Obc

[cirman52]

We have more OBC than we need. I thought I read that you can get it back at the Casino. My question is that of the 2 OBC, ( ADV $300. and JARG- $250.) which is the refundable ? We already have the tips prepaid, very light drinkers & could care less for dining in the up charge restaurants.

If we were to do a ship excursion thats less that the OBC, could I get a refund ?

thanks

[FLACRUISER99]

We have more OBC than we need. I thought I read that you can get it back at the Casino. My question is that of the 2 OBC, ( ADV $300. and JARG- $250.) which is the refundable ? We already have the tips prepaid, very light drinkers & could care less for dining in the up charge restaurants.

If we were to do a ship excursion thats less that the OBC, could I get a refund ?

thanks

 

You can also use OBC in any of the onboard shops, and you can get all the cash you want in the Casino for a 3% charge..

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[reynoldswrap]

We have more OBC than we need. I thought I read that you can get it back at the Casino. My question is that of the 2 OBC, ( ADV $300. and JARG- $250.) which is the refundable ? We already have the tips prepaid, very light drinkers & could care less for dining in the up charge restaurants.

If we were to do a ship excursion thats less that the OBC, could I get a refund ? thanks

 

The casino cash charge is now 5%. From past experience, I've noticed that all OBC from Celebrity is Non-refundable - if it is not used or cashed thru the casino, it is lost. OBC from a travel agent is normally Refundable and will be credited to your account at the end of the cruise if not used. I'm sure there are exceptions!

 

OBC will be noted on your onboard account as either OBN (non-refundable) or OBR (refundable) which can also be verified with Guest Relations.

[shoreham01]

We had a lot of OBC so we had Celebrity take off the automatic service charge before we travelled. Then we re-instated on board at guest relations so it could be covered by our OBC. This used up quite a bit. Then by the time we had paid for decent coffees, a cocktail some evenings and some bits and pieces from one of the shops onboard we had used it all up.

[cruisestitch]

In general there are two types of on-board credit, refundable and non refundable. It isn't always easy to tell pre-cruise which kind you have.

 

OBC which comes from Celebrity is non-refundable, meaning that you can't get it back onto your credit card.

 

"Spending" it, by withdrawing it at the casino, is not considered a refund. There is a 5% charge for this.

 

If you have both kinds, they will use the non-refundable first, and if you have leftover refundable, it will be returned to your credit card. It is not available as a cash refund.

 

Taking of the pre-paid gratuities prior to the cruise (commonly cruises booked by UK travel agencies include pre-paid gratuities) is an option ONLY if you have Traditional Dining, not Select. If you chose Select dining you cannot have the gratuities removed prior to the cruise. So the suggestion made by the previous poster will only work IF you have Traditional Dining.

[Cruise Raider]

The OBC is most likely not refundable. I would take it out as cash in the casino.

Even if you don't spend it there, you can take out the cash in the casino and pay the 5% surcharge (which is not applicable if you earned your elite status). You can play with it or take it to your room -- your choice. Mine would never make it out of the casino.

Not sure about all the ships but even if you aren't a big drinker, you can use your OBC for freshly squeezed OJ and barista style coffees.

You may want to purchase a photo or two or a dvd of the cruise, play bingo, buy some jewelry or souvenirs in the onboard shops. Or, if you really like one of your service personnel, I believe you can still add gratuities onto your onboard account -- but don't quote me on that.

Lastly, you can use it for shore excursions -- even if you don't want to go, you might be able to purchase and give it to your neighboring cabin mates. How nice would that be???

I wish I had the same issue -- I always spend my entire stock of obc's and then some. ;)

[sheeng]

The OBC is most likely not refundable. I would take it out as cash in the casino.

Even if you don't spend it there, you can take out the cash in the casino and pay the 5% surcharge (which is not applicable if you earned your elite status). You can play with it or take it to your room -- your choice. Mine would never make it out of the casino.

