Using OBC pre-cruise in Cruise Planner?

[Aarni]

Can OBC be used before the cruise for the things available to reserve in cruise planner? I remember some cruise lines only allowing the use of OBC of things you buy and reserve while on board, but what's Celebrity's line here? 

[dgoz]

You can pay for dinners at specialty restaurants and also excursions before your cruise.

[Mangrove Snapper]

When you go into the cruise planner, it will show you how much OBC you have available.  You can apply some or all to your purchases when checking out. 

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, Aarni said:

Can OBC be used before the cruise for the things available to reserve in cruise planner? I remember some cruise lines only allowing the use of OBC of things you buy and reserve while on board, but what's Celebrity's line here? 

 

If I follow you correctly.  Some of us (many of us?) have OBC from the cruise line AND from a travel agent, if you use one.  I get the cruise line OBC when I put down a deposit.  I get the TA credit on my second day on board.  (This may not be the same for everyone.)  The cruise line OBC I can use for almost anything, dinners, excursions, etc.  I can't use it to buy "gifts" for myself.  Flowers, for example.

 

It's actually a problem for me because I go crazy booking everything before the cruise, including champagne dinners, Daniel Boulud dinner, *because* these can fill up before you get on board.  So I don't know what I will do with the OBC from the TA since I will probably book all my excursions before getting on the ship.

 

I might use the on-board OBC for a massage.  Maybe casino???

[Bodie1]

35 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

If I follow you correctly.  Some of us (many of us?) have OBC from the cruise line AND from a travel agent, if you use one.  I get the cruise line OBC when I put down a deposit.  I get the TA credit on my second day on board.  (This may not be the same for everyone.)  The cruise line OBC I can use for almost anything, dinners, excursions, etc.  I can't use it to buy "gifts" for myself.  Flowers, for example.

 

It's actually a problem for me because I go crazy booking everything before the cruise, including champagne dinners, Daniel Boulud dinner, *because* these can fill up before you get on board.  So I don't know what I will do with the OBC from the TA since I will probably book all my excursions before getting on the ship.

 

I might use the on-board OBC for a massage.  Maybe casino???

OBC from your TA is typically refundable, (OBR). If you don't use it, you'll see a credit to your credit card.

[zitsky]

28 minutes ago, Bodie1 said:

OBC from your TA is typically refundable, (OBR). If you don't use it, you'll see a credit to your credit card.

 

So I just go to guest services to get a refund?

[Bodie1]

1 minute ago, zitsky said:

 

So I just go to guest services to get a refund?

On the last night of your cruise you can go to Guest Relations and get a cash refund.  The advantage of that is you don't lose points on your credit card when the refund hits.  If you don't care about the points, you'll sometimes see the refund hit your card when you get to the airport, or for sure within a couple of days.

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

 

If I follow you correctly.  Some of us (many of us?) have OBC from the cruise line AND from a travel agent, if you use one.  I get the cruise line OBC when I put down a deposit.  I get the TA credit on my second day on board.  (This may not be the same for everyone.)  The cruise line OBC I can use for almost anything, dinners, excursions, etc.  I can't use it to buy "gifts" for myself.  Flowers, for example.

 

It's actually a problem for me because I go crazy booking everything before the cruise, including champagne dinners, Daniel Boulud dinner, *because* these can fill up before you get on board.  So I don't know what I will do with the OBC from the TA since I will probably book all my excursions before getting on the ship.

 

I might use the on-board OBC for a massage.  Maybe casino???

The good news is the TA refundable credit will be credited back to your Credit Card if you don't spend it.   Some have said they went down near the end of the cruise and withdrew the Refundable OBC as cash.  

[zitsky]

Thanks to both/all of you.  Now if I could just get X to stop changing their website………

[LisaDee]

On 3/18/2022 at 1:50 PM, Mangrove Snapper said:

When you go into the cruise planner, it will show you how much OBC you have available.  You can apply some or all to your purchases when checking out. 

 

Does anyone know how early the OBC shows up in the Planner?  We have Retreat and shareholders OBC clearly marked on our invoice but it isn’t yet showing in the Planner.   

[DCPIV]

9 minutes ago, LisaDee said:

 

Does anyone know how early the OBC shows up in the Planner?  We have Retreat and shareholders OBC clearly marked on our invoice but it isn’t yet showing in the Planner.   

 

When did you book?  It sometimes takes a few days to show up.

[LisaDee]

1 hour ago, DCPIV said:

 

When did you book?  It sometimes takes a few days to show up.

 

We booked months ago but the cruise is still 9 months away.  Shore excursions for most of the stops are now available to book.

[39august]

That OBC should have shown in the planner in a few days, not months. I think you need to call. 

[danceswithphones]

5 hours ago, LisaDee said:

We booked months ago but the cruise is still 9 months away.  Shore excursions for most of the stops are now available to book.

X emailed me about OBC today. Subject line read "Important information about Onboard Credit on your upcoming sailing". At first, I thought it was spam but it showed my Captain's Club number and my booking number. Just to be safe, I ignored the embedded link, exited the email, and checked my pending cruises. Showed $400. I usually find a way to burn through it without planning in advance. 

[81Zoomie]

We had a bunch of OBC and booked specialty dining pre cruise.  Our credit card was charged. Same for our friends who booked massages pre cruise.  We had intended to use some of our large amounts of OBC.  So, Celebrity got even more of our $!

[39august]

I always call to use my shipboard OBC. That way no credit card is involved.