What can onboard credit be used for?

[ipoder]

O.K., I know onboard credit can be used for dining and excursions but can it be used for tips? If I book restaurants ahead, I assume it will be charged to my credit card. But, once on board can this charge on my card be paid with onboard credit? This has probably been answered but I have searched and can't find an answer. But someone on cruise critic has experienced just about every situation!

[Krazy Kruizers]

No -- shipboard credit can not be used to pay for anything on your credit card.

Shipboard credit can be used to pay your Hotel Service Charges -- which can be eaten up quite quickly.

Anything you buy on the ship -- in the boutiques, drinks, bottles of wine, bottles of water.

[Alberta Quilter]

Yes, anything booked onboard will be paid first by your OBC. Any balance leftover will be charged to your credit card.

 

To add to KK's list, you can use OBC for laundry (package or by the bag), wine packages or tastings, Bingo, specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions, etc.

[RMLincoln]

And yes, the Hotel Service Charge (a.k.a. daily gratuity charge, now at I believe $12.50pp/ $13.50pp for suites) can be paid for by OBC. Your ship account will initially show the OBC as Credit, and each day's expenses (daily Hotel Service Charge or any purchases) will be debited against that credit until the OBC is all used up.... then you will accumulate charges; those will be charged to your credit card at the end of the cruise, or paid in cash if that is how you have your ship board account set up.

 

Hope that helps. Enjoy, m--

[Happily@Sea]

Also internet.

[kazu]

And despite what HAL says on their website, you can charge to your onboard account in the casino :)

 

Literally, anything you get on board -Cellar Master Dinner, Master Chef Table,specialty restaurants, hotel service charge, gft shops, excursions, water, soft drinks, drinks, wine packages, etc. The list is pretty endles as LONG as you buy it onboard ;)

[Alberta Quilter]

Also internet.

 

I can't believe I forgot to list Internet!!!:o

[NCTribeFan]

And despite what HAL says on their website, you can charge to your onboard account in the casino :)

...

 

I was going to ask about this. Casino play is NOT included in your "regular" onboard spending, so you don't earn any Mariner points. Can you purchase OBC, then draw funds from your account into the casino and play with that? Best of both worlds.

 

I prefer to not take wads of cash with me when travel. This seems like a perfect solution.

 

Or am I missing something?

[kazu]

I was going to ask about this. Casino play is NOT included in your "regular" onboard spending, so you don't earn any Mariner points. Can you purchase OBC, then draw funds from your account into the casino and play with that? Best of both worlds.

 

I prefer to not take wads of cash with me when travel. This seems like a perfect solution.

 

Or am I missing something?

 

Casino play is not included in Mariner day credits (1 day for every $300) but you can certainly charge your play to your on board account.

 

So whether you buy OBC or choose not to, you can charge to your on board account for the casino. Many do so ;)

[take us away]

OP: If you mean can added tips in the specialty restaurants be charged to your account - sometimes but you need to discuss this with the restaurant manager ahead of time, then let them know the added tip charge after the meal. It is easier to leave cash for the stewards.