Best Ways to Cash Out Extra On Board Credit

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Obviously some think they should get paid to cruise.

 

It may be time for Princess to make OBC non-refundable as it seems to be bordering on the ridiculous.

 

Mike:)

 

In my case I expect to pay for my cruise, I just don't spend much OBC. I used to deduct the amount of OBC offered from the fare to get the "true" or net cost of the cruise, assuming I could get any unused OBC refunded.

 

If Princess changes policy about refunding any unused OBC, then that may limit my future cruise choices. Formerly, if Princess had two sailing dates I was considering for the same itinerary, I might see that cruise A is $1599pp with $200 OBC, and cruise B is $1399 pp with no OBC and figure the "net" was the same. I would then take the sailing date I preferred. With no a OBC refund policy, cruise A now becomes more expensive if not all OBC is used.

 

The question for Princess, IMHO, is would a change to a no OBC refund policy send loyal pax looking to other lines for a better "net" fare?

[billco]

The question for Princess, IMHO, is would a change to a no OBC refund policy send loyal pax looking to other lines for a better "net" fare?

Since it only fairly recently came out that OBC was refunded and since the comments so far can't agree on what is refunded, I would say a clear no OBC refund policy would have little effect on pax seeking other cruise lines.

[joysea]

We are stockholders, both veterans, and always have FCC, even before we start accumulating OBC for special offers, TA, loyalty credits, etc., so we get lots of OBC. We always manage, however, to spend all of, or almost all of, it during the cruise.

 

We always buy a bottle of wine at dinner so between that and the auto-tip, we go through it pretty quickly. I certainly hope that there aren't any cruisers who remove the auto-tip so they can keep the cash. That would be very sad indeed.

 

If we have money left over, we spend it. Once we bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label as a birthday gift for DH's brother who lived near the disembarkation port. He was impressed. What the heck, you are on vacation; splurge and get a bottle of champagne or a massage. Enjoy life--you only live once.

I agree 100%. We are doing a B2B in the Caribbean in Sep and have oodles of onboard credit which we plan to spend, spend and have a ball.....

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

I agree 100%. We are doing a B2B in the Caribbean in Sep and have oodles of onboard credit which we plan to spend, spend and have a ball.....

That's exactly what they want to see. Have a great time.

[tv24]

That 3% was removed a few years ago.

 

Very good news. Thanks. Also about the OBC cash-out, although I bet we will use all of ours on drinks and internet!

[JF - retired RRT]

Very good news. Thanks. Also about the OBC cash-out, although I bet we will use all of ours on drinks and internet!

All the posts before yours were from 2014. The rules have changed.

If you have non-refundable OBC (& all of it is non-refundable except for veteran's OBC), the only way to get it is to use the casino and a cash out after you've played a little bit.

If you have leftover refundable, you can get cash at the passenger services desk (up to $20 or $25, can't remember which). Any amount over that will be mailed in a check, usually within 4-6 weeks.

[donaldsc]

There's nothing in those shops worth buying (says my wife) after I told her to buy something with our extra credit. Anything they sell can be had for less at home. It's just as well as cash is easier to carry anyway. ;)

 

Your logic is interesting to say the least. Even it is more expensive to buy stuff on the ship as compared to at home, your ship purchase is really free as you are buying it with cash that will expire at the end of the cruise. Also, even if it is something that you really do not want, you can always sell it on Craigslist when you get home. Or else buy something that you can gift to someone for an upcoming birthday or holiday which again makes your gift cost you nothing. As an other alternative, take orders from friends that you might be able to buy if you have any credit left. I can not figure out why people do not seem to understand this strategy. Seems obvious to me.

 

DON

[LDVinNC]

I agree with Don. Some years ago - early 90's I think - before OBC's were so common, we discovered towards the end of a cruise that we had something like $300 left. I promptly went to the shop and bought a Mikimoto pearl bracelet that I still wear and enjoy!

[Lucky TGO]

I never have trouble spending my OBC. My wife has it all spent as I am filling out the health forms at the pier.

Tony

[magandy]

All the posts before yours were from 2014. The rules have changed.

If you have non-refundable OBC (& all of it is non-refundable except for veteran's OBC), the only way to get it is to use the casino and a cash out after you've played a little bit.

If you have leftover refundable, you can get cash at the passenger services desk (up to $20 or $25, can't remember which). Any amount over that will be mailed in a check, usually within 4-6 weeks.

 

 

It's $25 as of 2 weeks ago [emoji106]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[calliecat]

Thanks for the info. I know a couple years ago we were able to cash out at the Purser's desk. We will be doing a 15 day in Sept and figure to have about $1000 OBC. A little over $400 will go for tips. We will have Carnival stock, Veterans, and Princess Credit card credit. I too have been on enough cruises that there is not much on board that we want. My husband can just buy buckets of beer and I can have wine with my supper. I suppose we can do a tour but I just don't like the "cattle car" feel so I book independently.

[jdeanski]

I never have trouble spending my OBC. My wife has it all spent as I am filling out the health forms at the pier.

Tony

 

My wife has no problem spending ours. Especially on cosmetics which you don't find discounted in the dept stores.

[Photofinish4]

we just got off 15 day Hawaii. we had 1500 in ship board credit. We did one tour and 2 specialty dinners( did not like ) a small amount of gambling and the rest I downloaded at the casino and cashed it out

[Colo Cruiser]

This along with everything else that is abused and bragged about will eventually go away. :(

[PrincessLuver]

This along with everything else that is abused and bragged about will eventually go away. :(

 

I agree....Princes will eventually taketh away what it giveth....and you will be left with only the option of spending it on the ship period....shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! :eek::eek:

[Photofinish4]

A lot of my money was refundable and instead of waiting for a check to be mailed I took my remaining money I did not use out at the casino. I booked 2 tours ( 2 people each) one was canceled so money refunded onto sbc, played bingo daily, bought a few drinks ( we are not big drinkers) specialty dinners twice, Photo package(bought before we left home) and bought a few things on the ship. I do not think we abused the ship board credit just because we did not use every last penny