put your unspent OBC for the crew fund, it is just like "topping up" the gratuities. So it is not a surprise they allowed you to do so.

 

My initial question was ,would Oceania allow passengers to contribute unspent OBC to individual named staff - contributing to the crew fund, in my view, is something quite a different matter.

We could not direct the additional money where we wanted it to go. We had to give extra gratuities in cash to those we wanted to get it. This was over and above the tipping that Oceania charged to our account.

[JimandStan]

We could not direct the additional money where we wanted it to go. We had to give extra gratuities in cash to those we wanted to get it. This was over and above the tipping that Oceania charged to our account.

 

Yes, well as with most other promotional benefits (frequent flier miles come to mind), one is playing with their marbles, so their rules apply.

 

Frankly, I can see their point almost immediately; tipping would involve a dollar for dollar transfer of the funds to the staff member.

 

When services or goods are purchased, the OBC is assuaged by the mark up.

[RJB]

Yes, well as with most other promotional benefits (frequent flier miles come to mind), one is playing with their marbles, so their rules apply.

 

Frankly, I can see their point almost immediately; tipping would involve a dollar for dollar transfer of the funds to the staff member.

 

When services or goods are purchased, the OBC is assuaged by the mark up.

Yes, I can see your point about the markup but how would giving the extra OBC to the crew fund get around the markup issue? I do not know how the crew fund works, but do they not give this in cash to the crew? I know it is their ball and they can do what they thinks works best for them. Most of the time what works best for them also works great for us. Our number one cruise line. :):):)

[SuzyQ214]

Can the regular daily gratuities be applied against either type of OBC (refundable or non-refundable)?

 

How can you tell which type you have? My receipt from Oceania only lists it as "OLIFE Choice $xxx Shipboard Credit Per Person"

[JimandStan]

Yes, I can see your point about the markup but how would giving the extra OBC to the crew fund get around the markup issue? I do not know how the crew fund works, but do they not give this in cash to the crew? I know it is their ball and they can do what they thinks works best for them. Most of the time what works best for them also works great for us. Our number one cruise line. :):):)

 

Let me phrase this another way:

 

If the Cruise line grants you $100 in Onboard Credit and you use it to buy two polo shirts in the gift shop @ $50 each, they are only actually out of pocket for whatever it cost them to buy those shirts from the manufacturer. Forever after, you will look upon those two "fifty dollar" shirts as having been "free", so Oceania purchased $100 worth of good will from you for the manufacturers cost of those garments. That amounts to a win-win-win situation. (You got free stuff, the manufacturer sold 2 more shirts, Oceania gained good will at a discount).

 

If they allowed you to tip with that money, they would actually have to give the staff member that $100.

In that case, it is a win for you and the staff member, but a wash for Oceania.

Edited August 31, 2016 by JimandStan

[JimandStan]

Can the regular daily gratuities be applied against either type of OBC (refundable or non-refundable)?

 

How can you tell which type you have? My receipt from Oceania only lists it as "OLIFE Choice $xxx Shipboard Credit Per Person"

 

Promotional OBC= Non refundable OBC.

In order to receive a Refundable Credit, cash would need to have passed to Oceania at some point.

 

And yes, the "Standard Daily Gratuity Charges" may be paid with either type of OBC.

Edited August 31, 2016 by JimandStan

[RJB]

Let me phrase this another way:

 

If the Cruise line grants you $100 in Onboard Credit and you use it to buy two polo shirts in the gift shop @ $50 each, they are only actually out of pocket for whatever it cost them to buy those shirts from the manufacturer. Forever after, you will look upon those two "fifty dollar" shirts as having been "free", so Oceania purchased $100 worth of good will from you for the manufacturers cost of those garments. That amounts to a win-win-win situation. (You got free stuff, the manufacturer sold 2 more shirts, Oceania gained good will at a discount).

 

If they allowed you to tip with that money, they would actually have to give the staff member that $100.

In that case, it is a win for you and the staff member, but a wash for Oceania.

