Back to the "old" OBC leftover policy

[sawtooth]

Can OBC be used to pay for excursions? We have bought the all inclusive drink package and pre paid gratuities so don't have too much else to spend money on after a couple of specialty dinners.

[RickEk]

Can OBC be used to pay for excursions? We have bought the all inclusive drink package and pre paid gratuities so don't have too much else to spend money on after a couple of specialty dinners.

 

Yes... No problem.

[hpeabody]

I will be sailing on the Crown in less than a week. So, If I understand from Princess Patches post upthread, the only refundable OBC is military to be refunded to credit card only (no cash). Unless you try the Casino method, which I expect will be shut off very soon. This would mean that the gifted $$$/OBC from my TA (NOT FROM PRINCESS AND NOT FROM A PRINCESS SALES PROMOTION) if unused (not likely) will go to Princess?

 

Has anyone had first hand experience with this scenario (gifted OBC) under the "enforcement" of policy yet?

 

Very curious how this is all going to play out.

Edited October 12, 2014 by hpeabody

[RickEk]

I don't expect Princess to be eliminated either but I am guessing their profits were down with all of those "cashing out" and thus the change to making the money non-refundable.

 

If you look at some of the actions recently, I wonder if it is due to profits being down. Think about the alcohol policy changes, etc... Princess didn't care if people brought a few bottles of wine onboard but when people starting bringing cases. Also, the elimination of bringing hard alcohol.

 

I think onboard spending was down and this is a way to bring it back up.

 

From what I understand, Princess is more than holding their own among the Carnival Corp. brands. I think that is evidenced by the new ship order.

[bhopal21]

This would mean that the gifted $$$/OBC from my TA (NOT FROM PRINCESS AND NOT FROM A PRINCESS SALES PROMOTION) if unused (not likely) will go to Princess?

 

 

I think your post says it all. "Gifted OBC" is still Onboard Credit to be used while on the ship hence its name.

 

Mike:)

[cherylandtk]

I will be sailing on the Crown in less than a week. So, If I understand from Princess Patches post upthread, the only refundable OBC is military to be refunded to credit card only (no cash). Unless you try the Casino method, which I expect will be shut off very soon. This would mean that the gifted $$$/OBC from my TA (NOT FROM PRINCESS AND NOT FROM A PRINCESS SALES PROMOTION) if unused (not likely) will go to Princess?

 

Has anyone had first hand experience with this scenario (gifted OBC) under the "enforcement" of policy yet?

 

Very curious how this is all going to play out.

I think it might depend on the true source of your gifted OBC. If your TA sold enough cabins to form a group sailing and was given credit from Princess and gave the clients OBC as a result, then the actual source is from Princess, and likely NR. On the other hand, if you (or your Mother or your TA) send yourself credit to your account via a payment to Princess, that should be refundable credit. Edited October 12, 2014 by cherylandtk

[Guest USC Traveler]

Welcome home, Pam.

Did you do any type of review from your Royal cruise? I'd love to know how you liked it compared to the last one.

[Griller]

You talk as though it was actually tolerated at one point. :D:rolleyes:

 

While you are talking like it has actually been eliminated, OK they have tried to eliminate it, but I never had a problem personally then or now in getting an adequate quantity of what I want onto the ship

Edited October 12, 2014 by Griller

[boxztrs]

Like I suggested before, us veteran cruisers would prefer that Princess just eliminate all the OBC's that are tied to cabin pricing. These types of OBC's are just deceptive ways of enticing new people to cruise Princess, and making them think they are getting something for nothing. Is a fare of $399 the same as a fare of $599 with a $200 OBC? To the naïve traveler it is. But for veteran cruisers, we know the $200 is not worth $200.

 

Just another trend that Princess doesn't care much any more for us loyal veterans. If they did, they could offer a different pricing structure for us when we used our logins on their site. The new cruisers could get the "promotional" pricing, and us veterans could get a low net fare loyalty pricing.

 

The reality is that the veteran cruisers don't spend as much on all the extras (excursions, stores, etc.) and this is Princess' way of squeezing more from us. Our reality wake up call to Princess is that there are other (and many times better) options with other cruise lines. If I have to give up my free laundry, then so be it.

[hansi]

Assuming Princess reads these boards would suggest cashing out in the casino will end soon too. I am sure Princess thanks you for exposing the loophole. Sigh!

 

There is no "assuming" about it. Princess regularly read these boards:(

[RDC1]

Like I suggested before, us veteran cruisers would prefer that Princess just eliminate all the OBC's that are tied to cabin pricing. These types of OBC's are just deceptive ways of enticing new people to cruise Princess, and making them think they are getting something for nothing. Is a fare of $399 the same as a fare of $599 with a $200 OBC? To the naïve traveler it is. But for veteran cruisers, we know the $200 is not worth $200.

