I'm pretty sure everybody is on the same page here. To @RocketMan275's point, using the NR OBC to purchase CruiseNext certs would make it not available to cover other common expenditures such as taxes paid on drinks while in port, Shorex booked while on board, etc. I'm getting $100 shareholder OBC on my next cruise (first time I've taken advantage of this) and that will likely be consumed by other on-board expenditures, so when I pay $250 for CruiseNext certs, my net cost will still be $250.