OBC Question

[Kevin308]

Are there things on board you can not spend OBC on?   I have never had this much before.

[Joe817]

1 minute ago, Kevin308 said:

Are there things on board you can not spend OBC on?   I have never had this much before.

I can't think of a thing!  Well, maybe gift cards, but the jury is still out on that. You used to be able to do that, but maybe not now.

Edited July 26, 2021 by Joe817

[wemjam]

25 minutes ago, Kevin308 said:

Are there things on board you can not spend OBC on?   I have never had this much before.

Pretty much everything, as Joe817 says maybe on Carnival Gift Cards at Cherry on Top as there are "mixed" reports on this right now - BUT it does depend on where your OBC came from.  The no gift card thing is only in debate for those that got it for rolling over cruises etc.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

16 hours ago, Kevin308 said:

Are there things on board you can not spend OBC on?   I have never had this much before.

I do not think so. Everything you purchase first comes off of any OBC before anything is applied to your charge card. As for gift cards. I was told that you can go to the ships store and purchase a gift card and it will be charged to your room. Again charge to you room is first OBC then Charge card.

[Brew12]

I may have to look into this, too. Cruising solo with a $500 OBC. It's killing me to not have my Cheers! package already locked in. Even tipping generously, I can't imagine how 1 person could go through that with everything prepaid. Gift cards to use on a future cruise would be a nice option.

[Qchell]

As long as the purchase was made onboard, I cannot imagine there is anything off-limits, but you may want to contact Carnival directly to ensure that.  

 

In the meantime, instead of pre-purchasing any specialty restaurant meals, spa treatments, etc. figure out what you want to book prior to the cruise and then when you board make all your reservations that afternoon.  Then all your OBC will go towards those reservations.  

The only thing I would recommend you pre-purchase are any excursions.  Popular ones tend to sell out months prior to the cruise, so if you wait until you are onboard, the excursion(s) may be sold out.  

 

We are simply waiting to purchase Cheers until we board and place all the OBC towards that.  We would have to make an actual effort to spend all the OBC we currently have. 

[phoneman69]

4 hours ago, Brew12 said:

I may have to look into this, too. Cruising solo with a $500 OBC. It's killing me to not have my Cheers! package already locked in. Even tipping generously, I can't imagine how 1 person could go through that with everything prepaid. Gift cards to use on a future cruise would be a nice option.

You can still purchase Cheers once your on board just cost a little more. With 500 why not

[ETski]

Can you use your onboard credit for your daily gratuities/service charge? 

[SNJCruisers]

5 minutes ago, ETski said:

Can you use your onboard credit for your daily gratuities/service charge? 

Yes

[SNJCruisers]

14 hours ago, Brew12 said:

I may have to look into this, too. Cruising solo with a $500 OBC. It's killing me to not have my Cheers! package already locked in. Even tipping generously, I can't imagine how 1 person could go through that with everything prepaid. Gift cards to use on a future cruise would be a nice option.

The gift card thing at Cherry On Top is banned for those trying to use it from the 300 or 600 OBC from Carnival for a past cancelled cruise.  The same thing with the casino cash out trick.

It's always better to get Cheers beforehand to save the 10% increase, but if you have 500 to spend and you are not going on any excursions or specialty dining, then wait till you get on board to buy Cheers.  It'll cost you 470 bucks assuming you're on a 7 day cruise and you still have almost a hundred in gratuities, so your 500 is spent.  If it's a 6 day cruise, you'll have less than 20 bucks left, which can go on day one for Cheers drink taxes while still in port. 😉

[nycruise1]

On 7/28/2021 at 3:18 AM, SNJCruisers said:

The gift card thing at Cherry On Top is banned for those trying to use it from the 300 or 600 OBC from Carnival for a past cancelled cruise.  The same thing with the casino cash out trick.

 

Can the credit be used in the casino, not for the cash out trick, but to actually play, like fun play?  Charge actual play to the 300/600 OBC and keep any winnings?

[SNJCruisers]

3 minutes ago, nycruise1 said:

Can the credit be used in the casino, not for the cash out trick, but to actually play, like fun play?  Charge actual play to the 300/600 OBC and keep any winnings?

Yes

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

5 hours ago, nycruise1 said:

Can the credit be used in the casino, not for the cash out trick, but to actually play, like fun play?  Charge actual play to the 300/600 OBC and keep any winnings?

Yes it can. On the slots you select it. At the tables you hand them you room card and tell them how much.

[lostsoulcruiser]

It has been awhile for me but I do not think you can use your OBC to book a future cruise while on the ship. I will not bet the ranch on this but I believe I heard this on a previous cruise.

[Schoifmom]

5 minutes ago, lostsoulcruiser said:

It has been awhile for me but I do not think you can use your OBC to book a future cruise while on the ship. I will not bet the ranch on this but I believe I heard this on a previous cruise.

Actually, you've never been able to do this, as they didn't charge the new deposit to your room, just directly to the CC on file.  Now, they don't book new cruises on board.  You get a new offer when you return to book online.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

On 7/28/2021 at 3:04 AM, ETski said:

Can you use your onboard credit for your daily gratuities/service charge? 

It is automatically charged to your room. Everything comes off of your OBC first and then applied tot he charge card. So your answer is yes.

[Wanna_Cruize]

On 7/27/2021 at 10:00 AM, Brew12 said:

I may have to look into this, too. Cruising solo with a $500 OBC. It's killing me to not have my Cheers! package already locked in. Even tipping generously, I can't imagine how 1 person could go through that with everything prepaid. Gift cards to use on a future cruise would be a nice option.

 

It is more expensive to purchase Cheers onboard, you could just purchase it on the 2nd day, and use the 1 bottle of wine you're allowed to bring onboard with you for the first day. That would save about 50 bucks or so.