What to do with OBC

[jonyboy]

First cruise for DW and I, Alaska for a week starting July 1. We each get $150 OBC. I know we can use that to upgrade dining but what else? I've been looking at the thread regarding beverage packages and don't think those are for us. Can we use OBC as we order drinks? I'm just not sure where we will use it

[Friend100]

Wifi onboard if you want to stay connected somehow.

[FlorenceItaly]

Yes, your OBC can be used towards your drinks. It can also be used for gratuities.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Yes, you can use OBC for drinks. Anything you charge on board will be deducted from your obc--specialty coffees, bar drinks, gift shop purchases, spa treatments, tours (only onboard, not booked in advance). I think money to play in the casino may not be charged to OBC.

 

After you use up your OBC, charges go onto your account which will be settled by the credit card you put on file. Even if you think you won't spend more than the OBC, you will have to register a credit card.

[jonyboy]

Thanks for the helpful info to all of you

[Alberta Quilter]

OBC can also be used for laundry, bingo, wine packages. The hotel service charge will also draw it down (that can be significant depending on the length of the cruise).

[jonyboy]

OBC can also be used for laundry, bingo, wine packages. The hotel service charge will also draw it down (that can be significant depending on the length of the cruise).

 

 

Hotel service charge?

[Alberta Quilter]

Hotel service charge?

 

It's the daily gratuity. I believe it's $13.50 pp for most staterooms and $15.00 pp for suites. See more info here: https://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard%20Life&contentMenu=Money%20Matters&contentSubMenu=Is%20There%20A%20Hotel%20Service%20Charge%20(Gratuity%2FTip)%3F

[jonyboy]

It's the daily gratuity. I believe it's $13.50 pp for most staterooms and $15.00 pp for suites. See more info here: https://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard%20Life&contentMenu=Money%20Matters&contentSubMenu=Is%20There%20A%20Hotel%20Service%20Charge%20(Gratuity%2FTip)%3F

 

Okay, the word Hotel threw me

[DaveOKC]

First cruise for DW and I, Alaska for a week starting July 1. We each get $150 OBC. I know we can use that to upgrade dining but what else? I've been looking at the thread regarding beverage packages and don't think those are for us. Can we use OBC as we order drinks? I'm just not sure where we will use it

 

You will likely use it up quickly. The daily service charge will eat up $93.50 per person for a week in a non-suite cabin ($105 if in a suite). Any drinks you order go directly to your onboard account and are used against your $150 credit. Same for gift shop purchases, specialty dining and shore excursions.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The service charge for non-suite guests is $13.50 a day per person. $13.50 x 2 = $27 x 7 days = $189 for the Hotel Service Charge.

That eats up a little over half of your $300 shipboard credit.

You can use the rest to buy drinks, specialty restaurants (once on board), anything in the shops, shore excursions. It goes pretty quickly.