the_dylaness Posted October 17, 2016 #1 Share Posted October 17, 2016 So, for our recently booked Equinox cruise, we'll have nearly $600 OBC in addition to prepaid gratuities, premium beverage package, and unlimited wifi. There are only three ports- in one of them we already have a non-ship-excursion planned, and may or may not book through the ship for the others. There's always the spa, but even with OBC those sky-high prices make me cringe... I'll probably get one treatment but can't imagine doing much more. We are going to have access to Blu which we REALLY liked so I don't see much sense in spending even more for another restaurant. Surely the premium beverage package should include enough things we want to drink? I am not a big shopper so no jewels or purses in the onboard shops for me. Persian Garden included in Aqua Class, so don't need to buy that... This is a great problem to have but I really am not even sure what other things I can spend money on? Help me get creative! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandgeezer Posted October 17, 2016 #2 Share Posted October 17, 2016 If you got some of that from a travel agency, there's a good chance it's refundable, which means you can take it home with you. I heard you can get it in cash at Guest Services the last night, but I just have it refunded to my credit card that I have on record with them. When you get on the ship, check your account on the tv, if it has an "r" next to it means it's refundable, but I would check with th front desk to make sure. If there is refundable and nonrefundable obc, they always take the nonrefundable first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_dylaness Posted October 17, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted October 17, 2016 If you got some of that from a travel agency, there's a good chance it's refundable, which means you can take it home with you. I heard you can get it in cash at Guest Services the last night, but I just have it refunded to my credit card that I have on record with them.When you get on the ship, check your account on the tv, if it has an "r" next to it means it's refundable, but I would check with th front desk to make sure. If there is refundable and nonrefundable obc, they always take the nonrefundable first. Very good to know, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lola2013 Posted October 17, 2016 #4 Share Posted October 17, 2016 How about using some OBC to buy gifts for friends and family...either for upcoming birthdays, holidays or "just because." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestLakeGirl Posted October 17, 2016 #5 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Do a search for "list of Things to spend OBC" and you will find a very comprehensive compendium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_dylaness Posted October 17, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted October 17, 2016 (edited) Maybe the better question to ask is: are there things to spend OBC on that I haven't listed above? ETA: we don't gamble Edited October 17, 2016 by the_dylaness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHEZMARYLOU Posted October 17, 2016 #7 Share Posted October 17, 2016 If you're inclined to give staff additional gratuity you can use the onboard credit for that by going to guest relations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoGoJules Posted October 17, 2016 #8 Share Posted October 17, 2016 If you can't get it refunded it might be a great time to get yourselves a really nice souvenir from the ship. Michael Kors maybe? I don't know if the sell the items made from the glass blowing demonstrations but that would be a really neat way to remember your trip. [emoji2] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted October 17, 2016 #9 Share Posted October 17, 2016 The holidays are coming up Buy some stuff to give as presents. Even it is overpriced which it will be, you will be buying w OBC so it is costing you nothing. Another thought is that you can buy something that you can sell on Craigslist when you get back home. Even if you only get 50 cents on a dollar, you did not pay for it so it is pure profit. One final thought is to buy something that you can donate to a charity who will then reap the money by selling it. You will get the tax deduction on the full purchase price, you will feel good about donating to your favorite charity, and they will get the money. DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjrpar Posted October 17, 2016 #10 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Liquor, maybe cigarettes, but I would guess most of it is refundable. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longboysfan Posted October 17, 2016 #11 Share Posted October 17, 2016 No refundable. Which part of it may be as TA's usually will not add more than a few hundred into the account. Casino. Take - get chips - play a little - get cash back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleSS Posted October 17, 2016 #12 Share Posted October 17, 2016 If you can't get it refunded it might be a great time to get yourselves a really nice souvenir from the ship. Michael Kors maybe? I don't know if the sell the items made from the glass blowing demonstrations but that would be a really neat way to remember your trip. [emoji2] Sent from my iPhone using Forums I don't think they sell the glass items, but rather auction some of them off on the last day. I would expect that OBC would go towards that. Oh how I would LOOOOOOVE to buy one of the items....guess we shall find out if I'm that lucky in 3 weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolutboy20 Posted October 17, 2016 #13 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I am not a big shopper so no jewels or purses in the onboard shops for me. This is a great problem to have but I really am not even sure what other things I can spend money on? Help me get creative! Why not purchase an Ipad on board? It will last a few years and if you didn't want to keep it, should be easy to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted October 17, 2016 #14 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I really enjoy helping others to spend their money. If you are