floralscent Posted August 13, 2023 #1 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Does anyone have ideas on how to gift someone OBC? I ask because we have some friends that are cruising Celebrity and we would love to gift them some OBC. Ultimately a surprise OBC that they find once onboard would be fun but giving it in advance of the trip would be fun as well. Thanks- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted August 13, 2023 #2 Share Posted August 13, 2023 I think you need their booking number, for a start. Do you have that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
def0715 Posted August 13, 2023 #3 Share Posted August 13, 2023 (edited) I was able to do this recently without the booking number but with passenger name, ship and sail date. Can’t remember the department that handles it but if you call the main number they should be able to transfer you or give you a separate phone number. You can compose a little note to the recipient, and the note, which I think also shows the OBC amount, is delivered to the cabin after boarding - or waiting there when the recipient boards. I did this for my daughters for their sailing last month (I did not have their booking number and didn’t want to ask them/ruin the surprise) but think it could be done for anyone. Edited August 13, 2023 by def0715 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floralscent Posted August 13, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Thank you so much! I too don't want to ask for the info to ruin the surprise. I will try this route! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarrian Posted August 13, 2023 #5 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Slightly different question .. can you gift OBC to crew> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare bjahil47 Posted August 14, 2023 #6 Share Posted August 14, 2023 3 hours ago, Tarrian said: Slightly different question .. can you gift OBC to crew> Yes, there is a form to use at Guest Relations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisn-au Posted August 14, 2023 #7 Share Posted August 14, 2023 6 minutes ago, bjahil47 said: Yes, there is a form to use at Guest Relations. That is great to know - honestly I am pleasantly surprised by this. No reason to ever leave a cruise with remain OBC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthStarStateCruiser Posted August 14, 2023 #8 Share Posted August 14, 2023 10 hours ago, chrisn-au said: That is great to know - honestly I am pleasantly surprised by this. No reason to ever leave a cruise with remain OBC Unless that OBC is refundable. Then the remaining funds are credited to the card on file. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarrian Posted August 14, 2023 #9 Share Posted August 14, 2023 Thanks for that. I think OBC is said not to be refundable. Any left over goes back to Celebrity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted August 14, 2023 #10 Share Posted August 14, 2023 13 minutes ago, Tarrian said: Thanks for that. I think OBC is said not to be refundable. Any left over goes back to Celebrity It depends on the source of the OBC. The OBC we receive from Celebrity for booking onboard and as part of our Suite booking is non-refundable. The OBC we receive from our Travel Agent for having our booking shifted to them, or having our booking registered with them is refundable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2chiefs Posted August 15, 2023 #11 Share Posted August 15, 2023 12 hours ago, DaKahuna said: It depends on the source of the OBC. The OBC we receive from Celebrity for booking onboard and as part of our Suite booking is non-refundable. The OBC we receive from our Travel Agent for having our booking shifted to them, or having our booking registered with them is refundable. Additionally, (it was our experience anyway), when you have multiple OBC's, they use your non-refundable OBC first as you are spending it. Thus, saving your refundable OBC for last in case you have any left over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted August 15, 2023 #12 Share Posted August 15, 2023 14 hours ago, 2chiefs said: Additionally, (it was our experience anyway), when you have multiple OBC's, they use your non-refundable OBC first as you are spending it. Thus, saving your refundable OBC for last in case you have any left over. That is correct. They have always put charges against our non-refundable OBC first. We usually use OBC to tip various crew members that are not part of the standard gratuity pool, e.g. sommelier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2chiefs Posted August 15, 2023 #13 Share Posted August 15, 2023 4 hours ago, DaKahuna said: That is correct. They have always put charges against our non-refundable OBC first. We usually use OBC to tip various crew members that are not part of the standard gratuity pool, e.g. sommelier. Same here. BTW, we are also Retired Navy. Sallie 1995 and me (Terry) 1989 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debfed65 Posted August 15, 2023 #14 Share Posted August 15, 2023 We did this on our last cruise. Guest Relations told us if we wanted to tip someone personally like a waiter, or bartender (or anyone) we needed their proper spelling of their first and last name to fill put on the form. We also told our bartender what we were doing because he was wondering why we were asking for his full name LOL. He was so happy and didn't realize that could be done! You can select many different people on the form to divide up your remaining OBC as well. You don't have to leave your full total balance to just one person. If you only have the first name of a bartender for example, the money you leave from your OBC will go into the bar pool to be divided up amongst everyone. Also, if you want to leave it to your Room Steward (with a first name only) then he/she will receive it personally and it will not be pooled. I think it is a wonderful idea instead of leaving it on your account unused or frivolously spending it on board. Happy Cruising! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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