queenpailhead Posted April 2, 2020 #1 Share Posted April 2, 2020 So due to my kids' activity schedules and the spring break cancellation our 7 day cruise in april became a 5 day in November. Thus, we have a metric butt ton (an actual measurement unit) of OBC spread over our 3 rooms (4 teens, 2 adults). My understanding is none of it can be used prior to boarding. Of course we will use $500 give or take for tips (do I have to go to guest services for that? this is only our second cruise and we prepaid tips on the last one), but what are the best ways to use the rest? I'm thinking internet for the kids maybe (which plan is best for teens??), and I think my husband and I may splurge for a drink package. Are there many excursions left by the time you board? Our ports are Half Moon, Nassau, and Grand Turk. I'm not really interested in a photo package and we're on the Sensation so no good specialty dining options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennboy1981 Posted April 2, 2020 #2 Share Posted April 2, 2020 (edited) wow you got 2100 in OBC? Anyway there is a trick where you can go to the casino and charge credits to your sail & sign account, and cash out the balance and keep the cash for another cruise or whatever. Theres no way I could spend 2100 dollars on a cruise lol Edited April 2, 2020 by tennboy1981 better explanation 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahacca Posted April 2, 2020 #3 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Drink package, the fancy dinner if you are foodies. Then casino cash out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe817 Posted April 2, 2020 #4 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Buy some nice jewelry and a nice watch from the Fun Shops. That's where I'd spend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenpailhead Posted April 2, 2020 Author #5 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Yes we got $2100, $1200 from cancelling the April cruise (2 rooms) and then $900 difference in price of the 2 cruises. We may do the cash out thing. I think 2 drink packages and tips will take over half of it so really I guess we're looking to spend a thousand or less. Since there are 6 of us one excursion will be most of that if there is anything left to book when we board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennboy1981 Posted April 2, 2020 #6 Share Posted April 2, 2020 1 minute ago, queenpailhead said: Yes we got $2100, $1200 from cancelling the April cruise (2 rooms) and then $900 difference in price of the 2 cruises. We may do the cash out thing. I think 2 drink packages and tips will take over half of it so really I guess we're looking to spend a thousand or less. Since there are 6 of us one excursion will be most of that if there is anything left to book when we board. Would you typically get 2 drink packages? Meaning do you typically spend 300 dollars per person on drinks on a cruise? Just think about that before you do it. Could easily buy drinks a la carte and then cash the balance out in the casino. Id cash it out and use it towards another cruise lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenpailhead Posted April 2, 2020 Author #7 Share Posted April 2, 2020 6 minutes ago, tennboy1981 said: Would you typically get 2 drink packages? Meaning do you typically spend 300 dollars per person on drinks on a cruise? Just think about that before you do it. Could easily buy drinks a la carte and then cash the balance out in the casino. Id cash it out and use it towards another cruise lol On royal you can track your spending on the tv. Can you do that for Carnival? We didn't buy drink packages on Royal but could see where we were with spending... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denverdonkeys Posted April 2, 2020 #8 Share Posted April 2, 2020 1 minute ago, queenpailhead said: On royal you can track your spending on the tv. Can you do that for Carnival? We didn't buy drink packages on Royal but could see where we were with spending... you can use the tv or the Hub app. keep in mind your OBC is spread across different rooms. each room needs to spend the OBC. so if you have a room with only minors they cant cash out the OBC in the casino or buy the drink package. I say this, but I am not sure how the a single "account" with one credit card would affect how the OBC is applied to the group charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenpailhead Posted April 2, 2020 Author #9 Share Posted April 2, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Denverdonkeys said: you can use the tv or the Hub app. keep in mind your OBC is spread across different rooms. each room needs to spend the OBC. so if you have a room with only minors they cant cash out the OBC in the casino or buy the drink package. I say this, but I am not sure how the a single "account" with one credit card would affect how the OBC is applied to the group