Military OBC Usage Limitations

[Astro Flyer]

In an effort to minimize what needs to be read on this question, I am beginning a new thread.

 

I received a reply from Liza McDaniel who is the contact for the Princess Military OBC program.

 

Liza confirmed that there are some restrictions for usage of Military OBC which is what was posted awhile ago on other threads concerning this subject.

 

Hopefully this thread won't become another lengthy discussion about how Princess policies are implemented. However those who said that it's a credit to our onboard folio that can be used for any reason were not correct according to Liza.

 

We’ll each have an opinion about how it will be implemented; however speculation is just that because none of us know for certain about its application. Hopefully this won’t have to become a lengthy thread…their policy is clearly stated.

 

Here is what Liza said & hopefully no one will feel the need to contact her on this subject…I’m sure she’s very busy handling all of the requests for OBC programs.

 

 

 

This offer is good for only one cabin occupied by military person.

• Military offer is valid for eligible military personal in the U.S. and Canada only.
  
• This offer cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities.
  
• Offer excludes Travel Agent, Interline, Employee Space Available and Friend and Family fares.
  
• Offer is combinable with other Onboard Credit offers. Shareholder and military benefits cannot be combined.
  

[Toto2Kansas]

The one thing I have found is that any credit to your shipboard account is just that, a credit to your account that ANY charges are deducted from. There have been many times our shipboard credit has said it can't be used for this or that, when in the end, anything charged to our shipboard account, including casino credits or gratuities, has been deducted from this credit.

It would be a nitemare for them to try to keep track of what is to be deducted from what.

 

My guess, they would rather not have you use certain credits given for charging certain things, but they have no way to split the charges from the credits. ;) Someone will have to give this a try onboard and let us know for sure. ;)

[paul929207]

Our experience is like Toto's. When we board, we have a negative balance in our onboard account reflecting the various OBC we have. As autotips are charged and we charge things like excursions, drinks, etc. the negative balance goes away. I don't think Princess even has a way to show that you owe an amount for stuff not covered and have a credit still available.

[Roses2]

As others have stated, OBC's are credited to your on board account and what ever charges you make are deducted each day.

 

Initially you will have a positive balance and as the charges accrue that balance is drawn down.

 

It matters not what the charges are: tips, drinks, dry cleaning etc. It is a matter of debits against the deposits (OBC).

 

P&J

[Colo Cruiser]

Princess will take notice of all these threads eventually and cancel it altogether. :rolleyes:

[paul929207]

How many years did it take them to change the FCC so you needed one per person not one per couple to each get the OBC

[Colo Cruiser]

How many years did it take them to change the FCC so you needed one per person not one per couple to each get the OBC

 

 

Not long.

[Toto2Kansas]

Not long.

 

Colo, that one FCC for two people went on for (my guess) over 5 years. But I do agree, these thread that discuss 'getting around the rules' just make it harder on everyone.

[Astro Flyer]

The one thing I have found is that any credit to your shipboard account is just that, a credit to your account that ANY charges are deducted from. There have been many times our shipboard credit has said it can't be used for this or that, when in the end, anything charged to our shipboard account, including casino credits or gratuities, has been deducted from this credit.

It would be a nitemare for them to try to keep track of what is to be deducted from what.

 

My guess, they would rather not have you use certain credits given for charging certain things, but they have no way to split the charges from the credits. ;) Someone will have to give this a try onboard and let us know for sure. ;)

Okay Toto & the other experts on how it will be implemented…none of us know for sure so I don’t understand how you know what will definitely happen. We’ve all experienced how policies are implemented to varying degrees & it may very well be the same with this one.

 

We each have opinions on how things will be done…unlike your ability to tell us how it will be done…amazing.

 

I appreciate many of all of your insightful posts however I don’t understand this one. You’re doing an injustice to anyone who takes your input as a fact…and maybe some of them will discover it was wrong.

 

Sometimes posters can only see their point of view...and yes...it frustrates me when “opinions” are described as “facts”.

 

You’re killing the messenger…read their policy, formulate your opinion but don’t post it as what will happen. The only “fact” is that Princess’ policy has limitations on its use which I will honor & feel it’s irresponsible to do otherwise.

