How to spend OBC.

[chucknmarilyn]

This is an unusual dilemma for us. We have more OBC than we would normally use. Most excursions are bought and I believe gratuities  are included. Not big drinkers. May use a bit in the spa but what else will we need credit for onboard? First time on Azamara but not new to cruising.

[takemewithyou]

30 minutes ago, chucknmarilyn said:

This is an unusual dilemma for us. We have more OBC than we would normally use. Most excursions are bought and I believe gratuities  are included. Not big drinkers. May use a bit in the spa but what else will we need credit for onboard? First time on Azamara but not new to cruising.

Specialty dining in Prime C or Aqualina, chefs table, bingo, shops is what I can think of off hand.  Also photos.

Edited May 23, 2023 by takemewithyou
Edited to add….

[chucknmarilyn]

Thank you so much. I'll have to look at the dining whenever I actually can.

[wjfan417]

3 hours ago, chucknmarilyn said:

This is an unusual dilemma for us. We have more OBC than we would normally use. Most excursions are bought and I believe gratuities  are included. Not big drinkers. May use a bit in the spa but what else will we need credit for onboard? First time on Azamara but not new to cruising.

Internet, laundry (instead of using the complimentary self-service laundry room)

[Host Jazzbeau]

Wine by the bottle.  The included wines have been getting a lot of bad reviews lately, the Premium package doesn't change the wine selections, and even the Ultimate package wine selections have been getting dissed.  But the sommelier will be happy to work with you to pair excellent wines from their cellar with your dinner selections – and the multi-bottle packages can make this a reasonable value.

[KevintheIrishDJ]

We found the shops very expensive ($89 for a man's knit shirt) and poor quality. We buy bottles of Taittinger's.

[the mice]

There are dining packages as well as other packages - check them out online before you board. 

 

We had a lot of OBC ($1700), are not drinkers at all, and don't use the spa, so we spent ours on some ship excursions, dining package, upgraded internet package for DH and shopping.  We also used some for a private transfer from Monaco to Nice at the end of our cruise (see the concierge if you need to do this type of thing). 

 

If you need to spend in the shops, take note of the departure times in ports to get an idea of when the shops will be open.  Do NOT leave shopping until the last day because merchandise that might interest you may be gone, and the shops could close early if the ship gets too close to the disembarking port.  I suggest checking out the shops ahead of time and strategically planning when you would make your purchases (if you still have OBC to spend).  On our cruise, there was a huge crowd and they quite literally descended like vultures on the shops when they opened.  Not at all something we were used to on Azamara.  But there were a lot of big OBC offers for the sailing, so I am sure that had something to do with it.  

 

Most importantly, enjoy your Azamara cruise.  

[tgg]

3 hours ago, KevintheIrishDJ said:

We found the shops very expensive ($89 for a man's knit shirt) and poor quality. We buy bottles of Taittinger's.

We bought several very high quality North Sails shirts (for $65 each) with extra shipboard credit. I shopped for them early in the cruise because I didn't want to wait until the popular sizes were sold out. The few extra dollars of OBC were spent on L'Occitane soap, which my daughter loves.

[chucknmarilyn]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I do plan to look at dining options but am not able to yet. The excrsions just opened up yesterday. This is only an 8 night cruise and all port days so that pretty much eliminates a need for laaundry and internet. We have unlimited data on our phones. I'm sure I can figure out a way to spend it. 🤩🤩🤩

[kent4489]

Last cruise, I came home with 2 Coach handbags and some nice cosmetic items. I waited until the last night and the shop was a zoo and selection limited. There was a discount on the Coach handbags.

[Sleep7]

👋Hello!

I don't know if you are interested in a pre-loved designer bag (for yourself or even a gift)  but we were on the Onward last month and the ships shop had a large display of them. 🛍️

 

 

[chucknmarilyn]

5 minutes ago, Sleep7 said:

👋Hello!

I don't know if you are interested in a pre-loved designer bag (for yourself or even a gift)  but we were on the Onward last month and the ships shop had a large display of them. 🛍️

 

 

I really am not but apparently  this is becoming a thing. I did browse the pre-owned items on Celebrity a couple of months ago. They also had a lot of beautiful purses. I assume this is by a new company or I just haven't noticed before.

[Sleep7]

😊 Oh! I guess this really has become a thing... didn't realize other cruise lines were doing it as well.

I actually think it's a great fit.. at least for Azamara where it seems like most promotions include a ton of OBC.  The selection was varied and the purses in good condition.  No bargains for sure but you are assured that they are authentic so you can buy with confidence which is nice. 🛍️

 

[gowilk]

my wife bought a purse and perfume (she was tipped off by a salesperson)….verified on amazon as a good buy….probably 25 percent under retail not counting sales tax. so be nice to the salespeople they will help.

[excitedofharpenden]

@Sleep7, you know you shouldn't post photos like that, right?  It's bag porn to some people😁

 

Phil 

[Sleep7]

5 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

@Sleep7, you know you shouldn't post photos like that, right?  It's bag porn to some people😁

 

Phil 

🙋‍♀️Hey Phil!

I better make sure "Pocketbook Porn" is allowed on this site.. don't want to be banned from Cruise Critic!🤣

[donaldsc]

Watches.  And before anyone relies that they are overpriced - regardless of what you pay for them they are not overpriced because they are free.

 

DON

Edited May 27, 2023 by donaldsc