Military discount

[tonamie]

I just heard that the Princess military discount OBC  may not be used to pay for gratuities. Is that accurate? However, the military discount OBC may be used to purchase drinks, clothing, etc. onboard.  The military discount OBC may not be used in the casino;  I am pretty sure of that. Thanks for reply. 

[Jeter02]

That would be incorrect information. The military OBC falls under your OBC account so anything that gets charged to your stateroom accounts it uses up the non-refundable OBC first followed by the refundable OBC. Doesn't matter what kind it is per se the military. You will be perfectly fine..

[neverbeenhere]

New rule: You must use a bit of your military service OBC to buy me a drink.  😜

 

 

relax and cruise. 

[crystalspin]

49 minutes ago, tonamie said:

I just heard that the Princess military discount OBC  may not be used to pay for gratuities. Is that accurate? However, the military discount OBC may be used to purchase drinks, clothing, etc. onboard.  The military discount OBC may not be used in the casino;  I am pretty sure of that. Thanks for reply. 

New Rule: Show me your military service and I say thank you. Tell me you're a retired high school teacher and I buy YOU a drink!

[Kartgv]

It is not true that the military OBC cannot be used to pay gratuities.    Possibly it can't be used to prepay gratuities (before boarding) but once you're onboard, it's simply a credit amount on your account that is yours to use as you wish - gratuities, drinks, specialty restaurant, shops, etc.    Anything charged against your account onboard is deducted from the credit until it's gone.   Military credit is also refundable - what you don't use will be mailed to you after the cruise.  

[Kartgv]

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

New Rule: Show me your military service and I say thank you. Tell me you're a retired high school teacher and I buy YOU a drink!

 

What can I get if I'm both military and a retired high school teacher??  

[Colo Cruiser]

As others have mentioned this is incorrect.

[neverbeenhere]

34 minutes ago, Kartgv said:

 

What can I get if I'm both military and a retired high school teacher??  

 

If your years of service were sufficient, two defined benefit pensions. 😀

[tonamie]

Thank you to all who responded with clarifications.  Much appreciated.  My DH is an Army veteran, and I taught high school for 42 years...enjoyed teaching so much. However, now I get to pursue many other interests, like travel, and that makes me smile! Those who wander are not always lost. 

[Thrak]

37 minutes ago, Kartgv said:

 

What can I get if I'm both military and a retired high school teacher??  

 

Doesn't that get you combat pay?

[Fairfield Nana]

Tonamie-- Thank you for your service--times 2!  Curious if (God forbid) you ever get diagnose with PTSD--- which career accomplishment would you blame it on?

[voljeep]

11 hours ago, tonamie said:

I just heard that the Princess military discount OBC  may not be used to pay for gratuities. Is that accurate? However, the military discount OBC may be used to purchase drinks, clothing, etc. onboard.  The military discount OBC may not be used in the casino;  I am pretty sure of that. Thanks for reply. 

it is yet another "non-enforced" Princess 'policy' ...

[denmarks]

In addition to everything said once you show you are eligible it stays on your account and automatically appears on all future cruises.

[MCC retired]

Princess allows most all OBC's that you can get, Mil , Share , Group , TA , Promo , etc. ,  to be Stackable and all end up in the same pot onboard , to spend on anything charged to your onboard acct.

Edited July 26, 2019 by MCC retired

[Haboob]

There's "I think I heard heard someone say so on the internet", and then there's primary sourcing:

 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/faq_answer_legal/Military_Personnel_Benefit_US.pdf

 

Read the "restrictions".  Yes, there's one against using MOBC in the casino (setting aside whether they enforce it or not) but zero against using it for gratuities.

[satxdiver]

Military OBC like all OBC is added to your folio at the start of the cruise as a credit.  All charged items (excursions, food, drink, daily gratuity, etc) are added to your folio as they occur as a debit.  At the end of the cruise the credits are weighed against the debits and your credit card/cash deposit is used to pay or they send you a check (if over $20) later refunding the excess OBC.  So you start out with a positive amount on your folio and then the charges most likely will turn the balance into a debit which you will owe. 

 

The exception to not using OBC (military or other) in the casino is a condition but as pointed out it seems to be not well enforced.  I personally do not visit the casino but have read postings on here to that end. 

 

Send in your DD214 or other verification and get the military OBC for live.  It automatically shows up on all new bookings.  

[JF - retired RRT]

17 hours ago, Jeter02 said:

That would be incorrect information. The military OBC falls under your OBC account so anything that gets charged to your stateroom accounts it uses up the non-refundable OBC first followed by the refundable OBC. Doesn't matter what kind it is per se the military. You will be perfectly fine..

👍

[JF - retired RRT]

For those who noticed in the Princess information that military is specifically not to be used in the casino...how would they enforce that?

Since all OBC is in the same spreadsheet.

The only way that I could see it being enforced is to cut off your casino privileges is when you are down to refundable OBC only in your account.

Example: $250 military OBC, balance is $255. Go to the casino and try to wager $50...NOPE! You can only wager $5. That wouldn't make economic sense for the cruise line, since chances are good the whole $50 (or more) will end up belonging to the casino.

I'm pretty sure that Princess would prefer that you leave that $$ on the ship, rather than having to cut you a check.