Live from Constellation - Changes to Onboard Bookings Program

[need2bespoiled]

I guess I'm missing something here. It seems to me that if I give X a deposit on a cruise booking, and they give me back an obc, I've already gotten the obc benefit and I'm not out anything should I cancel later.

 

Under the old system I gave X my deposit and they gave me a promise of an obc on the future cruise. If I later cancelled I got my deposit back but not the obc. So again zero sum.

 

I'm not understanding what the uproar is about. Is it really that difficult to use up the obc on the cruise you're on....with upgrading drink packages, tips, spa etc.? The obc I'm getting to spend on the cruise I'm on is money that would have been charged to my credit card at the end of the cruise for shipboard charges. Personally I prefer getting money now rather than the promise of money later.

 

Since they dont charge your credit card until the end of the cruise what difference does it make if you make your onboard booking the first or last day of the cruise? The obc is still going to offset whatever charges you incurred during the cruise when you get your final statement.

 

Seems a lot of fuss over nothing, or if not nothing, not much.

 

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Very well said. This is what I have been thinking.

 

As long as you are going to sail with X sometime in the future you can just keep changing the cruise, before final payment. Because it is an onboard booking, we've been told, you don't loose the promo you choose in addition (123 choice, take 2, etc., they benefit moves with you).

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[cruisestitch]

Yes, having a huge OBC on the current cruise doesn't do me much good, if it is somehow restricted that it can't be withdrawn from the casino. I'm in the same boat as Cruisenut -- multiple bookings, B2B2B, would be a real problem under this pilot system.

 

I still want to know what has happened with the category upgrades.

 

And also what happens if you re-book the cruise at a new cabin category.

[Oville]

Yes, having a huge OBC on the current cruise doesn't do me much good, if it is somehow restricted that it can't be withdrawn from the casino. I'm in the same boat as Cruisenut -- multiple bookings, B2B2B, would be a real problem under this pilot system.

 

I still want to know what has happened with the category upgrades.

 

And also what happens if you re-book the cruise at a new cabin category.

 

I have a question. Isn't the category upgrade a Captain's Club benefit not part of the booking on board program?

 

We too book numerous cruises while onboard. It will be interesting to see how that is handled. If it is being done like NCL, the deposit would offset the OBC.

 

Thanks

[WestLakeGirl]

All captains club members get a one category upgrade,but on board booking garnered an up-to-three-category upgrade

[OuiOnboard]

I have a question. Isn't the category upgrade a Captain's Club benefit not part of the booking on board program?

 

Thanks

Yes, the cat upgrade is a Cap's Club benefit.

Edited May 25, 2014 by OuiOnboard
sp

[ghstudio]

All captains club members get a one category upgrade,but on board booking garnered an up-to-three-category upgrade

 

The three tier jump has been gone for a while now...replaced by the captain's club upgrades and no longer limited to booking onboard. Additionally, originally you could upgrade from a C3 to a C1. That changed a year or more ago eliminating upgrades to C1 cabins, so a C3 was upgraded to a C2 only. The new captain's club benefit continues with that C1 limitation, however they have added upgrades from A2 to A1.

[Oville]

 

I still want to know what has happened with the category upgrades.

 

And also what happens if you re-book the cruise at a new cabin category.

 

All captains club members get a one category upgrade,but on board booking garnered an up-to-three-category upgrade

 

I just checked the Future Cruise 123Go brochure we received on the Connie in March and there is no mention of the 3 category upgrade. Also, the 123Go requires OV or higher, but I think that's always been the case.

Edited May 25, 2014 by Oville

[chamima]

On our next cruise we're getting $350 from booking it on board our last cruise and $400 from our TA, along with the 1,2,3 , which was in effect when we booked.

If we book another future cruise under this new program, is the TA's OBC refundable?

(It will be hard enough to use up $750 on OBC - $1100 would be impossible!)

[Oville]

On our next cruise we're getting $350 from booking it on board our last cruise and $400 from our TA, along with the 1,2,3 , which was in effect when we booked.

If we book another future cruise under this new program, is the TA's OBC refundable?

(It will be hard enough to use up $750 on OBC - $1100 would be impossible!)

