OBB Perks

[eskimoinparadise]

What are the current On Board Booking benefits? Trying to decide whether it's better to book opening day or wait until we're on board to book our fall 2017 Dream cruise. If I book on opening day, can I cancel and re-book once we're on board to get the benefits?

 

[lanejudy]

The best suggestion is always to book opening day and then re-shop once you are onboard if the fares haven't increased considerably.

Onboard booking offer:
10% discount off cruise fare
reduced deposit (10%) on cruises of 7+ nights (standard 20% deposit for shorter cruises)
OBC of $200 for cruises of 7+ nights or $100 on shorter cruises

Enjoy your cruises!

 

[RedSox68]

If you wait until you are on board, you will have to pay the current rate -- which could be significantly higher than opening day and would kind of defeat the 10% discount. The PP has a good suggestion, reshop when onboard and see -- but have it booked just in case.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

The best suggestion is always to book opening day and then re-shop once you are onboard if the fares haven't increased considerably.

Onboard booking offer:
10% discount off cruise fare
reduced deposit (10%) on cruises of 7+ nights (standard 20% deposit for shorter cruises)
OBC of $200 for cruises of 7+ nights or $100 on shorter cruises

Enjoy your cruises!

If you wait until you are on board, you will have to pay the current rate -- which could be significantly higher than opening day and would kind of defeat the 10% discount. The PP has a good suggestion, reshop when onboard and see -- but have it booked just in case.

Thanks, but now I'm even more confused. If I book opening day and then re-shop the cruise when we're on our next cruise, wouldn't I be re-priced at current rates anyway? And, would the discount and OBC be applied retroactively if I did that?

 

[tink1970]

A caveat: if you are interested in concierge/suites then not all of that applies (I believe only the OBC, not reduction in cost of cruise nor deposit...open to correction if I'm wrong). I've done the math and for my family OBB doesn't make sense.


I believe you would be open to the current pricing, which is why usually opening day pricing is better. Of course, it depends on the popularity of the trip, etc.

 

[Partyof4LA]

Thanks, but now I'm even more confused. If I book opening day and then re-shop the cruise when we're on our next cruise, wouldn't I be re-priced at current rates anyway? And, would the discount and OBC be applied retroactively if I did that?

Yes, if you reshop on board you are looking at current rates. The idea is basically this: book on opening day without any discounts or OBC then price onboard at current rates to compare and see if your price goes down with the discount and credit. If the price of the cruise doesn't go up dramatically between opening day and time you are onboard, you may come out cheaper cancelling your opening day booking and rebooking with the discount/credit. But sometimes the price difference is so great that the discount and credit do not offset the difference and it still costs more than opening day. It is this case that makes it in your best interest to book opening day

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks, but now I'm even more confused. If I book opening day and then re-shop the cruise when we're on our next cruise, wouldn't I be re-priced at current rates anyway? And, would the discount and OBC be applied retroactively if I did that?

Correct, when you re-shop it is based on the current fares as of that date, not the opening day rates.

By booking on opening day, you get what many consider to be the lowest-offered fares.

If you cruise 3 months later you can re-shop onboard. If the fares have not increased more than the value of the OBB, then the re-shop nets you a savings lower-than-opening-day. If the fares have increased, you skip the OBB and still have the low opening day fare.

Unless you already have an OBB/placeholder in-hand on opening day, you cannot get the opening day fares discounted.

 

[n2dzny]

I don't mean to hijack but I have a question pertaining to this subject:

We cruised in Jan of this year. We booked a place holder for $250. We decided to go Nov 2017 so we booked last week. I saw where my TA (Dreams Unlimited) acknowledged my $250 already paid (we had to pay $230 in addition) but I don't see where my 10% discount was applied. Should I contact her or does this take a few days to show up? We booked a 7 night, not sure if that matters. We booked a category 4B room (also not sure that matters). TIA

 

[SillyInventor]

They don't show the gross price and discount specified. Only the discounted price. Go online, price the same category stateroom on the same cruise and you should see the difference.