Onboard Spending Bonus for Mariner Credit

[Cruzin with BQ & CQ]

I'm wondering if anyone knows if the purchases that I make online prior to the start of my cruise count toward the bonus days for purposes of Mariner credit. Typically I've already got $200-$300 before ever leaving the port. Not a big deal, but just curious. Thanks for your help!

[3rdGenCunarder]

Yes, it does. We've managed to get a few extra mariner days that way. If there's a tour I really want, I book it in advance rather than wait until sailing.

[POA1]

Everything you buy online shows up on your onboard billing statement. That's where the $300 = 1 day gets calculated*. The exception is casino chips, which do not count toward the cruise day credits.

 

*Subject to a maximum number of spend days equal to your cruise length. Taxes, title and vehicle registration are extra. Please keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times. This comment was posted from a facility that contains nuts. Taxes and port fees do not count toward your spending total.

Edited July 23, 2015 by POA1

[Krazy Kruizers]

And sometimes when you are close to the next $300 -- they will give you that extra credit.

[POA1]

And sometimes when you are close to the next $300 -- they will give you that extra credit.

We got rounded up on less than $50 last year. I wonder what the cut off is.

[kqcallahan]

So the money spent on excursions that is bought before the trip online counts? I didn't realize this. Thanks for this post :)

[Laurino]

We got rounded up on less than $50 last year. I wonder what the cut off is.

 

Yeah, we got 1 cruise day for our final statement of $41, from Maasdam this summer. Didn't expect that :) OBC and a port fee refund had taken care of the rest of the statement.

[swin26]

What about airfare if booked through HAL and transfer charges to port/airport

[Kreative03]

Does anyone know if Gratuity counts towards this? Or OBC that was included in a rate (such as the shore ex+ dining deal they ran earlier)

[POA1]

Does anyone know if Gratuity counts towards this? Or OBC that was included in a rate (such as the shore ex+ dining deal they ran earlier)

If you are paying OBC, then yes. It's based on the net spend, so if something is complimentary as part of a promo, it's not going to count towards your spending.

[Alberta Quilter]

What about airfare if booked through HAL and transfer charges to port/airport

 

No, these don't count towards cruise day credits. Neither do HAL pre or post cruise hotel/tour packages. Perhaps the correct way to interpret the "onboard" part is that the expenditures that count are used during the cruise while one is onboard the ship.

[Alberta Quilter]

Does anyone know if Gratuity counts towards this? Or OBC that was included in a rate (such as the shore ex+ dining deal they ran earlier)

 

The Hotel Service Charge does count towards the Cruise Day credits. Any gratuity, if you choose to do so, that you pay by cash directly to a steward does not count as HAL has no way of knowing about that since it doesn't go through their accounting system.

[PatsyAnne]

Everything you buy online shows up on your onboard billing statement. That's where the $300 = 1 day gets calculated*. The exception is casino chips, which do not count toward the cruise day credits.

 

*Subject to a maximum number of spend days equal to your cruise length. Taxes, title and vehicle registration are extra. Please keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times. This comment was posted from a facility that contains nuts. Taxes and port fees do not count toward your spending total.

 

 

Don't stand on the top step of the ladder. Don't stand on any step of the ladder.

[Tampa Girl]

Yes, it does. We've managed to get a few extra mariner days that way. If there's a tour I really want, I book it in advance rather than wait until sailing.

 

I am confused about what you mean by "extra mariner days." Aren't they the same number of days regardless whether you paid for them pre-cruise or during the cruise? If you purchase the tours prior to boarding, they don't get added to your total number so as to put you in a new category even before boarding, do they?

[kazu]

I am confused about what you mean by "extra mariner days." Aren't they the same number of days regardless whether you paid for them pre-cruise or during the cruise? If you purchase the tours prior to boarding, they don't get added to your total number so as to put you in a new category even before boarding, do they?

 

Yes, it is the same # of days - they don't get added to put you in a new category before boarding.

[FLACRUISER99]

No, these don't count towards cruise day credits. Neither do HAL pre or post cruise hotel/tour packages. Perhaps the correct way to interpret the "onboard" part is that the expenditures that count are used during the cruise while one is onboard the ship.

Don't Alaska Cruise tours count?

[shrimpboat123]

Don't Alaska Cruise tours count?

 

Yes they do.

[Alberta Quilter]

Don't Alaska Cruise tours count?

 

Yes, those do now but pre/post hotel stays don't count. By that, I mean the hotel stay prior to your Alaska cruisetour don't count, even if you purchase them through HAL. We've done a few HAL pre cruise tours and we have never gotten any cruise day credits for them.

[Alberta Quilter]

I am confused about what you mean by "extra mariner days." Aren't they the same number of days regardless whether you paid for them pre-cruise or during the cruise? If you purchase the tours prior to boarding, they don't get added to your total number so as to put you in a new category even before boarding, do they?

 

I believe the poster was simply commenting that she has received additional cruise day credits over and above the ones normally received for actual cruise days. Just as I have, and just as you and anyone else probably have.

 

And, no, your credits, whether spent during or prior to the cruise, are only credited to your account after the cruise is taken.

[POA1]

And, no, your credits, whether spent during or prior to the cruise, are only credited to your account after the cruise is taken.

 

Exactly. And usually after your real cruise days and any applicable suite bonus days post.

[Relaxing1]

According to my PCC, if you purchase shore excursions, pinnacle dinners etc. in advance they do not count towards your extra days. They have to be purchased onboard to be included in your shipboard account which is where the calculations are made.

[POA1]

According to my PCC, if you purchase shore excursions, pinnacle dinners etc. in advance they do not count towards your extra days. They have to be purchased onboard to be included in your shipboard account which is where the calculations are made.

Ask your PCC if this has always been the case. If it's a new policy, get a copy and post it here. It'll be news to a lot of people. If it's "always been the case," get a new PCC. :)

Edited July 23, 2015 by POA1

[serendipity1499]

No, these don't count towards cruise day credits. Neither do HAL pre or post cruise hotel/tour packages. Perhaps the correct way to interpret the "onboard" part is that the expenditures that count are used during the cruise while one is onboard the ship.

 

Question about that..

 

We purchased a land tour from HAL in Alaska in 2008 before the onboard spending credits went into effect..

 

The number of days we spent on that tour counted toward our Mariner day credits but wonder if the cost of the land tour/hotel packages purchased through HAL would now count toward Mariner Credits..

 

Does anyone know?

[Alberta Quilter]

According to my PCC, if you purchase shore excursions, pinnacle dinners etc. in advance they do not count towards your extra days. They have to be purchased onboard to be included in your shipboard account which is where the calculations are made.

 

I'm afraid that your PCC is incorrect.

 

There is no way that I have as many cruise day credits that I have if it was not for the calculation being done on ALL purchases whether made prior to or during the cruise. I buy most of my shorex and make some reservations in advance of the cruise.

[serendipity1499]

According to my PCC, if you purchase shore excursions, pinnacle dinners etc. in advance they do not count towards your extra days. They have to be purchased onboard to be included in your shipboard account which is where the calculations are made.

 

Your PCC may be correct about shore excursions, but I thought dinners in the speciality restaurants counted, unless this is a new policy..