Another obc question

Second cruise in December , we have 800 in obc, we never had any last time. I know I can spend it in the spa, towards our drinks, but can I buy duty free with it, perfume,brandy etc. Many thanks

Yes, you can spend your OBC in the shops.

You can also use it to pay the auto gratuity charge and any excursions you book on board.

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/obc_used

Second cruise in December , we have 800 in obc, we never had any last time. I know I can spend it in the spa, towards our drinks, but can I buy duty free with it, perfume,brandy etc. Many thanks

Yes. And if you haven't pre-paid them, gratuities as well.

I found out last week, one cannot use your OBC for a deposit or down payment on a future voyage while onboard.

Also, use it or lose it.

Believe me, you will find many ways to use your OBC: Automatic gratuity charges, internet, drinks, shops on board, excursions, specialty restaurants, spa charges. We've always used ours up, plus, even when we had a LOT!

I found out last week, one cannot use your OBC for a deposit or down payment on a future voyage while onboard.

 

Also, use it or lose it.

Seems to be common across the lines.

Can I gift myself OBC if so does anyone know what exchange rate they use. I know some lines offer great rates at times.

Can I gift myself OBC if so does anyone know what exchange rate they use. I know some lines offer great rates at times.

Yes you can, it used to be the rate when you booked but these days I think they just sell it in USD. The conversion is between you & your credit card.

Yes you can, it used to be the rate when you booked but these days I think they just sell it in USD. The conversion is between you & your credit card.

Thank you. I'll have to have another look, couldn't find it anywhere.

If you don't use your whole OBC is there a way to "cash out?" I've read somewhere about doing it through the casino, but not sure. Anyone have an answer?

If you don't use your whole OBC is there a way to "cash out?" I've read somewhere about doing it through the casino, but not sure. Anyone have an answer?

On Cunard you definitely cannot use your OBC to buy chips or cash in the casino. As to whether you can cash out, I'm a little fuzzy on Cunard's rules. There may be a special type of OBC (such as OBC given to you by your TA) that you can cash out. I'm sure someone else will chime in.

Any unused OBC whether bought or gifted will not be refunded. Use it or lose it.

Due to money laundering regulations, by law, we are unable to refund gift credit; it must be spent whilst on board.

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/life-on-board/gift_cred

Any unused OBC whether bought or gifted will not be refunded. Use it or lose it.

 

Due to money laundering regulations, by law, we are unable to refund gift credit; it must be spent whilst on board.

 

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/life-on-board/gift_cred

Very true, Ray. But just to mention, as has been suggested (by Rafinmd and others) if we find ourselves with unused OBC at the end of our trip, we can ask the Pursar to apply it to the auto-tip (additional to the daily H & D charge). Hopefully, the staff will benefit and the money won't be lost.

Very true, Ray. But just to mention, as has been suggested (by Rafinmd and others) if we find ourselves with unused OBC at the end of our trip, we can ask the Pursar to apply it to the auto-tip (additional to the daily H & D charge). Hopefully, the staff will benefit and the money won't be lost.

Very true plus a couple of additional points and a question. You don't need to ask the Pursar to apply OBC to your standard auto-gratuitity; that will happen automatically. You do need to ask the Pursar to increase the amount of the auto-gratuity to reward Cunard's hard working crew. Also, I appreciate that Cunard allows this. There is a line or 2 out there that doesn't, Seabourn comes to mind.

My question: I've never prepaid my auto-gratuity but if someone did, can they ask that the prepaid amount be refunded and then OBC used to replace what was refunded. I've done that with Royal Caribbean and it would be a nice option.

Roy