Pre-booking specialty dinners, bev. packages..etc..charged to card before you go??

[liz118]

Hi there,

It looks like if you pre-book your specialty dining, beverage packages and excursions it will get charged to your card before you go?

 

I have a onboard credit and want to use it toward these things...will this still work if they are already on my credit card months before we actually go?

 

thanks!

[Lois R]

Hi there,

It looks like if you pre-book your specialty dining, beverage packages and excursions it will get charged to your card before you go?

 

I have a onboard credit and want to use it toward these things...will this still work if they are already on my credit card months before we actually go?

 

thanks!

 

Hi,:) if you want to use up your credit then you would need to wait

until after you board the ship to book/buy the items. If you purchase

the stuff ahead of time? They will charge your credit card at the

time of purchase.

Just wait till you get on board and buy it all at that time.

 

Have a great cruise.:)

[ghstudio]

If you don't use up your OBC, remember that you can go to the casino and draw cash from your on board account for a fee of 3%. Consider that the cost of booking in advance and getting the tours/dining times/etc that you want.

[CaptData]

Hi you can hold off on the drink package easily and get it when you board (this way it comes off your OBC). You can also book Shore Ex on board to come off the OBC. I suggest that Specialty Restaurants be booked before hand so that you get the dates and times you want but if any are flexible then hold off on those until you board.

[dobes3kh]

I booked a specialty restaurant for our upcoming cruise and it went on my credit card the next day!

[dkjretired]

Hi there,

It looks like if you pre-book your specialty dining, beverage packages and excursions it will get charged to your card before you go?

 

I have a onboard credit and want to use it toward these things...will this still work if they are already on my credit card months before we actually go?

 

thanks!

 

 

 

As Lois said, the drink package is no big deal, you can book that once you get on the ship.

 

The problem that may present itself with specialty reservations and excursions is they may be filled up once on board. If you are a member of the Captains Club you may call their number, make a dinner reservation and not be charge immediately.

[mferranti]

But I thought the specialty restaurants are always nearly empty, and likely to get even emptier what with the massive price increases?

 

So confused ... :confused:

[swigso]

But I thought the specialty restaurants are always nearly empty, and likely to get even emptier what with the massive price increases?

 

So confused ... :confused:

They are now offering packages if you book 3 dinners

in the speciality restaurants. We have never had an issue

booking on board.

Just go straight there when you board and the Maitre D will fix you up.

It may be that you won't get a 7.30 booking but they will usually fit you in.

As you say they are never totally full.

We always book one of the formal nights usually the 3rd so that if

I don't feel like putting on the tux I can get away with being Smart Casual.

Please don't flame.

I have only done it once.

[cruisestitch]

Massive price increase for specialty restaurants? Please explain?

[mferranti]

Massive price increase for specialty restaurants? Please explain?

There was a thread a few weeks ago ... let's see if I can find it.

 

Here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1460223

[Redtravel]

I usually wait to book. I did book a specialty dinner to avoid the price increase on Sept. 1st. If I decide that I don't want to use it, I can get my money refunded. Yes, it was charged to my credit card. If there is a specific excursion that you really want to take, you should pre-book it. You are not locked in. If you change your mind, you can request a refund to your credit card. Unfortunately, many people want to use OBC. That can be used on the ship. Some OBC is refundable. Check. WE have done cruises and received the money back from OBC credited to my credit card. Some OBC is not refundable. If you don't spend it, you can get the cash at the casino...3% charge for the service.

[liz118]

thanks for your reply...I am the kind of person who likes to have it all pre-booked...just incase things get full! I like this idea of taking out the $100 as cash for 3%.....just want to double check you have done this on Celebrity Summit?

 

 

thanks!!!

[liz118]

sorry 1 more question...I was going to do the beverage packages onboard, however I read that you have to pay the state tax if you do it before the ship sails? I am leaving from San Juan...is that the case? If so adding another 6% onto the 430 price already is a little silly!!!

[dkjretired]

sorry 1 more question...I was going to do the beverage packages onboard, however I read that you have to pay the state tax if you do it before the ship sails? I am leaving from San Juan...is that the case? If so adding another 6% onto the 430 price already is a little silly!!!

 

Just wait until the casino opens, then your safe, I can't speak for San Juan but it does happen at some ports.

[ShawninFL]

We always book one of the formal nights usually the 3rd so that if I don't feel like putting on the tux I can get away with being Smart Casual.

Please don't flame.

I have only done it once.

 

We always do this...or go to the buffet. We never do formal night anymore so we need to make arrangement for alternate dining on those nights.

[librarylady19]

OBC can also be used for your daily gratuities (unless you prepay for Select Dining).

[MattInFLL]

Considering you could use the OBC for gratuities and always have the casino option - and frankly it seems like it's pretty easy to rack up $100 in charges on incidental odds and ends during the cruise - I would pre book all the things you know you want ahead of time. Personally I like the option to pre-book so many of the expensive parts of the cruise, because I can break up my total cruise bill over a couple of cards or a couple of paychecks. And I really enjoy no longer having that OMG moment at the end of the cruise when the bill gets slipped under the door.