Onboard credit question

[Rmt1948]

I apologize for what is likely a dumb question, but I am not quite sure I understand on board credits. It has been many years since we were on a cruise, like 20 years or so. Are they available for use for anything on a ship?

 

Thanks for the help. :D

[Scrapnana]

OBC can be used for almost everything depending on the cruise line. For example, on Cunard you could not use it for the casino or the medical centre but for everything else.

[leaveitallbehind]

In general, OBC's are a specified dollar amount of credit that is issued towards any charge placed against your on board account. Typically they would be applied as charges are entered allowing the credit to be used first and prior to any charges to your credit card on file. As they are applied to your on board account, there typically is no restriction as to how they can be used. In other words any shipboard transaction that would result in a charge to your account is eligible for the credit.

[leaveitallbehind]

I will also add that there are two types of OBC's. The first is a third party issued OBC,which would be issued in advance by yourself, friends or family, or a TA. While this can vary by cruise line - and I will use RCI and Celebrity as examples - any unused portion of a third party OBC is refundable. The other is cruise line issued OBC, which, if not used in full, is not refundable to you. If you should have both types issued, they apply the third party amount first followed by the cruise line sponsored amount second.

[Rmt1948]

Thank you. I felt that they should be available for almost everything, but was not sure. Understand the casino and cruise lines credit not being refundable.

 

Our OBC is a cruise line credit and we will make sure we use it all. :cool:

[leaveitallbehind]

Thank you. I felt that they should be available for almost everything, but was not sure. Understand the casino and cruise lines credit not being refundable.

 

Our OBC is a cruise line credit and we will make sure we use it all. :cool:

 

Enjoy you cruise and your OBC!

[John Bull]

I will also add that there are two types of OBC's. The first is a third party issued OBC,which would be issued in advance by yourself, friends or family, or a TA. While this can vary by cruise line - and I will use RCI and Celebrity as examples - any unused portion of a third party OBC is refundable. The other is cruise line issued OBC, which, if not used in full, is not refundable to you. If you should have both types issued, they apply the third party amount first followed by the cruise line sponsored amount second.

 

I don't know whether things have changed, but at one time folk had to be careful to use up any non-refundable credit on the on-board accounts of each person in the party.

Typically a couple will use just one person's card for pretty-well all purchases. So if OBC is credited 50/50 to each of them they have to be sure to use the second card for enough purchases to use up that OBC or they lose it.

 

Does that still apply?

 

JB :)

[SantaFeFan]

...... If you should have both types issued, they apply the third party amount first followed by the cruise line sponsored amount second.

 

I am pretty sure which OBC is used first is reversed. I have always understood that non-refundable OBC issued by the cruise line is used first, followed by any refundable TA issued OBC if any.

[Flatbush Flyer]

I will also add that there are two types of OBC's. The first is a third party issued OBC,which would be issued in advance by yourself, friends or family, or a TA. While this can vary by cruise line - and I will use RCI and Celebrity as examples - any unused portion of a third party OBC is refundable. The other is cruise line issued OBC, which, if not used in full, is not refundable to you. If you should have both types issued, they apply the third party amount first followed by the cruise line sponsored amount second.

 

 

Not true on Oceania. Nonrefundable OBC (e.g., Oceania's own) is always used first so that any remaining OBC will include the refundable source. And, if any of that is left, you are refunded cash before disembarking.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[leaveitallbehind]

I am pretty sure which OBC is used first is reversed. I have always understood that non-refundable OBC issued by the cruise line is used first, followed by any refundable TA issued OBC if any.

 

Yes - I think you are right and I had that backwards. Thanks for catching that!

[leaveitallbehind]

Not true on Oceania. Nonrefundable OBC (e.g., Oceania's own) is always used first so that any remaining OBC will include the refundable source. And, if any of that is left, you are refunded cash before disembarking.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

First, I do believe I had that stated backwards as pointed out by - and just acknowledged to - SantaFeFan.

 

Second, in my original post regarding that I indicated I was using RCI and Celebrity as examples - not a general statement regarding other lines. But if I indeed had them in reverse order then that would also apply to Oceana as you indicate. :)

 

I don't like it when I provide erroneous information but do appreciate when others point it out and set me in the right direction.

[Rmt1948]

I will check to see if it is a per person credit. It was a part of the Ready, Set, Sail on HAL.

[CPT Trips]

On our recent NCL cruise we exchanged some credit card points for OBC. Then we discovered that these non refundable credits could not be used for the daily service fee, aka tips. I don't know whether that is also the case for any non refundable credit.

[cb at sea]

It's a CREDIT against any charges you make. If you have $200 OBC, then the first $200 you spend will be taken care of by the OBC.

[Mcdonaldbam]

I don't know whether things have changed, but at one time folk had to be careful to use up any non-refundable credit on the on-board accounts of each person in the party.

Typically a couple will use just one person's card for pretty-well all purchases. So if OBC is credited 50/50 to each of them they have to be sure to use the second card for enough purchases to use up that OBC or they lose it.

 

Does that still apply?

 

JB :)

 

 

When I sailed on the Serenade OTS in March 2017 they transferred all my spouse's OBC and charges to my account on a daily basis and we were able to get a cash refund of unused OBC from GS the night before the cruise ended.

[NMLady]

I don't know whether things have changed, but at one time folk had to be careful to use up any non-refundable credit on the on-board accounts of each person in the party.

Typically a couple will use just one person's card for pretty-well all purchases. So if OBC is credited 50/50 to each of them they have to be sure to use the second card for enough purchases to use up that OBC or they lose it.

 

Does that still apply?

 

JB :)

 

You don't have to use a second card. Since charges show the name of the person charging, you simply have to make sure the second person charges their obc amount.

[CoW mAn]

Can't use it for tipping the entertainers like in the Piano Bar, for that you need cash