A little help for the confused please

[regnig]

In all our years of sailing we've never faced the following situation and therefore I'm turning to you experts for an exact and accurate answer. My thanks in advance!

 

On our next cruise in March we will have shipboard credit (OBC) for our Future Cruise booking, credit from our TA (she such a great gal), and possibly (fingers crossed) a credit for the return of our fuel supplement charge. IF we do not use up all our OBCs will any or all of it returned to us and if so how? I just read the fine print on the bottom or the letter from the Future Cruise Sales rep that we got on our last sailing and I quote “This offer or any unused portion is not redeemable for cash and is available to new bookings only.”.

Does this means that the FC credit of $200 ($100 pp) is not refundable if all not spent? If so, which pot of credits (we will have 2 possibly 3) will they apply our shipboard charges to first?

 

If need be we’ll make certain we spend every last cent of credits but it would sure make for a more relaxing cruise if I didn’t have to bother checking our accounts on a daily basis to assure that happens.

 

Thanks again, Barb

[Pia1913]

In all our years of sailing we've never faced the following situation and therefore I'm turning to you experts for an exact and accurate answer. My thanks in advance!

 

On our next cruise in March we will have shipboard credit (OBC) for our Future Cruise booking, credit from our TA (she such a great gal), and possibly (fingers crossed) a credit for the return of our fuel supplement charge. IF we do not use up all our OBCs will any or all of it returned to us and if so how? I just read the fine print on the bottom or the letter from the Future Cruise Sales rep that we got on our last sailing and I quote “This offer or any unused portion is not redeemable for cash and is available to new bookings only.”.

Does this means that the FC credit of $200 ($100 pp) is not refundable if all not spent? If so, which pot of credits (we will have 2 possibly 3) will they apply our shipboard charges to first?

 

If need be we’ll make certain we spend every last cent of credits but it would sure make for a more relaxing cruise if I didn’t have to bother checking our accounts on a daily basis to assure that happens.

 

Thanks again, Barb

 

All credits will be lumped together; they will not differentiate which credit is from what source. Each day your expenditures will be deducted starting with the $10.50/PP/day for tips. At the end of the cruise they sometimes page you and return a credit balance to you in cash. Not always, so you can't count on it. You could of course take some from the casino cage and pay 3%; depends on how much money we're talking about.

[Pam in CA]

All OBCs are credited to your shipboard account, in no particular order. For instance, if you have a $100 OBC from one source and $150 from another, both those will be listed on your onboard account when you board so that you start off with a credit. Any onboard expense, whether it's the auto-tip, purchases, drinks, Internet, etc. are debited from that credit until it balances out and then your expenses will be what you pay at the end of the cruise.

 

If you have a total, for instance, of $500 in OBCs between the two of you and you're using one credit card for the cabin, for a 7-day cruise, $147 will be debited towards the auto-tip and you can spend the rest on T-shirts, drinks, Internet, tours, etc. Chances are excellent that even with a $500 OBC, you won't have a credit left over. :)

[coiran]

Sometimes they will refund unused OBC's and sometimes not, although, I think in their press release regardong the fuel supplement that it will be refunded in cash if not used.

 

Ron

[Toto2Kansas]

larsen, Since you are sailing on the Emerald, that will be a 10 day sailing.

 

Since the credit will be applied to the stateroom, not exactly sure of the amount, remember, auto tips will be charged to that credit.

So if you have $200 total from booking with an FCC, and say another $100 from your travel agent, right away you will use $210 of that for the auto tip, for two, that will be charged to your account.

Even if you are refunded the fuel surcharge, you are still talking just over a couple of hundred dollars in credit left to your account for the entire 10 days after the auto tip is charged.

 

As said, you can take it out at the casino if you don't spend it, but I would guess even if you don't book ship excursions, that amount will be spent onboard during a 10 day cruise.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Woodmnky]

Ahhh, isn't it so much nicer to be worried about having TOO many OBCs, rather than not enough.

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that our fuel surcharge will be refunded as well, but it still doesn't quite cover tips. Part of the OBC from our TA will have to do that.

[Pia1913]

Ahhh, isn't it so much nicer to be worried about having TOO many OBCs, rather than not enough.

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that our fuel surcharge will be refunded as well, but it still doesn't quite cover tips. Part of the OBC from our TA will have to do that.

 

When you're on board the Emerald, remember to buy some FCC's. A very good way to pay for your tips, compliments of Princess.

[fitzany1]

What are FCC'S? Thanks. Kay

[regnig]

Ok, assuming (lord there's that word) I've followed what every one has said if we still have a credit at the end of the cruise they may or they may not automatically refund it.

 

Ron even if their press release (I can't find the original anymore) said "that it will be refunded in cash if not used" since they lump all the credits together I can be sure that won't happen. :rolleyes:

 

Believe it or not there is a good chance we won't use it all. Being Elite we will not occur internet costs; the last place you will find us is on a "tour"; we start the cruise with the refrig stocked with a dozen beers; we bring our own Bailys and wine; DH buys local beer (I call it diry sock beer) to bring back on board when free stuff runs out; I'm a real cheap date and usually only drink tea (hot or cold); and we have never found the need to eat at one of the specialty restaurants. Last year after 10 days we had a combined total bill of $4.95. Oh well if we get lucky and they refund the fuel charge maybe I'll just go make a contribution to Steiner. :D

 

Thanks for all the input. Barb

[bhopal21]

You could of course take some from the casino cage and pay 3%; depends on how much money we're talking about.

 

If you will open a players club account on a slot machine (takes maybe 5 min) you can advance from your shipboard account with no fee involved.

 

Mike:)

[mii]

What are FCC'S? Thanks. Kay

 

Future Cruise Credits. Do a search and put in future cruise credit. All sorts of info comes up. enjoy.

 

Marilyn

[regnig]

In the form or a P.S. to my above - it's not the FC OBC or the TA OBC that had me concerned as we would be taking our cruise with or without them. It is the potential fuel surcharge refund that got me to thinking about this. That is money that is a pre-paid charge coming out of MY pocket and if we don't spend that credit I darn well think we should get it back.

[swom]

Can you use your onboard credits for FCC?

I really can't understand anyone having credits left over at the end of a cruise.........too many shops to have anything left. :D:D:D

[bhopal21]

Can you use your onboard credits for FCC?

I really can't understand anyone having credits left over at the end of a cruise.........too many shops to have anything left. :D:D:D

 

No those must be purchased and paid for separately from your onboard account.

 

Mike:)

[swom]

No those must be purchased and paid for separately from your onboard account.

 

Mike:)

Thanks Mike for your quick answer!!!

[Kineticoh20]

I thought your OBC can not be used for your gratuities?

[bhopal21]

It has been my experience that OBC can be used for/applied to anything that is charged to your shipboard account despite the printing otherwise. I have never heard of anyone being told that their OBC could not be used for this or that, since it is all lumped together in one account.

 

Mike:)

[Pam in CA]

Can you use your onboard credits for FCC?

No. The reason being that it's completely separate accounting. Your FCC is a booking for a cruise and while it could be considered an "sale" while onboard, all booking payments are made directly to Princess, not on your onboard account which is used for personal and other expenses while onboard the ship.

 

I thought your OBC can not be used for your gratuities?

Your OBC can be used for anything charged to your onboard account. The OBC starts the onboard account with a credit and then anything you charge reduces that credit, including the "hotel charge" AKA auto-tip. No distinction is made by type of charge. It's a very simple bookkeeping system of debits and credits.

[Lynda90]

Believe it or not, I had money left over at the end of my Ruby b2b. I went to purser's office the evening prior to departure and I was told that any credits that were not cash gifts, would have to be used before I left the ship as they would not be refunded to me. This included any obc from fcc's, ccl shareholder credit and obc from travel agent. Actual cash given as a gift from friends, etc., would be given back. I don't know how they tell the difference since it all does seem to be lumped together, but rather than take any chances I ended up buying myself a lovely Swarovski necklace. I'm so glad I got it. If I got the money back, it would probably be spent by now. But the necklace is a wonderful reminder of a fabulous cruise that will last forever. :p:p I'm sure there will be many differing stories, but this one is mine. BTW, I didn't have a fuel charge since cruise was booked prior to that being implemented. So, I can't comment on that.

[Amtrack Springfield]

We were leaving the ship in FLL the last day of our cruise. I was stopped by secuirty who told me I had to go to the pursers desk before I could get off the ship. I had a credit of about $160 because our tour in Costa Rica got canceled. I thought they were going to credit my credit card when I saw the final bill. They ended up paying me in cash.

[rdsqrl]

Well, this may be a really stupid suggestion and totally not allowed, but why not go on the first day to the Purser and ask for a refund of the fuel surcharge portion, before they've had a chance to charge anything to your account? That way, the only thing left on the account will be the OBC you can't have refunded. I don't know if they'd even do that but if the fuel surcharge really is refundable, then they should refund it without regard to timing -- if you've got a credit card on file anyway for expenses over and above OBC, I can't see what difference it would make.

[Kineticoh20]

No. The reason being that it's completely separate accounting. Your FCC is a booking for a cruise and while it could be considered an "sale" while onboard, all booking payments are made directly to Princess, not on your onboard account which is used for personal and other expenses while onboard the ship.

 

Your OBC can be used for anything charged to your onboard account. The OBC starts the onboard account with a credit and then anything you charge reduces that credit, including the "hotel charge" AKA auto-tip. No distinction is made by type of charge. It's a very simple bookkeeping system of debits and credits.

 

Thx Pam, ;)