Restrictive Onboard Credit

[rallydave]

Apply to excursions, discounted bottles of wine (as gifts for friends if you don't drink), etc.

And if you're going to waste the dollars and the out of pocket price of the jewelry doesn't exceed fair market value, it's not overpriced...

 

 

Problem is that the out of pocket price isn't known. Just like included air isn't free, included OBC, gratuities, internet, etc. aren't free, they are included in the price of the cruise as another poster stated but, has been dismissed by the O cheerleaders.

 

No company or cruise line can survive giving "free" things away. The price of these "free" things are of course included in the fares people pay or the business would quickly go out of business.

Edited May 30, 2015 by rallydave

[hondorner]

Problem is that the out of pocket price isn't known. Just like included air isn't free, included OBC, gratuities, internet, etc. aren't free, they are included in the price of the cruise as another poster stated but, has been dismissed by the O cheerleaders.

 

No company or cruise line can survive giving "free" things away. The price of these "free" things are of course included in the fares people pay or the business would quickly go out of business.

True, Dave...but, the fare is the fare. People will pay it whether there is OBC or not, so when it's available, that makes it truly free. The cruise line offers it as an incentive to fill slow selling cruises, which means the cruise line is actually taking the hit in their bottom line to fill the ship.

 

It's a lot like miles or points on credit cards -- you can argue they're built into the cost of the cards (which is borne by the merchants, which build it into the price of goods, so we pay it indirectly), but the fact is, we're going to use the credit cards, miles or not.

 

The bottom line is all these promotions and incentives are built into the price of whatever, but at least we're getting something back for the extra we pay! Pity the person who does NOT take advantage of them, thus paying for our perks!

 

By the way, I just remembered I also bought a really nice linen-look sport coat and a good looking shirt on board Riviera with OBC -- Betsy doesn't get it al! We are also building our collection of Oceania ship models. I'd never spend "real" money this way...

Edited May 30, 2015 by hondorner

[LHT28]

Maybe they will stop offering OBC as incentives then people will complain about that also

 

I know there is not too much I would buy on the ship but I did give it my best shot :D

[rallydave]

True, Dave...but, the fare is the fare. People will pay it whether there is OBC or not, so when it's available, that makes it truly free. The cruise line offers it as an incentive to fill slow selling cruises, which means the cruise line is actually taking the hit in their bottom line to fill the ship.

 

It's a lot like miles or points on credit cards -- you can argue they're built into the cost of the cards (which is borne by the merchants, which build it into the price of goods, so we pay it indirectly), but the fact is, we're going to use the credit cards, miles or not.

 

The bottom line is all these promotions and incentives are built into the price of whatever, but at least we're getting something back for the extra we pay! Pity the person who does NOT take advantage of them, thus paying for our perks!

 

By the way, I just remembered I also bought a really nice linen-look sport coat and a good looking shirt on board Riviera with OBC -- Betsy doesn't get it al! We are also building our collection of Oceania ship models. I'd never spend "real" money this way...

 

OK Don, assuming you are correct, that says that O is having trouble filling their ships for many of their sailings since there are so many promotions going on and thus their profitability may not be as good as some of the cheerleaders seem to think it is.

 

And, your analogy about credit cards is a good one and supports those of us who put as much as we can on our credit cards while the vast majority pay with debit cards, cash, and checks thus paying for the perks the rest of us get.

 

Also, while retail purchases are spread over millions and millions of people with the majority of them paying for but, not getting the perks, on cruise ships, from all of the extra perks now being offered to most of the people since people are getting the perks added to their already booked cruises, most people are actually paying for the OBC and other perks making them not free.

 

Since the perks are there best to take advantage of them and surprised nobody has responded to my suggestion to buy chips in the casino with their extra OBC, pay the 5% fee and take the balance in cash by cashing in the chips at the cage and avoiding buying the overpriced merchandise and then getting more for your money by buying what you want once you reach home???

[LHT28]

Since the perks are there best to take advantage of them and surprised nobody has responded to my suggestion to buy chips in the casino with their extra OBC, pay the 5% fee and take the balance in cash by cashing in the chips at the cage and avoiding buying the overpriced merchandise and then getting more for your money by buying what you want once you reach home???

