are there restrictions on the use of OBC?

[LoriSan]

I currently have $299 OBC for my Aug Pride sailing. $100 from booking onboard, and $199 from price drops.

 

Are there any restrictions on how this OBC can be used? Can it be used toward gratuities?

[timhoke]

As I recall the OBC is just deducted from you total bill. So as long as you don't pre pay gratuities they will appear on the SS acct at the end.

[JWGrayson]

I currently have $299 OBC for my Aug Pride sailing. $100 from booking onboard, and $199 from price drops.

 

Are there any restrictions on how this OBC can be used? Can it be used toward gratuities?

 

Technically the $100 for booking onboard is non-refundable OBC, while the price drop is considered refundable. They don't tend to take the trouble to track it. I try to use ours to pay gratuities and excursions. If there is any refundable OBC left, you will get a check for it, unless it is less than $5.00. John

[snc_cam]

Yeah, I always use the OBC to pay gratuities. And with the shareholder OBC, always have some. Plus now the extra $100 for our Jan cruise from booking onboard. I actually had to get the prepaid gratuities removed from our bookings when I realized I had the OBC to use up.

 

To get the extra OBC as some have posted, go to a ship kiosk and take your funds.

[LambKnuckles]

Technically the $100 for booking onboard is non-refundable OBC, while the price drop is considered refundable. They don't tend to take the trouble to track it. I try to use ours to pay gratuities and excursions. If there is any refundable OBC left, you will get a check for it, unless it is less than $5.00. John

 

Yep -- you can get it refunded if it's in the "refundable" category. The non-refundable is to be used or lost!!

 

Also, John mentioned the minimum. I thought it was $10, but I'll bet he's right about it being $5??? The refund check is delivered to you with your final bill on the last night of the cruise. If it's less than $10 (or whatever that minimum is) it will be donated to the Carnival Charity at that time -- St. Jude's right now. But you may always ask for it, no matter what the amount!

[JWGrayson]

Yep -- you can get it refunded if it's in the "refundable" category. The non-refundable is to be used or lost!!

 

Also, John mentioned the minimum. I thought it was $10, but I'll bet he's right about it being $5??? The refund check is delivered to you with your final bill on the last night of the cruise. If it's less than $10 (or whatever that minimum is) it will be donated to the Carnival Charity at that time -- St. Jude's right now. But you may always ask for it, no matter what the amount!

 

On our last few cruises, they have changed the program and now MAIL the checks. It takes about a week to get them. I guess this gives them the chance to get last minute drink purchases and to verify the type of OBC. John

[cb at sea]

It's simply a CREDIT towards any charges you make. So, if you have $200 obc, the first $200 you spend is covered. Doesn't matter what it is.

[Disconnections]

Technically, there are restrictions, as some charges aren't eligible for certain types of onboard credits. One example of this would be casino charges and gratuities being used against shareholder onboard credit.

 

However, there isn't any current enforcement over these and all onboard credit will act as a deduction from the total on your onboard folio. I'm not sure how the shore excursion exclusive onboard credit was executed. As always, your mileage may vary as they are listed under the promotion terms and conditions and enforcement can begin at anytime. I have not experienced enforcement of this on two of the cruise lines owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & plc., Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Disconnections