On board spend

[hollyjess]

Hello all. If I have a large amount of On board spend I buy Christmas and birthday gifts. We do not drink alcohol and are unable spend on trips as husband disabled so cannot manage the gang plank. I would like to know if other passengers do similar?

[terrierjohn]

1 minute ago, hollyjess said:

Hello all. If I have a large amount of On board spend I buy Christmas and birthday gifts. We do not drink alcohol and are unable spend on trips as husband disabled so cannot manage the gang plank. I would like to know if other passengers do similar?

My wife is an almost full time wheelchair user, and we manage to go ashore at most ports. Does your husband use a wheelchair?

[john watson]

P&O have a special section at Carnival House Southampton which deals with all aspects of people with mobility issues.  This would include assisted boarding at Southampton and disembarkation.  They also will be able to discuss excursions, they used to have a special range for disabled cruisers.

 

Regards John

[hollyjess]

Thanks for your input. My husband used a mobility scooter which is quite cumbersome. He has no problem on elaboration of disembarking. The problem is these days the ports are miles away from the town centre and there are only some ports that supply big enough transport from ship to town. We do realise this when we book our cruises and are more than happy to stay on board but I would like to know what people do with any unspent one apart from speciality restaurants perhaps.

[ann141]

If you mainly stay onboard it might be worth looking at how much things like The Retreat cost or similar(it may be different on different ships.There are also spa treatments hair salon etc.

[Hols4]

Hols4

We don't drink alcohol so spend OBC on Coffees, Mocktails and soft drinks then wait until the last few days to grab any bargains in the shops or my wife buys more jewellery she doesn't need ! I have an armfull of watches.

[davemorton]

Not sure if they closed the loophole, but I am sure I read years ago that you could go to the casino, buy some chips, then cash them out, or does the casino not get deducted from your OBC? (I cant answer from first hand experience, as I dont think I have ever managed to get more than about £90 OBC.)

Edited January 11, 2020 by davemorton

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, hollyjess said:

Hello all. If I have a large amount of On board spend I buy Christmas and birthday gifts. We do not drink alcohol and are unable spend on trips as husband disabled so cannot manage the gang plank. I would like to know if other passengers do similar?

When autogratuities were still in operation our obc went towards that.

We spend in the shops,have 1 or 2 speciality restaurant meals.

The obc is yours to spend on what you want.

Our 8.5% loyalty discount doesn't kick in until our obc is used up.

[jeanlyon]

There must be some coach excursions that are doable without walking?  I often see crew helping people on to coaches for that.

[philred]

have you thought about the speciality restaurants or treating yourself in the spa 

[lindyloo22]

Don’t think you can use obj in casino 

 

[FangedRose]

On 1/11/2020 at 5:36 PM, davemorton said:

Not sure if they closed the loophole, but I am sure I read years ago that you could go to the casino, buy some chips, then cash them out, or does the casino not get deducted from your OBC? (I cant answer from first hand experience, as I dont think I have ever managed to get more than about £90 OBC.)

I queried someone as to why they were carrying quite a large amount of cash whilst on board. It was for the casino. So I don't think you can use OBC in the casino. 

[BrianI]

You can withdraw cash (sterling, dollars, euros or selected other currencies) from reception or buy chips in the casino. In either case it is charged to your account but it does not reduce your on board credit.

Brian

[CarlaMarie]

Do have a look at the excursions - they often recommend specific ones for those with mobility issues. But yes I also use OBC for things like coffee, mocktails (I don't drink either), gifts for those at home etc.... And like Ann suggested, how about a spa treatment? There are lots of different ways to enjoy your time on board and OBC without getting off the ship.