When can you use OBC as I have heard it can take 2-3 days to show up

[dutchclogs]

I have never heard of this and have never received any paperwork

in the cabin showing how much obc I have coming to me.

It must be something new or one of those "sometimes they do it and sometimes they don't":eek:

 

This has been my experience. Also sometimes correct :), and sometimes not:(!

[lovemylab]

Not sure how it works when you are buying OBC for yourself but I think you will be paying 5% to get money from the casino. Unless it works better with your exchange rate then it seems to be a negative proposition.

 

The current exchange rate offered for OBC for Canadians is very good. Currently it's around $123 Cdn to buy $100 of onboard credit. Meanwhile, most banks and credit card companies are charging closer to $140 for $100 US.

 

If the OP purchased the OBC a few months ago, they saved even more as I believe Celebrity was charging around $108 Cdn for $100 OBC.

[nytenor]

I actually just got off the phone with Celebrity with this very question. I asked, why was I being asked for my charge card while purchasing, in advance, excursions, specialty restaurants, etc...when I had a sizable OBC awaiting us when we arrived on board. What the Celebrity representative on the phone said to me was that OBC was available at the time of when our cruise started, and that any advance purchase of excursions, specialty restaurants, would be charged to our credit card, not our OBC. These advanced purchases would not be transfered to our OBC but bill to our credit card.

 

I specifically said to the agent "So, if I understand what you're telling me, is that I shouldn't book excursions or specialty restaurants in advance if I want to use my OBC in lieu of a credit card now". To which she answered "yes".

 

So, I recommend asking a celebrity representative directly. We will wait until our cruise starts before trying to book a restaurant (we've had good luck with this in the past), and for excursions, we've mostly used outside service agencies. I have no fear that we'll be able to utilize our entire OBC.

 

nytenor

Edited January 2, 2016 by nytenor

[Beanb41]

I actually just got off the phone with Celebrity with this very question. I asked, why was I being asked for my charge card while purchasing, in advance, excursions, specialty restaurants, etc...when I had a sizable OBC awaiting us when we arrived on board. What the Celebrity representative on the phone said to me was that OBC was available at the time of when our cruise started, and that any advance purchase of excursions, specialty restaurants, would be charged to our credit card, not our OBC. These advanced purchases would not be transfered to our OBC but bill to our credit card.

 

I specifically said to the agent "So, if I understand what you're telling me, is that I shouldn't book excursions or specialty restaurants in advance if I want to use my OBC in lieu of a credit card now". To which she answered "yes".

 

So, I recommend asking a celebrity representative directly. We will wait until our cruise starts before trying to book a restaurant (we've had good luck with this in the past), and for excursions, we've mostly used outside service agencies. I have no fear that we'll be able to utilize our entire OBC.

 

nytenor

 

No sooner than you have your glass of bubbles in your hand after walking on board someone will try and get you to upgrade or purchase a drinks package, book specialty restaurants and excursions. At that stage it is a good time to do a deal if a deal is offing.

[ChucktownSteve]

No sooner than you have your glass of bubbles in your hand after walking on board someone will try and get you to upgrade or purchase a drinks package, book specialty restaurants and excursions. At that stage it is a good time to do a deal if a deal is offing.

 

At Bayonne this past September we actually had upgrade tables for restaurants and drink packages between the main terminal area and stepping foot on the ship to get the welcome sparkling wine.

 

On the Summit, we found the best time to buy was near the midship elevator bank on the way to the buffet where they were offering 50% discount for their specialty restaurants.

 

But on other ships and ports, YMMV.

Edited January 2, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[jerseygirl3]

I have never heard of this and have never received any paperwork

in the cabin showing how much obc I have coming to me.

It must be something new or one of those "sometimes they do it and

sometimes they don't":eek:

 

Actually, we've received "cards" on our bed the first day saying we've got OBC from XYZ. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not.

[cat_in_cda]

We purchased the OBC at 22.40% when the bank was charging 43.10% so it made more sense to buy the OBC and then do the restaurant and excursion purchases once we boarded using the OBC ... We did not have a specific time frame for restaurants or specific excursions in mind that we just had to have or I would have just bought them with the credit card exchange of 43.10%

 

Thanks again everyone for all your insights as it was very helpful :)

 

Have a great week ahead

Cat:)

[gimletgal]

I actually just got off the phone with Celebrity with this very question. I asked, why was I being asked for my charge card while purchasing, in advance, excursions, specialty restaurants, etc...when I had a sizable OBC awaiting us when we arrived on board. What the Celebrity representative on the phone said to me was that OBC was available at the time of when our cruise started, and that any advance purchase of excursions, specialty restaurants, would be charged to our credit card, not our OBC. These advanced purchases would not be transfered to our OBC but bill to our credit card.

 

I specifically said to the agent "So, if I understand what you're telling me, is that I shouldn't book excursions or specialty restaurants in advance if I want to use my OBC in lieu of a credit card now". To which she answered "yes".

 

So, I recommend asking a celebrity representative directly. We will wait until our cruise starts before trying to book a restaurant (we've had good luck with this in the past), and for excursions, we've mostly used outside service agencies. I have no fear that we'll be able to utilize our entire OBC.

 

nytenor

 

OBC is called On Board Credit for a reason. It can only be used once on board the ship. ;)

[gimletgal]

I have never heard of this and have never received any paperwork

in the cabin showing how much obc I have coming to me.

It must be something new or one of those "sometimes they do it and

sometimes they don't":eek:

 

I agree, Lois. Have never ever seen this in all my cruises with Celebrity. It is always shown on my account, however. If a TA gifts me some that I'm not aware of, then I receive a card saying who it is from. Other than that, no paperwork.

[QTBabyNurse]

Hubby and I received $300 OBC with our booking. Are we able to use this OBC in the casino? If so, do they charge any kind of fee to do so?

[lovemylab]

OBC is called On Board Credit for a reason. It can only be used once on board the ship. ;)

 

Some cruise lines allow OBC to be used towards excursions that are booked before boarding the ship ;) I think that is why there is often confusion about it.

Edited January 3, 2016 by lovemylab

[LPYRCRUISER]

I just printed off my cruise docs. when we booked our cruise through a TA, the cruise line gave us the classic drink package. The TA gave us free gratuities and $100 OBC. As I look through my docs I see the drink package and the free grats. I don't see any mention of OBC.. Should I contact my TA, or is this normal? I know I can settle it once on board, but I just don't want the hassle.