OBC

[Vitamin Sea Addict]

I've never had a problem with spending all my OBC but...let's say I didn't. Does it automatically get applied to things like gratuities etc? It came up in a conversation and I'd love to "settle" it 😎

[moondog73]

any charge that hits your S&S account will use the OBC (drinks, pics, grats, restaurants, etc).

[mjktg99]

Yes,  whatever gets charged to your on board account will be offset by whatever on board credit you have. 

[Vitamin Sea Addict]

Thanks! We tend to not charge much to it since we have Cheers and don't buy a lot of onboard souvenirs, don't do specialty restaurants etc but we've got one coming up with OBC but (for the first time in a long time) is out of a port where Cheers is applicable day 1 😉 

[Sean_B]

"Onboard Credit offer is non-transferable and is provided as a non-refundable onboard credit to your Sail & Sign account "

 

"Onboard Credit may not be applied to cruise fare or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses."

 

Use it or lose it. It will not be applied to gratuities.

Edited July 14, 2019 by Sean_B

[luv2trvlnow]

17 minutes ago, Sean_B said:

"Onboard Credit offer is non-transferable and is provided as a non-refundable onboard credit to your Sail & Sign account "

 

"Onboard Credit may not be applied to cruise fare or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses."

 

Use it or lose it. It will not be applied to gratuities.

Has something changed?  My OBC has always been applied to the gratuities before.  

 

Nowhere in your quotes does it say it can't be used for gratuities.  I have heard some lines don't allow it.  I read someplace that NCL doesn't allow it.  Don't know for sure since I haven't cruised with them.  Now if you have an OBC credit that is specific to one thing then it can't be used for gratuities.  For example, Carnival has offered an OBC for drinks as part of a cruise fare.  Then that is all it can be used for. But general OBC (even offered as part of the fare) can be used for gratuities unless there has been a recent change.

[Sean_B]

13 minutes ago, luv2trvlnow said:

Nowhere in your quotes does it say it can't be used for gratuities.

"Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses". I would certainly say that the gratuities are a fee.

 

Not sure when you've sailed, but my quotes have come directly off the Carnival website, so you either sailed before the policy change (and I know it's been at least three months since I've seen that) or you got lucky and they applied your OBC incorrectly. Perhaps you're thinking about money you may have applied to your own sail & sign account as OBC?

Op asked, and I gave them the official Carnival policy. Whatever happens after that is up to Carnival.

 

 

Edited July 14, 2019 by Sean_B

[luv2trvlnow]

11 minutes ago, Sean_B said:

"Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses". I would certainly say that the gratuities are a fee.

 

Not sure when you've sailed, but my quotes have come directly off the Carnival website, so you either sailed before the policy change (and I know it's been at least three months since I've seen that) or you got lucky and they applied your OBC incorrectly. Perhaps you're thinking about money you may have applied to your own sail & sign account as OBC?

Op asked, and I gave them the official Carnival policy. Whatever happens after that is up to Carnival.

 

 

I take the Taxes and Fees to be the "Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses" that are in addition to the cruise fare which is also in your quote.  When you look for fares the amount you see is the cruise fare.  As we all know there is an additional amount to pay which is the "Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses".  This is specifically stated as "Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses" by Carnival.  If you look at your confirmation you will say those exact words used under Cruise Charges.  It is the separate line from "Cruise Rate".

 

If gratuities cannot be used for gratuities then they would have to separate the drink prices and apply only the price of the drink to the OBC and charge you separately (not to OBC) for the 18% gratuity.  Anything could be considered a fee.  The price of your drink is the fee you pay to get the drink.  

[Sean_B]

5 minutes ago, luv2trvlnow said:

I take the Taxes and Fees to be the "Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses" that are in addition to the cruise fare which is also in your quote.  When you look for fares the amount you see is the cruise fare.  As we all know there is an additional amount to pay which is the "Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses".  This is specifically stated as "Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses" by Carnival.  If you look at your confirmation you will say those exact words used under Cruise Charges.  It is the separate line from "Cruise Rate".

 

If gratuities cannot be used for gratuities then they would have to separate the drink prices and apply only the price of the drink to the OBC and charge you separately (not to OBC) for the 18% gratuity.  Anything could be considered a fee.  The price of your drink is the fee you pay to get the drink.  

I can't believe you actually want to dissect the meaning of the word fee. Gratuities are a fee separate from your cruise fare, just as you mention.

