How to Use OBC?

[hvsteve1]

This is our first time on Regent in several years. Now that most shore excursions are included, how would we use our pretty substantial OBC other than the SPA, shopping and paid excursions (if available)?

[DaveFr]

This is our first time on Regent in several years. Now that most shore excursions are included, how would we use our pretty substantial OBC other than the SPA, shopping and paid excursions (if available)?

You can purchase wine off the Reserve List and you can use OBC for bingo. You can also use OBC for laundry, pressing and dry cleaning. There are probably other uses I haven't thought of.

 

Hope this helps.

[Travelcat2]

You mentioned excursions but you can book Regent Choice excursions months in advance and pay for men. Then, once onboard, you use OBC's and will get your money back in cash -- not on your credit card.

 

Almost forgot the Connoisseur Wine Lunch. We use OBC's for the great wines matched with food when onboard.

Edited January 21, 2017 by Travelcat2

[Mudhen]

You can spend it in the shops, but beware of horrifying prices! We got to the end of our cruise and STILL had some to spend...."use it or lose it"! When I had checked with reception to see what our balance was, the evening before disembarking, they laughingly told me I had about 10$ left. The young gal there, giggled and said I could buy chocolate with it. The last thing in the world I needed at that point was chocolate, but I marched into the boutique, bought a box of Ferro Rocher and then went back to reception and gave it the gals there. They were absolutely "gob smacked"! They said that no one had ever given them anything. I could'nt have spent that remaining obc, better!!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I agree about "Choice" excursions--we just did it and have advised others onboard with us to do it. Your OBC magically turns into cash, refundable at Reception.

[mrlevin]

There is still a way to turn it into cash. If you use Medical Services and get reimbursed by either your own health insurance or travel insurance; you have effectively turned shipboard credits into cash.

 

Marc

[purpleally]

I was going to say you can use OBC for medical services. We were wondering how on earth we were going to spend. Absolutely nothing in the shops for us, didn't want to go to the spa, no good paid excursions, really.

BAM! I got sick and it was all gone (and four times over). Nothing to worry about now

 

However, said do not advise using it for medical. You truly do not want to be ill while cruising

[irishwitchy]

TravelCat, you just give me a laugh - I love the "paying for men" comment with the OBC!

[Suite Travels]

You can spend it in the shops, but beware of horrifying prices! We got to the end of our cruise and STILL had some to spend...."use it or lose it"! When I had checked with reception to see what our balance was, the evening before disembarking, they laughingly told me I had about 10$ left. The young gal there, giggled and said I could buy chocolate with it. The last thing in the world I needed at that point was chocolate, but I marched into the boutique, bought a box of Ferro Rocher and then went back to reception and gave it the gals there. They were absolutely "gob smacked"! They said that no one had ever given them anything. I could'nt have spent that remaining obc, better!!!

 

That is a wonderful thing you did IMHO.

[Travelcat2]

TravelCat, you just give me a laugh - I love the "paying for men" comment with the OBC!

 

That must be my best typo to date:D

 

Mudhen - agree that it was a very nice thing to do. I once bought earrings from the Boutique and gave them to two amazing women at Reception. IMO, they don't receive credit for what they do.

 

We had $200 left so I bought a wallet (not even leather) but, for some reason, I can't leave without spending every penny;)

[captjohn]

You can "launder" your OBC in the casino. Just buy some chips and turn them back in for cash.

[flossie009]

I didn't think that you could use OBC in the Casino :confused:

 

Ladies perfume/Men's cologne is a good way to use OBC; either for yourself or to take home as presents. There is a reasonable range on-board

[flossie009]

There is still a way to turn it into cash. If you use Medical Services and get reimbursed by either your own health insurance or travel insurance; you have effectively turned shipboard credits into cash.

 

Marc

 

I hope I never have the opportunity to use this methodology :eek:

[flossie009]

You can spend it in the shops, but beware of horrifying prices! We got to the end of our cruise and STILL had some to spend...."use it or lose it"! When I had checked with reception to see what our balance was, the evening before disembarking, they laughingly told me I had about 10$ left. The young gal there, giggled and said I could buy chocolate with it. The last thing in the world I needed at that point was chocolate, but I marched into the boutique, bought a box of Ferro Rocher and then went back to reception and gave it the gals there. They were absolutely "gob smacked"! They said that no one had ever given them anything. I could'nt have spent that remaining obc, better!!!