 

Maybe no one has tried it yet or does not want to ruin a good thing if it indeed works that way ;)

 

Like all good scams it will come to end

[rallydave]

Maybe no one has tried it yet or does not want to ruin a good thing if it indeed works that way ;)

 

Like all good scams it will come to end

 

Now why would you call it a "scam". A scam is something that is dishonest or against the rules. This is simply using and following the rules to your best advantage.

 

Not unlike companies including cruise lines who write their rules to their advantage. Is it a scam when any company uses their terms and conditions to avoid paying for something that most people think should be paid for when the rules say they don't have to???

[hypercafe]

I think a lot of the OBC comes from travel agents who are giving back some of their commision. That has nothing to do with the cruise line. I guess I have always taken hot trips on Oceania because I never got any extras, I paid my fare and got a ticket period. I never used their air so I got the credit. I have gotten OBC from other lines and looked at it as found money and bought things and took shore trips I would not otherwise have and felt good about. Do not over think the issue.

 

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[ChucktownSteve]

I think a lot of the OBC comes from travel agents who are giving back some of their commision.

 

TA OBC is refundable. Oceania OBC is not.

[ORV]

I think a lot of the OBC comes from travel agents who are giving back some of their commision. That has nothing to do with the cruise line. I guess I have always taken hot trips on Oceania because I never got any extras, I paid my fare and got a ticket period. I never used their air so I got the credit. I have gotten OBC from other lines and looked at it as found money and bought things and took shore trips I would not otherwise have and felt good about. Do not over think the issue.

 

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I think a lot of the OBC comes from the loyalty level. Most Oceania cruises I have been on have a majority of repeat customers on board. A couple with less than 5 cruises gets nothing, while those with more get graduated levels, $200, $400, $500 and up. While a cruiser with less than 5 gets nothing, one with 10 would get $400, while they paid the same fare, if they're in the same category. Then you have the extra OBC people with over 10 cruises get when they are sailing on a grats included cruise. It starts adding up.

 

While I agree that it's built into the fares apparently those that have cruised less than 5 times are supplementing those that have cruised more. Thanks, we appreciate it.

[sitraveler]

While I have no doubt that the casino will issue funds against your account, I do believe they will not charge those funds against OBC, but will bill your credit card. Reception will issue money to the cruiser, same thing.

[hypercafe]

I think a lot of the OBC comes from the loyalty level. Most Oceania cruises I have been on have a majority of repeat customers on board. A couple with less than 5 cruises gets nothing, while those with more get graduated levels, $200, $400, $500 and up. While a cruiser with less than 5 gets nothing, one with 10 would get $400, while they paid the same fare, if they're in the same category. Then you have the extra OBC people with over 10 cruises get when they are sailing on a grats included cruise. It starts adding up.

 

While I agree that it's built into the fares apparently those that have cruised less than 5 times are supplementing those that have cruised more. Thanks, we appreciate it.

 

Guess your right, I was not thinking about the club stuff. I do not think about my fare in that way. Guess I am also supplementing those that eat lots and those who go to afternoon tea as we do not. Many who say they never go to a show are paying my way because we go to all. I just do not over think the whole thing. I pay the asked price, take what I can and enjoy myself.

 

 

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[ORV]

While I have no doubt that the casino will issue funds against your account, I do believe they will not charge those funds against OBC, but will bill your credit card. Reception will issue money to the cruiser, same thing.

 

Would it depend on whether it's refundable or non refundable OBC?

[StanandJim]

Would it depend on whether it's refundable or non refundable OBC?

 

I don't believe that ANY non refundable (i.e. Promotional) On Board Credits may be used to buy chips in the Casino.

 

Up until late 2014 or so, it was possible to withdraw refundable OBC in increments of cash at the front desk during the Cruise without a fee. That is no longer the case. Oceania will, however, refund any remaining Refundable Credit balance in cash at the end of the voyage.

[LuAnn]

OK Don, assuming you are correct, that says that O is having trouble filling their ships for many of their sailings since there are so many promotions going on and thus their profitability may not be as good as some of the cheerleaders seem to think it is.