charges. Thanks. i need to find this out. When we did 3 rooms for Royal we could basically spend the total, not just per room. In this case the room with 2 minors (they put my husband and I each in a room with a minor, then one room has 2 minors) has less OBC so we can probably use that on Half Moon Cay to rent kayaks or something. Thankfully the 2 rooms the adults are linked to have the vast majority of the OBC. Basically I'll just try to spend the minors' credit first to ensure we don't end up stuck with it Edited April 2, 2020 by queenpailhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennboy1981 Posted April 2, 2020 #10 Share Posted April 2, 2020 29 minutes ago, Denverdonkeys said: you can use the tv or the Hub app. keep in mind your OBC is spread across different rooms. each room needs to spend the OBC. so if you have a room with only minors they cant cash out the OBC in the casino or buy the drink package. I say this, but I am not sure how the a single "account" with one credit card would affect how the OBC is applied to the group charges. Right but since they are minors, couldnt the adults just go to the guest services and transfer their OBC to their parents or guardians? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachbum53 Posted April 2, 2020 #11 Share Posted April 2, 2020 1 hour ago, queenpailhead said: So due to my kids' activity schedules and the spring break cancellation our 7 day cruise in april became a 5 day in November. Thus, we have a metric butt ton (an actual measurement unit) of OBC spread over our 3 rooms (4 teens, 2 adults). My understanding is none of it can be used prior to boarding. Of course we will use $500 give or take for tips (do I have to go to guest services for that? this is only our second cruise and we prepaid tips on the last one), but what are the best ways to use the rest? I'm thinking internet for the kids maybe (which plan is best for teens??), and I think my husband and I may splurge for a drink package. Are there many excursions left by the time you board? Our ports are Half Moon, Nassau, and Grand Turk. I'm not really interested in a photo package and we're on the Sensation so no good specialty dining options. If you're planning to book any excursions through Carnival, it would be best to book them well in advance, especially those that have limited availability. For example, you could book a Beach Villa at HMC for $599.99. There are a limited number available (five I think), and they get booked very quickly. Take the time to look at the excursions offered through Carnival at each of the ports. If you see something that would be of interest to everyone in your family, book it as soon as possible. If you have any questions about combining the OBC, or booking excursions, call Carnival Guest Services at 1-800-764-7419. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenpailhead Posted April 2, 2020 Author #12 Share Posted April 2, 2020 7 minutes ago, beachbum53 said: If you're planning to book any excursions through Carnival, it would be best to book them well in advance, especially those that have limited availability. For example, you could book a Beach Villa at HMC for $599.99. There are a limited number available (five I think), and they get booked very quickly. Take the time to look at the excursions offered through Carnival at each of the ports. If you see something that would be of interest to everyone in your family, book it as soon as possible. If you have any questions about combining the OBC, or booking excursions, call Carnival Guest Services at 1-800-764-7419. Unfortunately we were told you can't use the OBC until you board so we will be stuck with "leftovers" by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jperry2011 Posted April 2, 2020 #13 Share Posted April 2, 2020 You can book excursions onboard most are still available. That's what I plan on doing with some OBC. Buy clothes or whatever you may need at the shops. Eat specialty dining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nydney1 Posted April 2, 2020 #14 Share Posted April 2, 2020 You could buy the Fascination or Imagination. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted April 2, 2020 #15 Share Posted April 2, 2020 I always wait to book excursions on board with obc. Always had a good selection. If something sold out they can add another bus often and it's available onboard. I treated myself to one of those watches that runs off the sun. It was over $500 but dont remember. I drive and use leftover obc to select booze. Usually a few tee shirts. Sometimes that english chocolate that is in a triangle and long. Forget the name. Between excursions and shopping I spend it and a little more. I figure they want me back if I spend extra onboard. I've got maybe close to 30 of those sparkle shirts they used to sell. They wear well and dont shrink. I love having money to spend and spend it. That's my chance to see ruins on carnival