How strict is the OBC for a Shore Excursion?

[dreams_of_travel]

I've got a cruise coming up that has OBC designated for a shore excursion.  How strict are they about using it ONLY for an excursion?  I don't have anything booked yet, but the Alaska cruise is end of next month, so I know I am probably looking at slim pickings.  Any data points would be appreciated. 

(I did try to do a search, but apparently my terms "OBC+shore+excursion didn't turn up anything.)  

[LeeW]

OBC is OBC - it is applied to your cruise account onboard.  Depending on type it might be refundable at the end of the cruise, but that is it.  It is just a subtraction from your account and they really don't care what you spend it on (except if you try to take it ALL out at the casino; search for OBC and casino if interested).

 

OBC from Princess (stockholder, booking, military, past cruise goodwill, ...) appears on your account whenever they get around to applying it and can be used to purchase shore excursions before a cruise.  You can buy excursions but not things like beverage packages or internet with it.  Booking and military generally show up immediately.  Stockholder has to be applied for each cruise.

 

You won't see OBC when buying an excursion until you go to pay for it.  Then there is an option to apply some of your existing OBC before you pay with a credit card.  Royal Caribbean does this better - you can see how much OBC you have left at the top of the cruise personalizer page.  Princess doesn't.  Also be aware that some OBC is applied to one person in the room.  You can't spend the other person's OBC without logging on as them or calling.

 

OBC from travel agents doesn't show up until around day 2 of the cruise.  Obviously this can't be used to prebook anything.

 

Alaska has a ton of activities that are better when booked independently.  See the Alaska board for ideas.

[MissP22]

We had that type of OBC last cruise and once on the ship there was no limitation on how I could use it. 

[dreams_of_travel]

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

We had that type of OBC last cruise and once on the ship there was no limitation on how I could use it. 

 

Thank you for that info.  I was hoping that would be the case.  I'll give it a try next month.

 

@LeeW I am aware of what OBC, and the various types, and if they are refundable etc.  I had not had an OBC promoted as for a shore excursion that's why I asked about it.  Your post has a lot of info that will be helpful for this forum's readers.  Always good to share info. 

[TN-Mountains]

We had that type of OBC a few weeks ago on Sky.  We didn’t book any excursions through Princess, but they still credited the OBC towards our other purchases.