Warning About Using Up Onboard Credits

[cruisinmouse]

I had a manual credit slip from the Purser on the final day once I figured out what they had done, however that was 27th Jan and the credit slip still has not been processed. I disputed the amount that was charged after the cruise finished, I didn't wait 30 days to do this as I only had 30 days from the date of the charge to file a dispute. I have just been told today by my credit card company that they have agreed to the dispute so I now have a credit for the charged amount. I have no idea why Princess didn't process the manual slip I received from the Purser for the person who was in credit and was told by my credit card company that there was no way they could follow that up for me and I was better to file a dispute on the charge. By the way when I asked the Purser why the accounts hadn't been combined even though on the preliminary statements they had,I was told it was just an error and it wasn't ship wide. Obviously it is not only shipwide but it is also fleetwide. I did say at the time that I hoped others hadn't been affected as well and I was assured that it was just me.

[Bentwaters]

This has turned out to be an interesting thread. I, for one, am very appreciative of the various OBCs offered by Princess ... but I consider them as a gift; not as "my" money. Now I am hoping that the "powers-that-be" at Princess and Carnival don't get fed up with any negative feedback relative to OBCs and just decide to cancel any or all of their OBC programs. I've never had any trouble in the past in using up our OBCs and don't anticipate having any in the future (we have FCC, shareholder's, military, Captain's Circle, and an occasional TA) as I know before we even board the ship which OBCs each of us are supposed to receive and how much we will be spending on gratuities and shore excursions. Most of the OBCs are applied to my shipboard account, but it's a simple matter to arrange some pre-known expenditures (such as shore excursions) in such a way that the OBCs in my DW's account are covered, and she will have a slight charge on hers at the end of our cruise. Then, we just use my card for most transactions. In the unlikely scenario that I won't have all my OBCs covered by mid-cruise, we'll appreciate a couple bottles of wine or a meal or two at specialty restaurants courtesy of Princess.:)

[Toto2Kansas]

I had a manual credit slip from the Purser on the final day once I figured out what they had done, however that was 27th Jan and the credit slip still has not been processed. I disputed the amount that was charged after the cruise finished, I didn't wait 30 days to do this as I only had 30 days from the date of the charge to file a dispute. I have just been told today by my credit card company that they have agreed to the dispute so I now have a credit for the charged amount. I have no idea why Princess didn't process the manual slip I received from the Purser for the person who was in credit and was told by my credit card company that there was no way they could follow that up for me and I was better to file a dispute on the charge. By the way when I asked the Purser why the accounts hadn't been combined even though on the preliminary statements they had,I was told it was just an error and it wasn't ship wide. Obviously it is not only shipwide but it is also fleetwide. I did say at the time that I hoped others hadn't been affected as well and I was assured that it was just me.

So it seems they are writing out these credit card refund slips, but not processing them? That is a bunch of 'word I can't type here'. If the credits are not showing on my account by the time the bill is due to be paid, I will definitely dispute the charge they placed for my onboard account. At least I will get some of it back, if I can't get it all. Much of our credit was REFUNDABLE as it was in the form of government fees that we were overcharged. How dare them not run these credit slips through, that is ridiculous. Thanks for the info!

[robsaw]

This has turned out to be an interesting thread. I, for one, am very appreciative of the various OBCs offered by Princess ... but I consider them as a gift; not as "my" money.

 

On-board credits are in no way gifts. They are incentives that form part of the overall cost of the cruise for which the customer is contractually entitled. Princess, along with most other cruise lines, offer various OBCs as marketing tools for loyalty and effective pricing purposes. As such, they are highly subject to competitive factors and cannot simply be tossed as annoyances.

[Loonbeam]

I think its a matter of intent. I do not believe the intent was to cause massive systemic disruption in the hopes of reclaiming some OBCs. Instead, it seems more like system level changes were not designed or implemented properly, which is a different matter and can be corrected.

 

I think I understand what Princess is trying to say. However, in the past, before this new accounting went into effect, anytime I charged using my cruise card, that was under my name and my cruise card account. When my wife charged using her cruise card that went under her cruise card account and showed up under her separate account/sheet. At the end of the cruise and every time we printed out our accounts, they would 'roll-up' the total to the Credit Card we registered at the beginning of the cruise. We only registered 1 Credit Card.

 

So, based upon what Princess is saying now, 'What is the difference since they are saying the same thing now that they did before?' The exception is that they don't 'roll-up' the totals from both accounts (DH and DW) to the same Credit Card. This way they can keep some of the OBCs.

