What to do with so much onboard credit?

[Boytjie]

The Oosterdam has Retreat cabanas. Tamarind is an Asian specialty restaurant and is not available on the Oosterdam.

 

That kind of OBC would cover our bar bill and specialty dining. Maybe. :)

[BillderBo]

Shore excursions would have to be booked on board, yes, if you want to pay for them with on-board credit.

You could spend the money in the Casino.

The shops have some very expensive jewelry that would use up 10 times your credit. (or more)

Spa and/or salon treatments.

Dinner at the Pinnacle is $29 per person; you could go there a couple of times.

Internet, if you are interested in that sort of thing.

A few photos, including formal poses and candid shots.

 

Nothing says you have to spend it all on one thing. All these things can add up quickly.

 

All good. Thanks, Ruth!

[BillderBo]

Thanks. Plenty of good ideas. When you live in a small town where Dairy Queen is a splurge and there isn't a whole lot you feel you need or have gone without in life...well, it helps to have these great suggestions.

 

Over and out for tonight.

[GUT2407]

We have $300 onboard credit per person, plus free hotel gratuities. Plus internet minutes and two $50 drink cards from a future cruise promotion.

 

What does one do with so much credit? We don't drink much and don't plan to start. We could get laundry service. But what else would a person do with the credit?

 

I've got Mrs Gut she is good at using OBC.

[erewhon]

You could buy flowers for your stateroom, ask at the front desk,(or concierge if you are in a Pinnacle or Neptune Suite) there is folder with photos of the available arrangements to choose from.

The shipboard florist will assemble the flowers and arrange delivery to your stateroom.

Edited July 17, 2016 by erewhon

[rocsailor]

We have $300 onboard credit per person, plus free hotel gratuities. Plus internet minutes and two $50 drink cards from a future cruise promotion.

 

What does one do with so much credit? We don't drink much and don't plan to start. We could get laundry service. But what else would a person do with the credit?

I have free gratuities and two $50.00 beverage cards on my up coming cruise do I not pay for the tipping or will they still charge me per day?:eek:

[sppunk]

Increase the hotel service charge daily amount to counter the OBC total.

 

Bonus: You'll anonymously maybe a lot of crew's week.

[OlsSalt]

Massage treatments, pedicures, thermal spa pass.

[RMLincoln]

Nobody mentioned the art auctions :eek:

[happy traveler69]

I agree with most others! spa treatments and specialty restaurants. these are something I wouldn't spend my own money on, but since it's their money, hey!! why not?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[donaldsc]

As we don't know anything about the length of your cruise, it is very hard to answer. Consider your Hotel Service Charge will be about $25 per day (assuming 2 people in a cabin- again, something we don't know).

 

Then there are Pinnacle dinners...many things. Just takes some thought and planning.

 

The OP stated in their post that they had free gratuities. With regard to what the OP should do w their OBC, I would buy a $300 watch for my wife or for me or maybe 2 $150 watches.

 

DON

Edited July 17, 2016 by donaldsc

[xlxo]

My weaknesses.... I am so weak....

• photos
  
• shore excursions
  
• internet
  
• specialty dining
  

[Karennella]

shore excursions and even if you don't drink alcohol you could go through most of the money with buying decent coffee.

[madda]

We have $300 onboard credit per person, plus free hotel gratuities. Plus internet minutes and two $50 drink cards from a future cruise promotion.

 

What does one do with so much credit? We don't drink much and don't plan to start. We could get laundry service. But what else would a person do with the credit?

 

If you don't use all your OBC you can ask for it to be refunded and it will be put back onto your credit card or whatever card you used for your cruise

[GUT2407]

If you don't use all your OBC you can ask for it to be refunded and it will be put back onto your credit card or whatever card you used for your cruise

 

It can depend on how you got the OBC in the first place. Some is non-refundable.

Edited July 17, 2016 by GUT2407

[Krazy Kruizers]

Are you going to GRand Turk?

If so, there are Cabanas there that you can rent.

[silvercruiser]

Go down to the front desk the night before you disembark and ask them for cash for the amount of money left in your onboard credit. They'll gladly give you the money. Or maybe they automatically put the credit on your credit card? I imagine that if you phone HAL for the answer maybe you'd get different answers each time you called.

On the Oasis last year I ended up buying lots of stuff to use up my OBC because the front desk told me I had to spend it or lose it. (I'd forgotten that I had prepaid gratuities, so had about $150 left in OBC.) Not true, as I found out when I got my credit card statement and found a credit for the unused OBC.

[gigianne]

Here are my suggestions - spa treatments (manicures, hair styling, massages etc), Pinnacle dinners, shore excursions (wait until you are on board to book those), buy yourself a new watch or some bling for someone else. If you don't use the OBC, you lose it! And then there is always duty free liquor to buy and take home (not easy if you are flying).

[shellsrus]

Use the credit in the ship stores to buy a gift you will need for an upcoming birthday or holiday

[RuthC]

Nobody mentioned the art auctions :eek:

Gee, I wonder why? ;)

[DeepWaterMariner]

On this years Grand Med I had shipboard credit from early booking, Carnival stock holder shipboard credit, we missed Istanbul so I got travel agent credit from a canceled tour, and a room change caused by a leak got me another $150 in credit. I had also purchased a wine package precruise which resulted in half coming back in shipboard credit because I'm a 4 star mariner. Gratuities were included. It was a challenge to use it up. I did lots of touring but none through the ship's tours, bought one picture, drank a lot of wine, took friends to the Pinnacle Grill, and still ended up with $72 in credit after 55 days. HAL credited it back to my Visa account.

[OTOW guy]

We use for liquor purchases, clothing in shops, specialty restaurants and excursions and at the slots. We usually still have some charges. Also used it for room service charge and a message in the spa. Had X4 that covered our bar bills.Also corkage charges and wine packages. Mariner 4* discounts also helps.

Edited July 17, 2016 by OTOW guy

[Alberta Quilter]

No one mentioned Bingo yet. That could eat up a lot of OBC if one played Bingo at every opportunity.

[Alberta Quilter]

I have free gratuities and two $50.00 beverage cards on my up coming cruise do I not pay for the tipping or will they still charge me per day?:eek:

 

You should not have to pay the daily Hotel Service Charge at all. I'm not sure if the charge even appears on the billing as I haven't sailed with that promotion yet. It could be charged and then credited. Can anyone who has sailed with the Anniversary Sale explain how it worked?

[jtl513]

I would take some pricey excursions.

 

Are you going to GRand Turk? If so, there are Cabanas there that you can rent.

How does that help use up OBC?

.

Edited July 17, 2016 by jtl513