Onboard credit question

[classylady59]

I am a seasoned cruiser, but this will only be my 3rd time on RCCL. When I booked we got a $200 OBC for the cabin. What happens if you don't use the entire credit. I know on other cruise lines you get the money back in a check on the last day of the cruise. Is RCCL the same, or if you don't use it, you lose it?

[Merion_Mom]

I am a seasoned cruiser, but this will only be my 3rd time on RCCL. When I booked we got a $200 OBC for the cabin. What happens if you don't use the entire credit. I know on other cruise lines you get the money back in a check on the last day of the cruise. Is RCCL the same, or if you don't use it, you lose it?

 

If the OBC is coming from Royal Caribbean, it's "use it or lose it". If it is from an outside source, it is sometimes refundable.

 

You can go to the casino and withdraw cash. They will charge a 5% fee for this.

 

But it's better than "leaving money on the table".

 

Anything that you charge on board on your SeaPass account draws down your OBC: gratuities (if you did not prepay them), purchases, specialty dinners, bar bills, excursions, etc.

 

$200 disappears pretty quickly. ;)

[TheTruthCanHurt]

I agree with MM

 

If you are concerned about NOT spending your on board credit. Do Not prepay for anything on land before you leave ( if you can pay for it on the ship)

 

Ie. Internet, gratuities,beverage packages, shore excursions..

 

There is NO advantage to paying for these things ahead of time (unless you are worried about a shore excursion selling out) that way when you get on the ship, these things just get billed to your room, and as mentioned. your OBC is applied against those things

[Baseball fan]

I had the same issue. We lucked out and had a GS so didn't need much in beverages. I ended up buying a fancy Swarovski pen on the ship. Not needed but something fun!

[cruisenfever]

If the OBC is coming from Royal Caribbean, it's "use it or lose it". If it is from an outside source, it is sometimes refundable.

This depends on the ship. On our b2b on Liberty in June we used all but something less than $2.00 and it was credited back to our cc.:eek:

[fwman]

Is RCCL offering any OBC if you book now. I didn't see any from them but did see several for $100 if you book through one of the online cruise websites.

[cruisenfever]

Is RCCL offering any OBC if you book now. I didn't see any from them but did see several for $100 if you book through one of the online cruise websites.

Current Promos can be found here http://www.royalcaribbean.com/

Edited August 12, 2015 by cruisenfever

[TWELVEOHONE]

Is RCCL offering any OBC if you book now. I didn't see any from them but did see several for $100 if you book through one of the online cruise websites.

 

Store front travel agents that I spoke to are also giving $100.00 OBC from Cruise line.

 

Any OBC given by other than Royal Caribbean is refundable in cash. After all when someone purchases OBC and it is not used RCI cannot keep the money it goes back to the OBC holder. It is a gift to the passenger.

[fwman]

If I book with RCCL, will they match the $100 OBC given by online sites or travel agents?

[Mjoellnir]

There is NO advantage to paying for these things ahead of time

Unless you are a non-American and the Dollar is getting more expensive by the day :) I have already saved ca $100 (equivalent in Norwegian kr) by pre-buying drink packages and internet. And a lot more by prepaying hotels in FLL.

[TheTruthCanHurt]

Unless you are a non-American and the Dollar is getting more expensive by the day :) I have already saved ca $100 (equivalent in Norwegian kr) by pre-buying drink packages and internet. And a lot more by prepaying hotels in FLL.

 

Your right. That is a point that I did not consider. The currency exchange rate and the dollar fluctuation could impact those costs.

[dacsmom]

If I book with RCCL, will they match the $100 OBC given by online sites or travel agents?

 

No. RCI will run promotions offering OBC, but they will not match a TA's offer. I sometimes book through RCI and sometimes through a big box TA, depending on who is offering the better deal.

[rudeney]

I agree with MM

 

If you are concerned about NOT spending your on board credit. Do Not prepay for anything on land before you leave ( if you can pay for it on the ship)

 

Ie. Internet, gratuities,beverage packages, shore excursions..

 

There is NO advantage to paying for these things ahead of time (unless you are worried about a shore excursion selling out)

 

And sometimes, there is a disadvantage in paying ahead of time - Internet access is discounted for C&A members, but not when purchased in advance. And the specialty restaurants often have onboard discounts.

 

EDIT: And one more - if you have to cancel your trip, you don't lose the investment in (or need to insure) these extras if you haven't paid for them in advance.

Edited August 12, 2015 by rudeney

[classylady59]

If the OBC is coming from Royal Caribbean, it's "use it or lose it". If it is from an outside source, it is sometimes refundable.

 

You can go to the casino and withdraw cash. They will charge a 5% fee for this.

 

But it's better than "leaving money on the table".

 

Anything that you charge on board on your SeaPass account draws down your OBC: gratuities (if you did not prepay them), purchases, specialty dinners, bar bills, excursions, etc.

 

$200 disappears pretty quickly. ;)

 

Thanks for that info. We booked back in January and they were offering buy one get one fare 50 percent off with $200 OBC per cabin. We go on Thanksgiving Day. I was going to use it for an excursion but wanted to go to Nachi Cocum instead. Already prepaid gratuities. So I can go to casino and we will each have $100 on our ship cards. Then cash out and they take 5 percent. I can live with that.