 

I agree with what Colo Cruiser said “Princess will take notice of all these threads eventually and cancel it altogether”…but not because of me by merely posting their policy in response to CC members’ questions.

 

Princess is graciously honoring veterans...accept their limitations or don't even request it.

[paul929207]

Colo, that one FCC for two people went on for (my guess) over 5 years. But I do agree, these thread that discuss 'getting around the rules' just make it harder on everyone.

I agree it was 5 years or more before they closed the loop hole in the FCC.

 

 

As to the amount of wine, the passgae contract does not specify a limit. Did Princess intend to have one? It is hard to say.

[Toto2Kansas]

Okay Toto & the other experts on how it will be implemented…none of us know for sure so I don’t understand how you know what will definitely happen. We’ve all experienced how policies are implemented to varying degrees & it may very well be the same with this one.

 

We each have opinions on how things will be done…unlike your ability to tell us how it will be done…amazing.

 

I appreciate many of all of your insightful posts however I don’t understand this one. You’re doing an injustice to anyone who takes your input as a fact…and maybe some of them will discover it was wrong.

 

Sometimes posters can only see their point of view...and yes...it frustrates me when “opinions” are described as “facts”.

 

You’re killing the messenger…read their policy, formulate your opinion but don’t post it as what will happen. The only “fact” is that Princess’ policy has limitations on its use which I will honor & feel it’s irresponsible to do otherwise.

 

I agree with what Colo Cruiser said “Princess will take notice of all these threads eventually and cancel it altogether”…but not because of me by merely posting their policy in response to CC members’ questions.

 

Princess is graciously honoring veterans...accept their limitations or don't even request it.

 

Sorry you feel that way. I am just explaining how this has been done in the past even though a shipboard credit has been given that they say can not be used for certain charges. As I said originally, and to quote my own post earlier "The one thing I have found is that any credit to your shipboard account is just that, a credit to your account that ANY charges are deducted from."

If you honestly think that no one is going to discuss this in the future on CC....................it just isn't going to happen. Even the most sensitive topics are brought up time and time again. ;)

[bhopal21]

I agree with Toto and Paul. A credit is a credit is a credit. Once a credit is issued against your shipboard account it is offset by any and all charges to that account.

 

Mike:)

[Roses2]

Toto is absolutely correct. The Military OBC is no different from the stockholder's OBC. I have both, but can only use one or the other.

 

We have used the Stockholde'rs OBC for years and Princess has not changed the way it is applied.

 

An OBC is an OBC period!!!!!

 

It goes on your on board account as a credit -- period!!!

 

You draw against it as you make charges - period!!!!

 

If you get an OBC from your TA it is applied the exact same way.

 

If you book a Future Cruise Credit it is applied the same way.

 

Princess has always done it this way and there is no reason to change it.

 

I am using miluitary OBC on my cruise next week.

[cattolica]

This verbiage is on every Princess OBC (usually shareholder and FCC) I have ever used. On every cruise our OBC is reduced each day by the amount of the gratuities. We rarely have any other on board charges. My guess is once Princess rewrites the accounting computer program for the use of OBC's then you will see they have the ability to restrict how the OBC is spent, until that happens the OBC works for anything you put on your onboard account.

 

Not "killing the messenger" just stating the facts from the multiple Princess cruises we have sailed.

 

Offer excludes Travel Agent' date=' Interline, Employee Space Available and Friend and Family fares.[/font']

[Astro Flyer]

This verbiage is on every Princess OBC (usually shareholder and FCC) I have ever used. On every cruise our OBC is reduced each day by the amount of the gratuities. We rarely have any other on board charges. My guess is once Princess rewrites the accounting computer program for the use of OBC's then you will see they have the ability to restrict how the OBC is spent, until that happens the OBC works for anything you put on your onboard account.

 

Not "killing the messenger" just stating the facts from the multiple Princess cruises we have sailed.

Thanks...sure hope that's the way it will work for everyone.

 

It's frustrating when others say because that's the way it was in the past that it will always be that way. Unlike you who are willing to accept that it could be done...now or in the future.

 

I don't want to see such a considerate program implemented by Princess get dumped by those intent on violating their rules.

