What to buy with all this onboard credit???

[ameliacare]

I know this will seem like an odd question with too many variables at play, but between our two staterooms booked and our anticipated spending on excursions/dining/spa, I would estimate our family will have probably $800 or so of onboard credit to "dispose" of before the cruise ends. We are on the Equinox in July going from Barcelona to Athens.

 

Perhaps the best way to phrase the question is what items did you buy on the ship that you thought were a good purchase?

 

I already have a bunch of watches much nicer than anything on the ship. My wife does not want any more jewelry, and ship prices are never a great bargain for those items. We don't smoke. We might enjoy a nice bottle of alcohol, but dragging a $40 bottle of vodka back to the US does not seem a good move (guessing a $500 bottle of some wildly high end product might make more sense).

 

Anyway, any suggestions?

 

Thanks.

[flames9]

if it is from a Travel agent....very good chance it can go back to you on ur credit card!!

[ECCruise]

There are absolutely no values when buying onboard--none.

 

Like the previous poster said, if the OBC comes from your TA, it should be refunded to you so no reason to spend for what you don't want.

[cruise kitty]

You and your wife could both get a massage package, that's what I'd do. :)

 

Enjoy!

[amibelle]

Celebrity arranged excursions count, spa services and specialty dinning, plus any of the for fee events (bingo etc) count too.

[ameliacare]

Well, $600 is from Celebrity and $600 is from TA. So, I suspect the best I could expect is only getting maybe $200 back from the TA if we spend around $400 (guessing Celebrity will keep their $600). So, I would rather find a way to spend $800 on the ship rather than maybe get $200 back from our TA.

 

A

[amibelle]

Sorry just noticed you said after excursions etc

[ameliacare]

Sorry just noticed you said after excursions etc

 

Yes, just looking for something or somethings that are reasonable purchases. My daughter is thinking a Michael Kors bag. I am wondering if they have something like Ferragamo ties on board. Stuck paying retail at home anyway, so something like a $180 Ferragamo tie makes sense to me.

 

A

[Texed]

We are on the Equinox in July going from Barcelona to Athens. Thanks.

 

Off Topic!

 

Which cruise? We are on the July 4th cruise. If that is the cruise, you might want to join our roll call. :)

[ameliacare]

Off Topic!

 

Which cruise? We are on the July 4th cruise. If that is the cruise, you might want to join our roll call. :)

 

Yes, that is our cruise as well! Hate to sound like a novice, but what is the "roll call"?

 

A

[Texed]

Yes, that is our cruise as well! Hate to sound like a novice, but what is the "roll call"?A

 

That is where folks on the same sailing can chat/plan excursions, etc. prior to the cruise. Hope you join us.

 

Here is the link. :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2019162

Edited May 17, 2015 by Texed

[coldweathergirl]

If you don't find anything to spend it on while onboard you can always take the cash out via the casino unless things have changed since this past February. I believe they charge a 5% surcharge but considering it's basically free money it's still a good deal.

[Algebralovr]

There is a Michael Kors shop, with clothing and bags. The spa is easy to spend $$$ in. You could purchase a $250-300 photo package, and get your photo taken at each port plus evenings around the ship when they are taking photos.

 

They also have an Apple store, and if someone wants a new iPad, they may have a few available. They are not barging priced, but should be MSRP.

[TeaBag]

Photos, a camera, specialty restaurants? Go to Guest relations a few days after you board when the OBC's will be posted on your account and ask which of them are refundable if they are not designated as OBN and OBR. OBR will be refunded to your CC at the end of the cruise.

[ClaudiaB]

Such a problem! Certainly you don't want to lose it, so spend it, anyway you can.

Play Bingo.

Go to the Michael Kors store. You'll pay the same there as the stores on land, no deals there. Except no tax.

Buy something in the Apple store. Get a little point and shoot camera.

The idea isn't like on land where you're going to be looking for a bargain.

Take a fabulous excursion that you might not otherwise have taken - something with a plane ride somewhere or something else wonderful.

Buy a Polo shirt or some item of clothing in the store. Again, you might do a lot better on land, but don't worry about that. I actually almost bought a long navy dressy skirt on our last cruise - it was only $75 and well made and I thought worth the price.

Definitely don't buy fine jewelry, but instead of losing it altogether you certainly can come home with something.

