How to use up onboard credit

[ldparker]

Many O cruises lately offer a generous OBC as part of the booking. These offerings also include free gratuities, free wifi, some free beverages, etc. With many of the usual charges included, how does one use the generous OBC?

 

Thanks, David P

[ronrick1943]

I think most of those you only get to pick one perk. However how about the spa, or the real special dining, or the ptv dining---or just have a great party in you cabin/suite. Of course the give shop.

[Classiccruiser777]

Shore excursions, spa treatments, spa shop, alcoholic beverages, boutique shopping, and whatever is left over may be donated to the crew.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Many O cruises lately offer a generous OBC as part of the booking. These offerings also include free gratuities, free wifi, some free beverages, etc. With many of the usual charges included, how does one use the generous OBC?

 

 

 

Thanks, David P

 

 

All Oceania cruises currently offer the "O Life" cruise fare (including airfare or an air credit). O Life perks are one unlimited internet account plus a choice of $xxx OBC or limited alcohol package or x number of excursions (depending on cruise duration). All non-alcoholic beverages and specialty restaurants are always included on Oceania, even when you opt for the "cruise only" price (no O Life).

 

As to what to use the OBC for: upgrade the O Life alcohol option to the prestige package or buy the seven wine bottle deal or cooking classes (Marina and Riviera) or extra excursions (including those not covered in the O Life allowable list) or one of the special LaReserve dinners or just buy booze a la carte..

 

As for the spa, the services are outlandishly priced.

 

At the bottom line, remember that OBC has to be spent on board. So, you can't pay for things usually needing pre-cruise arrangement to get a spot (e.g., cooking classes) before your cruise.

 

 

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[Noxequifans]

My wife used the OBC for Spa treatments and products that the Spa sells. Very pleased with it all.

[LHT28]

whatever is left over may be donated to the crew.

How long ago did you do this ??

Was it part of the Non refundable OBC ?

[Classiccruiser777]

How long ago did you do this ??

Was it part of the Non refundable OBC ?

Last week on the Regatta and it was non-refundable. Tell them at reception/front desk that is what you desire.

[LHT28]

Last week on the Regatta and it was non-refundable. Tell them at reception/front desk that is what you desire.

Interesting

 

We were told NO but it was 2 yrs ago so maybe they decided to change the policy

[Hawaiidan]

In reality I dont see turning it into a cash reward for crew as practical....Why

Well the OBC is for you to purchase things that are marked up several hundred percent to start with and giving you say $800 OBC is really only costing the line maybe $ 100 to 200 of real money to them:confused:

If you give back OBC to the crew I think what they would receive is a "factored" amount. You may think your giving $300.00 but in reality the crew would only get say $$75-80 real money

 

Example, a bittle of Grey goose cost around $45 retail proably $20 whole sale and they get maybe 25 pours at $15 a pour with tip that comes to $442 or $422 profit over the $20 net net cost. Your 60 a day drinks package proably costs O around $15 to serve just an estimate

[Paulchili]

In reality I dont see turning it into a cash reward for crew as practical....Why

Well the OBC is for you to purchase things that are marked up several hundred percent to start with and giving you say $800 OBC is really only costing the line maybe $ 100 to 200 of real money to them:confused:

If you give back OBC to the crew I think what they would receive is a "factored" amount. You may think your giving $300.00 but in reality the crew would only get say $$75-80 real money

 

Do you know this for a fact or are you just making this up?

I think that if you have $300 OBC credit left and you decide to donate it to the crew fund, the fund will get $300 and not $75-$80. That said, I agree that the merchandise and the drinks are overpriced, but that is a separate issue from OBC.

JMO

[Hawaiidan]

Do you know this for a fact or are you just making this up?

I think that if you have $300 OBC credit left and you decide to donate it to the crew fund, the fund will get $300 and not $75-$80. That said, I agree that the merchandise and the drinks are overpriced, but that is a separate issue from OBC.

JMO

 

No, it was my assumption based on OBC being used for only company marked up products, drinks, tours, spa, wines... Giving the full dollar value does not to me seem proable in reality.

If it were so, then why would not the line make the OBC a cash convertible item to you? and they do not. I do realize there are several types of OBC line and agent origin. Perhaps with an agents direct cash OBC a par exchange might be feasible to expect, but not from a company OBC origin...

Does that make sense?

[Paulchili]

No, it was my assumption based on OBC being used for only company marked up products, drinks, tours, spa, wines... Giving the full dollar value does not to me seem proable in reality.

If it were so, then why would not the line make the OBC a cash convertible item to you? and they do not. I do realize there are several types of OBC line and agent origin. Perhaps with an agents direct cash OBC a par exchange might be feasible to expect, but not from a company OBC origin...

Does that make sense?

