Don't buy Apple products onboard!

[maggipie]

Thank you all for your helpful comments!

 

I agree that it didn't seem consumer friendly for the warranty to have expired well before the computer even saw the light of day, but she was very insistent so I slunk away. Buoyed by everyone's advice, I returned today (the Apple Store is only 10 minutes away), and spoke with a manager who could not confirm that Celebrity was an authorized reseller (😖) and told me again the MacBook Pro I bought was showing originally purchased 1/15/2020 in their system, so definitely out of warranty, despite my physical receipt showing purchase date this June.

 

But, you all are right, it's painful to be dinged $700 for a 3 year old MacBook, so thanks graphicguy, I called Apple Support and discovered the folks on the phone were much more knowledgeable than those in the store (guess face to face is not always better); they did not question Celebrity's reseller status, and updated the purchase date after reviewing a picture of my receipt. So now the repair should be under warranty, which is much easier than going after Celebrity (and I had definitely intended to do that!).

 

My NR OBC was a several thousand dollar windfall; there was a significant fare decrease just after final payment along with a fortuitous cancellation in the cabin category we booked, so I feel this was truly a gratis laptop, a reward for me checking that one lucky day. (And I have a same year MacBook Air, thought I'd try out a bigger screen.)

 

So warranty info relayed to me at the Apple Store was indeed wrong, thanks everyone for that correction, though probably still wiser to spend NR OBC elsewhere, unless the hassle of possibly needing to have an older device repaired doesn't faze you!

[mahdnc]

Glad it worked out! Thanks for sharing your follow up story. Persistence pays off. 

[mayleeman]

The best things in life are (equivalent to) free (provided you have the patience to get them fixed)!

[Stem to Stern]

I think I will stick with jewelry and excursions going forward.  Although my iPad mini purchased on board in January 2016 using OBC is still serving me well.  Although sometimes my iPad thinks I am British or located in the UK?  Not sure why.

[Charles4515]

18 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

It is difficult to believe the OP purchased a computer and then did not turn it on and have it set up in the computer store onboard.   I have never purchased electronics anywhere where I have not check to see the item was usable.

 

I usually buy online and have it delivered.But that has not been an issue with places like Amazon, Apple or Best Buy. Easy returns. Buying at an actual Apple Store they will help you transfer from an old compute, Mac or Windows.  I know that the Celebrity iLounge used to open the box and set it up, show how to use. That was supposed to be one of the features of buying onboard. Pre Covid they used to keep the stock relatively up to date. That seems to have gone by the wayside. 

[Arizona Wildcat]

On 6/14/2022 at 6:27 AM, Homestyle said:

Did you pay the balance with a credit card? I would speak to them and do a charge back claim. My AMEC card also includes a purchase guarantee, they will replace within three months for a new one. 

Great idea but sadly only applies with a direct purchase.  Buying on board things are more complicated with OBC.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Well, so far, I've had good luck with buying iPads on board with OBC.  Just purchased my second one on board the Summit in April.  I did have them open the box, charge it up, and verify that it was working.

[PTC DAWG]

Good work by OP..enjoy the MacBook

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Well, so far, I've had good luck with buying iPads on board with OBC.  Just purchased my second one on board the Summit in April.  I did have them open the box, charge it up, and verify that it was working.

iPads are the safest Apple product to buy with OBC. Even an older model.They have a lot of extra horsepower.  If they get M1 Macbooks in stock those will be pretty safe to buy too. Plenty of extra horsepower. The intel MacBooks they still have in stock are a bad buy. None should buy those..

[LeafsFanNL]

I'll have to agree with Charles.  No one should be buying any Mac with intel chips in them in 2022.  I have a  2021 M1 MacBook Air.  The thing is lightning fast, gets great battery life, and runs so cool it doesn't have a fan.

 

I am on the July 2nd sailing of the Beyond.  I'm interested in seeing if they have have newer stock, as it is a new ship.  Specifically, I'll be looking for an iPad Mini 6.  I'll post to let you folks what I see

 

[graphicguy]

On 6/14/2022 at 11:52 PM, maggipie said:

Thank you all for your helpful comments!

 

I agree that it didn't seem consumer friendly for the warranty to have expired well before the computer even saw the light of day, but she was very insistent so I slunk away. Buoyed by everyone's advice, I returned today (the Apple Store is only 10 minutes away), and spoke with a manager who could not confirm that Celebrity was an authorized reseller (😖) and told me again the MacBook Pro I bought was showing originally purchased 1/15/2020 in their system, so definitely out of warranty, despite my physical receipt showing purchase date this June.

 

But, you all are right, it's painful to be dinged $700 for a 3 year old MacBook, so thanks graphicguy, I called Apple Support and discovered the folks on the phone were much more knowledgeable than those in the store (guess face to face is not always better); they did not question Celebrity's reseller status, and updated the purchase date after reviewing a picture of my receipt. So now the repair should be under warranty, which is much easier than going after Celebrity (and I had definitely intended to do that!).

 

My NR OBC was a several thousand dollar windfall; there was a significant fare decrease just after final payment along with a fortuitous cancellation in the cabin category we booked, so I feel this was truly a gratis laptop, a reward for me checking that one lucky day. (And I have a same year MacBook Air, thought I'd try out a bigger screen.)

 

So warranty info relayed to me at the Apple Store was indeed wrong, thanks everyone for that correction, though probably still wiser to spend NR OBC elsewhere, unless the hassle of possibly needing to have an older device repaired doesn't faze you!

My pleasure.  Glad it worked out.

 

Hard to understand why the Apple Stores don’t have access to the same information as the Apple Phone Support line, especially given they’re a tech company.  But, apparently that’s the case, unfortunately.

 

I had a windfall OBC last year on a huge price reduction.  It’s non-refundable.  So, you either use it or lose it.

 

I bought the GF some jewelry, which is always way overpriced in my estimation.  She liked the jewelry, and that’s all that really matters.

 

You got something you wanted.  And, if you hadn’t used the OBC, it would have gone away.  Plus, if you took it to the casino, you ran the risk of losing all of it, and getting nothing in return.  

 

Enjoy your MacBook.  Even the previous gens are real powerhouses, and probably way more than the vast majority of us will ever use.