excursions. ..though I'm about thru the excursions they offer at this pt. that I wanted to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joebucks Posted April 2, 2020 #16 Share Posted April 2, 2020 I think a lot of people will jump to the most expensive things like Cheers or Excursions, and those very well may be the things you end up getting. Personally, I wouldn't ignore the shops either. If you drink, you could bring some very nice bottles home. Some that would even have cost hundreds out of pocket. I'm not jewelry person, but if that's your thing, why not take a look there too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe817 Posted April 2, 2020 #17 Share Posted April 2, 2020 They have a good selection of fine watches too. Brands like TAG, Breitling, Omega, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted April 2, 2020 #18 Share Posted April 2, 2020 5 minutes ago, Joe817 said: They have a good selection of fine watches too. Brands like TAG, Breitling, Omega, etc. I bought my ladies citizen watch onboard. The one that runs off sunlight so you dont need to change batteries... though I guess not a top cost brand, I love mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaKa2002 Posted April 2, 2020 #19 Share Posted April 2, 2020 21 minutes ago, firefly333 said: I bought my ladies citizen watch onboard. The one that runs off sunlight so you dont need to change batteries... though I guess not a top cost brand, I love mine I bought one years ago on board, still keeps excellent time, still waterproof for swimming. Has lasted longer than any other watches that I purchased or receive as gifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted April 2, 2020 #20 Share Posted April 2, 2020 I'm pretty sure you can not pre buy Cheers, gratuities, or the internet and use OBC. So you have to eat the discounts and buy everything on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandmarnnurse Posted April 2, 2020 #21 Share Posted April 2, 2020 6 hours ago, queenpailhead said: So due to my kids' activity schedules and the spring break cancellation our 7 day cruise in april became a 5 day in November. Thus, we have a metric butt ton (an actual measurement unit) of OBC spread over our 3 rooms (4 teens, 2 adults). My understanding is none of it can be used prior to boarding. Of course we will use $500 give or take for tips (do I have to go to guest services for that? this is only our second cruise and we prepaid tips on the last one), but what are the best ways to use the rest? I'm thinking internet for the kids maybe (which plan is best for teens??), and I think my husband and I may splurge for a drink package. Are there many excursions left by the time you board? Our ports are Half Moon, Nassau, and Grand Turk. I'm not really interested in a photo package and we're on the Sensation so no good specialty dining options. I had to rebook a cruise after my B2B (2 cruises together) was cancelled, and recieved a total of $1200 OBC. I usually book all my excursions ahead of time, but for this cruise, a 14 day Journey cruise to Panama Canal, I will wait and book our excursions once onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1city@atime Posted April 2, 2020 #22 Share Posted April 2, 2020 I love this topic. My husband and I have been having this discussion between the two of us as a way to pass time around the house. It's like the game what would you do if you won the lottery. We say... *Don't prepay gratuities *Don't buy drink package before you board We always do both of these, something we will do different with OBC to spend *Book a spa session *Excursions *Liquor to bring home *Jewelry/Watches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandmarnnurse Posted April 2, 2020 #23 Share Posted April 2, 2020 2 hours ago, firefly333 said: I bought my ladies citizen watch onboard. The one that runs off sunlight so you dont need to change batteries... though I guess not a top cost brand, I love mine We buy Citizen watches onboard all the time! We may just use some of our OBC for new ones. I LOVE my Citizen watches that never need a battery change! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bury me at sea Posted April 2, 2020 #24 Share Posted April 2, 2020 13 minutes ago, coevan said: I'm pretty sure you can not pre buy Cheers, gratuities, or the internet and use OBC. So you have to eat the discounts and buy everything on board. There is no discount for pre-paying gratuities. The cost on-board will be exactly the same and if you wait until you board the OBC will apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noblewoman Posted April 2, 2020 #25 Share Posted April 2, 2020 See if they have behind the scenes it is great last about 4 hours but well worth it You have to get it on board so do it as soon as you get on as it goes quick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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