 

However if this is another policy they choose not to enforce, so be it. It's Princess prerogative on how to enforce their policies but it would be nice for some to have those restrictions not enforced.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences...we're not cruising newbies particularly with Princess...but can always learn more from others. :)

[Toto2Kansas]

Thanks...sure hope that's the way it will work for everyone.

 

It's frustrating when others say because that's the way it was in the past that it will always be that way. Unlike you who are willing to accept that it could be done...now or in the future.

 

I don't want to see such a considerate program implemented by Princess get dumped by those intent on violating their rules.

 

However if this is another policy they choose not to enforce, so be it. It's Princess prerogative on how to enforce their policies but it would be nice for some to have those restrictions not enforced.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences...we're not cruising newbies particularly with Princess...but can always learn more from others. :)

 

Nobody is violating any rules. You (or we) have absolutely no control over what is and what is not charged to the shipboard credit Princess gives you. You are totally misunderstanding (I think) what we are trying to explain to you. The passenger does nothing themselves to charge things to a shipboard credit which they say isn't allowed, Princess is the one that applies all of the charges to the credit. :rolleyes: Nobody is breaking any rules, nobody is telling anyone to break the rules here. It is Princess that takes all of the charges and deducts them from any shipboard credit that is on your account. This has absolutely NOTHING to do with anything the passenger does!

[SeaTheWorldBySea]

This offer cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities.

 

I read this to be saying

This offer cannot be used for:

casino credits

casino charges

casino gratuities

Due to the 3% upcharge, how many people actually charge their casino activity to their onboard account? :eek: I send DH casino credits as his cruise gift and that's what he plays with. Or, we bring his casino cash with us. The casino gets enough, without getting another 3%.:(

[spunkie4]

Toto is absolutely correct. The Military OBC is no different from the stockholder's OBC. I have both, but can only use one or the other.

 

We have used the Stockholde'rs OBC for years and Princess has not changed the way it is applied.

 

An OBC is an OBC period!!!!!

 

It goes on your on board account as a credit -- period!!!

 

You draw against it as you make charges - period!!!!

 

If you get an OBC from your TA it is applied the exact same way.

 

If you book a Future Cruise Credit it is applied the same way.

 

Princess has always done it this way and there is no reason to change it.

 

I am using miluitary OBC on my cruise next week.

 

Just wondering why you chose the military over the shareholder credit for your upcoming cruise.

 

Shirley

[Roses2]

The two OBC's are exactly the same and only one can be used.

 

We have used the Stockholder's OBC for many cruises -- since the military OBC is a new program and I qualify as a 25 year service retiree, we opted to use it for this upcoming cruise.

 

In fact since it is a Back-to-Back cruise, I am using it twice e.g. OBC credit on each leg of the B-to-B.

[spunkie4]

The two OBC's are exactly the same and only one can be used.

 

We have used the Stockholder's OBC for many cruises -- since the military OBC is a new program and I qualify as a 25 year service retiree, we opted to use it for this upcoming cruise.

 

In fact since it is a Back-to-Back cruise, I am using it twice e.g. OBC credit on each leg of the B-to-B.

 

We also qualify for both OBC programs. I wondered if you had discovered an advantage of using the military OBC instead of using the stockholder OBC.

[kileycatz]

Let's just be happy that Pincess is giving the military OBC -- why split hairs over how it will be applied? If we look for loopholes, Princess can easily end this great reward for our military vets. :confused:

[Astro Flyer]

Let's just be happy that Pincess is giving the military OBC -- why split hairs over how it will be applied? If we look for loopholes, Princess can easily end this great reward for our military vets. :confused:

 

Exactly...

[caribill]

Sorry you feel that way. I am just explaining how this has been done in the past even though a shipboard credit has been given that they say can not be used for certain charges. As I said originally, and to quote my own post earlier "The one thing I have found is that any credit to your shipboard account is just that, a credit to your account that ANY charges are deducted from."

 

Agree with Toto 100%.

 

Although it sounds straight forward for accounting software to follow the rules in the OP's post, it is really not that simple to program.

 

First each type of OBC would have to be identified in the computer as to what and what cannot it can be applied to.