 

Just another trend that Princess doesn't care much any more for us loyal veterans. If they did, they could offer a different pricing structure for us when we used our logins on their site. The new cruisers could get the "promotional" pricing, and us veterans could get a low net fare loyalty pricing.

 

The reality is that the veteran cruisers don't spend as much on all the extras (excursions, stores, etc.) and this is Princess' way of squeezing more from us. Our reality wake up call to Princess is that there are other (and many times better) options with other cruise lines. If I have to give up my free laundry, then so be it.

 

Princess fares are very competitive with other lines (usually less than Celebrity, on par with Royal Caribbean, less than Holland) before considering the value of the OBC.

 

I, for one, like the system as it is. Works wonderfully for us and our 78 cruise days over the last two years.

 

Since we tend to book early one thing I have noticed is that we can usually get lower fare and more OBC at some point prior to final payment. For example on our 20 day in January, the fares dropped by over $100 per person after we originally booked and $200 per person in OBC was added. So certainly have not seen prices going up by the amount of OBC being added.

Edited October 12, 2014 by RDC1

[billco]

Like I suggested before, us veteran cruisers would prefer that Princess just eliminate all the OBC's that are tied to cabin pricing. These types of OBC's are just deceptive ways of enticing new people to cruise Princess, and making them think they are getting something for nothing. Is a fare of $399 the same as a fare of $599 with a $200 OBC? To the naïve traveler it is. But for veteran cruisers, we know the $200 is not worth $200.

 

Just another trend that Princess doesn't care much any more for us loyal veterans. If they did, they could offer a different pricing structure for us when we used our logins on their site. The new cruisers could get the "promotional" pricing, and us veterans could get a low net fare loyalty pricing.

 

The reality is that the veteran cruisers don't spend as much on all the extras (excursions, stores, etc.) and this is Princess' way of squeezing more from us. Our reality wake up call to Princess is that there are other (and many times better) options with other cruise lines. If I have to give up my free laundry, then so be it.

Elite benefits, Military OBC, Shareholder OBC, Cabin Tied OBC, FCC, TA OBC, TA Discount plus the Princess experience. It will take a lot more than this minor OBC issue before I would consider looking elsewhere.

[whatcruiseisnext]

Like I suggested before, us veteran cruisers would prefer that Princess just eliminate all the OBC's that are tied to cabin pricing. These types of OBC's are just deceptive ways of enticing new people to cruise Princess, and making them think they are getting something for nothing. Is a fare of $399 the same as a fare of $599 with a $200 OBC? To the naïve traveler it is. But for veteran cruisers, we know the $200 is not worth $200.

 

Just another trend that Princess doesn't care much any more for us loyal veterans. If they did, they could offer a different pricing structure for us when we used our logins on their site. The new cruisers could get the "promotional" pricing, and us veterans could get a low net fare loyalty pricing.

 

The reality is that the veteran cruisers don't spend as much on all the extras (excursions, stores, etc.) and this is Princess' way of squeezing more from us. Our reality wake up call to Princess is that there are other (and many times better) options with other cruise lines. If I have to give up my free laundry, then so be it.

 

 

Not ALL veteran cruisers agree with you. I think Princess offers a wonderful product at a fair price. It seems to me that many of you are talking about cutting off your nose to spite your face. Using our TA I am thrilled with the cruise fares paid and consider the OBC's afforded to me as gifts from Princess. If I can't use them all.....not likely....so what. It wasn't anything that I paid for anyway. I think it is wonderful that Princess offers the generous OBC's that they do and allows us to combine credits also. We get the OBC from booking with our TA, OBC from using our FCC's to book, shareholder OBC, loyalty OBC and any extra credit that Princess may be offering at the time we book.

 

[

[SOLIVITA LADY]

Not ALL veteran cruisers agree with you. I think Princess offers a wonderful product at a fair price. It seems to me that many of you are talking about cutting off your nose to spite your face. Using our TA I am thrilled with the cruise fares paid and consider the OBC's afforded to me as gifts from Princess. If I can't use them all.....not likely....so what. It wasn't anything that I paid for anyway. I think it is wonderful that Princess offers the generous OBC's that they do and allows us to combine credits also. We get the OBC from booking with our TA, OBC from using our FCC's to book, shareholder OBC, loyalty OBC and any extra credit that Princess may be offering at the time we book.

 

[

 

Totally agree with you. We always use all our OBC. I do use some in the casino when my cash runs out so hope I can still do that but if not then my casino play time will be cut short.

 

 

 

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk HD

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Totally agree with you. We always use all our OBC. I do use some in the casino when my cash runs out so hope I can still do that but if not then my casino play time will be cut short...

 

I hope they don't stop OBC from being used in the casino. Princess knows that statistically most monies wagered will be kept by the casino as profit, so I think they would be foolish to stop this. I can see not allowing a quick cash out of OBC never wagered, but once I have been playing awhile, I think I should be able to keep any monies wagered with OBC.

