Please clarify OBC uses

[Jay Bee]

I've read conflicting things in the threads. I planned on using my OBC (my first!) to pay for tips and in the casino, but I saw in one place that these were on the list of prohibited uses. Is this true? I thought that OBC was just applied to your SeaPass card in which case it seems that whatever charges you run up on it could use the OBC.

 

And I also see conflicts about what happens if you don't use it all. RCL says use it or lose it. If you keep track of it and are able to credit any leftover amount to your credit card or withdraw it in the casino, that's fine, but I'm surprised to read that someone says that they automatically credit any balance back to you.

 

Can someone clarify, please?

Thanks.

[skyking]

Well I can tell you how it worked for us. On day 3 of our recent seven day cruise I logged on the account on the TV in my cabin and BAMMM there was a $100.00 credit off the total amount. So thats it in a nutshell.

[GMoney]

IME, there are no prohibited uses of an OBC. No matter whether it comes from booking your cruise on a previous cruise, from the shareholders OBC, refunded shore excursions, etc, it's exactly what you describe - a credit applied to your Sea Pass that is absorbed as you spend on the ship.

 

I've had credits left at the end of my cruise and have both cashed out via Guest Relations and just had the credit automatically posted to my credit card account (most recently on the 9/7 Radiance sailing). The credit posted 3 days after my cruise ended.

 

Not sure why some people struggle with OBCs, but they are pretty straightforward. I used to keep a very close eye on them, as RCI would be slow to post them once I was onboard, but I'd say they've been very efficient for the past year or 2.

[petel]

I've read conflicting things in the threads. I planned on using my OBC (my first!) to pay for tips and in the casino, but I saw in one place that these were on the list of prohibited uses. Is this true? I thought that OBC was just applied to your SeaPass card in which case it seems that whatever charges you run up on it could use the OBC.

 

And I also see conflicts about what happens if you don't use it all. RCL says use it or lose it. If you keep track of it and are able to credit any leftover amount to your credit card or withdraw it in the casino, that's fine, but I'm surprised to read that someone says that they automatically credit any balance back to you.

 

Can someone clarify, please?

Thanks.

 

Ordinarily I would think that saying OBC is cash would be enough but some people seem to be confused. Previous posters have said it but I thought this is worth saying again: You can "cash out" at the casino window or Guest Relations at the end of the cruise. If the purser finds a credit balance on your account at the end of the cruise you will receive a credit on the card you have on file with the ship.

 

The reason you will not see a credit balance on your ship pass when you board is that the purser doesn't get the OBC posted until 1-they receive the list from shore (sometimes up to three days into a cruise) and 2-the purser has time to post it. RCL is a very high integrity company and only human error makes anyone not get everything due them. So, just like your bank, you should "manage" your account.

 

Enjoy :)

[dmndlil]

In my experience, any OBC has been just that. Whatever you use your sail pass for.... the credit comes off the bill.

[Jay Bee]

Thanks for all your input. I will regard it as cash then.

[Bases5]

I think this is where the confusion may be coming from. I like to purchases Gift Certificate for myself the month leading up to our cruise. I apply these self bought Gift Certificate to my OBC. After doing several of these, I ran across this on RCCL's web site pertaining to Gift Certificate. Here is the quote. So I asked the same question as OP did and got answers all over the place.

 

(This certificate may not be used to pay for any government fees, taxes, onboard gratuities, games of chance and or similar activities. This certificate cannot be used and is not applicable for charters and may not be used for certain customized group programs (i.e. value add groups).

[Jay Bee]

I think this is where the confusion may be coming from. I like to purchases Gift Certificate for myself the month leading up to our cruise. I apply these self bought Gift Certificate to my OBC. After doing several of these, I ran across this on RCCL's web site pertaining to Gift Certificate. Here is the quote. So I asked the same question as OP did and got answers all over the place.

 

(This certificate may not be used to pay for any government fees, taxes, onboard gratuities, games of chance and or similar activities. This certificate cannot be used and is not applicable for charters and may not be used for certain customized group programs (i.e. value add groups).

 

Ah, I see. When I looked around for statements like that at other sources of OBC, I didn't see anything. Perhaps the gift certificates are the only ones that do restrict you, but if you apply it to your OBC, do they really keep track of that??

[Bases5]

Ah, I see. When I looked around for statements like that at other sources of OBC, I didn't see anything. Perhaps the gift certificates are the only ones that do restrict you, but if you apply it to your OBC, do they really keep track of that??[/quote]

 

 

Thats what I was asking on other post!!!! Still not sure of the answer. I have had no issues on other lines so i am hoping for the same here.

[OHCruisinDad]

I would think that once the GC credit is posted as a credit to your Sea Pass account, its just like any OBC. The credits go against the charges and at the end of the week you either owe a balance or have a credit coming back. In order to avoid having a credit at the end of the cruise, take an advance at the casino and just put the cash in your pocket. There is no requirement to play although it is a lot of fun. :)