Not sure about all the ships but even if you aren't a big drinker, you can use your OBC for freshly squeezed OJ and barista style coffees.

You may want to purchase a photo or two or a dvd of the cruise, play bingo, buy some jewelry or souvenirs in the onboard shops. Or, if you really like one of your service personnel, I believe you can still add gratuities onto your onboard account -- but don't quote me on that.

Lastly, you can use it for shore excursions -- even if you don't want to go, you might be able to purchase and give it to your neighboring cabin mates. How nice would that be???

I wish I had the same issue -- I always spend my entire stock of obc's and then some. ;)

 

 

Elite level cruisers do not pay 5% surcharge for cash withdrawals??? Are you sure? When did this happen?

 

Sheila.

[WestLakeGirl]

This has been reported two or three times, but there doesn't seem to be any consistency in the water of the fee or not

[jody75]

I had $300 OBC on our recent cruise aboard the Equinox. The obc was a promotion from Celebrity and was non-refundable. Don't beleive people who say you can get the cash from the Casino, I was told I could get cash but it would not affect my free obc as that it was NOT transferrable to cash. I had little option and used the balance of the obc in their shops - a few polo shirts and couple bottles of spirits.

[WestLakeGirl]

Told by whom, please? Did you go to the casino and try it or did this come from Guest Relations?

[jody75]

Casino Manager referred me to Guest Relations who spoke to the Accounts Dept. I was told that the money was a promotional gift from Celebrity and not refundable to cash. They also showed me the Terms & Condition of the WAVE promo which also said "not refundable to cash" Maybe I should have asked for money in the casino without making any reference to the free obc and then I suppose it may be possible to be overlooked.

When I returned home I phoned Celebrity Cruise Enhancement Desk and they confirmed that the obc is definately not refundable and cannot be used as cash in the casino.

If you have any doubts telephone Celebrity it is a free phone number.

[WestLakeGirl]

Very interesting. Will be watching for further information on this and hope that others who have cruises recently with this type if OBC will report on this experience. In May Celebrity-base OBC was able to be use in casino, however it was not from the WAVE promotion

[phoenix_dream]

Oh what a problem to have:D. If it's not refundable, don't forget the spa. If you don't like massages and facials and stuff like that, there are always hair cuts, manicures, pedicures, ....I am drooling just typing this stuff:D.

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

How do you go about cashing it out at the casino? We have a celebrity 500.00 credit and we already paid our gratuities and excursions, so I 'm not sure we will use the entire 500.. How do I ask for the cash?

[Lastdance]

I always get OBC from Celebrity and from my TA. TA OBC is always refundable; Celebrity's OBC is not according to the the last several cruises, one just this past May! Ditto to Jody above!

[Wine-O]

How do you go about cashing it out at the casino? We have a celebrity 500.00 credit and we already paid our gratuities and excursions, so I 'm not sure we will use the entire 500.. How do I ask for the cash?

 

If you have $500 OBC that is use or lose and you can't seem to find out how spend it, you go down to the casino and take $475 cash out on your seapass account. You will be charged that $475 to your $500 OBC, plus the additional 5% ($23.75). That will give you $1.25 OBC that you will lose as you walk away with $475 in cash.

 

I hope I explained that correctly. ;)

[jody75]

If you have $500 OBC that is use or lose and you can't seem to find out how spend it, you go down to the casino and take $475 cash out on your seapass account. You will be charged that $475 to your $500 OBC, plus the additional 5% ($23.75). That will give you $1.25 OBC that you will lose as you walk away with $475 in cash.

 

I hope I explained that correctly. ;)

 

Your comments are NO longer valid. Celebrity obc is NOT available as a buffer for cash in the casino as their obc has a different code on your seapass account. I have recently had the beverage package, free gratuities and $300 obc and was unable to spend the obc on the normal type of ship expenditure. I tried what you suggested - it was refused.

