Onboard credit

[heathermiller86nj]

Hi,

 

Is onboard credit refundable? From what I remember I think RCL credit is non-refundable but travel agent credit (that I can't use until onboard) is refundable? Will RCL credit automatically be used before travel agent credit? If I have leftover travel agent credit, will the balance go back to the credit card linked to my onboard account?

[Clarea]

Hi,

 

Is onboard credit refundable? From what I remember I think RCL credit is non-refundable but travel agent credit (that I can't use until onboard) is refundable? Will RCL credit automatically be used before travel agent credit? If I have leftover travel agent credit, will the balance go back to the credit card linked to my onboard account?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[ladysail2]

I hate to tell you this...my last two cruises both involved OBC from travel agents and BOTH were non-refundable. I found that to be strange...but that's what it was. I always thought travel agent OBC was refundable...maybe the rule has been changed. I cruised in Aug, and again in Sept......any comments on that??

 

I found a way to make it 'refundable'......because there's not much that I buy on the ship.

[Clarea]

I hate to tell you this...my last two cruises both involved OBC from travel agents and BOTH were non-refundable. I found that to be strange...but that's what it was. I always thought travel agent OBC was refundable...maybe the rule has been changed. I cruised in Aug, and again in Sept......any comments on that??

 

I found a way to make it 'refundable'......because there's not much that I buy on the ship.

Sometimes travel agents have access to "pass-through" OBC that really comes from Royal. This can come from a group booking. In this case, the OBC is non-refundable.

[soremekun]

If you're not going to use all of the onboard credit, get some chips at the casino and don't use them. Cash them in near the end of the cruise.

 

Sent from my Z981 using Forums mobile app

[Clarea]

If you're not going to use all of the onboard credit, get some chips at the casino and don't use them. Cash them in near the end of the cruise.

They will charge 5% for a cahs advance at the casino. Still, 95% is better than nothing.:)

[Gloworm2]

Use for your gratuities. And if truly nonrefundable, buy a round a drinks at a bar.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[geomancer]

Use for your gratuities.

 

That's my plan since we won't be buying anything on-board (no drinks, no specialty dinning, etc).

 

They're $283.50 which is higher than any OBC we've gotten.

[yuvraj]

Not sure about the refundable question but I have found myself with OBC I can't spend. Usually because of a future cruise promo where I have elected to take the OBC on current cruise.

 

After allowing for gratuities, I either spend the rest in the casino or play a little and cash in the difference. The 5% hit isn't a big deal IMO.

[ladysail2]

They will charge 5% for a cash advance at the casino. Still, 95% is better than nothing.:)

 

If you use a cash account, there's no charge. That's what I use because I only have Canadian cc's. I simply draw some money from the on-board account. They give me a voucher....I play a penny machine and usually lose 50cents...then I cash out.

[ladysail2]

Sometimes travel agents have access to "pass-through" OBC that really comes from Royal. This can come from a group booking. In this case, the OBC is non-refundable.

 

I believe that was the case in the first non-refundable OBC. The travel agent told us that she was giving us the OBC, but I had seen a promotion around the time of booking that stated that Royal was giving an OBC for booking a particular cabin type. I do believe that the OBC came from Royal C, and not the travel agent. Yes, the travel agent put us into a group booking.

In the second case.....can you believe this.....my OBC was taken away from me when the cost of the cruise went down. Their promo was an OBC and a free dinner for two.......but when final payment came..the cruise was a couple of hundred $ cheaper...and my OBC disappeared. I phoned the agency and they said...well...the OBC comes from our commission and when it goes down...so does the OBC. I was a little shocked to say the least..but what could I do. While on the ship, I checked my account, and there was an OBC...lower than originally promised, but higher than zero!!! I wasn't complaining..it was better than nothing...and I had a nice dinner.

[ladysail2]

If you're not going to use all of the onboard credit, get some chips at the casino and don't use them. Cash them in near the end of the cruise.

 

Sent from my Z981 using Forums mobile app

 

Good idea. I'll do that next time! ;)

[Dennis#1]

If you use a cash account, there's no charge. That's what I use because I only have Canadian cc's. I simply draw some money from the on-board account. They give me a voucher....I play a penny machine and usually lose 50cents...then I cash out.

