How do you spend your OBC when in a suite with perks?

[Alsmez]

We are going to be in a Sky Suite on Summit for the first time this May, sailing with all four perks included. We have $600 OBC after the perks and bonus from our TA, with NO idea how to spend it. Normally we use OBC to upgrade our beverage package or pay gratuities, but all of that is done. Other than excursions (overpriced) or shopping on board (also overpriced), what are some fun ways to use this up?

[Oville]

The TA OBC might be refundable, the Celebrity piece we use for speciality restaurants.  Last cruise it bought me a very nice Coach tote.

[wrk2cruise]

We generally take what our TA give us as refundable as a refund to our card (don't spend it) to offset other trip expenses like hotel/uber.  Celebrity non-refundable OBC generally goes to the casino, any profits go to extra tips.

[jelayne]

Specialty restaurants, excursions, casino, the spa, fitness classes, wine tasting seminars, gifts. I agree the shopping is overpriced but since the ships OBC in non refundable if I don't use it I lose it.

Edited March 5, 2019 by jelayne

[Alsmez]

I will have to check and see what portion is refundable - I assume the TA portion only. We do normally eat in specialty restaurants but since we are in Luminae this time around (and there is no Murano on Summit), I doubt we'll bother.

[angelhelly]

Last cruise, we used our extra OBC for lunch on port days and my husband got an ipad on our last cruise. He wanted one, and it was pretty much the same price as on land (and no taxes to pay). 

Edited March 5, 2019 by angelhelly

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We use it for additional tips to our butler and cabin attendant. Often splurge on a good bottle of wine even with the beverage package. Spa.

[Alsmez]

3 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

We use it for additional tips to our butler and cabin attendant. Often splurge on a good bottle of wine even with the beverage package. Spa.

 

Good call on the additional tips - I usually bring cash for that, but using OBC would be perfect. 

[verizon]

54 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

We generally take what our TA give us as refundable as a refund to our card (don't spend it) to offset other trip expenses like hotel/uber.  Celebrity non-refundable OBC generally goes to the casino, any profits go to extra tips.

Ditto.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I think you can also use it for dining staff but you cannot specify who you want it to go to.

[Tillylovesseabourn]

Generally go in the shop and purchase Christmas and birthday gifts for people if i run out of things to spend on.

[hiccups]

We haven't yet sailed on Celebrity so I don't know if this applies, but on other cruise lines we've used nonrefundable OBC for cruise line transportation to the airport after the cruise.  It wasn't as overpriced as the shore excursions were.

Edited March 5, 2019 by hiccups

[Mark_K]

1 hour ago, Alsmez said:

We are going to be in a Sky Suite on Summit for the first time this May, sailing with all four perks included. We have $600 OBC after the perks and bonus from our TA, with NO idea how to spend it. Normally we use OBC to upgrade our beverage package or pay gratuities, but all of that is done. Other than excursions (overpriced) or shopping on board (also overpriced), what are some fun ways to use this up?

  I don’t think shore excursions or shopping can be overpriced if you use OBC you’re just trying to use up to get them.

[Nymich]

1 hour ago, Alsmez said:

We are going to be in a Sky Suite on Summit for the first time this May, sailing with all four perks included. We have $600 OBC after the perks and bonus from our TA, with NO idea how to spend it. Normally we use OBC to upgrade our beverage package or pay gratuities, but all of that is done. Other than excursions (overpriced) or shopping on board (also overpriced), what are some fun ways to use this up?

You can get me a gift if you want.

[Alsmez]

7 minutes ago, Mark_K said:

  I don’t think shore excursions or shopping can be overpriced if you use OBC you’re just trying to use up to get them.

 

If I couldn't think of ANY other way to spend it, I might burn it on the ship's excursions, but since they usually cost about double what they do if you book privately, I think I will exhaust my other options first. Maybe a gift for Nymich! 

[Alsmez]

12 minutes ago, hiccups said:

We haven't yet sailed on Celebrity so I don't know if this applies, but on other cruise lines we've used nonrefundable OBC for cruise line transportation to the airport after the cruise.  It wasn't as overpriced as the shore excursions were.

 

That's a good idea too. In this case we are driving to the port, but I will keep that in mind for future cruises.

[Christine Frances]

I bought an iPad Pro (early 2016) and just topped up the difference. Still using it:)

[chemmo]

Extra tips for butler and room attendant, an odd bottle or two to take home, sometimes an excursion (can be worthwhile especially when tendering)....Worse case scenario splash out on a bottle of the ludicrously overpriced fizz on board!

[George C]

Spending mine on casino chips , I have 300 so I will get 330 in chips .

[dodger1964]

Buy an iPad, or transfer credit to another room.

 

[hiccups]

I also once bought a bathrobe.  Expensive, but similarly priced to a good bathrobe elsewhere, so I didn't feel like I was getting ripped off  

[mfs2k]

Spa Treatments:  Couples Massage; Facial; Hair Blowouts;

Another Massage

Upgrade to Premium Beverage Package from Classic

A bottle of expensive Champagne in the dining room

Another massage

A piece of Art

Glass blowing class

Another massage

Porterhouse Steak add-on in Tuscan Grill

Set of commemorative Spa Towels to take home

Photos 

Another massage

 

Edited March 5, 2019 by mfs2k

[AQFan]

We try to use our OBC for additional tips for the hard working staff.  Also remember, there is the luggage valet program at $25 each depending upon where you are debarking and what airline and times you are flying.

 

[Redtravel]

I bought an ipad.  Go early in your cruise if you want to buy one. iPads sell quickly. Price is the same as at home minus sales tax. The ilounge crew helped me set up and transfer files using the ship’s WiFi.  They were fantastic.  Last year my spouse bought a Tissot watch. On another cruise, I bought a handbag.  There are many ways to spend oBC.  If you have a big chunk of OBC, check to see if any of it is refundable. Usually any OBC from my TA is refundable. Just go to guest services and get the cash during the cruise or wait and it will become a credit on your credit account. 

[cruisestitch]

Because this gets asked so often I've compiled a list of things to spend OBC on. The only thing I know of now that you CAN'T buy with OBC is a deposit on a Future Cruise. Otherwise, here you go:
 
 
Acupuncture
Airport transfers
Alcove Rental (some ships)
Apple products etc. and Ilounge classes
Art Auctions
Babysitting
Barber Shop services (Edge only)
Beverages -- Alcoholic, carbonated soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water
Bingo
Bottles of wine
Casino
Duty free liquor and cigarettes
Extra cost entrees and other items in Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants
Fitness classes
Flowers
Gelato
Gift shop
Gratuities, and extra gratuities
Guests dining with you in Luminae (applies to Suite Passengers only)
Guest entertainers' CD's and DVD's
Hair and nail salon
Hollywood hot glass experiences (some ships)
Internet
Laundry/pressing/drycleaning
Luggage Valet
Martini Flights
Medical Center
Mini bar
Shore Excursions
Pay-per-view movies
Photos & cameras
Room service up charge items, and late night delivery fee
Shore Excursions
Shuttle to town (some ports)
Spa -- massages and treatments
Specialty restaurants
Teeth Whitening
Telephone calls using ship's system
Transfer to another passenger's account
Voyage in Review DVD
Wine and liquor tastings
Zumba