Onboard Credits

[GMIAC]

I'm currently shopping for deals on my first Regent Seven Seas cruise. Several of the Agents who've quoted have offered onboard credits. What can I use these on, and do I even need onboard credits on a line where just about everything is included?

[Pcardad]

30 minutes ago, GMIAC said:

I'm currently shopping for deals on my first Regent Seven Seas cruise. Several of the Agents who've quoted have offered onboard credits. What can I use these on, and do I even need onboard credits on a line where just about everything is included?

You can use them in the shop or in the spa or for higher end booze...but I would suggest shopping for top level service vs. amount of onboard credit kickback.

[GMIAC]

1 minute ago, Pcardad said:

You can use them in the shop or in the spa or for higher end booze...but I would suggest shopping for top level service vs. amount of onboard credit kickback.

Thanks. That was my gut reaction. 

 

How to determine top level service of an online Agent? The usual, i.e., years in service, positive online reviews, etc? (I may have just answered my question.)

[HotRoot]

Check to see if it is refundable.  We got an extremely large OBC.  We were able to take it in cash at the end of the cruise.

[Pcardad]

Ask around when you are onboard. Find a TA who travels on Regent extensively and has a high level SSS membership (they don't get credit for nights if they travel as a TA). They should have skin in the game as a client, not just as a TA.

 

Edited June 7, 2023 by Pcardad

[RELS]

2 hours ago, GMIAC said:

I'm currently shopping for deals on my first Regent Seven Seas cruise. Several of the Agents who've quoted have offered onboard credits. What can I use these on, and do I even need onboard credits on a line where just about everything is included?

 

You can also use them for cooking classes and to book the Regent Choice (pay) excursions.

[GMIAC]

I have an offer from an agency with has a $1,000 Regent-offered (use it onboard or lose it) credit. Could I use that for spa gratuities?

Edited June 7, 2023 by GMIAC

[Vertygo]

1 hour ago, GMIAC said:

I have an offer from an agency with has a $1,000 Regent-offered (use it onboard or lose it) credit. Could I use that for spa gratuities?

I’m in a similar “boat” as GMIAC as my prior TA recently retired, so scouting around. Planning 2025 family Alaska cruise with 3 cabins, new to Regent. Also received a $1K per cabin discount offer as a new Regent passenger, but TA sounded new to the industry & in questioning further, admitted she’s never cruised Regent, much less even been to Alaska. As much as I love to save $, insider knowledge is important to me for this trip & I’ll find someone else.

I did contact Regent this morning-phone answered quickly by Jorge who answered my questions & put me in line when booking opens for the 3 cabins I’d like so that gives me time to search for a knowledgeable TA.

[pappy1022]

21 hours ago, GMIAC said:

I have an offer from an agency with has a $1,000 Regent-offered (use it onboard or lose it) credit. Could I use that for spa gratuities?

I am also interested in whether you can use OBC’s for the spa gratuity which is automatically 20%. I know you can use it for the actual spa treatment. 

[cAPS lOCK oN]

36 minutes ago, pappy1022 said:

I am also interested in whether you can use OBC’s for the spa gratuity which is automatically 20%. I know you can use it for the actual spa treatment. 

Yes you can. The 20% gratuity is included in the price of the treatment and is not a separate line item.

 

[mj_holiday]

Can also use OBC for Bingo.  If you win you get cash credited to your account.

[GMIAC]

21 hours ago, cAPS lOCK oN said:

Yes you can. The 20% gratuity is included in the price of the treatment and is not a separate line item.

 

Are you sure? The Regent site says that gratuity will be added. Though I'm sure the Onboard Credit can be used toward it.

[cAPS lOCK oN]

1 hour ago, GMIAC said:

Are you sure? The Regent site says that gratuity will be added. Though I'm sure the Onboard Credit can be used toward it.

Yes, the listed price has the gratuity included.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Our TA used to give us a cash rebate, and now offers the alternative of a refundable onboard credit.  The latter is perfect, so if you want to go crazy having massages in the spa, the money is there; otherwise you can cash it out on the last day of the cruise.

[Kwaj girl]

5 hours ago, cAPS lOCK oN said:

Yes, the listed price has the gratuity included.

 

I don't believe that's the case since it became "Serene Spa..."

I had a pedicure recently on Navigator and the gratuity/service charge was added to the price posted on the sheet. And of course there's always the line on the receipt for "extra gratuity." 🙄

[GMIAC]

1 minute ago, Kwaj girl said:

 

I don't believe that's the case since it became "Serene Spa..."

I had a pedicure recently on Navigator and the gratuity/service charge was added to the price posted on the sheet. And of course there's always the line on the receipt for "extra gratuity." 🙄

That supports what I saw the other day on the website.

[taxare]

Sorry, I'm an accountant. so....On our recent cruise my wife had a massage. As Kwaj girl states they fully disclose the additional 20% service charge/gratuity to the brochure price listed for that particular treatment. On my statement (which I am looking at now) the charge is the combined amount. The OBC was applied to the combined amount.

[cAPS lOCK oN]

Interesting.. 3 in our group had massages and they all said they paid the brochure price. Maybe they were too relaxed after the treatment!

Edited June 10, 2023 by cAPS lOCK oN

[SHIP TRAVELER]

I am new to Regent so this is newbie question.  Can OBC be used in the casino on Regent?  We usually enjoy playing for "free" in the casino on other cruise lines.

[nfcu]

1 hour ago, SHIP TRAVELER said:

I am new to Regent so this is newbie question.  Can OBC be used in the casino on Regent?  We usually enjoy playing for "free" in the casino on other cruise lines.

What cruise line allows you to play for free in the casino with OBCs?

[wcsdkqh]

Actually, if it is a refundable OBC, then yes, you can obtain the cash and use it in the casino, otherwise, no.

[SHIP TRAVELER]

6 hours ago, nfcu said:

What cruise line allows you to play for free in the casino with OBCs?

On Celebrity you can use OBC (either kind) in the Casino by buying either slot play or table chips.

Of course you have to actually gamble through the chips or slot play as the chips/ slot play can't be cashed, only the winnings are cashable.  I consider all OBC free money, my accountant DH begs to differ and considers OBC when evaluating the the price of the cruise.

[edgee]

My TA offers a rebate check, usually about 8 to 10% of the cruise fare calculated with the air fare removed. Check comes about 3 weeks before embarkation. Much prefer over on board credit.

[Pcardad]

3 hours ago, edgee said:

My TA offers a rebate check, usually about 8 to 10% of the cruise fare calculated with the air fare removed. Check comes about 3 weeks before embarkation. Much prefer over on board credit.

Who doesn't love a big old kickback!

[edgee]

3 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

Who doesn't love a big old kickback!

No different than refundable OBC...only the mechanics of payment are less complicated.