How does Carnival let you use onboard credit

[Calnev1]

20 minutes ago, UpstateCruizer said:

Anyone that has cruised recently care to weigh in on YOUR ACTUAL experience? Please if you are only repeating what “John Heald says” no need to share. I’m interested in what actual cruisers have experienced on recent sailings. Thank you for your input 🙂. I will be sailing in a couple weeks and would live to have your insight. 

I am surprised no one can tell us definitively what is going on.  Maybe its just too complex?

 

With your cruise departing in only two weeks, perhaps YOU might be the one to tell us something definitive.  Consider setting up multiple first-day inputs to your sign and sale account (e.g., some FCC OBC if you have it, a different amount of cruise fare OBC, a small denomination gift card, a bit of cruise cash, etc.)  Then that evening, before you spend anything else on your S&S  account, walk up to that slot machine, charge say $500 to your room, play the bandit once, go to the cage, and try to cash it all out.  Depending on how much the cage folks actually give you of your requested sum, we might be able to figure what Carnival does and doesn't allow now in late 2021.

[blivey]

Can you use OBC to purchase the drink package once onboard? 

[ugagal07]

I was on the Magic sailing 10/7-10/11 and there were people who had put the OBC on their card at a slot machine, made 0-5 pulls and tried to cash out repeatedly with the cashier.  Their accounts were frozen and a manager had to come turn their Sail and Sign card back on.  They told the guests you can use the OBC to play, but you can't just cash out. I observed this on 2 different days.  Will this happen every time, probably not.  But, be aware it could happen. 

[Colorado Beach Bum]

2 hours ago, ugagal07 said:

I was on the Magic sailing 10/7-10/11 and there were people who had put the OBC on their card at a slot machine, made 0-5 pulls and tried to cash out repeatedly with the cashier.  Their accounts were frozen and a manager had to come turn their Sail and Sign card back on.  They told the guests you can use the OBC to play, but you can't just cash out. I observed this on 2 different days.  Will this happen every time, probably not.  But, be aware it could happen. 

Are you sure it was OBC and not casino fun play?  The casino fun play can not be cashed out, only the winnings you get from it can. 

[ugagal07]

6 minutes ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Are you sure it was OBC and not casino fun play?  The casino fun play can not be cashed out, only the winnings you get from it can. 

It was OBC.  One man had cashed out $100 a few times and his card was finally locked.  The casino manager was explaining it to him at the next cage.  He had the rebook OBC and some OBC from a booking promo.  

[pamesacruisin]

On 10/16/2021 at 9:56 PM, pamesacruisin said:

I just went to my booking which is in 5 weeks and sure enough, it shows the same thing saying "some on-board credits are now available to use before your cruise".  I can't seem to figure out how to do that or what can I use it on??  

I just went to my booking and mysteriously the "some on-board credits are now available to use before your cruise" has disappeared.🙄

[Bevv]

On 10/20/2021 at 8:22 AM, blivey said:

Can you use OBC to purchase the drink package once onboard? 

Yes

[claurosani]

Does anyone know if the OBC can be used pre-boarding to pay for a WiFi package? I know others have said that it's not possible to use for excursions or anything before boarding (hence the name "onboard" credit) but I haven't seen WiFi packages mentioned.

 

Otherwise, I could buy those once onboard because they are not likely to sell out, or am I wrong? I'm cruising in Dec after a VERY LONG time and things have certainly changed since the last time I was on a cruise ship, so any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

[Silent Penguin]

On 10/16/2021 at 8:10 PM, DuAschton said:

Had to chime in on this one because this is on my checkin info…literally from Carnival advising it can be used before the cruise (which is in 14 days)

Thanks for sharing this.  Until this upcoming cruise, I've never booked directly with Carnival and didn't realize I could see my booking expenses.  It took a few clicks to figure out how you were able to find this.  

 

Edited November 2, 2021 by Silent Penguin
I answered my own question

[soremekun]

Here's how I am going to use up my $600

 

Pre-cruise

Roundtrip transfers (for 2 people) - $143.96 (done)
Internet (for 2 people) - $202.30 (done)

 

Mid-cruise

Gratuities (for 2 people) - $195.86

remainder - $57.88 (beverages and onboard gift purchases)

 

I find it interesting that I could not use my OBC via the website to prepay gratuities.  The only option available is credit card.  I'll wait until I'm onboard.

Edited February 27, 2022 by soremekun

[keywest1]

3 hours ago, soremekun said:

Here's how I am going to use up my $600

 

Pre-cruise

Roundtrip transfers (for 2 people) - $143.96 (done)
Internet (for 2 people) - $202.30 (done)

 

Mid-cruise

Gratuities (for 2 people) - $195.86

remainder - $57.88 (beverages and onboard gift purchases)

 

I find it interesting that I could not use my OBC via the website to prepay gratuities.  The only option available is credit card.  I'll wait until I'm onboard.

Thanks for sharing this.  I didn't realize I could use OBC before our cruise.  I just booked transfers to port.  I also checked and would have been able to buy excursions.  This is a much better use of our money than trying to find something to spend it on in the Fun Shops.