 

 

If you have on-board (OBC) also included in your cash account, are you saying that the casino does not deduct the 5% service fee when you get the voucher.

[ladysail2]

If you have on-board (OBC) also included in your cash account, are you saying that the casino does not deduct the 5% service fee when you get the voucher.

 

That's right. If my OBC is $100 and I want $50 to 'gamble' with.....then I get a $50 voucher, and $50 remains on my account. If I have an OBC, I don't put any of my own cash on my account because I really don't buy anything on the ship...maybe a pen or something, or a transfer to the airport. I pre-pay my gratuities and receive 3 free drinks a night..which is 3 more than I need.

Really, if you want to withdraw the OBC, simply keep your account a cash one until the OBC is gone, then put a CC on your account to avoid the 5% charge while you 'use up' your NR OBC. I try to keep the up-charges to a minimum while cruising.

[Ashland]

That's right. If my OBC is $100 and I want $50 to 'gamble' with.....then I get a $50 voucher, and $50 remains on my account. If I have an OBC, I don't put any of my own cash on my account because I really don't buy anything on the ship...maybe a pen or something, or a transfer to the airport. I pre-pay my gratuities and receive 3 free drinks a night..which is 3 more than I need.

Really, if you want to withdraw the OBC, simply keep your account a cash one until the OBC is gone, then put a CC on your account to avoid the 5% charge while you 'use up' your NR OBC. I try to keep the up-charges to a minimum while cruising.

If you have OBC...Why pre-pay your gratuities ?

[Clarea]

... In the second case.....can you believe this.....my OBC was taken away from me when the cost of the cruise went down. ...

This has happened to us too, and I don't think it's uncommon or unethical for the travel agents to do this. Perks are based on their commission, and it seems logical to me that if the commission goes down, the perks go down. I do think they should be up front with that info, and notify their clients about what they would lose if they take a price drop.

[ladysail2]

If you have OBC...Why pre-pay your gratuities ?

 

I don't often receive OBC. I like to pre-pay all that I can before a cruise. It's personal preference. I'm sure that there are things that you do that I would question. Everyone is different.

[ladysail2]

This has happened to us too, and I don't think it's uncommon or unethical for the travel agents to do this. Perks are based on their commission, and it seems logical to me that if the commission goes down, the perks go down. I do think they should be up front with that info, and notify their clients about what they would lose if they take a price drop.

 

I don't know if I agree with that. I specifically booked the cruise because the agency advertised the OBC and free dinner. It was a birthday cruise for myself, and so these became my 'gifts'...There was no disclaimer anywhere on the site that stated that a client would lose promised perks if the cost of the cruise went down. There was no option for taking the price drop. I made final payment and then the OBC was removed. Maybe Royal owns this particular agency, but the agent I spoke to said that Royal changes the prices and they have no control over the pricing. ??? I've had cruises booked directly with Royal, with an OBC and one of the the cruises dropped by over $1000, and the OBC never changed or disappeared.

But lesson learned....I'll ask for their policy before I book with anyone beside Royal.

[Dennis#1]

If you have OBC...Why pre-pay your gratuities ?

 

I don't often receive OBC. I like to pre-pay all that I can before a cruise. It's personal preference. I'm sure that there are things that you do that I would question. Everyone is different.

 

Good question. Why would a cruiser with OBC prepay their gratuities.

 

We do not prepay our gratuities. We use our OBC to partially pay our gratuities. We do however prepay for shore excursions and other items.

[Dennis#1]

I don't know if I agree with that. I specifically booked the cruise because the agency advertised the OBC and free dinner. It was a birthday cruise for myself, and so these became my 'gifts'...There was no disclaimer anywhere on the site that stated that a client would lose promised perks if the cost of the cruise went down. There was no option for taking the price drop. I made final payment and then the OBC was removed. Maybe Royal owns this particular agency, but the agent I spoke to said that Royal changes the prices and they have no control over the pricing. ??? I've had cruises booked directly with Royal, with an OBC and one of the the cruises dropped by over $1000, and the OBC never changed or disappeared.

But lesson learned....I'll ask for their policy before I book with anyone beside Royal.

 

I would also be very upset and looking for a new TA. Without the disclaimer (advance notice), the TA should not have eliminated the OBC and other promised perks. I hope you complained to the TA management about their deceptive advertisement.