 

TA OBCs are typically refundable.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I guess I'm missing something here.

 

Seems a lot of fuss over nothing, or if not nothing, not much.

 

 

Here's what you're missing, at least from my viewpoint.

 

I already have plenty of OBC on each of my upcoming cruises. I don't need more added. I want to keep getting OBC to apply to future cruises. Don't want it all loaded on to one cruise.

 

So from my point of view, it is a big deal.

[need2bespoiled]

Here's what you're missing, at least from my viewpoint.

 

I already have plenty of OBC on each of my upcoming cruises. I don't need more added. I want to keep getting OBC to apply to future cruises. Don't want it all loaded on to one cruise.

 

So from my point of view, it is a big deal.

 

As long as you can get it out, from the casino (which, presumably you could always take out your old OBC), you're basically getting a FREE deposit. Sure, you lose 5%, I get that, but you get the money now. Put it in the piggy bank, or better yet, combine it with some other money and buy a CD. Save it until your next cruise. Bring it with you, apply it to your onboard account. It all comes out in the wash, doesn't it?

 

The only differences to me:

 

1. Some deposits are reduced, for example, for inside, and so might the OBC booking incentive (I don't know what OBC got for booking onboard).

 

2. It's non-refundable, BUT you can change the cruise as many times as you'd like. What difference does it make, you've already gotten the money, you could say, it's a free deposit too if you take it out in cash. If not, it still doesn't matter as long as you're going to sail celebrity in the future, you can always keep changing it an applying it to a different cruise.

 

Instead of them holding YOUR money until your next cruise, they're actually doing something GOOD and giving it back to you right away, to use in the meantime, as opposed to holding onto it for months! (And this is from someone who has a SIGNIFICANYT amount of $$ tied up in deposits with celebrity.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[WestLakeGirl]

MAYBE it works that way, but we still are just guessing, here on the board nobody's seen the T&C other than the OP, and we can't read the fine print

[need2bespoiled]

MAYBE it works that way, but we still are just guessing, here on the board nobody's seen the T&C other than the OP, and we can't read the fine print

 

Sure, agreed, but why consider the worst, instead of the upside?

 

Vacation planning is a lot more fun without negativity (not saying you are being negative, just a general statement about some threads on the board lately). This thread didn't start negatively, it was looking for help, but quickly went negative with most expecting the worst.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[ghstudio]

Sure, agreed, but why consider the worst, instead of the upside?

 

Vacation planning is a lot more fun without negativity (not saying you are being negative, just a general statement about some threads on the board lately). This thread didn't start negatively, it was looking for help, but quickly went negative with most expecting the worst.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

I don't think the thread went negative at all. Just a lot of questions about the fine print. It's hard to be wildly enthusiastic when we don't have all the information.

Edited May 26, 2014 by ghstudio

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

As long as you can get it out, from the casino (which, presumably you could always take out your old OBC), you're basically getting a FREE deposit. Sure, you lose 5%, I get that, but you get the money now. Put it in the piggy bank, or better yet, combine it with some other money and buy a CD. Save it until your next cruise. Bring it with you, apply it to your onboard account. It all comes out in the wash, doesn't it?

 

The only differences to me:

 

1. Some deposits are reduced, for example, for inside, and so might the OBC booking incentive (I don't know what OBC got for booking onboard).

 

2. It's non-refundable, BUT you can change the cruise as many times as you'd like. What difference does it make, you've already gotten the money, you could say, it's a free deposit too if you take it out in cash. If not, it still doesn't matter as long as you're going to sail celebrity in the future, you can always keep changing it an applying it to a different cruise.

 

Instead of them holding YOUR money until your next cruise, they're actually doing something GOOD and giving it back to you right away, to use in the meantime, as opposed to holding onto it for months! (And this is from someone who has a SIGNIFICANYT amount of $$ tied up in deposits with celebrity.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

You're entitled to your opinion that it's no big deal to you just as I'm entitled to mine that it is for me.

 

I also have a significant amount of dollars tied up in deposits with Celebrity. That's by choice and what I have chosen to do with my money. I really don't see what that has to do with anything. The original discussion centered on OBC.

[npb]

Do you get the 123 when you book transatlantic onboard?

