Paying for OBB with GC?

[NACFl]

Has anyone used GC's to pay for an OBB? I'm stacking up $50 gift cards to use to pay for our next cruise, and would like to be able to pay my deposit for OBB with GC's as well. Has anyone done this? Any issues with future cruise desk or do they want a CC or cash instead?

 

[Dug720]

I paid my on-board deposit with a gift card and had no issues.

Of course it was ONE card which I just add money onto rather than a bunch of them...

 

[ktmo]

If you plan on doing this while on board, make sure you get to guest services that first day (if you have excursions booked). I had a bunch of gift cards that I was going to put on my account, but I didn't get there until late on the first 1st full day. They had already charged my credit card for our excursions. Since they charged my CC, I ended up with more money in my account, since I had added the GC after charging my card. I spoke with guest services and they put the credit back on my credit card, not the gift cards. Not a big deal, but just a warning.

I didn't have any issues adding the gift cards. I have heard that you can call before your trip and add them to your account. I think I might do this next time.

 

[NACFl]

Thank you for your responses. I will plan to visit guest services and put all our GCs on our onboard account and drop my OBB card at the future cruise desk right after. I like to get all the "housekeeping" things done ASAP anyway so I can relax the rest of the cruise.

 

[lanejudy]

Thank you for your responses. I will plan to visit guest services and put all our GCs on our onboard account and drop my OBB card at the future cruise desk right after. I like to get all the "housekeeping" things done ASAP anyway so I can relax the rest of the cruise.

Actually, I don't believe an onboard-booking for a future cruise is charged directly to your current onboard account. They will ask if you want to use the same credit card as the onboard account, but it shows up as a separate transaction, not listed in the onboard account charges. If you really want to use the gift cards for the future booking, I wouldn't apply it to the onboard account unless instructed to do so. You may need to visit the Future Bookings desk in-person with the gift cards, rather than simply returning the card to the box.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[woody73]

I'm not sure if you can pay an OBB with a GC, but if you do, be sure to keep the GC. If you cancel the OBB for some reason -- even years later -- the deposit will be refunded to the GC.

IMO, it would be better to use a CC.

Woody

 

[DisneyOHFan]

Oops. Sorry answered incorrectly. I thought you meant OBC not OBB.

 

[jahber]

Has anyone used GC's to pay for an OBB? I'm stacking up $50 gift cards to use to pay for our next cruise, and would like to be able to pay my deposit for OBB with GC's as well. Has anyone done this? Any issues with future cruise desk or do they want a CC or cash instead?

I actually have this same question. Can anyone who has actually done this using a GC verify? I would be so thrilled if it IS possible!

ETA: To the PP who mentioned they had done it, can you explain how you did it? Did you bring the GC to the OBB desk or apply the GC to your onboard account? Thank you so much!

 

[Alexander]

Actually, I don't believe an onboard-booking for a future cruise is charged directly to your current onboard account. They will ask if you want to use the same credit card as the onboard account, but it shows up as a separate transaction, not listed in the onboard account charges. If you really want to use the gift cards for the future booking, I wouldn't apply it to the onboard account unless instructed to do so. You may need to visit the Future Bookings desk in-person with the gift cards, rather than simply returning the card to the box.

Enjoy your cruise!

Ours was charged to the card once and the next time, it went right to my on board account.

 

[NACFl]

I want to use GCs to pay my deposit because I am able to buy them at a discounted rate and I will be able to afford a nicer cabin and/or more excursions if I can stretch my dollars. I could use a cc, but I would prefer the savings from using the GCs I purchased at the discounted rate. It will save me about one thousand dollars off my entire cruise if I can do it this way.

 

[Magic3forme]

I use gift cards to pay for the cruises and all the things we buy on the cruise. ( excursions included). ) the lady at Kroger was shocked the first time I put 6000 in gift cards in front of her to pay off the cruise.) I love getting fuel perks and money back on my Amex.)

the only thing I dont use gift cards for is the rebooking deposit. people pay cash all the time.. I dont see why you couldnt use a gift card....
just be sure to keep the cards in case you cancel.

 

[Dug720]

I had all my information (date, ship, cabin type and even cabin number) on a little sticky. I had it with me, and went to the future booking desk early one morning just after they opened. He confirmed that the category and even room I wanted were still available, told me what the total was, asked about insurance (yes...leaving NYC in February...I'm not stupid), transfers, did I want to pre-pay my tips, etc. and then gave me the total (with insurance and pre-paying tips it was all of $1.50 more than if I'd booked the cruise by itself online on my own - yay OBB discounts!!)

He then asked how I wanted to pay my deposit, and I handed him my ONE gift card which he swiped and voila! it was all done!

So again, yes, I know you can pay the deposit with ONE gift card because I just did it. But you might have to visit the desk for that as the only option I saw on the card was "charge the deposit to the same card on your account?" - and I'm not sure if you can put a certain stateroom number on the card as it seemed to be just category. I'm not sure if you can use a stack of gift cards though.

 

[NACFl]

Thank you. I'm headed to MK this weekend so I will stop by guest services and see what they can do in regards to combining multiple GC's into one.

 

[Dug720]

Thank you. I'm headed to MK this weekend so I will stop by guest services and see what they can do in regards to combining multiple GC's into one.

No problem!

Also in regards to gift card(s) on your account and credit cards being charged, leave your account as "cash" and them apply the gift cards. You can always put a credit card on later to settle. If it's on there to begin with, you risk them charging it before you get the cards on there.

 

[NACFl]

I emailed DCL and they said there would be no problem using multiple GC's for an OBB at the future cruise desk. Yay!