nygator Posted May 26, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 26, 2017 On the my last cruise aboard the carnival dream I had on board credit from my travel agent. I had planned to use this towards gratuities like I have done on other cruise lines. However to my surprise, the on board credit was not being used up unless I made a purchase. When I asked about this on board, I was told that you cannot use on board credit from travel agents towards gratuities. The agent seemed confused about this but ultimately this was the final answer I was given. I found this to be odd but was forced to make purchases just to avoid losing the credit. Is this a new carnival policy that anyone is aware of? Have you recently been able to use on board credit from travel agents towards gratuity? I don't want to be caught off guard for my next cruise. Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryred Posted May 26, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 26, 2017 From what I understand on board credits from TAs are now handled like group cruising perks, having multiple restrictions on their use. It's been this way since Carnival switched from the old FunDollars to offering Cruise Cash & issuing their own gift cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boufa Posted May 26, 2017 #3 Share Posted May 26, 2017 TA on board credit, at least the ones I am familiar with, are done via over payment. The TA after final payment is made sends a check to Carnival, essentially over paying the cruise. The balance gets put on the room sign and sail account as a negative. So you start with a negative balance and then once you spend past $0, the positive balance is your responsibility. Of course I cannot speak for every TA out there, just the ones I am familiar with. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisemom67 Posted May 26, 2017 #4 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Well I'm still confused! How do we know the difference between TA OBC and CCL OBC? And does that mean one can be used for tips but the other can't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boufa Posted May 26, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Well I'm still confused! How do we know the difference between TA OBC and CCL OBC? And does that mean one can be used for tips but the other can't? I dont know. The TA obc I described is effectively cash, but it is not refundable. Ccl obc could be limited. Depends. I was thinking about this and realized that maybe, the TA purchased the obc fun cash via the website. But instead of getting the cash version, they bot the drinks or photo version. Those are very limited. The TA (or anyone) can buy them and gift them to someone. It would be simpler for the TA than mailing in the check, or in larger agencies it maybe electronic funds transfer. That simpler process might make things more limited, or easier to make mistakes. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted May 26, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Well I'm still confused! How do we know the difference between TA OBC and CCL OBC? And does that mean one can be used for tips but the other can't? Don't know about Carnival specifically but some other cruise lines' invoices clearly state the source (cruise line/TA/travel consortium), type (refundable vs non refundable) and applicable purpose (gratuities/OBC/excursions/etc). In all honesty, I've never heard of not being able to use non-refundable OBC (from any source) for the gratuities. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nygator Posted May 26, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted May 26, 2017 I had never heard of this either so that is why I'm trying to get recent cruisers experiences. It seems like it's still confusing on what carnivals policy is on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boufa Posted May 27, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 27, 2017 It is also possible that the gratuity was pre-paid as part of the fare. Then it would not be able to be used for that. But then you get into a why would you want to question. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted May 27, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 27, 2017 We just used our for grats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Banditswife Posted May 27, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Our travel agent gives OBC based on the cruise fare we pay. Last 2 cruised we have gotten a card in our cabin stating that we had been gifted $x amount of credit, but the card did say we were to use them in the fun shops. We were allowed to use them for drinks & casino gambling- I think. But I think our OBC was refundable, so that might make a difference. You might ask your TA about using it for gratuities, maybe the TA could just pay your gratuities instead of giving you the OBC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nygator Posted May 28, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Thank you for all the advice. I will ask my agent and see what she says. Maybe it's refundable and that's why I couldn't use it. Just wish carnival was able to explain because they had no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryred Posted May 28, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 28, 2017 It's more likely it's a nonrefundable OBC, otherwise if you couldn't use it you would get the cash back when you go to guest services to close your S&S account (or by check if over $10 if you just leave the account to auto close). When you book with a TA none of the cruise lines can help you with any questions concerning the terms of your fare contract or special perks the TA might be giving you. This is why it is very important to make sure when you book a cruise outside of dealing direct with the cruise line that you make sure the TA office is certified by the CLIA, preferably with an agent that has a personal certification. Sent from my STV100-2 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB Chicago Posted May 29, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 29, 2017 So....after reading this thread I checked my OBC for our cruise this week and sure enough it was a "fun shop" credit. Can someone please advise if this can be used for the wine package or drinks at the bars? Or is this truly only good in the fun shops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryred Posted May 30, 2017 #14 Share Posted May 30, 2017 So....after reading this thread I checked my OBC for our cruise this week and sure enough it was a "fun shop" credit. Can someone please advise if this can be used for the wine package or drinks at the bars? Or is this truly only good in the fun shops? I have seen OBC listed as refundable, as non-refundable, and recently as Cruise Cash (Bar, Photo, or plain), but have never as "Fun Shop" on "My Cruise" documents. You will have to contact your booking agent for clarification. If the agent is not a direct employee of Carnival (ie a PVP) then they might have to put you on a 3 way conference call when they contact Carnival that you can pose the question directly if they do not understand the distinction themselves.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray98 Posted June 2, 2017 #15 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Ours from last weeks cruise was listed as Cruise Cash that was non-refundable. It was applied to our gratuity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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