[woodyren]

Sure, agreed, but why consider the worst, instead of the upside?

 

Vacation planning is a lot more fun without negativity (not saying you are being negative, just a general statement about some threads on the board lately). This thread didn't start negatively, it was looking for help, but quickly went negative with most expecting the worst.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

I thought planning included weighing up the pros and cons. I have been following and occasionally contributing to a few of the larger recent threads that you are probably referring to. Sure I want to hear about the great experiences but I also want the warts and all versions as well. I agree that this thread is mostly speculation at present but a few others that started that way have led to eventually finding out the real facts followed by many negative reactions once those facts were published. In quick time Celebrity implemented a change to those plans which I believe was partially at least a result of what was discussed on CC.

 

Once the full facts are produced again on this issue it will be interesting to see many more opinions for the pros and cons of the trial.

 

I hope that Celebrity Cruises will also follow this thread with interest.

Edited May 26, 2014 by woodyren

[gimletgal]

Do you get the 123 when you book transatlantic onboard?

 

Fine Print:

 

Offer is only valid for Celebrity Cruises and cruisetours, excludes Celebrity Book & Go and Premium Vacation packages, Xpedition, Transatlantic and Transpacific cruises.

[Iamthesea]

Hi, this will be brief.

 

First of all, there is nothing in the fine print about how this program works. I think the fine print is the same as the old flyer and the new wordage at the top of the flyer was the only thing changed on the flyer.

DH and I have still not gone back to the FCC desk. We plan to visit later this week. From the earlier visit, from what we understand, if OBC is not used, it will be credited to your credit card. If you use all of the OBC while onboard, and cancel the future booked cruise at a later time, there will be no refund on cruise deposit.

That's about all I know at this point. Since we already have a large OBC for this cruise, we don't need more. As I also mentioned earlier, we were planning to book two future cruises. If we decide to go ahead and book onboard, we will only book the cruise that will come around first. Then, we will book the furthest away cruise while on the earlier cruise.

 

I'll try to report back later in the week. Internet is really slow.

[happy cruzer]

Thanks for the update.

 

Sometimes your reduced deposit is still more than the obc incl in the offer. So the non refundable dep could have you out some bucks. Just have to look at the details...

[Christine Frances]

Hi, this will be brief.

 

First of all, there is nothing in the fine print about how this program works. I think the fine print is the same as the old flyer and the new wordage at the top of the flyer was the only thing changed on the flyer.

DH and I have still not gone back to the FCC desk. We plan to visit later this week. From the earlier visit, from what we understand, if OBC is not used, it will be credited to your credit card. If you use all of the OBC while onboard, and cancel the future booked cruise at a later time, there will be no refund on cruise deposit.

That's about all I know at this point. Since we already have a large OBC for this cruise, we don't need more. As I also mentioned earlier, we were planning to book two future cruises. If we decide to go ahead and book onboard, we will only book the cruise that will come around first. Then, we will book the furthest away cruise while on the earlier cruise.

 

I'll try to report back later in the week. Internet is really slow.

 

Wow Bonus!! If the OBC gets credited back to your CC that works for me!! I will use that to buy OBC for my next cruise (if don't use it that is lol) So it's not "non refundable OBC' but its a "non refundable deposit". That's fine with me if that is the case.

[d4m]

All captains club members get a one category upgrade,but on board booking garnered an up-to-three-category upgrade

 

How long ago was this? Just booked this month on our TA and was told no 3 category upgrades, just one category.

[cruisestitch]

The three-category upgrade has been discontinued but some are still seeing it when moving old bookings as it was "attached" to the previous booking. That recently happened for me. I had a booking made about a year ago with the three-category upgrade. I moved it to a new booking when the new itineraries were released, the three-category deal was honored in the pricing of the new booking.

[HazyDavy]

From the earlier visit, from what we understand, if OBC is not used, it will be credited to your credit card.

 

If that's the case, they're just giving you a "free" deposit, not tieing up your money. I can live with that.

 

 

 

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[gimletgal]

That would be a first for Celebrity if the OBC is refundable. In the past, any OBC received from Celebrity was always "NR".

 

Would still love to see the "fine print" on the new "test" offering.......