What is huge (or a lot of) OBC?

[billc23]

50 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Have to agree. The cruise I was looking at when it was 40% off each person was cheaper than the 75% off second guest. 

As it should be if the full price hasn't changed!  75% off second guest is 37.5% off each person.

Reminds me of the bat and the ball problem...

[garyl62]

6 hours ago, Cruise till you drop said:

I’m from a school of thought that says nothing in life is free.

 

So for me, large obc means I’m probably paying for it myself somewhere in the price.

 

So the lower the obc, the better I feel about what I paid for the cruise to start with.

 

Completely agree.  One of the differences is the non-refundable vs the refundable.  I look at the Non-R as just a credit for my overpayment and that's what I try to spend.  The refundable goes back to my CC or I get it in cash out on the last night of the cruise.  So that's just money I let them borrow for a while.  I guess it cost me a little, but at least I knew it was coming back to me and I wasn't forced to spend it with the cruise line someway.

 

[paulh84]

I never differentiate between refundable and nonrefundable. I cash it all out on the slot machines early on then spend as I normally would. Either way it's essentially a cash rebate back to me. Then the onboard purchases are charged to my credit card where I earn 3x points on the spend. 

[StopTheWorld]

I’m curious if anyone in the UK gets extra OBC from their travel agent? If so can you let me know who you use! 😊

[aml3679]

We had $1300

[Lastdance]

The most we have ever gotten(although we haven’t done this cruise yet)is a total of 2,400 for a ten night cruise in a MC Suite.  We had a FCC, transferred from another cruise, 300 X’s 2, OBC from our TA, promotional fares etc.  This was by far the most OBC; the Celebrity agent my TA debt with even threw in a birthday credit.  Also, we did have the shareholder’s credit , along with the extra OBC that comes with the FCC.  Lots to spend; the rest is coming home with me.  Bye, bye to Celebrity’s OBC for suites, so after these four cruises, no more suites for us...too expensive now and we drink very little!  I just cannot justify unless it is a very special occasion, as the insurance is so much more too!  I know that I cannot take it with me, but will spend my own in different ways than using it for Celebrity cruises.  

[gordylad]

we have $1600 for an upcoming cruise...I asked where it came from and was told we had a FCC which covered the cost of the cruise and there was excess left over so that was automatically made into OBC.

[debfed65]

23 hours ago, StopTheWorld said:

I’m curious if anyone in the UK gets extra OBC from their travel agent? If so can you let me know who you use! 😊

 I am from Canada and would like to know if anyone in Canada gets extra OBC from their travel agent? And just like StopTheWorld said....let me know who you use!!! 😉

[villauk]

23 hours ago, StopTheWorld said:

I’m curious if anyone in the UK gets extra OBC from their travel agent? If so can you let me know who you use! 😊

 

FYI, you can’t name TAs on CC. From my own personal experience, if you book with a U.S. TA, then they give OBC rather than discounts on the cruise price, which is the norm over here (I am specifically referring to X here). It’s swings and roundabouts: sometimes the deals are better over here and sometimes it’s better booking in the States. Many years ago, we used to be able to get the fares repriced if they decreased before sailing like you can in the US; unfortunately, that changed. 

[StopTheWorld]

3 minutes ago, villauk said:

 

FYI, you can’t name TAs on CC. From my own personal experience, if you book with a U.S. TA, then they give OBC rather than discounts on the cruise price, which is the norm over here (I am specifically referring to X here). It’s swings and roundabouts: sometimes the deals are better over here and sometimes it’s better booking in the States. Many years ago, we used to be able to get the fares repriced if they decreased before sailing like you can in the US; unfortunately, that changed. 

Thanks- I’ll maybe check out some US travel agents before my next booking.

We always  book direct with Celebrity (either onboard or over the phone) and we have always been able to re-price if the price drops! In fact I think I’ve done it on every cruise - the last one being August 23. What makes you think you can’t reprice? I just call up Celebrity and ask. 

[sn2792]

We have $1830 for our upcoming cruise. $1100 from cruise line and $730 from TA. We are booked in a sky suite.

[villauk]

9 hours ago, StopTheWorld said:

Thanks- I’ll maybe check out some US travel agents before my next booking.

We always  book direct with Celebrity (either onboard or over the phone) and we have always been able to re-price if the price drops! In fact I think I’ve done it on every cruise - the last one being August 23. What makes you think you can’t reprice? I just call up Celebrity and ask. 

 

It usually depends if you booked when they offered a price guarantee if they agree to a price drop or not; perhaps you have booked under those circumstances because I’ve had to move my bookings across and rebook at the cheaper rate in order to obtain the lower price. You obviously don’t get any discount from booking direct with X either, like you can obtain from a TA. All that being said, it’s been a long time since I booked over here but I did recently as the prices for the Infinity cancelled cruises were so much less here than in the US, with the added bonus of the flight deal too. As I previously stated, it’s swings and roundabouts.

[Lastdance]

I would love to see a diagram of the ship with all the cabin numbers replaced with what people actually paid...maybe not!  Anyway, pricing would be all over the place for sure.  Some would be very pleased while others not so much!  Sometimes I actually enjoy the game, but it does get tiring.  A good TA that automatically finds price drops is a gem.

[George C]

We had 400/each on beyond a year ago. I thought that was good.

[wilmingtech]

I think the huge amounts of OBC in this thread all seem to be related to getting a Suite in the Retreat area or refunds from canceled or repriced cruises.  We have an 11 day cruise booked in 2025 and got 450 OBC (10%) for just a regular balcony.  In addition to this OBC our Gratuities were also included in the price along with Wifi and a Drink Package.  I'm trying to figure out how we are going to spend the 450 obc with all of that included.