 

Then the computer software would have to actually determine for a charge which of the OBC's it can be applied to. In addition, if a charge could be applied to multiple kinds of OBCs, someone who sets up the software would have to decide which OBC gets the charge applied to it.

 

For example, if a shore excursion can be offset by any type of OBC, the software will have to decide does it get credited to the military/shareholder OBC first or possibly FCC OBC first or maybe travel agent OBC first or it could be OBC from a family member's gift first or any of several other types of OBC first.

 

Depending how it would be programmed, it could apply all charges that are not gratuities and not casino related first to all the OBC that is not of military/stockholder origin and use all of that OBC up. In this case, it could end up that none of the military/shareholder OBC could get used if all that remains then is the gratuities and casino charges.

 

Or it can be programmed so that all those non-gratuity and non-casino charges first go to the military/shareholder OBC. If this would be the case, then the gratuities and casino charges could go against the other OBCs.

 

To further complicate it, look at how charges are applied to people in a cabin. Normally, all the share excursions will go to the account of one of the people in the cabin. The "auto-tip" gratuities will go equally on each person's account. OBCs are not split evenly among cabin accounts. The military/shareholder OBC will go in its entirety to one of the accounts. Travel agent OBC is ually split between the accounts. Ship charges will go to the account of whoever presents the cruise card for the purchase. It could be possible that the person with the military/stockholder OBC has no charges to the account other than gratuities while the other account has shore excursions, shop purchases, etc. on it, but no OBC.

 

Today, the two accounts would be combined at the end of the cruise and a negative balance (still have unused OBC) on one will be combined with a positive balance (owe Princess money) of the other so that the unused OBC will be used when the accounts are combined. If system is programmed to not allow the unused military/shareholder OBC of one passenger to be used when the accounts are combined, the software will need to determine the source and use of all OBCs and charges for combined accounts.

 

Also, charges for drinks have a 15% gratuity added. If the OBC could not be used for gratuities, the software would need to seperate the drink charge from the gratuity part and apply appropriately to whatever OBC remains of the different types.

 

And what happens if you return an item purchased in a shop or cancel a shore excursion in time to get a refund. Today, the system just puts the money back in your account. To work with the listed restrictions, it might be necessary to recalcuate how all OBC was used in your account.

 

Also, today, it is easy for you to undertsand the totals on an account printout at the purser's desk. The bottom line is what you owe or still have a negative balance for. With the "rules implemented", the printout whould have to specify how much OBC was still available for different categories of use.

 

Is this at all confusing? If so, imagine the fun of straightening out your accounts at the Purser's desk if this programming is not perfect.

 

In summary, I doubt Princess (or any cruise line) will have (or could afford to implement) working software that would allow such matching of charges to OBC types. By saying that some OBC cannot be used for certain purposes is a way of convincing passengers to run up charges that they think can be applied to the OBC.

 

From a passenger viewpoint, today you know that any charge either person in a cabin makes will get applied to any OBC you have. If the "rules" are implemented in the software, I can see the scenario where before you purchase a drink, you go to the Purser's desk to get a printout of your cabin accounts and then determine whose account still has appropriate OBC left and then use that cruise card for the drink purchase.

[CALMOM]

Sorry you feel that way. I am just explaining how this has been done in the past even though a shipboard credit has been given that they say can not be used for certain charges. As I said originally, and to quote my own post earlier "The one thing I have found is that any credit to your shipboard account is just that, a credit to your account that ANY charges are deducted from."

 

Yep, that is how it is handled. I'm not sure what point the OP is making:rolleyes:. OBC is a credit and your shipboard charges are debits. I always pre-order Casino Credit, Excursion Credit and my TA always gives me OBC, too. It doesn't matter what the credit is for, I just have fun purchasing the different credits. I purchased $2K for an Excursion Credit on one of my cruises, and never took an excursion, Princess just uses the credits towards my other chargers. It is just that simple.

[coo359a2]

The two OBC's are exactly the same and only one can be used.

 

We have used the Stockholder's OBC for many cruises -- since the military OBC is a new program and I qualify as a 25 year service retiree, we opted to use it for this upcoming cruise.

 

In fact since it is a Back-to-Back cruise, I am using it twice e.g. OBC credit on each leg of the B-to-B.

 

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