Any way to withdraw OBC?

[zap99]

1 minute ago, jeanlyon said:

Well not really, as I had waited until I got home to book, it would have been the same price just without that OBC

DW is a bit like you Jean. It isn't real Money so a few purchases in the Radley shop are OK.

[jeanlyon]

9 minutes ago, zap99 said:

DW is a bit like you Jean. It isn't real Money so a few purchases in the Radley shop are OK.

We just drink ours!!

[Cumbrian1]

We were on Arvia Transatlantic and my wife kept an eye on the cost of the perfume she uses, Chanel No.5.

 

We were told by others that it would be discounted on the last 2 days....

 

Sure enough, although not physically discounted, by using our OBC to buy two bottles of Chanel, we were given a voucher that had to be spent there and then on any other perfume. We used the voucher to buy our daughter a big bottle of her favourite perfume, Angel.

 

We checked online beforehand for current UK high street prices for the same perfumes and Arvia's prices were roughly the same.

 

 

[Josy1953]

4 minutes ago, zap99 said:

DW is a bit like you Jean. It isn't real Money so a few purchases in the Radley shop are OK.

I'm with your wife, the Radley shop is a good way to get rid of onboard credit.  I have a great-niece who I have been training as Radley bag fan since I bought her one when she was 7.  A few weeks ago on the way home from school she told me that we had a  special connection through Radley bags.

[purplesea]

With our upcoming cruise we are flying out from Bristol which normally has an additional charge of £50pp (which was not applicable when we booked) and additional OBC. The price a few weeks later was more with less OBC and the additional fee for flying from a regional airport! It's swings and roundabouts, but we struck it lucky this time😄

[amurray88]

14 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

So you haven't fha

So you haven't had any drinks, alcoholic or soft and no coffee?

Will give fuller report when we're back but the general feel around the ship I would say is 90% of people are drinking water at dinner, very few people drinking during the day.

 

We are now at £130 left after Sindhu. We've visited Costa once, and bought 2 glasses of wine and 2 beers. Don't plan to buy much more to be fair... We're not big drinkers but it also just doesn't seem to be the thing to do in comparison to our RCCL cruises or the likes of MSC/NCL where alot more people have packages.

[amurray88]

12 hours ago, david63 said:

You didn't "get" anything - you paid for it as part of the price

In fairness, we are in a slightly different "boat" as we got the OBC for the hassle we had with my son rather than with Select fare (we're saver fare) 👌 so it kind of is free money, but let me assure you, i had to work for it...and i certainly would have had rathered no issues and no credit 

[CarlaMarie]

1 hour ago, amurray88 said:

Will give fuller report when we're back but the general feel around the ship I would say is 90% of people are drinking water at dinner, very few people drinking during the day.

 

We are now at £130 left after Sindhu. We've visited Costa once, and bought 2 glasses of wine and 2 beers. Don't plan to buy much more to be fair... We're not big drinkers but it also just doesn't seem to be the thing to do in comparison to our RCCL cruises or the likes of MSC/NCL where alot more people have packages.

 

Did you take soft drinks on with you as well when you boarded?

 

They do sell mocktails and other non - alcoholic drinks you can try. Plus there are ice creams as well you can purchase, or room service etc... 

 

I am amazed so few are having wine or similar with their dinner.

[jeanlyon]

1 hour ago, CarlaMarie said:

 

Did you take soft drinks on with you as well when you boarded?

 

They do sell mocktails and other non - alcoholic drinks you can try. Plus there are ice creams as well you can purchase, or room service etc... 

 

I am amazed so few are having wine or similar with their dinner.

Certainly wasn't like that on Aurora in October.  Everybody seemed to be drinking during the day, which we don't and certainly the bars were full in the evenings.  We had a table for 8 an everyone on the table was drinking wine.

[amurray88]

1 hour ago, CarlaMarie said:

 

Did you take soft drinks on with you as well when you boarded?

 

They do sell mocktails and other non - alcoholic drinks you can try. Plus there are ice creams as well you can purchase, or room service etc... 

 

I am amazed so few are having wine or similar with their dinner.

We didn't take soft drinks... Water at meal times which is fine, and generally everyone is sitting by the pool without a drink and at dinner having water and tea/coffee. 

Having been with different lines previously they normally have a lot of waiters going round pools asking drinks - I've not been asked, or seen anyone being asked, if they want a drink by a waiter...indeed, I've not seen a single waiter apart from behind the bar in the pool areas. Again, we're fine with it but just surprising as they must be missing out on £££'s surely?

[jeanlyon]

32 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

We didn't take soft drinks... Water at meal times which is fine, and generally everyone is sitting by the pool without a drink and at dinner having water and tea/coffee. 