 

And, your analogy about credit cards is a good one and supports those of us who put as much as we can on our credit cards while the vast majority pay with debit cards, cash, and checks thus paying for the perks the rest of us get.

 

Also, while retail purchases are spread over millions and millions of people with the majority of them paying for but, not getting the perks, on cruise ships, from all of the extra perks now being offered to most of the people since people are getting the perks added to their already booked cruises, most people are actually paying for the OBC and other perks making them not free.

 

Since the perks are there best to take advantage of them and surprised nobody has responded to my suggestion to buy chips in the casino with their extra OBC, pay the 5% fee and take the balance in cash by cashing in the chips at the cage and avoiding buying the overpriced merchandise and then getting more for your money by buying what you want once you reach home???

 

When we were on the spring T/A on Riviera the OBC cards we received in our cabin on embarkation day showing various amounts of OBC..we received several of them both for OBC from O and our agent... stated that the OBC could not be used in the casino. LuAnn

Edited May 30, 2015 by LuAnn

[ChucktownSteve]

I don't believe that ANY non refundable (i.e. Promotional) On Board Credits may be used to buy chips in the Casino.

 

Up until late 2014 or so, it was possible to withdraw refundable OBC in increments of cash at the front desk during the Cruise without a fee. That is no longer the case. Oceania will, however, refund any remaining Refundable Credit balance in cash at the end of the voyage.

 

At the end of our Oceania cruise, I went to Guest Services and got our TA's OBC (that we didn't spend) back in cash. Unbeknownst to me, my DW had made a $22 on board purchase after the bill's close out. So I received a $22 charge to my credit card a few days after we returned home.

 

What that taught me was next time I should get all refundable OBC in cash immediately. Then continue to charge. Once the Oceania bill hits my credit card for the amount that would have been the refundable OBC, I'll get 2% cash back from the card. :D

Edited May 30, 2015 by ChucktownSteve

[bitob]

Buy an overpriced watch or piece of jewelry and sell it on eBay.

[Travelcat2]

Buy an overpriced watch or piece of jewelry and sell it on eBay.

 

Actually, that is an interesting idea! I have a collection of watches from using my OBC's. It has been my experience that some OBC from our TA is refundable but some is not. Regent apparently gives some of their TA's some OBC's to use at their discretion. Those OBC's are non-refundable. If a TA chooses to give a client OBC's from their commission, that would certainly be refundable.

 

In terms of using OBC's in the casino, there has been a policy against this for years.

[treasure4two]

I did not read all the posts and apologize if this is a duplicate, but I was told that if your TA gave you an OBC(not the Oceania OBC), you can get that cash at the end of the cruise. Happened in Feb.,2014 on Oceania for others, so worth the try. Not sure if NCL buying Oceania will have chnaged that procedure.

[LHT28]

I did not read all the posts and apologize if this is a duplicate, but I was told that if your TA gave you an OBC(not the Oceania OBC), you can get that cash at the end of the cruise. Happened in Feb.,2014 on Oceania for others, so worth the try. Not sure if NCL buying Oceania will have chnaged that procedure.

 

I think the operative phrase is "at the end of the cruise"

 

If the OBC was a refundable one

We got ours last Sunday but also had some Non refundable OBC that went bye bye

[hondorner]

I did not read all the posts and apologize if this is a duplicate, but I was told that if your TA gave you an OBC(not the Oceania OBC), you can get that cash at the end of the cruise. Happened in Feb.,2014 on Oceania for others, so worth the try. Not sure if NCL buying Oceania will have chnaged that procedure.

The OBC your TA gives you may be from the TA, or from Oceania as an incentive for the TA to pass on to you. If it is actual funds the TA (or anyone, even yourself) paid to Oceania, it is refundable. If you are not certain, ask your TA or ask at Reception once aboard. They'll know the difference.

 

It's the same on NCL and all othkeep what doesn't belong to cruise lines as far as I know; it's basic accounting, they can't keep what does not belong to them. OBC provided by the cruise line is not real money; when you spend it on board, their actual cost is the net cost of the service, less their normal profit. In other words, their cost is likely less than half of what you spend. That's why NCL does not allow OBC from the cruiseline to be used for gratuities (they call it Daily Service Charge or DSC).