 

Two or three cruises ago we noticed on the last evening that we had $100 in credit left. I went into one of the shops and bought a cute little bag for $90. Problem solved. I use that bag all the time too.

 

If they have a chef's table sign up for that as soon as you get on board. Get the ultimate dining package. Buy some flowers for the room. Get a special caviar plate or something else on the enhancements list. Sign up for the fancy tea.

 

We have $1100 on our next cruise and after we upgrade to premium drink packages we will still have just under $800. What a problem!

[schlimazel_traveler]

We used OBC on our last cruise on unlimited photo package, unlimited internet, a couple of massages for our "kids" (young adults), drinks, and a few tchotckes at the gift shop. Our next cruise, we have $560/cabin and drinks are covered, but it should be easy to spend on shore excursions (they're pricy!), photos, internet, and spa.

[Beanb41]

Well, $600 is from Celebrity and $600 is from TA. So, I suspect the best I could expect is only getting maybe $200 back from the TA if we spend around $400 (guessing Celebrity will keep their $600). So, I would rather find a way to spend $800 on the ship rather than maybe get $200 back from our TA.

 

A

 

Celebrity OBC is non refundable but your TA OBC is refundable and they are listed separately on your account. It is Celebrity policy to use Non refundable credit first thus you want to spend all of the Celebrity OBC or you lose it and get the TA OBC refunded. They will do this by putting it on your credit card or in cash at Guest relations on the last night. Don't forget your must have T shirt. Specialty restaurants are also a good way to use non refundable OBC

[ladylemondrop]

I never have a problem spending money, take me and I will help you! :D

[MR_T]

As mentioned spend what you spend and this will come off the celebrity obc then whatever is left of the celebrity credit take it out in the casino (for 5%)...so on your original sums you will spend $400 of celebrity obc so then the $200 you take from the casino will cost you $10.. Or take out $190 then it won't cost you anything... Then either cash in the T/As obc at guest relations on the last day or have it added to you card you set up your account with! [emoji41] or put it all on red & hope for the best! [emoji16]

Edited May 17, 2015 by MR_T

[villauk]

Goodness, you must have had lots of OBC to begin with if you still have $800 left after using it for all your excursions, speciality restaurants and spa treatments for (I'm presuming) 4 guests. Most excursions are around the $80-$100 pp mark in Europe :eek:. Send some our way as we have 14 nights to spend your extra OBC on Equinox in August :D.

 

I'm sure if you have ladies in your party they will easily blow any residue you have ;). And as other posters have commented, the Apple shop is always an option.

[GUT2407]

Drinks package is always a good start.

 

Specialty diner.

 

Gratuities.

[OceanCruise]

Internet package, gratuities, bottles of liquor to bring home, pack less and plan on doing lots of laundry or buy some clothing and toiletries in gift shop, buy an expensive bottle of wine or champagne that you would never purchase otherwise, arrange for a private vow renewal ceremony, personal training sessions, order a celebration cake or chocolate covered strawberries, buy a round of drinks for new friends you make on the ship.

Edited May 17, 2015 by OceanCruise

[johnritt]

I'm not on board until january so I am hoping to ply the wife with too much of the beverage package and hope that the Apple Store might have watches by then. Can't help it, I'm an apple "tramp", so to speak.

[Iamcruzin]

If you have so much credit that you can't even find a way to spend it does it really matter if the merchandise on the ship isn't a bargain? Pictures are quite expensive maybe you can use some of it up on family photos. They have cosmetics and fragrances on board which are not anymore expensive than at home. I have a $300 OBC from Celebrity and I'm booked with in CC with a drink package and paid gratuities. We don't spend our own money on the ship because we don't see any bargains like we did 20 years ago but I will be damned if I leave even a penny of that OBC behind. My wife likes Swarovski Crystal jewelry and the ship usually sells it at 10% off. I'm sure she will find something she likes. If not she could always buy some make up and my kids like expensive cologne. While these might not be bargains we do save the sales tax that we pay at home and we are purchasing items they we use anyway.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Yes, just looking for something or somethings that are reasonable purchases. My daughter is thinking a Michael Kors bag. I am wondering if they have something like Ferragamo ties on board. Stuck paying retail at home anyway, so something like a $180 Ferragamo tie makes sense to me.

 

A

My wife bought a MK bag on our last cruise

Maybe an IPad ?