How can we use OBC to book spa services pre cruise?

[terrydtx]

We have $300 OBC from a HAL promo when we booked in 2020 for our Oosterdam cruise in August. My wife wants to book a spa service before we board but there is no way we can find to book the spa service pre cruise, with the OBC. The HAL web site wants CC to pay for the purchase.

 

Thanks for any help

[RobTheGob]

I've never come across a way to do this. You either pay with a CC before the cruise or wait and book on the ship with the OBC.

 

I also wish this was an option - but I don't think so...

[Mary229]

Onboard is onboard.  There is no way to use it ahead of time.  I am not sure of the rationale 

[terrydtx]

27 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Onboard is onboard.  There is no way to use it ahead of time.  I am not sure of the rationale 

We normally book suites on Celebrity and get $800 to $1200 in OBC for booking them, which can all be spent on excursions and any shore excursions or ship services like the spa and specialty restaurants pre cruise. On Celebrity the OBC shows in our online account like a back account. So disappointed in HAL policies and our August cruise will be most likely our last, we only booked it to use up FCC from a canceled 2021 Greek cruise. We have 5 future cruises booked in suites with Celebrity.

[john2003]

I believe you can call Ship Services three days before the cruise. I gather this works for Shore Excursions so don't see why it wouldn't be similar for the spa.

Edited March 13, 2022 by john2003
Added info

[Caribbean Chris]

I think it’s a step in the right direction that HAL has set up pre-reservation via credits designated to be used for dining and shore excursions with the Have it All promo. It worked well when I used it.
 

I’m hoping that leads to using any OBC for pre-booking things such as spa.

[syr fan]

Well that explains why I can't book excursions ahead of time, but my drinks and gratuities are prepaid, what can I use the OBC for? Can I use it in the casino?

[Mary229]

14 minutes ago, syr fan said:

Well that explains why I can't book excursions ahead of time, but my drinks and gratuities are prepaid, what can I use the OBC for? Can I use it in the casino?

Once onboard you can use your OBC.   Until then you just have to wait.  

[terrydtx]

15 minutes ago, syr fan said:

Well that explains why I can't book excursions ahead of time, but my drinks and gratuities are prepaid, what can I use the OBC for? Can I use it in the casino?

Good question, I guess you can only use it on products and services or items in the stores once we board. My wife prebooked a spa service now with our CC so our OBC may be used for bottles of wine at dinner. Our shore excursions are also pre booked with the CC. Not happy with HAL at all.

[DaveOKC]

1 hour ago, syr fan said:

Well that explains why I can't book excursions ahead of time, but my drinks and gratuities are prepaid, what can I use the OBC for? Can I use it in the casino?

Technically NO.  It often will say this on your Onboard account.  HOWEVER, on some ships they do not catch this and it goes through.  Typical HAL, it varies from ship to ship.

[VermeulT]

4 hours ago, syr fan said:

Well that explains why I can't book excursions ahead of time, but my drinks and gratuities are prepaid, what can I use the OBC for? Can I use it in the casino?

once on board you can check with the shore excursion desk and they can cancel your reservation made with the CC and rebook you using OBC.

[DaveOKC]

1 minute ago, VermeulT said:

once on board you can check with the shore excursion desk and they can cancel your reservation made with the CC and rebook you using OBC.

Be careful though - if the excursion is waitlisted, this might not work or you might not be able to get the time you want.

 

[Sea42]

1 minute ago, VermeulT said:

once on board you can check with the shore excursion desk and they can cancel your reservation made with the CC and rebook you using OBC.

Yep, this can be done with spa appointments also.

[Florida_gal_50]

6 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Good question, I guess you can only use it on products and services or items in the stores once we board. My wife prebooked a spa service now with our CC so our OBC may be used for bottles of wine at dinner. Our shore excursions are also pre booked with the CC. Not happy with HAL at all.

Hal needs to stop using 5 year olds as computer people.  I’ve had error after error on the koningsdam on my account.  It’s like whack a mole.  Fixing this is now my full time job,

[zgscl]

13 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Good question, I guess you can only use it on products and services or items in the stores once we board. My wife prebooked a spa service now with our CC so our OBC may be used for bottles of wine at dinner. Our shore excursions are also pre booked with the CC. Not happy with HAL at all.

You should be able to wait to book spa services onboard. I have never had an issue getting an appointment unless you need it at a really specific time. 

[zgscl]

9 hours ago, Sea42 said:

Yep, this can be done with spa appointments also.

This is good to know...I might just have to do that with my dining reservations. Hopefully they will one day figure out how to make the OBC available in advance or just take reservations and not charge until onboard. 

[terrydtx]

5 hours ago, zgscl said:

This is good to know...I might just have to do that with my dining reservations. Hopefully they will one day figure out how to make the OBC available in advance or just take reservations and not charge until onboard. 

I do not think it has anything to do with having a system that will allow this, it might be more they want to make it harder to use any OBC you get.

[Alberta Quilter]

As John2003 mentioned, there is a way to book shore excursions 3 days in advance using OBC by calling in.  I know because I've done it (before Covid).  I don't see why one couldn't do the same with spa or specialty dining.  Just call in to Ship Services and book it over the phone.  If it works like the shore excursions, the charges will show on your account (after your OBC credits).