I understand you completely, but if I am allowed to give that extra OBC to the crew fund then what do they do with that. Do they give it to the crew in cash? If not how does the crew benefit from that fund ? I just do not understand that part of it. P.S. Oceania is also purchasing good will from us by just being a wonderful cruise line to sail on. They do not need to do more than they are doing now. Just want the crew to get some extra when we can give it to them.

[LHT28]

I understand you completely, but if I am allowed to give that extra OBC to the crew fund then what do they do with that. Do they give it to the crew in cash? If not how does the crew benefit from that fund ? I just do not understand that part of it.

When I asked to donate my unused non refundable OBC to the crew fund the purser said NO

 

I do not think they have a crew fund that passengers can donate to

 

Some lines do & usually used for parties, bereavement of crew family etc...

Maybe ask Oceania

[JimandStan]

I understand you completely, but if I am allowed to give that extra OBC to the crew fund then what do they do with that. Do they give it to the crew in cash? If not how does the crew benefit from that fund ? I just do not understand that part of it. P.S. Oceania is also purchasing good will from us by just being a wonderful cruise line to sail on. They do not need to do more than they are doing now. Just want the crew to get some extra when we can give it to them.

 

The "Crew Fund" is basically a Benevolent Society set up for and by the crew members. They do the typical things that you might expect for a population of people who spend their working lives away from home.

 

Giving free Skype privileges to a Bartender who had not yet seen his newborn child is one example that I have seen them enact, personally.

His coworkers covered extra shifts so that there was more time to watch the baby.

Edited September 1, 2016 by JimandStan

[RJB]

The "Crew Fund" is basically a Benevolent Society set up for and by the crew members. They do the typical things that you might expect for a population of people who spend their working lives away from home.

 

Giving free Skype privileges to a Bartender who had not yet seen his newborn child is one example that I have seen them enact, personally.

His coworkers covered extra shifts so that there was more time to watch the baby.

Looks like we have all the answers that we need. Thank you for giving us this information so we know exactly what the crew fund is. Helpful. :):)

[Aquamoreen]

We bought euros our last cruise and I'm pretty sure the transaction went on the bill just as alcohol and spa charges did.

 

 

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[LHT28]

We bought euros our last cruise and I'm pretty sure the transaction went on the bill just as alcohol and spa charges did.

 

 

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it is not clear whether such transactions would be treated the same as alcohol & spa charges when you have an OBC

I would think it may not be taken off any non refundable OBC you have

hopefully someone has the correct answer

 

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/faq/

 

Can I exchange my money for local currency?

For European voyages, Euros may be purchased from reception. For destinations in Europe that do not utilize the Euro, along with Far East and China, South America and the Caribbean, we will endeavor to provide currency exchange services on board or provide the guest with information on currency exchange services available ashore. All foreign currency exchange transactions will be charged to the guest's on board account and a 5% transaction fee will be applied by Oceania Cruises.

Can I use my credit card to get a cash advance on the ship?

Cash advances are available at the reception desk. A daily limit of $500 per registered card can be billed to the guest's shipboard account. A 5% transaction fee will be applied to your account.

Can I cash a traveler’s check or personal check on the ship?

Traveler’s checks are cashed on board our ships. We do not charge a service fee for cashing the checks into US currency. A 5% transaction fee will be added to your on board account if require foreign currency. Personal checks are not accepted.

[Aquamoreen]

Our bill showed $1034.49 in charges (alcohol spa & currency). We had $528.50 in credits ($250 NON refundable shipboard credit & 2 missed excursions cuz ship skipped port). The amount posted to our cc was $505.99. So I think it was allowed.

 

 

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[LHT28]

Our bill showed $1034.49 in charges (alcohol spa & currency). We had $528.50 in credits ($250 NON refundable shipboard credit & 2 missed excursions cuz ship skipped port). The amount posted to our cc was $505.99. So I think it was allowed.

 

What was allowed??

 

How much were the charges for alcohol & spa ??

I would think the $250 non ref would cover that & the balance would be deducted from the excursions refund

Then you would pay the difference with your CC ... probably the purchase of Euros