Having been with different lines previously they normally have a lot of waiters going round pools asking drinks - I've not been asked, or seen anyone being asked, if they want a drink by a waiter...indeed, I've not seen a single waiter apart from behind the bar in the pool areas. Again, we're fine with it but just surprising as they must be missing out on £££'s surely?

What ship was this on, because they were coming round all the time at the pools on Aurora.

[Thedonkeycentrehalf]

I don't drink alcohol these days and Mrs DCH doesn't drink much either.  We were impressed with the range and quality of non-alcoholic cocktails on Ventura last year but they are very sweet so there are only so many you can drink in one evening.  Neither of us drink coffee so Costa is not really an option and I like to take my own teabags on board since they switched to the weak and woeful Tetley on board.

 

With more people not drinking as much these days, you have to be a bit more creative using OBC.  For our upcoming Britannia cruise, we plan to use some of our OBC for excursions (depending on availability), a bit of sea day wifi and specialist dining.

[amajaa]

On 1/8/2024 at 6:14 PM, Dobbers said:

 

Are they saying that if you have some gift credit you have to spend it before you get your loyalty discount or that you still get loyalty discount when spending it?  The latter is the fair option surely

[Bill Y]

6 minutes ago, amajaa said:

 

Are they saying that if you have some gift credit you have to spend it before you get your loyalty discount or that you still get loyalty discount when spending it?  The latter is the fair option surely

My understanding regarding loyalty (Peninsular club) discount is, if you buy anything before boarding the discount is deducted but any purchases on board are added to your onboard account and the loyalty discount only kicks in once your On Board Credit is exhausted.

[tring]

52 minutes ago, amajaa said:

 

Are they saying that if you have some gift credit you have to spend it before you get your loyalty discount or that you still get loyalty discount when spending it?  The latter is the fair option surely

 

I agree with the previous poster.  If you have obc then you will not get a Peninsular discount for your onboard account until that obc has been used.  Pre cruise purchases do not come out of your onboard account, so discount is given, if applicable to you.

 

Makes sense to me as it is a set amount of obc given, which is what you then have to spend.

[CarlaMarie]

7 hours ago, amurray88 said:

We didn't take soft drinks... Water at meal times which is fine, and generally everyone is sitting by the pool without a drink and at dinner having water and tea/coffee. 

Having been with different lines previously they normally have a lot of waiters going round pools asking drinks - I've not been asked, or seen anyone being asked, if they want a drink by a waiter...indeed, I've not seen a single waiter apart from behind the bar in the pool areas. Again, we're fine with it but just surprising as they must be missing out on £££'s surely?

 

Sounds like a relaxing cruise! 

 

I have heard that on the bigger ships the bar waiters are not always able to go round so much as they are very busy, so some passengers have been queueing at the bar to place an order. Again this is dependent on the demographic and type of cruise that  Iona/Arvia is taking. 

 

I am surprised that you haven't seen the waiters walking around much on your cruise too. 

[amajaa]

16 hours ago, Bill Y said:

My understanding regarding loyalty (Peninsular club) discount is, if you buy anything before boarding the discount is deducted but any purchases on board are added to your onboard account and the loyalty discount only kicks in once your On Board Credit is exhausted.

 

Yes I know that thanks but the post was about Gift Credit which I assumed was if someone gave you a gift of some onboard credit, the screen shot implied you didn't get your loyalty discount until you had used up the Gift Credit which surely can't be right as a gift of some credit is just like putting cash on our account. 

[amajaa]

15 hours ago, tring said:

 

I agree with the previous poster.  If you have obc then you will not get a Peninsular discount for your onboard account until that obc has been used.  Pre cruise purchases do not come out of your onboard account, so discount is given, if applicable to you.

 

Makes sense to me as it is a set amount of obc given, which is what you then have to spend.

 

As above explanation . My post was about the last paragraph of the screen shot ref Gift Credit.

Edited January 11 by amajaa

[Bill Y]

15 minutes ago, amajaa said:

 

Yes I know that thanks but the post was about Gift Credit which I assumed was if someone gave you a gift of some onboard credit, the screen shot implied you didn't get your loyalty discount until you had used up the Gift Credit which surely can't be right as a gift of some credit is just like putting cash on our account. 

I assume that on board credit is credit no matter who applied it, P&O, TA, or someone buying it for you. This is bourne out by the example in post #38 screen shot. I must admit that I had not noticed the term "Gift" before, maybe its been added to stress that it's credit with no monetary value so use it or lose it. Other may shed more light on this concept.

,

[terrierjohn]

7 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

I assume that on board credit is credit no matter who applied it, P&O, TA, or someone buying it for you. This is bourne out by the example in post #38 screen shot. I must admit that I had not noticed the term "Gift" before, maybe its been added to stress that it's credit with no monetary value so use it or lose it. Other may shed more light on this concept.

,

If P&O operate similar to Princess, then gift OBC should be refundable, and the non refundable is used up first, and any left refunded to your registered card.

