Spending OBC

[Nana57]

Wondering how everyone spends their OBC?  I have $750 to spend on my upcoming Silhouette cruise. I already have drink package, gratuities, internet.  Any suggestions?

[jelayne]

Is it all non-refundable or is part of it refundable?  We normally don’t spend much of the refundable and it goes back on our credit card.  The non- refundable we use for any or all of these: upgrade beverage package, purchase wi-fi if we didn’t get it as a perk, specialty dining, casino, shops, excursions ( but mostly do independent ones), wine over the beverage package limit, extra gratuity for cabin attendant, laundry, spa.

[hrhdhd]

A nice purse or a piece of John Hardy jewelry. Or both, with that amount. 😉

[RealBatman]

3 minutes ago, jelayne said:

.... extra gratuity for cabin attendant,...

 

I have never thought of that, and wasn't aware that you can do it. How is it done? (TIA)

 

[jelayne]

3 minutes ago, RealBatman said:

 

I have never thought of that, and wasn't aware that you can do it. How is it done? (TIA)

 

You can get a form from guest services, complete it indicating the amount you want charged to your onboard account.  The money will be in the attendants next pay.

[Luvcrusn]

6 minutes ago, jelayne said:

You can get a form from guest services, complete it indicating the amount you want charged to your onboard account.  The money will be in the attendants next pay.

You will need to specify them by name.

[dadofjessie]

We had $925 CAD in OBC and we used it for specialty dining and excursions.

[Phxazzcruisers]

we use our non refundable OBC for excursions, and sometimes Apple products.  We always get the refundable back on out credit card.  We dont have much else to spend it on since we are Zenith and travel in Suites, everything else is included.

[Luvcrusn]

We use our OBC-N for specialty dining, shopping on board, excursions, spa (not so much any more) overages on BP, extra tips, and Luggage Valet.  The OBC-R we generally put back on the credit card or take in cash the last day. If we do take the cash, we hand extra tips in cash to crew members to whom we want to express an extra bit of appreciation. The only thing you can't use OBC for on board is as a deposit on the booking of a future cruise. The way around that of course it that once the OBC-R goes back on your credit card on file if you use the same credit card you are actually applying that money as a credit to your card.

[HS2BS]

Off Summit this morning and used obc to treat myself to a new iPad!

 

Hal

[cruisestitch]

Because this gets asked so often I've compiled a list of things to spend OBC on. The only thing I know of now that you CAN'T buy with OBC is a deposit on a Future Cruise. Otherwise, here you go:

 

 

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Alcove Rental (some ships)

Apple products etc. and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Babysitting

Barber Shop services (Edge only)

Beverages -- Alcoholic, carbonated soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Chef’s Table

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Extra cost entrees and other items in Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shop souvenirs, purses, cosmetics, clothing, jewelry, etc.

Gratuities, and extra gratuities

Guests dining with you in Luminae (applies to Suite Passengers only)

Guest entertainers' CD's and DVD's

Hair and nail salon

Hollywood hot glass experiences (some ships)

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Martini Flights

Medical Center

Mini bar

Portrait photo sessions

Pay-per-view movies

Persian Gardens passes

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items, and late night delivery fee

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Telephone calls using ship's system

Transfer to another passenger's account

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

[garyl62]

I've seen "Cruisestitch's" list several times and one thing I thought of recently that no one has discussed is what about Celebrity's Bon Voyage Gifts to purchase for someone who is on a cruise after yours?  We a large amount of OBC and have friends sailing the week after us, they are first time cruisers and we helped them a lot on making their selections so we want to do something for them.  They will be sailing on a different ship so it could be a little complicated, but we'd like to get them a Specialty Dinner, some chocolate covered strawberries, or bottle of champagne for their cabin.  All of those items are gifts available for purchase through the website, so I may try to work with the Concierge in the Retreat (we're in a suite, but our friends are not) on our sailing and see what things we can come up to surprise our friends.

[morfred]

How about going to the casino and playing roulette. 300 black, 300 red and 50 green at the same spin. You should soon have most of the obc turned into cash,

[goofysmom99]

In November, I had a bunch of NR OBC but the form that guest services gave me for additional gratuities allowed designation by name ONLY for a butler.  I insisted I wanted to reward my waiter and cabin steward by name.  Nope.  My only options for additional gratuities would go into the dining room pool, housekeeping pool, etc., whatever group(s) I designated.  No named personnel except butler.  I fussed way up the chain of command without success.  Could not designate the best waiter I've ever had.  I paid cash.  I've recently booked a suite with a ridiculous amount of OBC......hope I get a worthy butler.  😉

[cruisestitch]

Gary162.  I will be surprised if you are successful. Surprised but happy. Many guests who are back to back try to figure out ways to use a credit from the first cruise to get themselves something on the second cruise. As far as I know no one has ever been successful.

 

The fact that your friends are on a different ship would, I think, make your plan impossible.

Edited December 22, 2019 by cruisestitch

[shipgeeks]

We were able to use our remaining OBC for the Hurricane Dorian relief fund recently.  Prior to that, we used it for additional gratuities.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We were able to designate our butler and cabin attendant but none of the dining room staff when we used OBC for additional gratuities.

[Nana57]

Thank you all!  How much are the iPads on the ship?  

[cruisestitch]

Generally the price is the same as on land.  The advantage is that there will be no state sales tax.  The inventory varies ship to ship and cruise to cruise, depending on when they re-stock.

[Jim_Iain]

12 hours ago, morfred said:

How about going to the casino and playing roulette. 300 black, 300 red and 50 green at the same spin. You should soon have most of the obc turned into cash,

 

I tried that and the pit boss pulled my bet off and  told me I couldn't do that.   Felt like he had slapped me on the wrist.

[Gordoncruickshank]

I will usually leave any once to pass on to Luminae. We take the view that, over the course of a cruise, we have been helped be all the staff and we would rather add to the tip pool than single anyone out.

[mafig]

I get confused because I sail and research different lines.  But you can't use your obc for excursions and dining before you get on board, can you?

 

 

[cruisestitch]

Go onto your cruise planner and it will tell you how much OBC can be used pre-cruise for excursions etc.

[hiccups]

We always earmark some for our cabin attendant--the form you get from Guest Services does allow you to direct money specifically to your attendant.  You can also designate to general housekeeping, the dining room, etc, but there is a box specifically for cabin attendants.

Last cruise we bought some items in the shops, and my husband played blackjack.  We found more ways to spend our OBC on Equinox in June than we did on Summit last month.

[Cruise Raider]

I like hitting the Apple Store .. a new iPad would be great!!