Macgregor

Thank you for such a well considered review! As a MDR person on earlier cruises, I can confirm that those of us with beepers used the chairs outside CO to wait. Never saw a line at CO at dinner.

Like others, I believe the OP was given incorrect information, unless HAL has changed its rules within the last 2 weeks. OBC (which of course means "on board credit) can only be used on board, so one can't apply it in advance. But once on board, it is a credit on one's account and will show there. As a person incurs ship charges (for crew appreciation, laundry, excursions, special meals, photos--almost anything, really) the amount is debited until it is gone. If the person doesn't use it all, it is usually lost.