On Board Credit and dining reservations

[Augustsunshine]

My understanding is that OBC means ON BOARD. I have already made some dining reservations for my Feb. cruise. I was required to submit a credit card for payment. I have to plead ignorance because I have never had OBC on my previous 2 cruises. I assume that any remaining OBC can not be used at the end of the cruise to pay for the dining I have already reserved. The only way to do that would be to cancel those reservations and rebook if there is availability when I get aboard. I had understood that OBC could not be used for gratuities or crew appreciation fees but now it appears that it can be. Of course, I also pre-paid those too. So I suppose I could remove the crew appreciation and then reinstate when I get aboard. Not blaming anyone but myself but Holland America could have made it a lot clearer ahead of time when they offered some significant OBC for booking. Here’s an argument for using a travel agent.

[Mary229]

The OBC granted by a HAL booking can only be used onboard and for just about everything. I think the only ban is casino but some have been able to use OBC for casino.   There may be confusion here on the forum but that is pretty much the way it has been for a very long time

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, Augustsunshine said:

............... Of course, I also pre-paid those too. So I suppose I could remove the crew appreciation and then reinstate when I get aboard. Not blaming anyone but myself but Holland America could have made it a lot clearer ahead of time when they offered some significant OBC for booking. Here’s an argument for using a travel agent.

Sounds like a good plan to me.  While onboard, the crew appreciation will start automatically. 

[alyssamma]

1 hour ago, Augustsunshine said:

My understanding is that OBC means ON BOARD. I have already made some dining reservations for my Feb. cruise. I was required to submit a credit card for payment. I have to plead ignorance because I have never had OBC on my previous 2 cruises. I assume that any remaining OBC can not be used at the end of the cruise to pay for the dining I have already reserved. The only way to do that would be to cancel those reservations and rebook if there is availability when I get aboard. I had understood that OBC could not be used for gratuities or crew appreciation fees but now it appears that it can be. Of course, I also pre-paid those too. So I suppose I could remove the crew appreciation and then reinstate when I get aboard. Not blaming anyone but myself but Holland America could have made it a lot clearer ahead of time when they offered some significant OBC for booking. Here’s an argument for using a travel agent.

The above posters gave excellent and correct info. I will just add that sometimes HAL gives money specifically for shore excursions. Not sure if any of your OBC is this, but if it is, then you can use it immediately. I know you'll get it with Have It All, but not sure if you can get it other ways.

 

You may also have dinner credits (i.e., free dinners)...these you can book/use right away also.

[Augustsunshine]

Thanks to all. Just kicking myself because I could have managed better if l had looked into it more. Lesson learned