Fare Calculation

[KimboJam]

OK so new fare for my two rooms would be $662 less during this new promotion BUT I would lose $500 in OBC so I would only be saving $162 overall......correct? With this being our first family cruise, I like the idea of the OBC for souvenirs, excursions and specialty dinners.

[Clarea]

OK so new fare for my two rooms would be $662 less during this new promotion BUT I would lose $500 in OBC so I would only be saving $162 overall......correct? With this being our first family cruise, I like the idea of the OBC for souvenirs, excursions and specialty dinners.

You could always take $500 of your savings and add it back as OBC.

[APDMOM]

You could always take $500 of your savings and add it back as OBC.

 

I agree! That is what I would do. If you already budgeted for the higher fare, get the lower fare and put $500 toward OBC. :) Enjoy the $162 savings.

 

Also, if you book with a TA, you can still get OBC perks from them.

[KsucAts]

You could always take $500 of your savings and add it back as OBC.

 

Exactly, or save it to pay the on board charges when the cruise is over. Seems pretty simple to me.

[matj2000]

This is a No-Brainer, take the lower price.

 

It would be like tossing $162 away.

 

Also, $500 is a lot of OBC to have.

 

On my last cruise we had around $350 OBC and really had to scurry the last day to find stuff to spend it on.

 

Stuff we didn't really want or need........

[KsucAts]

This is a No-Brainer, take the lower price.

 

It would be like tossing $162 away.

 

Also, $500 is a lot of OBC to have.

 

On my last cruise we had around $350 OBC and really had to scurry the last day to find stuff to spend it on.

 

Stuff we didn't really want or need........

 

That is a good point. All the more reason to put the difference in savings and use it to pay off your on board spending after the cruise.

[tserface]

LOL

 

I remember a day when no one got OBC. We never did until the last couple of years. The only time we ever got anything was if something catastrophic when on during the cruise, but that seldom happens.

 

They've been giving is so much as a promotional thing, these days, that people are starting to think it's part of the cruise cost, like tips.

 

It doesn't make any difference to us. We just consider the whole cost of the cruise including senior discount, state discount, OBC, C&A discount, and what falls out is the final price.

 

Tom

 

You could always take $500 of your savings and add it back as OBC.

[KimboJam]

$500 does sound like a lot but there are 4 of us so $125 per person. I want to diminish the "sticker shock" final bill as much as possible. Here's a few questions I have:

if I set up a cash account, do they count the OBC first and then after the account hits $1000 would they then require me pay the $500 ? Can I use the OBC in the casino? If so, does the 5% surcharge still get imposed?

[killtheump]

$500 does sound like a lot but there are 4 of us so $125 per person. I want to diminish the "sticker shock" final bill as much as possible. Here's a few questions I have:

if I set up a cash account, do they count the OBC first and then after the account hits $1000 would they then require me pay the $500 ? Can I use the OBC in the casino? If so, does the 5% surcharge still get imposed?

 

I would go to the bank before my cruise and get 4-$100 bills and 4-$20 bills and 4-$5 bills and once on the ship give everyone 1 of each.:D

[Nado44]

I agree with the above comments. Using up OBC while on board can be difficult for some cruisers and especially those who are Diamonds, don't drink, visit the spa or get off the ship.

[SelectSys]

depending on the length of your cruise, you can always just use the credit to cover your gratuities.

[AnonomissX]

I would go to the bank before my cruise and get 4-$100 bills and 4-$20 bills and 4-$5 bills and once on the ship give everyone 1 of each.:D

 

Dying! I wonder if you were watching NBC last Saturday...They just re-ran that 1988 Saturday Night Live episode with Tom Hanks, and they had a spoof of a bank that only gave change, and they enumerated all the different ways they could break it down for you :D

[AustinCruise]

Take the discount. You can even deposit the cash when you board the ship. But think how much better you are with money you can spend anywhere. On ship, in the ports, private tours, etc.

Edited February 17, 2016 by AustinCruise

[KimboJam]

After sitting down and going over everything, it makes the most sense to take the new promotion, We are getting the drinks packages so those will be prepaid as are the 2 specialty dining rooms we want to try. Thanks to all who made helpful suggestions.