OBC and Explore 4

[Kfrech]

I see that OBC cannot be used for excursions purchased prior to boarding. Can it be used for gratitudes? What else can it be used for? We are planning to sail on the Koningsdam to Alaska in June. 
 

Also, the Explore 4 promotion ends today. Should I book now or hope for something better? They are offering free internet also if you book a Verandah, which is what we intend to do. 
 

We are not seasoned cruisers, having only cruised twice before. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. 

[kazu]

34 minutes ago, Kfrech said:

I see that OBC cannot be used for excursions purchased prior to boarding. Can it be used for gratitudes? What else can it be used for? We are planning to sail on the Koningsdam to Alaska in June. 

 

Yes, it can be used for gratuities (HSC).  Can be used for anything on board (specialty dining, drinks, etc) except the casino.

 

34 minutes ago, Kfrech said:

 

Also, the Explore 4 promotion ends today. Should I book now or hope for something better? They are offering free internet also if you book a Verandah, which is what we intend to do. 

 

No one knows the answer to that question but...

 

if you book now and watch pricing and offers you can always reface up until final payment date if you see a better price or offer as long as you don’t book a non refundable fare.  Just be sure to weight what you get versus what you lose. 😉

 

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[sprockie]

I don't know if you're travelling to the Caribbean but we just booked with a beverage package included for an inside cabin for this December. The beverage package wasn't free but it was discounted from the usual rates.

[Mary229]

If you don't buy a restricted fare you can always change your package/deal up to final payment.  That is what I do.  I traded in the Explore 4 for another package they offered briefly this past summer.   (I don't drink so the trade in was a bonus for me).  Since my cruise is still not to final payment date I could trade again but I think I have gotten the best deal for me now - it did take 2 room changes and 2 trade ins.  My agent and I consider this a sport.

[Kfrech]

Do you do this directly with Holland or do you use TA?

[Alberta Quilter]

It depends on how you book the cruise.  If you book directly with HAL, then you can refare directly with them. If you used a TA, you need to go through the TA..

Edited October 31, 2019 by Alberta Quilter

[freestyling]

If you find Explore 4 of value and book a refundable fare you can always refare if you a new offer appeals to you. Also you should ask what your refundable fare would be without a package to ensure your not overpaying. 

[Crew News]

While onboard, OBC can be used to purchase photo packages, anything in the Shops, cookbooks from the Explorations Cafe, excursions while onboard, beverages, flowers, Spa, wine tastings, Specialty Restaurants, Room Service items that have an extra charge (Tamarind, Dive-In, PG), etc.

[DaveOKC]

8 hours ago, kazu said:

Yes, it can be used for gratuities (HSC).  Can be used for anything on board (specialty dining, drinks, etc) except the casino.

 

No one knows the answer to that question but...

 

if you book now and watch pricing and offers you can always reface up until final payment date if you see a better price or offer as long as you don’t book a non refundable fare.  Just be sure to weight what you get versus what you lose. 😉

 

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Great advice - I would book now (as long as its a refundable fare) and watch pricing as soon as next week (prices often drop after a promotion goes off).

[Kfrech]

Thanks for all the great advice!

 

I booked today and will continue to look; I'm sure I'll be back with many more questions!

[weluvafrica]

 Yes you can use your OBC credit for shore excursions, just buy them with your CC now, then when on board credit your card and use your credits, easy!!! Just did this.

[Kfrech]

Let me make sure I understand this correctly:

 

I book them with my CC now, and than use the OBC to pay off my credit card charges? Do I have this right?

[Cruise Suzy]

Just now, Kfrech said:

Let me make sure I understand this correctly:

 

I book them with my CC now, and than use the OBC to pay off my credit card charges? Do I have this right?

 

If you book shore excursions before the cruise, you will have to pay for them with a credit card. Then you must cancel them once on the ship in order to rebook and use OBC to pay for them. In the meantime, a waitlist may have been started and you will go to the end of the list. I wouldn't do this for any shore excursion I really wanted.

[Kfrech]

Thank you for the clarification. It seems best to use the OBC for other things (which seems easy enough to do) rather than take the chance on not getting the excursions we really want. 

[sevenseasnomad]

9 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

If you book shore excursions before the cruise, you will have to pay for them with a credit card. Then you must cancel them once on the ship in order to rebook and use OBC to pay for them. In the meantime, a waitlist may have been started and you will go to the end of the list. I wouldn't do this for any shore excursion I really wanted.

If you plan to do this, understand the cancellation policy for any shore excursion you book.  Those which occur a day or two after embarkation may carry a penalty.  Be careful.  Also, keep in mind that HAL awards credit toward Mariner status in increments of every $300 a passenger spends which equals one day aboard.  Many times, though, they round up to $300 for any amount over $250, at least that's been our experience.  They're very liberal with counting those spent $$.

[DaveOKC]

11 hours ago, sevenseasnomad said:

If you plan to do this, understand the cancellation policy for any shore excursion you book.  Those which occur a day or two after embarkation may carry a penalty.  Be careful.  Also, keep in mind that HAL awards credit toward Mariner status in increments of every $300 a passenger spends which equals one day aboard.  Many times, though, they round up to $300 for any amount over $250, at least that's been our experience.  They're very liberal with counting those spent $$.

Last month the excursion lady did a cancel and rebook for me while onboard to use up my OBC.  Do not know how she did it.  I would not count on this however, as not all people are so accomidating.