Princess OBC question

[TommyH2006]

On all of our previous cruises with Princess we have rarely, if ever, had any OBC. 

Now we find with our next three cruise we have a few hundred dollars to spend on each.

So my question is: Where can we spend it?

We have a Plus package so we don't need it for drinks. (Except maybe if we want a more expensive wine maybe)

We have a speciality restaurant booked (complimentary) and I imagine it will be difficult getting another booking because of the promos that have been happening.

Of the shore excursions we might have been interested in most are booked out or waitlisted.

So.... can we spend it in the shop franchises? Effy's, Duty free etc? Can it be used in the casino?  Can we "gift" it to crew members as an additional gratuity? 

Any other ideas?

Cheers

Tommy

[windsor26]

You can spend it in any shop or for photos etc and no it would be difficult to gift it to staff as tips as it is not cash   Duty free can be bought and bingo or casino use of course  and if you won lots then you could cash it out and give it as tips if you wanted 

[MicCanberra]

If it is refundable obc, and you don't spend it, they will send you a check in 6-8 weeks after the cruise. If non-refundable  obc, and you don't  want to spend it on anything, the casino may be an option. Have a splurge, have some fun, you may even come out with more than you put in.

[NSWP]

Massage, haircuts? Sanctuary? Speciality Restaurants if available?

 

 

[TommyH2006]

Thanks for the replies.

It is non-refundable OBC. For some reason I was of the understanding that it couldn't be used in the casino. So basically you could "launder" it on the Roulette table? Half red, half black, and cash it in?

🤔

[MicCanberra]

2 minutes ago, TommyH2006 said:

Thanks for the replies.

It is non-refundable OBC. For some reason I was of the understanding that it couldn't be used in the casino. So basically you could "launder" it on the Roulette table? Half red, half black, and cash it in?

🤔

Open a casino account and the money/obc in your seaboard account will be deducted. You cannot cash it out but you can  cash out any winnings. I am not sure of the gaming tables, but you can certainly do it on the machines.

[arxcards]

On our recent cruise, I just bought some bling for my wife. I had considered cycling it through the casino.

 

$100 OBC will also buy around 4 family blocks of chocolate in the gift shop. OK, I exaggerate a bit. 

[martin jenkins]

on the coral i bought casino chips, didn't spend a penny  went to the cashier and cashed them in

[NSWP]

10 hours ago, arxcards said:

On our recent cruise, I just bought some bling for my wife. I had considered cycling it through the casino.

 

$100 OBC will also buy around 4 family blocks of chocolate in the gift shop. OK, I exaggerate a bit. 

Those giant Toblerones, lol.

[TommyH2006]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

[GUT2407]

12 hours ago, arxcards said:

On our recent cruise, I just bought some bling for my wife. I had considered cycling it through the casino.

 

$100 OBC will also buy around 4 family blocks of chocolate in the gift shop. OK, I exaggerate a bit. 

Yeah I doubt you’d get 2 1/2

[GUT2407]

One cruise we left 2 cents behind, Mrs G still brings it up at times “We should have seen if the casino had a 2c machine” or “that extra bottle of L’Ocotain (sp) would only have cost $49.98”.

[MMDown Under]

31 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

One cruise we left 2 cents behind, Mrs G still brings it up at times “We should have seen if the casino had a 2c machine” or “that extra bottle of L’Ocotain (sp) would only have cost $49.98”.

I understand.  It is the principle!  I was brought up by a frugal grandmother, a child of the Depression.  She passed it on.  After reading "Weevils in the Flour" about the 30s depression in Australia, I finally understood. 

[TommyH2006]

One further question:

I was under the impression that On Board Credit could only be used On Board. But I have just read this on the princess site.

So I can book speciality restaurants and shorex using OBC ?

[LittleFish1976]

9 minutes ago, TommyH2006 said:

One further question:

I was under the impression that On Board Credit could only be used On Board. But I have just read this on the princess site.

So I can book speciality restaurants and shorex using OBC ?

 

That's good if they let you use your OBC for booking excursions before you sail - some cruise lines won't let you use it for excursion bokings unitl you're on board.

 

[MicCanberra]

Yes you can, we have been doing this with Princess and P&O.

[MMDown Under]

3 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

That's good if they let you use your OBC for booking excursions before you sail - some cruise lines won't let you use it for excursion bokings unitl you're on board.

 

On one Hurtigruten cruise, we couldn't book free excursions nor paid excursions until after we boarded.  

[OzKiwiJJ]

2 hours ago, TommyH2006 said:

One further question:

I was under the impression that On Board Credit could only be used On Board. But I have just read this on the princess site.

So I can book speciality restaurants and shorex using OBC ?

Before you board - excursions yes, speciality dining no.

[TommyH2006]

Just an update.

So I booked a speciality restaurant to see what would happen. There was no option regarding payment.

And despite their website stating:

"You can also apply Onboard Credit toward your specialty dining reservation pre-cruise using Dine My Way℠ in the MedallionClass app."

I can now see a payment pending on my cc statement. 

So I guess the answer to my question is NO you can't use OBC for speciality restaurants prior to boarding. 

[LittleFish1976]

1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:

On one Hurtigruten cruise, we couldn't book free excursions nor paid excursions until after we boarded.  

 

I was trying to remember yesterday what we did about excursions on Hurtigruten. We booked on board and I can't remember now why we did that. Of course we had no OBC as I'd booked directly through their Norwegian website rather than through a TA. I'd go to Norway again in a heartbeat.

 

[MMDown Under]

1 hour ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

I was trying to remember yesterday what we did about excursions on Hurtigruten. We booked on board and I can't remember now why we did that. Of course we had no OBC as I'd booked directly through their Norwegian website rather than through a TA. I'd go to Norway again in a heartbeat.

 

Yes I'm currently considering another hurtigruten cruise next year.  I love that cruise line and have been  on five cruises.  

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, TommyH2006 said:

Just an update.

So I booked a speciality restaurant to see what would happen. There was no option regarding payment.

And despite their website stating:

"You can also apply Onboard Credit toward your specialty dining reservation pre-cruise using Dine My Way℠ in the MedallionClass app."

I can now see a payment pending on my cc statement. 

So I guess the answer to my question is NO you can't use OBC for speciality restaurants prior to boarding. 

That is a bit off the mark from them. You can use a dining voucher if you have one as part of your booking, but have yet to see a way of using OBC for it on the app.

[NSWP]

1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:

Yes I'm currently considering another hurtigruten cruise next year.  I love that cruise line and have been  on five cruises.  

Are they expensive?

[MicCanberra]

Perhaps if bought once aboard you can use OBC.

[MMDown Under]

29 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Are they expensive?

They are less expensive out of peak season and have special offers.  In addition I get a discount. I think they are good value.  They also have no single supplement offers. I like the Norwegian food which doesn't appeal to everyone.  If you do the Norwegian Coastal Voyage there is beautiful scenery most of the way so no excursions necessary unless you go on Expedition Cruisers.  Have a read of their website which is appealing!