in a real pinch and feel that you need to spend the non refundable OBC you can purchase a fine bottle of wine and have it delivered to my cabin for the February 20, 2017 Mardi Gras cruise. I have a number of friends on that cruise and pledge that will will offer a toast to you on the cruise. It will be just like you're there. Of course you can give extra tips to the hard working crew and they would most certainly appreciate it, perhaps even more than I would appreciate the wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sound_guy0918 Posted October 17, 2016 #15 Share Posted October 17, 2016 For any third-party excursions, ask if they are one of the "official" providers for X at that port. You may be able to book them that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebutlerdidit Posted October 17, 2016 #16 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Even if you don't spend any of your OBC on alcohol, why not enjoy a wine event or two? We have done the Riedel wine comparison workshop that includes four Riedel glasses of your choice (you order them post-cruise, so you'd need to pay shipping fee) and have also really enjoyed the World Wine Tour and Wine Tasting events that we've seen offered on sea days. The Riedel workshop ran about $85 per person and the others were around $20. I think 18% gratuity was added on top of the purchase price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digital_curator Posted October 17, 2016 #17 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Do you have a long time before your post-cruise flight? You could book one of X's transfer tours that will show you the sites before dropping you off at the airport. I got a massage special on my last cruise and the treatment was excellent! They had masseuses giving free "taster" massages in front of the Oceanview Cafe. I tried a couple over a few days and one woman's style was just what I liked. You could probably get several if you wait for a sale! 😄. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johhnnyt Posted October 17, 2016 #18 Share Posted October 17, 2016 So, for our recently booked Equinox cruise, we'll have nearly $600 OBC in addition to prepaid gratuities, premium beverage package, and unlimited wifi. There are only three ports- in one of them we already have a non-ship-excursion planned, and may or may not book through the ship for the others. There's always the spa, but even with OBC those sky-high prices make me cringe... I'll probably get one treatment but can't imagine doing much more. We are going to have access to Blu which we REALLY liked so I don't see much sense in spending even more for another restaurant. Surely the premium beverage package should include enough things we want to drink? I am not a big shopper so no jewels or purses in the onboard shops for me. Persian Garden included in Aqua Class, so don't need to buy that... This is a great problem to have but I really am not even sure what other things I can spend money on? Help me get creative! I had $800 obc on one cruise, and used it for a macbook air, prices onboard are competitive for ipads, macbooks, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger1964 Posted October 17, 2016 #19 Share Posted October 17, 2016 You can also transfer it to another room (at least that is what I read on cc). I hope you are on my Xmas cruise!:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted October 17, 2016 #20 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I can't believe you have just dismissed the specialities....Booking Tuscan, early evening, as you leave a port....Sea day evening enjoying the ambiance and theatre in Murano's, meeting with a group of new friends to enjoy a family style meal in Silk Harvest..... No disrespect to Blu...but dining is about more than the food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_dylaness Posted October 17, 2016 Author #21 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Even if you don't spend any of your OBC on alcohol, why not enjoy a wine event or two? We have done the Riedel wine comparison workshop that includes four Riedel glasses of your choice (you order them post-cruise, so you'd need to pay shipping fee) and have also really enjoyed the World Wine Tour and Wine Tasting events that we've seen offered on sea days. The Riedel workshop ran about $85 per person and the others were around $20. I think 18% gratuity was added on top of the purchase price. Yes!!!! That is great. We did that on solstice a few years ago. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandgeezer Posted October 17, 2016 #22 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I had $800 obc on one cruise, and used it for a macbook air, prices onboard are competitive for ipads, macbooks, etc I understand that the pricing is the same as any retail outlet, but the savings is that you don't pay any tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbenboys Posted October 17, 2016 #23 Share Posted October 17, 2016 We have had $600 nonrefundable obc on our last 2 cruises with all 4 perks. We were able to spend it all. I bought 2 bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue. Thats $300. You dont have to spend it at all. Our next cruise we had $600 nonrefundable obc. The price for our suite dropped before final payment. I call my TA. TA checked into it. I did lose $300 obc, but dropped the price by $900. So in the end we have a nice suite, all 4 perks and only $300 nonrefundable obc and saved $600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted October 17, 2016 #24 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Can you cash in some of the OBC at the casino? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CELTICGIRLCRUISER Posted October 17, 2016 #25 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I got a massage special on my last cruise and the treatment was excellent! They had masseuses giving free "taster" massages in front of the Oceanview Cafe. I tried a couple over a few days and one woman's style was just what I liked. You could probably get several if you wait for a sale! 😄. Massage Therapist if you please:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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