 

It's unlikely we will see changes to Oceania resulting from NCL unless they are a benefit, like better entertainment. You are aware the founder of Oceania, Frank Del Rio, is now CEO of the parent company of NCL, Oceania and Regent (NCL HOLDINGS), right?

Edited May 31, 2015 by hondorner

[Threechicks]

When travelling on Regent you can go to Reception immediately and redeem for cash any rebate that your TA provides. When I tried to do that on Oceania I was told that I would be charged 5% unless I waited until the last day. I don't take US$ for the Casino as I expect to pick up cash from Reception. Since I refuse to pay Oceania for what I consider to be my money I was saved from losing it in the Casino.

[PaulMCO]

When travelling on Regent you can go to Reception immediately and redeem for cash any rebate that your TA provides. When I tried to do that on Oceania I was told that I would be charged 5% unless I waited until the last day. I don't take US$ for the Casino as I expect to pick up cash from Reception. Since I refuse to pay Oceania for what I consider to be my money I was saved from losing it in the Casino.

 

That was not the way it happened on our last O cruise in Jan. I cleaned out the TA OBC mid cruise - no service charge. Had plenty of O OBC left.

 

Of course you can wait an book some tours onboard. We have done that in the past especially those you know that will not sell out.

 

What are decent deals are watches. Especially those that are sold only through jewelers at fixed prices. TAGs and some of the others name brands could be resold on ebay for a similar amount.

 

Just had a cruise refared -- Your World Sale -- added $900 non refundable, prepaid grats -- in addition to the already mucho nonrefundable OBC. Anybody for a watch?? :D

[cbb]

I've never sent postcards while cruising but heard that O will mail it for you from the desk....which desk?

 

I know a very nice elderly woman who will be thrilled to receive a postcard from "exotic" locations and a little one in the family who will think it is pretty cool to get real mail so I'm thinking of purchasing post cards on this trip....perhaps 1 (for each) per week.

 

Do I have to find the correct stamp (I'm on RTW16) or is that a (pay) service that O will provide and....could I use OBC for that?

[StanandJim]

I've never sent postcards while cruising but heard that O will mail it for you from the desk....which desk?

 

I know a very nice elderly woman who will be thrilled to receive a postcard from "exotic" locations and a little one in the family who will think it is pretty cool to get real mail so I'm thinking of purchasing post cards on this trip....perhaps 1 (for each) per week.

 

Do I have to find the correct stamp (I'm on RTW16) or is that a (pay) service that O will provide and....could I use OBC for that?

 

The Front Desk, and it's an extraordinarily ease-making service, because they also handle the Postage for you, and there isn't any other charge. The process varies slightly, but usually, the passenger writes their cabin # in the Space where the stamp will eventually be affixed.

 

The drawback is that one must hand in their mail AT LEAST an hour before the ship sails, if you want the postmark from that days port.

 

If you don't care about postmarks then they take mail at any hour (the Front Desk never closes).

 

Postage comes out of your Onboard Account, so OBC would cover it :D

Edited June 3, 2015 by StanandJim

[hondorner]

I've never sent postcards while cruising but heard that O will mail it for you from the desk....which desk?

 

I know a very nice elderly woman who will be thrilled to receive a postcard from "exotic" locations and a little one in the family who will think it is pretty cool to get real mail so I'm thinking of purchasing post cards on this trip....perhaps 1 (for each) per week.

 

Do I have to find the correct stamp (I'm on RTW16) or is that a (pay) service that O will provide and....could I use OBC for that?

Betsy has been collecting postcards all her life,some old, some new. She has thousands. She got started by trying to get postcards of every state's capital. They mean more to her if they have been mailed.

 

So, in every port and in every place to which we travel in the RV, she buys postcards, writes personal messages and mails them to friends and relatives, especially the kids, all of whom know they are to save them and return them to her when we return.

 

The most difficult "find" was in Cape Verde, where we wandered the city, looked in every shop and asked around, and couldn't find a postcard. Finally, we discovered a little girl sitting on the sidewalk with a small plastic bin with a few postcards for sale. We only bought a couple, but I just had to overpay her.