Back to the "old" OBC leftover policy

[Thorpe]

Agree :)

[socialworker]

Awesome post... I totally agree!

 

Sent from my D2-927G using Forums mobile app

 

I had almost this very conversation with a "person" who came around during the meet and greet asking if anyone knew how she could cash out her OBC from the casino. Believe me, my husband almost had to hold me back!

 

I am delighted Princess is finally putting a stop to that nonsense. One would think that On Board Credit would be understandable.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...I am delighted Princess is finally putting a stop to that nonsense. One would think that On Board Credit would be understandable.

 

I agree. I think Princess has the most generous OBC policy afloat, I just wish there were more transparency/consistency about the rules. I'm hoping Princess is in a temporary "state of flux" regarding OBC policy, and will settle on something clear and consistent soon.

 

I called a Princess phone rep earlier today to discuss a future booking matter. When I started off the conversation by promising not to ask about OBC policy, he laughed and said "thank you" :).

Edited October 13, 2014 by Ryndam2002
clarity

[bhopal21]

I agree. I think Princess has the most generous OBC policy afloat, I just wish there were more transparency/consistency about the rules. I'm hoping Princess is in a temporary "state of flux" regarding OBC policy, and will settle on something clear and consistent soon.

 

I called a Princess phone rep earlier today to discuss a future booking matter. When I started off the conversation by promising not to ask about OBC policy, he laughed and said "thank you" :).

 

 

Historically anytime they have made changes it takes a few weeks for everyone (and each ship) to get on the same channel.

 

I remember when they changed specialty restaurants to smart casual all the time it was months before the Ruby would adopt the new guidelines even though we received a pre-cruise email from Princess stating the new policy.

 

Mike:)

[billco]

This is the advice I got from my TA. I love her honesty. "You really need to ask them directly on this. I have no idea and calling and getting any yahoo on the phone isn’t gonna get us an answer that is necessarily correct. Your best bet iis to ask the Princess Rep when they call."

[Iamcruzin]

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.

 

 

 

That has more to do with the crappy itineraries and the fact that they were over priced to begin with. You wouldn't get me to fly to Ft Lauderdale to spend a day at Princess Cays. Even for free. Princess has no business selling these short itineraries if they can't be priced to compete with the competition at the beginning of the season. This is the reason that they are scrambling after final payment to fill the ships. The only way I would consider a short cruise is if I could drive to port.

 

 

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[PescadoAmarillo]

This is the advice I got from my TA. I love her honesty. "You really need to ask them directly on this. I have no idea and calling and getting any yahoo on the phone isn’t gonna get us an answer that is necessarily correct. Your best bet iis to ask the Princess Rep when they call."

 

Princess has really put their TAs in the hot seat on this one. TAs provided backup for OBCs to help clients AND Princess, to reduce issues on board, then Princess changed it overnight.

[caribill]

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.

 

Good luck finding another cruise line that is as generous with what OBC can be awarded as Princess is.

 

It is odd that people complain they have so much OBC they must spend they will not cruise on Princess again.

[Astro Flyer]

Good luck finding another cruise line that is as generous with what OBC can be awarded as Princess is.

 

It is odd that people complain they have so much OBC they must spend they will not cruise on Princess again.

And on Princess they're combinable unlike some other cruise lines.

 

I have never ended a cruise without owing money even with all of the various combinable onboard credits. If Princess ever decides to enforce the restriction to not allow some OBCs to be used for gratuities, then I'd decide whether to keep our shares or not.

[Iamcruzin]

Good luck finding another cruise line that is as generous with what OBC can be awarded as Princess is.

 

It is odd that people complain they have so much OBC they must spend they will not cruise on Princess again.

 

This gives a whole new meaning to first world problems....Shaking my head and rolling my eyes:rolleyes:

Edited October 14, 2014 by Iamcruzin

[pablo222]

Good luck finding another cruise line that is as generous with what OBC can be awarded as Princess is.

 

It is odd that people complain they have so much OBC they must spend they will not cruise on Princess again.

 

It isn't the amount of OBC, it is the changing of terms after final payment.

 

Or perhaps you meant, 'good like finding a cruise line that is ethical'.

[pablo222]

This is the reason that they are scrambling after final payment to fill the ships.

 

So, which is it? They are scrambling to fill ships, or they

have plenty of other passengers?

 

And, I agree about the short cruises. After princess had to give them

away last year, it is very odd that they brought them back again this

year.

[cantwaitfornextcruise]

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.

 

Don't know about you but we certainly get a preferred cruise rate when we log into Princess

 

Think my DH would definitely disagree with the spending statement :eek: Not all frequent cruisers drink water/Ice Tea/Lemonade only, - don;t flame me for that comment because we all know some do, but most don't.

Edited October 14, 2014 by cantwaitfornextcruise

[Iamcruzin]

So, which is it? They are scrambling to fill ships, or they

have plenty of other passengers?

 

And, I agree about the short cruises. After princess had to give them

away last year, it is very odd that they brought them back again this

year.

 

The only itineraries that have been a problem for filling ships that I'm aware of are a few of the short Caribbean cruises. Honestly if the system allows the passengers to walk away with more money than the cost of the cruise then they are better off sailing empty as opposed to feeding and housing people who won't spend a dime of the free OBC.

[Iamcruzin]

Don't know about you but we certainly get a preferred cruise rate when we log into Princess

 

Think my DH would definitely disagree with the spending statement :eek: Not all frequent cruisers drink water/Ice Tea/Lemonade only, - don;t flame me for that comment because we all know some do, but most don't.

I don't mind if people don't spend a dime of their own money on board. We all have different financial situations. Many of the passengers are probably on a fixed income. However if the cruise line is giving you free money to spend on board you could a least spring for a cup of coffee or a full glass of juice.

