Beverages, Excursions, Voom/Stream Packages

[Jbluebird]

We are about 8 months out from our cruise. Packages are starting to appear on the cruise planner, but they've mostly offered 5% to 35% off.  Is that typically the most discount or do prices go down a little more as we get closer to the actual cruise? I'm happy to purchase now if prices won't go any lower, but I'm trying to avoid the purchasing then needing to cancel for reimbursement because prices have gone down. Thank you in advance for any insights!

[Tree_skier]

T here is a sale going right now. For the cruises I have booked things look pretty good. The only time I’ve seen lower this year was the Black Friday sale. With Royal’s cruise planner purchases you can cancel and rebook if prices go down.  I’d buy now and watch for better discounts. 

Edited December 28, 2022 by Tree_skier

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, Jbluebird said:

I'm trying to avoid the purchasing then needing to cancel for reimbursement because prices have gone down.

If you know for sure you'll buy $x amount of stuff in the planner, buy that much OBC. Then, if you need to cancel/re-buy because prices went down, you don't have to wait as the OBC is immediately available upon cancellation.

[firefly333]

Excursions wouldnt go below 35% off. If you can book that cheap grab it now. Black friday I had 1 out of my 9 booked cruises that low. I had some last sept for 30% off. 

[jbrinkm]

The percentages don't always make sense either - there is sometimes a delay in updating. I'd just look at the total price rather than percentages. There are a few threads about good prices for each option (although maybe not exactly each excursion, but rather the drink packages and internet) but if you can't find it, you can ask if something is a good daily price for that item.

[Jbluebird]

15 hours ago, Biker19 said:

If you know for sure you'll buy $x amount of stuff in the planner, buy that much OBC. Then, if you need to cancel/re-buy because prices went down, you don't have to wait as the OBC is immediately available upon cancellation.

It's been a while since we've cruised and we've never previously purchased OBC.  How do you buy it? Thank you for your help!

[Biker19]

8 minutes ago, Jbluebird said:

How do you buy it?

Call.

[greatestvalue]

19 hours ago, Biker19 said:

If you know for sure you'll buy $x amount of stuff in the planner, buy that much OBC. Then, if you need to cancel/re-buy because prices went down, you don't have to wait as the OBC is immediately available upon cancellation.

If you buy the OBC pre-purchase and you dont spend it on anything prior to boarding is the OBC Non-refundable or Refundable?  And if refundable and you still dont spend it on board, how do they give it back to you?

[Biker19]

29 minutes ago, greatestvalue said:

And if refundable and you still dont spend it on board, how do they give it back to you?

Should be credited to the credit card on file, though both refundable and non-refundable can be cashed out via the casino slot machine. 

[LeeW]

Refundable to credit card.  Supposed to be the one you used but might actually go back to the one you use onboard.  Can take a while so better to take any excess out in casino before leaving ship.