Other obc not originating from a Celebrity promotion is allowed to be cashed or refund to your credit card. People should be warned false information costs money, as I said doubter's should check with Celebrity. Their telephone number is 1-800-590-6221

[inforem]

Casino Manager referred me to Guest Relations who spoke to the Accounts Dept. I was told that the money was a promotional gift from Celebrity and not refundable to cash. They also showed me the Terms & Condition of the WAVE promo which also said "not refundable to cash" Maybe I should have asked for money in the casino without making any reference to the free obc and then I suppose it may be possible to be overlooked.

When I returned home I phoned Celebrity Cruise Enhancement Desk and they confirmed that the obc is definately not refundable and cannot be used as cash in the casino.

If you have any doubts telephone Celebrity it is a free phone number.

 

This is definitely not true. I just got off the Summit and I had $600 onb, $500 of which was "non refundable". I went to the casino and withdrew $400 with no problem and booked my own glass bottom boat excursion for $25 instead of $47. Win win.

[mickey89]

This is definitely not true. I just got off the Summit and I had $600 onb, $500 of which was "non refundable". I went to the casino and withdrew $400 with no problem and booked my own glass bottom boat excursion for $25 instead of $47. Win win.

 

I am on Celebrity Reflection in September and have the wave promo, my TA confirmed with Celebrity that I will be unable to use it in the casino as cash as inforem quotes above.

Is it possible that the ships enforce Celebrity rules differently?

[jody75]

This is definitely not true. I just got off the Summit and I had $600 onb, $500 of which was "non refundable". I went to the casino and withdrew $400 with no problem and booked my own glass bottom boat excursion for $25 instead of $47. Win win.

 

There are so many inconsistent comments on CC that one should consider their value and take them with a pinch of salt. If you are fortunate enough to cash-in your free obc then count yourself very lucky.

[Flo71]

I have $425 obc from my TA and $300 from celebrity 123Go, I want to buy the non-alcoholic package for my DD how do I make sure it comes out of the non-refundable obc? Should I withdraw my $425 asap before buying the drink package?

[akowilm]

Try something new; go to the Spa and have a massage. Even though you don't want to eat in a Specialty restaurant, try one anyway! You may surprise yourself!! You didn't book the trip to make money, you booked to enjoy a relaxing time away from reality! Buy something special from the jewelry store for a family member back at home. Get YOURSELF that little trinket that has always caught your eye! ENDULGE and ENJOY!!

[wrk2cruise]

To Flo71,

 

Don't worry they will use the non refundable first if you make any normal purchases with your Seapass card on-board (including the drink package, spa, excursions, specialty restaurants, gratuities, special events .....).

 

The only thing being debated here is using the Seapass card to take a cash advance in the casino. I've done this a times with non-refundable OBC at the 5% charge but the latest terms and conditions on Celebrity sponsored OBC say's it's not allowed.

 

It's being reported here that some ships seem to deny it and others don't. I believe both accounts as policy enforcement on-board is very erratic.

 

One thing you can try if you have excursions pre-booked by credit card would be to go to the excursions desk and ask if they can refund and rebook you using the OBC. While the refund will go to your Seapass card, the new booking will be taken from OBCNR, at the end of the cruise the balance of your Seapass (with the exception of unused OBCNR) will be refunded to your credit card.

[happy 2 b cruising]

I have $425 obc from my TA and $300 from celebrity 123Go, I want to buy the non-alcoholic package for my DD how do I make sure it comes out of the non-refundable obc? Should I withdraw my $425 asap before buying the drink package?

 

 

You are a winner already, enjoy yourself :) Just curious, how long is your cruise?

[cirman52]

Thank you all for your help, now more confused than before, lol. The reason I ask is that we have have the same amount of OBC for the 2nd leg of our cruise, with the TA paying for our all gratuities. We have another btb with these cruises,smaller obc, but TA paid gratuities, so I was hoping to use the $$ for non ship excursions.

This trip will be a trip of a lifetime for us, expensive one at that, so trying to control the pocketbook a bit.

thanks.