Someone from Princess is 'blowing smoke!'

I have my Final Bill print-out from Jan 2011 on the Island and that is the way it worked. We did not leave any OBC to Princess.

This is really some 'smoking mirrors.'

[mytime53]

This has turned out to be an interesting thread. I, for one, am very appreciative of the various OBCs offered by Princess ... but I consider them as a gift; not as "my" money. :)

 

For some OBC I see your point, but that doesn't change the fact that you are expecting a certain amount of money off your final bill, an amount that is showing for the duration of your cruise, and then may disappear. I totally agree that when you know this is going to occur, you can usually adjust who charges what to deal with it; but at this point, it doesn't seem that communications are in effect to let one know this will occur, and to me, that is a huge problem!

 

As to OBC being a gift, no it's a promise (and even if a gift, one doesn't take back gifts). I don't hand over my $100/FCC to reduce my deposit, as I don't usually book cruises so far out that the deposit would be a problem for me. I purchase those FCC's for the OBC...I see it as an excellent return on my "investment." If I don't get that OBC, they had use of my money for up to 4 years. And I got nothing for letting them use my money.

 

And what about people who pre-purchased OBC themselves?

What about OBC given by the T.A. to entice you to purchase from them?

None of that is Princess's money to give (or take).

[mytime53]

I think its a matter of intent. I do not believe the intent was to cause massive systemic disruption in the hopes of reclaiming some OBCs. Instead, it seems more like system level changes were not designed or implemented properly, which is a different matter and can be corrected.

 

I totally agree with you on this.

[diane.in.ny]

Here's another solution for those pesky OBCs :D

 

Use the casino slot machines to turn those credits into cash.

 

For those that don't know how this works...

 

You insert your cruise card into the card slot in any slot machine.

 

Follow the instructions on the screen (ask any casino personnel if you need help), entering your birth date and a PIN

 

Once set up, follow the instructions and withdraw money from your onboard account. THERE IS NO FEE FOR THIS. The money will register in the slot machine. Then Cash Out. (You don't need to play the machine.) The credits will be recorded on your cruise card.

 

Take your cruise card to the cashier's window and get your cash. The amount you withdrew will be on your onboard account statement and the OBCs will apply against it.

 

(For the forum member that has teens with OBC, I don't think this would work because they are legally too young for the casino. But you could use it for your own account and then charge all shore excursions using your teens' cabin number to use up their credits.)

[Toto2Kansas]

diane-Great idea for the larger ships, but the smaller ships, Royal, Pacific and Ocean do not offer that system for the slots, it's cash in cash out.

[diane.in.ny]

diane-Great idea for the larger ships, but the smaller ships, Royal, Pacific and Ocean do not offer that system for the slots, it's cash in cash out.

 

Maybe on the Royal and Ocean but not the Pacific. I was on her in November and the machines worked as described.

[Toto2Kansas]

Maybe on the Royal and Ocean but not the Pacific. I was on her in November and the machines worked as described.

Oh, that's great, then they have changed them out since last year. I am really glad to hear that. ;)

[Bentwaters]

For some OBC I see your point, but that doesn't change the fact that you are expecting a certain amount of money off your final bill, an amount that is showing for the duration of your cruise, and then may disappear. I totally agree that when you know this is going to occur, you can usually adjust who charges what to deal with it; but at this point, it doesn't seem that communications are in effect to let one know this will occur, and to me, that is a huge problem!

 

Point taken ... and incentive is a much better choice of words than gift when it comes to purchasing FCCs. I guess the point I was trying to convey is that I consider OBCs for shareholders, military, captain's circle to be basically the same as a gift card with a known expiration date (i.e., the end of the cruise). If I'm given a gift card and told/know how much is on it and that it is going to expire on a certain date, then I consider it my responsibility to use it by that expiration date. If I don't expend all the funds on it, then it's my fault for not doing so. [As an example, if I buy a device from an electronics retailer that is advertised as coming with a gift card worth $50.00 of in-store credit, and, as part of that purchase of that device, I receive that gift card, it's my responsibility to use that in-store credit by the expiration date on the gift card (though it's usually in small print :) ); it's not the retailer's responsibility to remind me].

 

I do agree with your comments relative to communications, but from what I've read on this thread, I don't believe there has been or is an actual attempt by the Princess organization to intentionally negate passengers OBCs.