 

If you have an issue with the policy, contact Carnival and take it up with them. I don't really care; I just provided an official answer to Op. Whatever interpretation you take from it is between you and Carnival, not me.

Is this the kind of person I have to deal with when cruising with Carnival? Have a great day.

Edited July 14, 2019 by Sean_B

[shof515]

There is two types of onboard credit. Refundable and non refundable

 

on other cruises lines, non refundable credits can not be used for gratuities, only refundable can be used for gratuities . This is the general rule that i tend to follow on carnival and other cruise lines.

[bury me at sea]

It is quite simple.  If you pre-pay your gratuities you cannot use OBC.  If you do not pre-pay your gratuities, they will be added to your S&S account and your OBC can be used to offset them.

[moondog73]

1 hour ago, Sean_B said:

I can't believe you actually want to dissect the meaning of the word fee. Gratuities are a fee separate from your cruise fare, just as you mention.

 

If you have an issue with the policy, contact Carnival and take it up with them. I don't really care; I just provided an official answer to Op. Whatever interpretation you take from it is between you and Carnival, not me.

Is this the kind of person I have to deal with when cruising with Carnival? Have a great day.

 

Not sure why your are acting nasty.  You are the one who is wrong.  Taxes &  port fees are not the same thing as gratuities.  Just as OBC can not be sued to pay for a cruise fare, it can not be used to pay the port fees and taxes.  Those are additional but I consider them part of the cruise fare and must be paid.  Any other charge on-board can be paid for using OBC.

[xDisconnections]

2 hours ago, shof515 said:

There is two types of onboard credit. Refundable and non refundable

 

on other cruises lines, non refundable credits can not be used for gratuities, only refundable can be used for gratuities . This is the general rule that i tend to follow on carnival and other cruise lines.

On paper, this is correct. Certain onboard credits technically cannot be used towards gratuities or the casino. Although that is part of the written terms and conditions of the onboard credit, that is not the current practice and everything on the folio should be credited to it.

 

If things have changed, I’m sure someone will correct me soon.

[naxer]

In my experience, when I don't prepay my gratuities, my OBC has always been applied to the gratuities.   I've made a note of that.

[cruisin from vegas]

OBC can absolutely be used for gratuities.  Have many times.  Gratuities are not actually a “fee”, they are “technically “ optional and can be reversed.  (Although those that do such should find another way to vacation, IMO). OBC cannot be used prior to sailing (obviously, thus the “on board “ part), therefore cannot be used for anything that must be paid prior to sailing...like cruise fare, port taxes.. etc.  I have also used OBC for service charges on NCL as well.  

Edited July 14, 2019 by cruisin from vegas

[Sean_B]

59 minutes ago, moondog73 said:

 

Not sure why your are acting nasty.  You are the one who is wrong.  Taxes &  port fees are not the same thing as gratuities.  Just as OBC can not be sued to pay for a cruise fare, it can not be used to pay the port fees and taxes.  Those are additional but I consider them part of the cruise fare and must be paid.  Any other charge on-board can be paid for using OBC.

I'm certainly not wrong, because I'm directly quoting Carnival policy.

 

Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are three separate words:

• Taxes on any purchase cannot be paid for using OBC
• Port Expenses cannot be paid for using OBC

 

Fee: A payment made to a professional person or to a professional or public body in exchange for advice or services.

 

• Official Carnival policy says Fees cannot be paid for using OBC. Gratuities are not a tax and are not a port expense, they are a fee and in accordance with the Oxford definition above.

 

Again, if you have an issue with the official Carnival policy, you can stop replying to me and contact Carnival.

Edited July 14, 2019 by Sean_B

[xDisconnections]

Each various type of onboard credit, apart from refundable, has this built into the written terms and conditions/fine print somewhere. Although it states such, in practice, these onboard credits can still automatically be used towards these charges.

 

“This benefit is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and, cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account.”

Edited July 14, 2019 by xDisconnections

[Shaded Lady]

2 hours ago, Sean_B said:

I'm certainly not wrong, because I'm directly quoting Carnival policy.

 

Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are three separate words:

• Taxes on any purchase cannot be paid for using OBC
• Port Expenses cannot be paid for using OBC

 

Fee: A payment made to a professional person or to a professional or public body in exchange for advice or services.

 

• Official Carnival policy says Fees cannot be paid for using OBC. Gratuities are not a tax and are not a port expense, they are a fee and in accordance with the Oxford definition above.

 

Again, if you have an issue with the official Carnival policy, you can stop replying to me and contact Carnival.