 

When we have booked a suite on other lines we have received large amounts of OBC (Over $1000).  On those lines I also had a hard time finding things to spend the OBC on when everything else is included.

 

 

[nmsunlover]

On the 2 cruises I booked in the last few weeks (Europe & Xcel), they both had ZERO (0)  OBC !!  Celebrity said there is No OBC for 2024 & 2025 !!  I'm Elite Plus - 23 cruises with Celebrity. Europe cruise this October I booked a year ago has $1100 OBC. Just another reason I am cruising with Another cruise line for the first time !! Celebrity has raised prices SO SO much, & now the quality/service is going down, down. On my September cruise, the Sky Suite had the same stressed/ super busy  man as the cabin steward And the" butler". The "team"= Retreat lounge concierges was very confusing & didn't work/crossed messages. I've had 4 Vacation Planners in the last year & Celebrity Never tells me when they are gone -it  has Really caused me Big problems. (Was on hold for over an hour this week & still no answer for current booking help!!) For example, I have $1000 FCC they are saying I can't use. And, booking on board, until recently, the $200 you paid Was the deposit. Now, they are making me pay up to $1500 deposit, in addition to the $200.  I could go on & on ...

[serene56]

we have 400 shared OBC   (I thought that was huge)

[luckyinpa]

retirement cruise on and edge villa..typically my guy gives me just short of 10% on most suites, most lines.

 

Gift $2250 on board credit

Cruise Line OBC: $800

 

word of warning, i booked MSC and thank goodness did research. MSC does NOT refund ANY OBC. my TA confirmed it and is mailing me my check for 800 after that cruise.

 

also i told him id prefer the 2250 mentioned above be mailed out to me after the cruise. i know the X OBC is non refundable and will cash out at the casino since there's literally nothing to spent it on board except a model ship.

[thepetries1991]

We had $1250 from Celebrity and $1500 from TA on our Alaskan cruise in September. 

[Hlitner]

We have $1910 OBC for an upcoming 2 week Princess cruise in a lowly mini-suite.  As to Celebrity, we gave up on the line when LLP started her "death by a thousand cut-backs"  (my words) plus big price increases.  Bottom line for us was that it made more sense to generally cruise on luxury and premium lines with a occasional mass market cruise. 

 

So called Sales and Promotions mean little to us, since those are simply words,  We look at the adjusted real cost per person/day which makes it easy for us to compare various cruise lines.

 

Hank

[tomcruiser1234]

We received $1250 from X on a 13 day. Sky Suite and $1350 from agent. 

 

Crazy tried to book the next 14 day return to Liberty and tips not included and only $450 from X. 

 

X is starting to tighten up for sure. 

[kands6191]

For our 1/29/24 Panama Canal cruise in an SV, we booked onboard and got the Elevate package.

So $200 from X for onboard booking, $400 from X for a promo, $400 as part of Elevate.

Then got $625 from TA plus $50 loyalty bonus. 

With tips, prem drinks, and regular wifi already paid for we used the $1000 from X to book the dinners, Deal cards, excursions, and upgrade wifi. Plan to take the $675 home with us.

[Smmessineo]

For my b2b2b Iceland and Canada cruises next year, inside stateroom, we have about $1000 per cruise.  Booked onboard,  plus Celebrity offer with obc, plus shareholder credit plus Celebrity matched whatever "gift card" amount the big box TA  is offering for that sailing. ( you have to ask the Celebrity agent, I've never been denied it). 

I used a little bit to upgrade  to premium beverages at 6.99 per day. The rest will get "laundered" at the blackjack tables.  We won't use it for shore excursions because they are generally overpriced compared to doing private tours. 

[Boscodog]

40 minutes ago, Smmessineo said:

For my b2b2b Iceland and Canada cruises next year, inside stateroom, we have about $1000 per cruise.  Booked onboard,  plus Celebrity offer with obc, plus shareholder credit plus Celebrity matched whatever "gift card" amount the big box TA  is offering for that sailing. ( you have to ask the Celebrity agent, I've never been denied it). 

I used a little bit to upgrade  to premium beverages at 6.99 per day. The rest will get "laundered" at the blackjack tables.  We won't use it for shore excursions because they are generally overpriced compared to doing private tours. 

I have never heard of asking Celebrity to match the big box TA gift card.  We booked a cruise onboard and transferred to a big box TA that rhymes with Bosco.  Do we call our big box TA or call celebrity directly?

This is a great tip if it works. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Boscodog

[Smmessineo]

12 minutes ago, Boscodog said:

I have never heard of asking Celebrity to match the big box TA gift card.  We booked a cruise onboard and transferred to a big box TA that rhymes with Bosco.  Do we call our big box TA or call celebrity directly?

This is a great tip if it works. 

If you've already  transferred to the big box TA, they are giving you that $ as a gift card for their store. I book directly with Celebrity and stay with Celebrity. The Celebrity agent has to look up the deal on the websire, and then place a request to a supervisor to get the amount approved. It's usually done while I'm still on the phone making the booking. After it's approved, it doesn't show on my invoice or the website, but is shows as soon as I am onboard. 

The only situation where it won't work is if Celebrity's price is lower than the big box.

I've successfully done this 8 or 10 times and I have 7 more booked with it.

Lately, since Celebrity doesn't give you a dedication vacation planner anymore, I've had to explain it to whatever agent I get on the phone. Still works.