 

Yes, but all those products (drinks, tours, spa, wines) cost the same whether you are using nonrefundable OBC or actual "money" - you do not get a discount for these items using "out of pocket money". They cost what they cost - you can buy them or not.

[LHT28]

I still do not believe you can donate unused OBC to the crew

Maybe the front desk just says OK so they do not have to argue with people

JMO

[Paulchili]

I still do not believe you can donate unused OBC to the crew

Maybe the front desk just says OK so they do not have to argue with people

JMO

 

You could certainly be right. I have never tried doing that.

I tip the people I want to tip extra directly.

I wonder if anyone has the definitive answer to this.

[LHT28]

You could certainly be right. I have never tried doing that.

I tip the people I want to tip extra directly.

I wonder if anyone has the definitive answer to this.

The only time I tried to donate leftover OBC was in 2015 ...we were leaving the cruise early & had some OBC & since we were in port the shops were closed

 

I asked at the front desk when we were checking out if we could just give it to the crew fund ...NO SORRY was the answer

 

Ok then it is lost we were leaving in 20 mins ...no big deal it was free money anyway

 

DH's health was more important at the time

 

That is why I doubt people reporting they were allowed to donated the unused OBC or cash it out in the casino

 

but that is me guessing ..I do not have proof that donating OBC is possible or not

[SoccerNanaOf7]

Use it in casino. Move

to your card for slot machine and then take card to the cage and cash it out

[LHT28]

Use it in casino. Move

to your card for slot machine and then take card to the cage and cash it out

Do they have card slots on the machines now on Oceania ?

Last time I went in the casino it was cash only (April 2016)

[ORV]

Do they have card slots on the machines now on Oceania ?

Last time I went in the casino it was cash only (April 2016)

 

Yes, you can charge it to your on board account from the slot machine with your seapass, but I've heard(not know with any authority) that it will be charged to your Credit card with a 5% fee and not to OBC.

 

I do know that charging to your seapass was available on the slots on Regatta just recently. The rest of the details I'm not 100% on.

[LHT28]

Yes, you can charge it to your on board account from the slot machine with your seapass, but I've heard(not know with any authority) that it will be charged to your Credit card with a 5% fee and not to OBC.

 

I do know that charging to your seapass was available on the slots on Regatta just recently. The rest of the details I'm not 100% on.

Thanks must be something new since we were on last

 

I prefer just to use cash then I can control my addiction to the slots :evilsmile:

[PhoenixCruiser]

We purchased some OBC for our parents, if they do not use it all can they get money from the casino or cash from the cashier's desk?

[LHT28]

We purchased some OBC for our parents, if they do not use it all can they get money from the casino or cash from the cashier's desk?

On the last night they will get any unused refundable OBC back in cash

They will send them a letter to the cabin to let them know they have a balance

[PhoenixCruiser]

On the last night they will get any unused refundable OBC back in cash

They will send them a letter to the cabin to let them know they have a balance

 

Great news! Thanks LHT28:D

[Hawaiidan]

That is what I described...2 types of OBC origin !

O origin, use it or loose it, and Agent or other non O origi, gift etc from friends.... that you can get back.

In cases where people claimed they gave money to crew, perhaps it was from a refundable source not a O source.? That would make sense totally. It also would explain others saying that O declined their request to give to crew their un used OBC.

 

Follow the source of the money and it all becomes clear to me..

 

I did not think that you could use OBC for casino?

 

Thus it would make sense that O would charge a 5% fee,( just like a Credit Card for cash advance ) for casino use and adding that cash advance to your final bill It would seem to a passenger, that O was using OBC to cover their casino when they actually being charged for a cash-advance over and above their OBC account.

[Paulchili]

In cases where people claimed they gave money to crew, perhaps it was from a refundable source not a O source.? That would make sense totally. It also would explain others saying that O declined their request to give to crew their un used OBC.

 

Follow the source of the money and it all becomes clear to me..

 

I don't think that you are right about this. If this is refundable OBC why wouldn't people just get it back as cash? I suppose it is possible that some people are very generous and wish to donate refundable OBC to the crew but it would be the exception. I believe most of the time when people wish to donate left over OBC to the crew fund it is of the non-refundable variety.

The question is - is this doable with non refundable OBC.

[Hawaiidan]

I don't think that you are right about this. If this is refundable OBC why wouldn't people just get it back as cash? I suppose it is possible that some people are very generous and wish to donate refundable OBC to the crew but it would be the exception. I believe most of the time when people wish to donate left over OBC to the crew fund it is of the non-refundable variety.

The question is - is this doable with non refundable OBC.

 

Paul, logic tells me no because O OBC is really an over inflated amount for you to spend on over inflated prices...its not par value for par value..:rolleyes: Whereas, real monies deposited with O for a passengers use is has the same value going in or out...real money not O money I mean think about it its bad business for O:confused::confused: