$209.14 in non-refundable OBC

[Lerin]

That is what I said and OP didnt like that idea for some reason.

 

That's what I was thinking too, kind of odd...

 

Considering what she posted it makes the most sense.

[Native Floridian 26]

We always use any OBC for tips. Curious, why would you not do that? It's cash in your pocket.

Edited May 12, 2015 by tzais01

[dioxide45]

I agree with taking the prepaid tips off. Have the tips added to your on board account and use the OBC to pay them.

 

You are still tipping the same amount, just paying them when you sail rather than before you sail.

 

We always use any OBC for tips. Curious, why would you not do that? It's cash in your pocket.

 

I agree with removing the prepaid tips. The OP was looking for a way to spend the money with few other options. It isn't like the tips are being removed, just removing the prepaid tips. They still get added to S&S. This is one reason I would never prepay tips. In the past I have had excursions cancelled and was able to put the refund toward the tips. I would have got the cash back either way. As long as the OBC is refundable, it all balances out in the end.

[love my grandkids]

I agree with removing the prepaid tips. The OP was looking for a way to spend the money with few other options. It isn't like the tips are being removed, just removing the prepaid tips. They still get added to S&S. This is one reason I would never prepay tips. In the past I have had excursions cancelled and was able to put the refund toward the tips. I would have got the cash back either way. As long as the OBC is refundable, it all balances out in the end.

 

Agreed would never prepay tips. In the unlikely event we have a problem with someone on the crew we want the option to adjust tips.

[Out to sea!]

Yesterday after submitting our first Price Protection form on our first cruise ever on the Ecstasy (3 days, Nassau), we were approved! We now have $209.14 in non-refundable OBC. Our gratuities have been pre-paid. We do not gamble and we do not drink alcohol. My husband isn't much of a shopper, but my daughter and I are :D, so any ideas on what to spend this OBC on?

 

If you want to carry the cash home, just go to a slot machine in the casino, put $210 on you card and then cash out. Go to the cashier and they will give you $210 in cash. At the end of the cruise you will have an 86 cent bill. :)

[MrsPhoenix91]

We always use any OBC for tips. Curious, why would you not do that? It's cash in your pocket.

 

I see that many posters are making this recommendation, and giving good explanations as to why this is the best use of our OBC. Thank you everyone!

[momof3cruisers]

Just suggestions. This is our first cruise. We have several ideas on what we would like spend it on, and wanted some think-outside-the-box suggestions.

 

...

 

In the gift shops they have good prices on make up and skin care lines such as Clinique. You could do a Behind the Fun tour if it's offerred. All inclusive beach excursion in Nassua.

 

May I ask why you don't want to use it toward your tips? Fun factor, maybe?

[dioxide45]

In the gift shops they have good prices on make up and skin care lines such as Clinique. You could do a Behind the Fun tour if it's offerred. All inclusive beach excursion in Nassua.

 

May I ask why you don't want to use it toward your tips? Fun factor, maybe?

 

I think perhaps the OP was thinking that by removing their prepaid tips that it would mean that they were not tipping at all. Which isn't the case, tips would then just be added to their S&S account onboard.

[love my grandkids]

I think perhaps the OP was thinking that by removing their prepaid tips that it would mean that they were not tipping at all. Which isn't the case, tips would then just be added to their S&S account onboard.

 

Could well be.

[RuthlessBoss]

In the gift shops they have good prices on make up and skin care lines such as Clinique. You could do a Behind the Fun tour if it's offerred. All inclusive beach excursion in Nassua.

 

May I ask why you don't want to use it toward your tips? Fun factor, maybe?

 

It's more fun to have the OBC for something extra because it is free. More fun than using it for tips. My suggestion is go to the photo areas on elegant night. I did this once for the heck of it, almost croaked when 2 came out great. I wasn't anticipating that, but bought a few anyway and gave them out at Christmas:)

[splintz]

If you want to carry the cash home, just go to a slot machine in the casino, put $210 on you card and then cash out. Go to the cashier and they will give you $210 in cash. At the end of the cruise you will have an 86 cent bill. :)

 

this is what i was going to say.

[mzlinda]

There are all kinds of things to splurge on...a couple that haven't been mentioned....you could buy some of the overpriced photos. I usually like a couple of them but don't want to spend the money on them. Another option that hasn't been mentioned is the Behind the Fun tour. I took it on Fantasy last year and it was very interesting. You could get mother/ daughter mani pedis.

 

You could probably go to the casino and upload that amount to your players bank, gamble $20 of it, then go to the cage and cash out.

 

But if you are frugal and don't want to just spend it for the sake of spending it, I would call right now to get the prepaid gratuities reversed, so they charge them to your S&S when you get on the ship, as a couple of people have suggested.

 

Congrats on your price adjustment. I never seem to find one.

[ryansmith18]

I'd definitely reserve a night at the steak house. That'll use up just over half of that OBC. With the rest, some souvenirs, specialty coffee, candy, etc... just miscellaneous charges that you normally might pass on.

[Carnival Cutie]

I'd definitely reserve a night at the steak house. That'll use up just over half of that OBC. With the rest, some souvenirs, specialty coffee, candy, etc... just miscellaneous charges that you normally might pass on.

 

Unfortunately for OP this ship doesn't have a steakhouse. I booked it for later this year and was disappointed to find this was the case. In my case it's not a deal breaker, I'm only going for three days anyway.

 

She got a ton of other good suggestions.

[ryansmith18]

Unfortunately for OP this ship doesn't have a steakhouse. I booked it for later this year and was disappointed to find this was the case. In my case it's not a deal breaker, I'm only going for three days anyway.

 

She got a ton of other good suggestions.

 

Oh. hmmm. I just kind of assumed they all had steak houses by this point. TIL.

[Singer4Him]

If the booking is paid in full – the difference of fare will be issued as a non-refundable gross on board credit.

 

This has changed and it stinks to me. In 2013, we had an OBC of over $500 due to a price drop. Since, like the OP, we don't drink or gamble, we decided to do an excursion through Carnival. Our first one through the ship. Also, since I love the pictures, I bought a few of them, too. The evening of our last sea day, we went and got a cash refund of a little over $100 from guest services.

 

It's a shame that they have now changed the rules.

[dmet0225]

Load up on cigarettes!!!

[Out to sea!]

Oh. hmmm. I just kind of assumed they all had steak houses by this point. TIL.

 

To the best of my knowledge, none of the Fantasy class have steak houses.

[MrsPhoenix91]

I think perhaps the OP was thinking that by removing their prepaid tips that it would mean that they were not tipping at all. Which isn't the case, tips would then just be added to their S&S account onboard.

 

dioxide: That is exactly what I was thinking!