Edited October 12, 2014 by Ryndam2002

[hawkeyetlse]

The reality is that the veteran cruisers don't spend as much on all the extras (excursions, stores, etc.) and this is Princess' way of squeezing more from us. Our reality wake up call to Princess is that there are other (and many times better) options with other cruise lines.

The reality is that other cruise lines don't want to attract this kind of veteran cruiser, either. (Not all veteran cruisers fall into this category.)

 

If this OBC policy is enough to drive away the small spenders, I think Princess will breathe a sigh of relief and pat themselves on the back knowing that those non-profitable customers are now someone else's problem.

[bhopal21]

The reality is that other cruise lines don't want to attract this kind of veteran cruiser, either. (Not all veteran cruisers fall into this category.)

 

If this OBC policy is enough to drive away the small spenders, I think Princess will breathe a sigh of relief and pat themselves on the back knowing that those non-profitable customers are now someone else's problem.

 

I think you are exactly right.

 

Mike:)

[Iamcruzin]

The reality is that other cruise lines don't want to attract this kind of veteran cruiser, either. (Not all veteran cruisers fall into this category.)

 

If this OBC policy is enough to drive away the small spenders, I think Princess will breathe a sigh of relief and pat themselves on the back knowing that those non-profitable customers are now someone else's problem.

 

 

I agree if the passengers aren't willing to spend money that was given to them why would you want this customer. There are plenty of other passengers who are willing to jump on a discounted cruise and spend the OBC and then some.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[billco]

Oh no! I just received updated vouchers from my TA for all five of my upcoming cruises, including the two that I have made final payment where "yes" under "refundable" has been changed to "no" except for "military benefit."

Edited October 13, 2014 by billco

[pablo222]

Worth cancelling your cruises over? If Princess told you, sorry that is the policy, however, we are allowing you the possibility to cancel without penalty. Would you do it?

 

I dumped my carnival stock this morning, and cancelled a princess

cruise for April.

 

If I cancel the two that are inside final payment -- with cancel for any

reason insurance -- all I will get is credit to use against a

future princess cruise. That would be nearly as bad as more

shipboard credit.

[Griller]

I dumped my carnival stock this morning, and cancelled a princess

cruise for April.

 

If I cancel the two that are inside final payment -- with cancel for any

reason insurance -- all I will get is credit to use against a

future princess cruise. That would be nearly as bad as more

shipboard credit.

 

I also found that it was even worse than that for me when I had cruise credit to use - I had to pay full current Princess price for the cruise and no discount from a travel agency.

[DanaPointBob]

I agree if the passengers aren't willing to spend money that was given to them why would you want this customer. There are plenty of other passengers who are willing to jump on a discounted cruise and spend the OBC and then some.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I totally agree.

[boxztrs]

What many of you "loyal" Princess cruisers forget, is that you might a myriad of "OBC rewards" but you also get the current state of affairs on Princess ships:

 

1. Same old entertainment (same shows and acts year after year)

2. Disgustingly boring cruise directors

3. Food quality that is falling each year

4. Cutting corners where they can (for example no heating pools any longer)

5. Ships in disrepair and ageing

6. Cruise staff attitudes that have become poorer

7. New ship designs that are poor and negatively accepted

8. Even with doing shorter cruises, fails to attract a younger demographic

9. Failure to communicate policies, and inconsistent application

 

Just read a few current reviews if you have forgotten about all of the current Princess misses. Carnival Corp. nets around 1 billion dollars a year. I don't feel sorry that their bottom line isn't higher.

 

I just accept Princess for what it is, and will cruise if the price is at rock bottom compared to the many other options that are available. I also buy many staple sundry items at Walmart because I get what I need for the lowest price. Princess has become the Walmart of the "luxury" cruise segment and you get what you pay for. And for those that think all the OBC credit Princess gives are "gifts", keep drinking the koolaid. They don't make money giving you things for free - so yes, you really paid for them in some way (either in higher fares or the items listed above).

[pablo222]

There are plenty of other passengers who are willing to jump on a discounted cruise and spend the OBC and then some.

 

The short cruises from Ft. Lauderdale this fall are some of

the ones that are getting large OBC added to induce people

to book.

 

There have been several posts here from people returning

from Carribbean where the ship was (a lot) less than full.

 

Apparently, the 'plenty of other passengers' are not booking either.

[Nancyquilts]

The short cruises from Ft. Lauderdale this fall are some of

the ones that are getting large OBC added to induce people

to book.

 

There have been several posts here from people returning

from Carribbean where the ship was (a lot) less than full.

 

Apparently, the 'plenty of other passengers' are not booking either.

 

Send those not-full ships to San Francisco. It would be lovely to have a ship in the summer that did longer Alaska cruises, and one to Hawaii and Tahiti in the winter. And yes, I'm grateful that we now have a ship here year round. But I can dream.