OBC

[jperry2011]

I've never used OBC before on a cruise so since I have a ton of it this time around.. what all can I use it for and how do I use it?

Charge whatever I want to my sail & sign card then pay it off with OBC at the kiosk?

[wemjam]

OBC will automatically be applied to your account when you get on board.  Your purchases on your sail and sign account will be deducted from this as you go.

[Joe817]

1 minute ago, jperry2011 said:

I've never used OBC before on a cruise so since I have a ton of it this time around.. what all can I use it for and how do I use it?

Charge whatever I want to my sail & sign card then pay it off with OBC at the kiosk?

Basically, everything offered for sale on a ship is charged to your S&S account. And I mean everything. From milkshakes, specialty dining, all drinks, even fine watches in the jewelry store. And it's automatically deducted from your S&S account.

[PORT ROYAL]

1 minute ago, Joe817 said:

Basically, everything offered for sale on a ship is charged to your S&S account. And I mean everything. From milkshakes, specialty dining, all drinks, even fine watches in the jewelry store. And it's automatically deducted from your S&S account.

Think FCDs and Future Cruise Bookings are charged outside S&S.

 

[jperry2011]

2 minutes ago, Joe817 said:

Basically, everything offered for sale on a ship is charged to your S&S account. And I mean everything. From milkshakes, specialty dining, all drinks, even fine watches in the jewelry store. And it's automatically deducted from your S&S account.

Yeah I understand the sail and sign I don't understand the OBC though. I've always put cash in to pay off my sail and sign.

[wemjam]

1 minute ago, jperry2011 said:

Yeah I understand the sail and sign I don't understand the OBC though. I've always put cash in to pay off my sail and sign.

Basically you start out with "money in the bank" your purchases are deducted from this until it is all depleted.  Then anything above this you would have to pay off another way (with cash or credit card on file)

[mondello]

You check-in and submit your credit card to back your S&S card. Your OBC is a credit balance on your account. Anything charged to your S&S card is added to your account, reducing your OBC until it is gone. The balance will be billed to your credit card at the end of the cruise.

note, others have posted that since the restart Carnival is no longer allowing guests to use OBC to purchase gift cards from Cherry On Top. Also, they may have tweaked the system to stop allowing guests to "cash out" OBC by downloading it from your S&S card into casino slot machines and cashing out at the cashiers cage after a few spins.

Edited July 19, 2021 by mondello
Correction

[jperry2011]

1 minute ago, wemjam said:

Basically you start out with "money in the bank" your purchases are deducted from this until it is all depleted.  Then anything above this you would have to pay off another way (with cash or credit card on file)

That's the explanation I was after. Thanks.

[firefly333]

It may takes a couple of days for the obc to appear, dont panic, by say day 3 the obc appears.

 

It also cover your gratuities. That's always a chunk. I'm eating pay dinners every night I hope.

[EngIceDave]

Your sign and sail is now a DEBIT account

The starting debit account balance is your OBC Credit Balance

 

You mentioned elsewhere you will already have drinks everywhere from casino offer, so any charges OUTSIDE OF drinks, milkshakes, specialty coffees, juices, pop/soda.

 

So go splurge on that new Invicta Watch you saw onboard!

 

 

[mondello]

59 minutes ago, jperry2011 said:

That's the explanation I was after. Thanks.

You can view your folio on your cabin tv during your cruise to keep an eye on your spending/charges.

[Joe817]

1 minute ago, mondello said:

You can view your folio on your cabin tv during your cruise to keep an eye on your spending/charges.

Good point. That's a really handy thing to have. I looked it each morning before we venture out for the day. 

[19cruiser59]

I just returned from the 7/10 Horizon cruise and i used my $700 obc on the following.

 

various drinks about 130

Cosmetics for the wife 140

steakhouse 76

gratuities 223 (did not prepay)

excursion 120

 

it goes fast!

[Moviela]

I am thrilled that OBC can be used for auto grats. I thought I was going to be out of pocket for those. The OBC and shareowners benefit I have for a dozen booked outings means I am cruising free. Oh Lordy, I am free at last! 

 

[Lee Cruiser]

1 hour ago, mondello said:

You can view your folio on your cabin tv during your cruise to keep an eye on your spending/charges.

You can also do it easier on the Hub app.

[Lee Cruiser]

46 minutes ago, Moviela said:

I am thrilled that OBC can be used for auto grats. I thought I was going to be out of pocket for those. The OBC and shareowners benefit I have for a dozen booked outings means I am cruising free. Oh Lordy, I am free at last! 

 

The information for onboard credit says it cannot be used for gratuities. 

[Joe817]

2 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The information for onboard credit says it cannot be used for gratuities. 

Where did you find that on the Carnival website. That's news to me. Link please.

[EngIceDave]

10 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The information for onboard credit says it cannot be used for gratuities. 

I am sure that refers to the "Gifted" OBC, like when you book, for example.

 

They do not want you using their freebee to pay their staff.

 

His OBC is his own money being refunded as OBC, so it is, in effect, his cash.

[wemjam]

10 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The information for onboard credit says it cannot be used for gratuities. 

Never heard that one either.  That is #1 what a lot of people use it for.

[ProgRockCruiser]

11 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The information for onboard credit says it cannot be used for gratuities. 

Some have suggested this might be their policy for specific sources of OBC, but it is very hard to differentiate the various types of OBC, so I think Carnival doesn't (can't) enforce it.

[lostsoulcruiser]

14 hours ago, jperry2011 said:

Yeah I understand the sail and sign I don't understand the OBC though. I've always put cash in to pay off my sail and sign.

Think of your OBC as the pre-loading of a debit card. Rather than the cash you use, your card will come pre-loaded with a set amount to spend on the ship anyway you desire, alcohol, candy, jewelry, t-shirts, etc.  Even gratuities if not already pre-paid ( I think you can but I see some say you cannot, check with Carnival).  You can either put more cash on your account when you get on the ship or track your spending and add as needed (Guest Services can do this).  

[TomCruise48]

13 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The information for onboard credit says it cannot be used for gratuities. 

I have used non-refundable OBC on at least 25 Carnival cruises to either fully or partially cover gratuities.  If Carnival denies using OBC to cover gratuities, it will backfire for them.  A lot of angry guests will then remove the gratuities and the crew will be punished.

 

[lobster1313]

13 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The information for onboard credit says it cannot be used for gratuities. 

The promotional OBC went for the gratuities on my daughter's account.  

[Moviela]

1 hour ago, TomCruise48 said:

 A lot of angry guests will then remove the gratuities and the crew will be punished.

 

 

I really hope people realize the incredible amount of work the crew do for you. They do it with a smile at the same time. Anyone that would short the crew what they are entitled to by hard work should accrue a huge Karma debt. 

[sgttami]

OBC can be used for gratuities.  I've done it on almost every cruise that I had OBC for.