What do you do with a $1600 OBC on Regent?

[janisegn]

when we arrived in our suite, there was a card stating the amount of the OBC and that it was redeemable for cash - we never thought about cashing it in early on in the cruise and using it at the casino! - oh well, next time -

[jhp]

TA's offer many incentives for booking with them. For me, the service alone is enough, but we do get an agency "reward" check just prior to sailing. There are other shipboard credits as well when booking through my agent, but they are not redeemable for cash.

 

Unfortunately, we are not allowed to recommend TA's on this board.

[poss]

jhp: I know that you can't name names-- but I'm curious about those shipboard credits (in addition to the pre-cruise check). Is that just if the cruise is "hosted" by your TA, or are there are circumstances that call forth OBC's?

[poss]

OTHER circumstances, I meant to say. I seem not to know how to use the "edit" function.

[Dreps]

We use the same TA as jhp and many (if not most) of the 2010 and 2011 Regent cruises listed on our TA's Web site offer shipboard credits whether or not they are being escorted.

[poss]

Dreps, thanks: The 2010 and 2011 cruises that we're booked on don't seem to have OBC, alas. I'd love to have an excuse to have a massage. I know that one could request the check as an OBC instead, but 'twouldn't be the same.

[AWED23]

Pretty sure they cannot be used in the casino, but, between the spa, gift shop and excursions, it would be easy to spend. You could also purchase a special wine or champagne. When we had extra OBCs, we had a lot of fun buying things we wouldn't typically purchase in the giftshop.

On board credits from your agent can be redeemed for cash at the front desk any time you wish. Just follow your account on the interactive TV in your room. Just another "Extra" from Regent.:D

[hondorner]

On board credits from your agent can be redeemed for cash at the front desk any time you wish. Just follow your account on the interactive TV in your room. Just another "Extra" from Regent.:D

I thought it depended on whether the credit is actually from your agent, or whether your agent is passing on Regent's credits to you. The former can be converted to cash; I don't believe the latter may be.

[sable1]

Hi Burm,

It's the chocoholic from Regatta.

 

Looks like you are considering a Regent cruise. We leave on the 26th to Alaska on Navigator after not sailing Regent for 5 years. We are really excited. Like you said, I don't know anyone who wouldn't thoroughly enjoy a Regent cruise. Hope you are able to have the experience.

 

OBC has been answered T.A. vs. Regent. So I would just use it for spa pampering and maybe some excursions that aren't complimentary. Once, I scheduled the last massage of the day, then we had in-suite dinner served. Very nice to leave the oil on overnight.

 

Best wishes and happy sailing,

Joanne

[petlover]

I tried to give you a hint but it got deleted :confused: I can only say that there are other luxury sites that may give you suggestions as many of us here use the same TA. Sorry, but I want to follow the guidelines on this board. I don't want to get deleted again. I can't even post my email address...sorry I'm not much help. BTW, I love your screen name.

[KathyPet]

OBC, Thanks. As the Professor said in "My Fair Lady" "By George I think she's got it".

[petlover]

good KathyPet, just remember to use a TA who specializes in Luxury Cruising...regular TAs just don't get the same perks for clients that TAs who specialize and keep cruiselines like Regent full.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

jhp: I know that you can't name names-- but I'm curious about those shipboard credits (in addition to the pre-cruise check). Is that just if the cruise is "hosted" by your TA, or are there are circumstances that call forth OBC's?

 

In December we had the usual rebate cheque before the cruise, and we had a small OBC since we were on a segment of the Discovery Collection. But it was a Regent OBC, not the TA's. In fact, I was not aware that my TA is giving out OBC's.

 

Now on Oceania, it would be meaningful...

[poss]

Wendy: I'm still not entirely sure what a Regent OBC is (i.e. as opposed to one from a TA). On your TA's site, there's a list of the cruises for each ship for which there is OBC, even exactly the dollar amount for each cruise. Alas, neither our 2010 cruise nor the one we've booked for 2011 has an OBC. Frustrating because as one of the other posters said so many of the Regent cruises do have that extra incentive. Not sure what the situation is on Oceania-- forgot to look.

[RachelG]

Poss, in the past, Regent has sometimes given an OBC directly which has nothing to do with the travel agent. We have booked a couple of cruises and received this.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Poss, I know how you feel. This was the first time we had an OBC from Regent. Usually only get the Amex Plat $300--since we're not cruising for a while I'll probably cancel that card since the $300 almost paid for the yearly fee. And now that R is all-inclusive it's kind of false economy since I can't use the money to pay for excursions, at last not normal ones, and not in advance.

[poss]

Wendy and Rachel-- I wonder if I'm still not understanding the whole OBC thing, or at least if somehow I'm not being clear. E.g. Wendy, you said you weren't aware that your TA is giving out OBC's. But if I'm understanding things correctly (always in doubt!), the OBC for each cruise is clearly listed on your TA's website. In addition to the pre-cruise check from that TA, many cruises on that website also have an OBC of varying amounts. That $500 or so wouldn't be a deciding factor in whether to book a cruise; just that it'd be a nice little bonus. I do love massages, but would feel overly extravagant spending money for one on board. Now if there were an OBC that one just HAD to get rid of....

[Caroldoll]

presents or the spa. Whatever is your preference.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Wendy and Rachel-- I wonder if I'm still not understanding the whole OBC thing, or at least if somehow I'm not being clear. E.g. Wendy, you said you weren't aware that your TA is giving out OBC's. But if I'm understanding things correctly (always in doubt!), the OBC for each cruise is clearly listed on your TA's website.

 

Well poss, without getting into dangerous territory, I was only aware of the "reward", at least on Regent cruises. But I see them now. This is new, and since I'm not booking cruises right now, I didn't see it.

[Bfson]

There is one method of converting OBC to cash--but I don't recommend it. My wife accidently cut her foot (just before the cruise) and it got infected (during the cruise). We used OBC to pay for visits to the ship's doctor and antibiotics. Under our health plan we get reimbursed for such expenses. Over $400 of OBC converted to cash.

[AnglerGirl]

There is one method of converting OBC to cash--but I don't recommend it. My wife accidently cut her foot (just before the cruise) and it got infected (during the cruise). We used OBC to pay for visits to the ship's doctor and antibiotics. Under our health plan we get reimbursed for such expenses. Over $400 of OBC converted to cash.

 

Bfson, that's using your noggin. I wouldn't recommend it either, but if one was completely out of options and OBC was available to use in such an emergency, I'd have to agree it's smart.

 

Oh, and using credits at the spa is glorious! Enjoy!

[burm]

We had a $700 OBC on our last cruise and carefully calculated how to use it up, which we did to the penny practically. Then I had to visit the ship's doctor twice and the bill came to $700.

[jgn]

Same thing happened to me last November on a Seabourn cruise. Got very sick with acute bronchitis and our 500 plus OBC was used up in the infirmary!!! Not a good way to spend the $$$$$ !!

 

Jean