[mytime53]

I do agree with your comments relative to communications, but from what I've read on this thread, I don't believe there has been or is an actual attempt by the Princess organization to intentionally negate passengers OBCs.

 

I don't believe it is intentional, but the net result is the same.

[Times Prince]

And what about people who pre-purchased OBC themselves?

What about OBC given by the T.A. to entice you to purchase from them?

None of that is Princess's money to give (or take).

OBC's are assigned categories in the accounting system, with some refundable and some not. They are NOT all treated the same.

 

For my TA's incentive, the OBC is non-refundable.

 

If there is a refundable OBC, which is what we got on a move-over offer, then any unused balance must be returned to you prior to your departing the ship.

[caribill]

I guess the point I was trying to convey is that I consider OBCs for shareholders, military, captain's circle to be basically the same as a gift card with a known expiration date (i.e., the end of the cruise). If I'm given a gift card and told/know how much is on it and that it is going to expire on a certain date, then I consider it my responsibility to use it by that expiration date. If I don't expend all the funds on it, then it's my fault for not doing so.

 

If you take a shore excursion, but it is charged to your traveling companion's account, then the "gift" is used up when they combine the accounts at the end.

 

The problem now being that they do not do the combining anymore.

 

So, this may make extra work for the shore excursion desk when passengers buying two tickets have them charged to separate accounts just to use up the OBCs in each account since accounts are no longer combined. Yes, maybe only 30 seconds more to do this, but multiply that by the number of people in the line before you and you will see more of your vacation devoted to others working around the accounting system.

[bellasorella]

It sure is nice of Princess to inform us all of their new changes. Cruise lines are always quickly informing us of things that make us happy. However, when it is taking away something or changing the rules, they seem to forget to tell us.

Just this year alone, 2011, they have done away with the daily Elite Happy Hour unless you are in port. Now, the OBC combined credit per cabin with the same credit card. Then the $2.99 drinks that many people can't find or know about, even the bartenders don't know about them either?

What's next?

Princess, get your act together. Remember, there are other cruise lines out there.

 

Getting ready to board Emerald for a 10 day this Friday -- hadn't heard or seen anything about the elimination of the Happy Hour or the $2.99 drinks -- re: the former, are you referring to the Happy Hour for both Platinum and Elite at Skywalkers each evening from 5-7?

I was on Grand in Jan and we had it all....

[asctony]

Getting ready to board Emerald for a 10 day this Friday -- hadn't heard or seen anything about the elimination of the Happy Hour or the $2.99 drinks -- re: the former, are you referring to the Happy Hour for both Platinum and Elite at Skywalkers each evening from 5-7?

I was on Grand in Jan and we had it all....

Yes, I was talking about the PnE Skywalkers each evening. From what I have read on this forum, this event will only be held on Port Days.

As for the $2.99 drinks after 8pm, that is a big question mark since many people have not seen or heard about it and even the bartenders have not, too. But, some people say they see the info on the back of the bar drink menu or in the Patter.

[chamima]

Getting ready to board Emerald for a 10 day this Friday -- hadn't heard or seen anything about the elimination of the Happy Hour or the $2.99 drinks -- re: the former, are you referring to the Happy Hour for both Platinum and Elite at Skywalkers each evening from 5-7?

I was on Grand in Jan and we had it all....

 

We had the Elite/Platinum/Suite happy hour every day except Captains Circle party day on the Royal recently.

As with many other things, I think the decision of how often to have it open is ship specific.

They also displayed the notice about the $2.99 drinks prominently in the bars where it was in place. There are only 5 (I think) drinks that are that price, though.

[donna5]

Add "take a calculator" to your packing list.

[asctony]

We had the Elite/Platinum/Suite happy hour every day except Captains Circle party day on the Royal recently.

As with many other things, I think the decision of how often to have it open is ship specific.

They also displayed the notice about the $2.99 drinks prominently in the bars where it was in place. There are only 5 (I think) drinks that are that price, though.

 

I think that these options should not be ship specific. That is a problem because what you get on 1 ship may be much less/more than on another. When you book Princess and a ship, you have no idea of what options are going to be provided and what ones are not. This is a small thing, but could be much bigger if this is based upon a ship/Captain/CC Hostess.

 

This causes lots of discussion, confusion and dissatisfaction amongst passengers, especially those who cruise more than 1 a year on Princess.