 

What a very thoughtful and kind action on your part :)

[Travelcat2]

The OP said " other than the SPA, shopping and paid excursions". Shopping is our last resort for spending OBC's - after purchasing spa treatments and attending the wine lunch.

[Chilicatx]

I suppose you could use it at Harvest Caye since it's not part of Regent's "all inclusive" inclusions.

Treats for the staff are an awesome idea! I save up my turndown chocolates for the dancers. They love them.

[jeb_bud]

This is our first time on Regent in several years. Now that most shore excursions are included, how would we use our pretty substantial OBC other than the SPA, shopping and paid excursions (if available)?

 

 

I'm planning to use mine to sample top-shelf liquor so I can decide if it's worth buying a bottle at home.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Portolan]

OBCs provided, for example, by your travel agent may be directly convertible for cash. You'll have to ask about whether or not it is. Ultimately it depends on whether Regent received full compensation from an outside source for the OBC. We have done this several times because we know the OBC from our TA were cash purchases. Should also apply to any purchased by a friend/relative as an on-board gift to you.

 

It does not apply to Regent provided OBCs since no money changed hands.

[mjobtx]

OBC from my TA is refundable whereas OBC from Regent is not.

[wishIweretravelling]

Can it be used to contribute to the crew welfare fund? Or (and, please, I'm not trying to reopen the tipping controversy here), given as a tip to crew members? That's what I did with leftover OBCs on Crystal last year.

[johno1234]

This is our first time on Regent in several years. Now that most shore excursions are included, how would we use our pretty substantial OBC other than the SPA, shopping and paid excursions (if available)?

 

Do they have specialty dining you can spend it on or is it already all inclusive??

[Travelcat2]

I didn't think that you could use OBC in the Casino :confused:

 

Ladies perfume/Men's cologne is a good way to use OBC; either for yourself or to take home as presents. There is a reasonable range on-board

 

Perfume or men's cologne may still be popular in the U.K., but many people are allergic to these products and quite a few people (including myself) no longer wear fragrances out of courtesy to these people. However, there are some nice jewelry gifts in the Boutique and occasionally some lovely items from ports that the ship has visited.

 

Yes - I know that the "PT" (formerly known as OP does not want to hear about things in the Boutique but it is a good last resort place to spend the money. I recently purchased a $200 wallet - didn't need it but would rather buy it than waste the OBC's. I use it like "Monopoly money". I have a DKNY watch collection that I wear onboard and a few handbags that were outrageously priced - ones that I would not normally purchase but worked in terms of using OBC's.

[NCCruzQueen]

Can it be used to contribute to the crew welfare fund? Or (and' date=' please, I'm not trying to reopen the tipping controversy here), given as a tip to crew members? That's what I did with leftover OBCs on Crystal last year.[/quote']

 

Excellent idea. The Crew Welfare Fund is a wonderful, meaningful way to help out the crew (to help a crew member return home for a family emergency or provide parties and social events for the entire crew) and use up those remaining few OBCs. I highly recommend this.

[Travelcat2]

Excellent idea. The Crew Welfare Fund is a wonderful, meaningful way to help out the crew (to help a crew member return home for a family emergency or provide parties and social events for the entire crew) and use up those remaining few OBCs. I highly recommend this.

 

The last that I heard/read, OBC's cannot be used for the Crew Welfare Fund (unfortunately). I certainly recommend contributing to the Fund - even though it likely will not be with OBC's.

[DaveFr]

OBC's definitely cannot be used for the Crew Welfare Fund. What you can do is get cash from the Purser to use for the Fund. The cash amount goes on your account but does not reduce your OBC. There is no fee for this cash even if you've maxed out your no-fee $400 per person cash advance which also does not reduce your OBC. The benefit is that you'll get either cash back or miles for the amount you donate to the Crew Welfare Fund if you have certain credit cards.