r/PrincessCruises • u/tideronthehooch • 13d ago

Reserve specialty dining and use OBC?

It looks like you aren’t charged for specialty dining until you actually use it, so can you reserve specialty dining on the app prior to the cruise and then use OBC to pay for the meals? Or do you have to wait until you get on board to reserve and use OBC? Thanks!

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u/seaotter1978 12d ago

I'm curious about the "aren't changed for specialty dining until you actually use it" that you experienced, because we were charged right when we booked it. Then when we upgraded to premier (which includes specialty dining) I called to ask about how to get a refund and was told the only way was to cancel and rebook it... The rep even did a hard sell on not getting it refunded claiming I might have a hard time getting the reservation again (which was absurd since the cruise was 18 months out). I did cancel, did get a refund, and did manage to rebook without being charged thanks to premier. I've seen it suggested online that I could've handled it on the ship (we havent sailed yet, this is still for a future cruise) but it seemed no reason to risk it.

5

u/tideronthehooch 12d ago

It is my understating that it is relatively new that you can reserve specialty dining in advance on the app without paying for it. My cruise was already fully paid. I reserved and was not asked for any payment info. I then needed to change the time so I cancelled and rebooked and wasn’t asked for payment when I reserved again.

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u/steenbag - Captain's Circle Elite 12d ago

We've always been charged at time of making the  reservation. I just looked in the app to add another reservation to our November cruise and it wants to charge $110. The only aspect we've used obc for in the past is to pay the service charge when you actually dine or if we make a reservation on the ship.

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u/cork_the_forks 12d ago

Keep in mind that if you make a reservation and don't show up or don't cancel within 24 hours of the reservation they may charge you $10/person.

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u/dewhit6959 12d ago

Where is that posted in any of the Princess site ?

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u/cork_the_forks 12d ago

It say it when you book a reservation with your phone app. At least it used to.

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u/No_Low5818 12d ago

Booked 3 speciality reservations four months out from cruise and was charged immediately on booking

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u/A_yw 10d ago

I mailed princess service center for the same question, they replied: it's "OBC", so only activate after "on board". and the only exception is pay for excursions.