PocketsRN Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 I'm looking to book another cruise for the end of this year, and wondering if I should book now or on board next week. The only benefits I ever see to booking onboard are the decreased deposit and the extra onboard spending credit. On the flip side, the current 30% sale ends before next week, and I have no idea if they'll extend it, or what's up next. Not even sure which itinerary to do, but looked at several, and rooms are already starting to disappear. Anyone ever see other perks or discounts with the on board booking, or should I just do it now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toodle68 Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 The 30% sale will just be replaced by something else. The end price is always the same from what I see. Booking on board does get you a reduced deposit.. but one thing I saw recently is that when I went into the booking I made on the ship when I got home, it said I needed to pay $500 in 2 weeks time. I don't know what would have happened if I ignore that until final payment.. The one thing we did like about booking on board was actually sitting down with someone to discuss options. They were able to come up with prices quickly, appeared to have access to rooms that never showed up during online booking and access to other rooms not online (a room large enough for 5+ adults). We were looking for 2 rooms, interior and outside (on deck 10), and they found two opposite each other. In all the searches online, I never found anything on deck 10, never mind near each other. I also notice that the OBC generally means you do not get the C&A discount.. so likely that all works out to be the same too. In you go at a non busy time, you can spent an hour or more with the RC agent going over options, asking questions etc.. For us, it came down the complexity of the trip.. When I got home, I booked a different cruise online as that was simple.. 3 days, interior cabin, deck 6.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 You can book now to be safe, and then if its a better deal next week when onboard re-book with the better promo? I am on the same cruise as you and will be defn looking at booking something else for the %50 deposit plus scoring some OBC onboard to use at the casino! Can always change it later once off the ship to a different date/cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 Looks like you are in Florida so US rules apply and deposits are 100% refundable up until final payment. Assuming you aren't looking to book a cruise within 2-3 month of now (so you would already be within final payment) then there is no reason not to book now and lock in the current deal, then if you get onboard and the deal of the day is better you just rebook to the new deal and apply the onboard booking bonus. IIRC the onboard booking OBC IS combinable with any C&A balcony discount for example and with any OBC deal included in the deal of the day so it is a small benefit to rebooking onboard even if the deal itself hasn't improved any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PocketsRN Posted January 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 You're right, it does always work out about the same. Started booking a b2b on rhapsody in December, then my boss piped up and said there's no way I'd get that time off approved. Of course, she waited til I already had the first leg reserved. So, annoyed and my bubble burst, I impetuously just cancelled the booking... I would say last time I juggle work and cruise planning, but I know that won't last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PocketsRN Posted January 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 By the way, I thought you couldn't use OBC in the casino... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 Oh yeah..it just goes on my Seapass card, and then I do a withdrawal at the Casino cash cage.....I set my account up as a "cash" account, thereby avoiding the 5% cash advance fee they charge if its a credit card on file..... At least that's what I did the past few cruises I did and it seemed to work out ok....hope this is still the case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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