[pablo222]

However if the cruise line is giving you free money to spend on board you could a least spring for a cup of coffee or a full glass of juice.

 

I have about $600 in OBC for a 5-day cruise, traveling alone.

 

I plan to buy a soda sticker, pay gratuties, and go to crown grill

once or twice.

 

I will trade the elite setup for two coffee cards.

 

Those are the things I usually purchase on any cruise.

I am sorry if I don't spend enough for you.

 

What I would like to do is carry over any remaining OBC to the next

cruise, where Mrs. Pablo will be on board. But, based on recent posts,

that is no longer allowed, either.

 

When I log in to the personallizer, princess could offer me

a higher fare if they didn't want my business. Once I log

in, they know who I am...

Edited October 14, 2014 by pablo222

[Iamcruzin]

I have about $600 in OBC for a 5-day cruise, traveling alone.

 

I plan to buy a soda sticker, pay gratuties, and go to crown grill

once or twice.

 

I will trade the elite setup for two coffee cards.

 

Those are the things I usually purchase on any cruise.

I am sorry if I don't spend enough for you.

 

What I would like to do is carry over any remaining OBC to the next

cruise, where Mrs. Pablo will be on board. But, based on recent posts,

that is no longer allowed, either.

 

When I log in to the personallizer, princess could offer me

a higher fare if they didn't want my business. Once I log

in, they know who I am...

 

Well my statement doesn't pertain to you and some of the others and I agree you should be able to carry over your OBC to the next voyage. However there were a few posters who were actually trying to make a profit from the cruise line and I don't blame them for trying. Apparently there are enough of those passengers to cause Princess to close the loophole. Princess is their own worst enemy when it comes to making exceptions such as allowing traditional diners to eat anytime, to allowing unlimited amounts of wine to be brought on board. When you do it enough times it's no longer the exception it's the rule. Then when you try to bring it back in line all you get is a bunch of unhappy customers and confused employees.

[pablo222]

Well my statement doesn't pertain to you and some of the others and I agree you should be able to carry over your OBC to the next voyage.

 

All I want to do is get through this one situation, where they

changed the rules after final policy.

 

For the future, I'm fine with OBC has to be used on board.

 

I don't even understand why Military is refundable.

What makes that special? It is onboard credit being given.

[bhopal21]

 

I don't even understand why Military is refundable.

What makes that special? It is onboard credit being given.

 

I don't understand that as well.

 

It is a gift from Princess to me for having served in the military but I don't see it as a cash gift to be carried off the ship but rather an onboard credit no different than any of the others.

 

I don't feel like any OBC should be refundable.

 

I have $760 OBC and prepaid gratuities for my 12 day cruise on the Ruby next week and feel sure it will all be depleted early on.:D

 

Mike:)

[hawkeyetlse]

I don't feel like any OBC should be refundable.

I agree with you about the military OBC and all other OBC that isn't actually paid for at face value. But onboard gift credit that someone buys for you, or that you buy for yourself, should continue to be refundable. Unless they start selling it for less than face value, like $75 cold hard cash buys you $100 non-refundable funny money to spend on board.

[billco]

What I would like to do is carry over any remaining OBC to the next cruise, where Mrs. Pablo will be on board. But, based on recent posts, that is no longer allowed, either.

I think I posted that Princess told me on their Facebook page that I could carry over OBC from the first leg to the second leg of my B2B. But, I could not carry over OBC if I was changing ships.

[Iamcruzin]

All I want to do is get through this one situation, where they

changed the rules after final policy.

 

For the future, I'm fine with OBC has to be used on board.

 

I don't even understand why Military is refundable.

What makes that special? It is onboard credit being given.

 

There is one thing that's always consistent with Princess and that's all of the inconsistencies. The customer reps can't possibly give the correct answer because the rules are always changing. I suspect that the only way that you are going to find out is when you board the ship and ask for yourself. Please report back and let us know how you made out. I hope that you are able to carry over your OBC

[billco]

I have $760 OBC and prepaid gratuities for my 12 day cruise on the Ruby next week and feel sure it will all be depleted early on.:D

 

Mike:)

We have $1100 OBC and prepaid gratuities for our 20 day cruise next April. We are vegan, so don't access specialty restaurants. We don't drink a lot, so the two bottles of wine we bring on board plus the wine we get from our TA will probably last the cruise. I'll probably sign up for the TRX classes. We will buy two coffee cards and possibly maitre d' wine tasting. We don't gamble. Wonder what else we can spend the OBC on. I don't think I am cheap, but I don't generally spend on things just for the sake of spending.

[hawkeyetlse]

Wonder what else we can spend the OBC on. I don't think I am cheap, but I don't generally spend on things just for the sake of spending.

Well, here's your chance. Aren't there any excursions that might interest you during your 20 day cruise? Or if you're feeling generous, you can buy drinks, coffee cards, dinners, Internet minutes, excursions, etc. for other people. Or buy things for them and have them pay you pack in cash, maybe with a little discount for them just to be nice.

 

More ideas: Spa passes for both of you? Access to the Sanctuary? Ultimate Ship Tour? Maybe a tuxedo rental for you (not sure if you can use OBC for that or if it has to be pre-paid).

 

Sure, all of this stuff is probably way overpriced and you might never consider spending your own real money on it. But that's the thing, we're not talking about real money here…

Edited October 14, 2014 by hawkeyetlse

[billco]

Well, here's your chance. Aren't there any excursions that might interest you during your 20 day cruise? Or if you're feeling generous, you can buy drinks, dinners, Internet minutes, excursions, etc. for other people. Or buy things for them and have them pay you pack in cash, maybe with a little discount for them just to be nice.

We've booked private excursions. Not feeling generous.