 

When you cruise a specific cruise line one expects the same experience as possible from ship to ship.

 

What say you? Happy Cruising!

[chamima]

We had the Elite/Platinum/Suite happy hour every day except Captains Circle party day on the Royal recently.

As with many other things, I think the decision of how often to have it open is ship specific.

They also displayed the notice about the $2.99 drinks prominently in the bars where it was in place. There are only 5 (I think) drinks that are that price, though.

 

I think that these options should not be ship specific. That is a problem because what you get on 1 ship may be much less/more than on another. When you book Princess and a ship, you have no idea of what options are going to be provided and what ones are not. This is a small thing, but could be much bigger if this is based upon a ship/Captain/CC Hostess.

 

This causes lots of discussion, confusion and dissatisfaction amongst passengers, especially those who cruise more than 1 a year on Princess.

 

When you cruise a specific cruise line one expects the same experience as possible from ship to ship.

 

What say you? Happy Cruising!

 

I didn't say I liked it - just what I've observed over the years.

The Royal, maybe because it's a small ship, seemed to be THE most passenger friendly of any ship we've sailed in 20 years. Every staff person on that ship acted like it was his/her personal job to see that the passenger had the best experience possible and went out of their way to see that you did.

That said, I've had different "rules" in force on different Princess ships and cruises, sometimes within 2 weeks of each other. Hence my conclusion that lots of things are ship specific and are left up to how the management on that particular ship interprets policies. I could give you probably 20 different examples. I've learned to go with the flow and look for the positives.

[asctony]

I didn't say I liked it - just what I've observed over the years.

The Royal, maybe because it's a small ship, seemed to be THE most passenger friendly of any ship we've sailed in 20 years. Every staff person on that ship acted like it was his/her personal job to see that the passenger had the best experience possible and went out of their way to see that you did.

That said, I've had different "rules" in force on different Princess ships and cruises, sometimes within 2 weeks of each other. Hence my conclusion that lots of things are ship specific and are left up to how the management on that particular ship interprets policies. I could give you probably 20 different examples. I've learned to go with the flow and look for the positives.

 

You misread my posting. I didn't say or implied that you like it or not. My point, which apparently was not clear, is that Princess should be consistent throughout the fleet. Would like to hear about your 20 different examples. As for going with the flow and being positive, That is part of life today. Don't make waves, just cruise on them. Thanks.

[HRHMadonna]

This is not the only change that Princess has made and opted not to publicize. They also made changes to the group tour conductor policy and purposely didn't tell travel agents.

 

Could someone bring me up to date on the changes to this policy? This is news to me....

 

Also, thanks to all...This thread has been most informative & helpful.

 

Cheers! Madonna

[firefly3050]

Help!

 

I'm now totally confused as to how the OBC is going to work for us.

 

We booked to sail on Grand Princess in June through our TA and were given $650 OBC.

 

Does this new system mean that we will each be credited with $325 OBC and will have to ensure that we alternate our spending?

 

If Princess aren't combining couples OBC spend anymore, what happens if Hubby spends more than his OBC allowance, how will he be charged, because I have only registered my debit card.

 

Betcha they'll automatically charge his overspend onto my debit card :mad:

 

One rule for them..........

 

I'll be checking our account on a regular basis, being sure to make a pain of myself at the Pursers desk untill they get the message :p

 

Jayne xxx

[Toto2Kansas]

Help!

 

I'm now totally confused as to how the OBC is going to work for us.

 

We booked to sail on Grand Princess in June through our TA and were given $650 OBC.

 

Does this new system mean that we will each be credited with $325 OBC and will have to ensure that we alternate our spending?

 

If Princess aren't combining couples OBC spend anymore, what happens if Hubby spends more than his OBC allowance, how will he be charged, because I have only registered my debit card.

 

Betcha they'll automatically charge his overspend onto my debit card :mad:

 

One rule for them..........

 

I'll be checking our account on a regular basis, being sure to make a pain of myself at the Pursers desk untill they get the message :p

 

Jayne xxx

You will have to balance which cruise card you use for charges now, and watch your account closely. If you end up with extra credits left on your account, and your hubby shows charges by the end of the cruise, your extra credit will just disappear back to the cruise line (forfeited), while your credit card is billed for his charges (even though you may have lots of credit still showing on your account, and are both linked to the same credit card in the same cabin). Each account (even though linked and in the same cabin with the same credit card) are now being treated as totally seperate accounts).