 

You are quoting Carnival policy, then 'interpreting' what Carnival means by fees... I however can state unequivocally that Carnival does not consider gratuities a 'fee' in the sense you are stating, because they have allowed me to pay them with OBC numerous times- if the above were true, I would not have been able to do so.

[tandemcruzr]

1 hour ago, Shaded Lady said:

 

You are quoting Carnival policy, then 'interpreting' what Carnival means by fees... I however can state unequivocally that Carnival does not consider gratuities a 'fee' in the sense you are stating, because they have allowed me to pay them with OBC numerous times- if the above were true, I would not have been able to do so.

This is our experience as well.

[Schoifmom]

18 hours ago, Sean_B said:

I'm certainly not wrong, because I'm directly quoting Carnival policy.

 

Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are three separate words:  <-- Carnival's Policy

• Taxes on any purchase cannot be paid for using OBC
• Port Expenses cannot be paid for using OBC

 

Fee: A payment made to a professional person or to a professional or public body in exchange for advice or services.

 

• Official Carnival policy says Fees cannot be paid for using OBC. Gratuities are not a tax and are not a port expense, they are a fee and in accordance with the Oxford definition above.

The remainder is your interpretation.

 

Please allow me to inform your interpretation of the policy.  

gratuity

 noun

gra·tu·i·ty | \ grə-ˈtü-ə-tē  , -ˈtyü-\

plural gratuities

Definition of gratuity

 

: something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service

 

The fact that the gratuity is voluntary makes it not a fee, it is in addition to a fee (i.e., beyond obligation).

[Chervil]

From personal experience, I can tell you that any leftover OBC is applied to the gratuities.
It has happened to us and to our cruising buddies when we didn't completely used up OBC we had.
But don't take my word for it...

https://www.carnival.com/help/1123

From Carnival's Website:

What are Service Gratuities?

It is customary for our guests to extend gratuities to the shipboard staff in appreciation for their hard work and exceptional service. 100% of your gratuities are distributed to the crew who you interact with, such as your stateroom attendants, dining, bar and culinary services staff, as well as others who work behind the scenes to enhance your overall cruise experience. Applying this charge automatically streamlines the recognition process and ensures our crew will share in your generosity. To help you plan, we have provided the recommended guidelines:

 

 

 

• Standard Staterooms: $13.99 USD per person, per day
• Suite Staterooms: $15.99 USD per person, per day

You may pay this daily gratuity in two different ways: 

 

 

 

Pre-Pay

Gratuities can be added at the time of booking or anytime up to the sail date. Guests who booked directly with Carnival may add their pre-paid gratuities on Carnival.com. If a guest booked with a travel agent, they may contact their travel professional to add pre-paid gratuities to their booking. Prepaid gratuities are reflected in the 'Miscellaneous Charge' field on the confirmation and in the guest's E-Documents.  

 

 

Sail & Sign 

If guests have not pre-paid their gratuities, the recommended, per person, amount will be posted to their Sail & Sign account on the second to last day of the cruise. Should a guest not be satisfied with the service they receive, they can contact the Guest Services desk while on board. This will allow us to address their concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At the discretion of the guest, gratuities may be adjusted after they have been posted on the guest's account, while on board. Gratuities, as posted on a guest's Sail & Sign account, will be considered final after a guest disembarks and no changes will be made after the cruise.

 

 

Additional Information

• Gratuities are assessed on all guests, with the exception of children under the age of 2.
• Gratuities apply regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at the casual dining restaurant or open seating dining.
• For beverage purchases, an automatic 18% gratuity will be added to the bill.
• An automatic 18% gratuity will be added to the cover charge of the Chef’s Table.  
• A gratuity may be extended to room service staff as service is rendered.
• For cruises that begin in Barbados, all gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process.
  
  Details on the Sign and Sail account can be found here:
  https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/113
  However it clearly states that cruise service gratuities are charged to the S&S account but can be removed.

This link discusses Cruise Cash and shows how it is a credit to the account and can be used for any charge to the account including gratuities.
https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3602/kw/credit

 

[Sean_B]

Attached is the response I received from my agent at Carnival, which essentially reiterates what I've been saying all along. For those of you who continue to dispute official Carnival policy, that's between you and Carnival. If those of you who have had your OBC applied to your gratuities, that's contrary to Carnival policy and should not be the expected result. It may also give a future passenger the wrong impression and could lead to some financial grief if it doesn't happen as expected.

 

I'm done with this one. Some of you really need to simmer down and enjoy life.