[yorkshirephil]

56 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

I assume that on board credit is credit no matter who applied it, P&O, TA, or someone buying it for you. This is bourne out by the example in post #38 screen shot. I must admit that I had not noticed the term "Gift" before, maybe its been added to stress that it's credit with no monetary value so use it or lose it. Other may shed more light on this concept.

,

This is what I found on the web site, however on past experience it may say something different elsewhere😉

 

Gift collection Terms and conditions All items featured in the Gift Collection are available to purchase either prior to or during the cruise. Please note that P&O Cruises do not issue confirmation of gift orders – your bank statement is proof of purchase. All prices are subject to change. In the event that an item is unavailable or temporarily out of stock, the item may be substituted at P&O Cruises discretion. Please note that the items purchased may not be refunded or exchanged for another item, or for on-board credit. Gifts may differ from the pictures shown in the brochure. In respect to gifts that include alcohol, the recipients must be over 18 years of age. Gift Credit Credits are only valid for the cruise specified on the Gift Card and can only be used by the named recipient. Credit to the specified amount will be made to the recipient’s on-board account. Gift credits can be used against any items featured within our gift collection as well as purchases made in the shops, florist, photo gallery, Oasis Spa, bars or shore excursions. Once the credit has been applied to your account, each transaction made thereafter will reduce your credit accordingly. You can check your personal on-board account at any time by visiting the Reception Desk. Once the full value of the Credit has been redeemed, your on-board account will function as normal and you will be required to settle this account at the end of the cruise. Credits are non-refundable on board and there is no cash alternative. If a refund is required this will be done directly to the card used to make the original purchase. Credits cannot be used against purchases in the medical department, for foreign exchange, on charitable donations or towards future cruise sales. P&O Cruises Peninsular Club discount does not apply to shore side purchases from the Gift Collection or to purchases of Gift Credit. Gift Vouchers In some instances you will receive a Gift Voucher to exchange for your gift. These Gift Vouchers can only be redeemed whilst travelling on the cruise specified on the voucher and can only be used by the named recipient. Please contact the respective service to arrange redemption of your gift. Due to popular demand we recommend that you book early. Use of the Gift Voucher is subject to availability. Upon redeeming your gift, Gift Vouchers must be relinquished. Gift Vouchers are nonrefundable and there is no cash alternative available

[tring]

2 hours ago, amajaa said:

 

As above explanation . My post was about the last paragraph of the screen shot ref Gift Credit.

 

Yes, but that said only £100 would be eligible for the discount on a total account balance of £150, which includes a £50 gift.  That is clear to me and is what is said in the shot on your posting.  You could always email or ring P&O if you have a different idea of what is said, or you think it may be wrong.

 

Sounds better for someone to give you the cash, rather than have it added to your onboard account imo.

  

 

[amurray88]

19 hours ago, CarlaMarie said:

 

Sounds like a relaxing cruise! 

 

I have heard that on the bigger ships the bar waiters are not always able to go round so much as they are very busy, so some passengers have been queueing at the bar to place an order. Again this is dependent on the demographic and type of cruise that  Iona/Arvia is taking. 

 

I am surprised that you haven't seen the waiters walking around much on your cruise too. 

I've enjoyed that side... Compared to other cruise lines it certainly doesn't seem like there's alot of up selling ... Or general pushiness to purchase things.

 

The tea/coffee in dining room and buffet is of a good standard (other lines can have horrible coffee and so you feel compelled to buy better), the food in the restaurant is pretty good (admittedly not as good as cruising used to be but that's across the board now). 

 

I'm surprised they're owned by Carnival given the laid back approach to people spending money.😂

[bobstheboy]

On Azura and along wth many others enjoying a glass of wine in the restaurants. The shops are devious, with OBC, my wife asked in every shop about vouchers at the end of the cruise, they all told her, no vouchers. Bought a Tissot watch on second day and again told no discount or vouchers at any time. Learnt yesterday that vouchers will be issued and must be spent same day. Sought out shop manager, given the usual rubbish that the staff do not know when and if vouchers will be issued.  Outcome is my wife will be given a voucher, not sure which evening, we will keep checking every day. This is a gesture of good will !!!

[sandancer]

On 1/9/2024 at 2:24 PM, david63 said:

These last few comments just go to show that OBC works in the favour of the cruise line rather than the passenger. The point is that the majority of OBC is your own money so when you buy something to use it up you are in effect buying something just for the sake of buying it.

 

Much rather that the price was reduced in the first place or that P&O do as Princess do and have refundable and non refundable OBC - that way if you don't have to spend it all.

The only way Princess would let us have our refundable OBC back was by a cheque (in dollars) within 14 days. At that time you could do the casino deposit/play a little/cash out, but I understand that, like P&O you can no longer get cash this way. You cannot use OBC for casino spend on P&O.