On Board Credit question

[tennboy1981]

I am a pretty avid cruiser. I have been on quite a few cruises, but this is my first time dealing with on-board credit. I have a 250 dollar on board credit on my upcoming cruise here in 10 days (WOO HOO).  Can I use it to pay for my gratuities?  I have used giftcards in the past to pay for pretty much everything, but I can't really find an answer if I could use my on-board credit to pay for the gratuities.  Also, it seems you can also use it in the casino?  If this is the case and gratuities are NOT allowed, what is to stop me from downloading money from my on board credit to the slot machine, playing a bit,cashing out, and putting "cash" on my account?  That clearly should be able to then be used towards gratuities? Thanks for your help. 🙂

Edited July 31, 2019 by tennboy1981

[ontheweb]

You can use it for gratuities.

[naxer]

With this topic, you may find people here on CC with different opinions and experiences.  In my experience, I have made a point to note that OBC did pay the gratuities.  

Edited July 31, 2019 by naxer
clarity

[pianoplayerla]

We have never had a problem using OBC to pay for gratuities. 

Enjoy your cruise and your "credit"!!! 😎

[coevan]

You really don't pick what to use it for. You get the $250 and as you charge things the OBC reduces. If gratuities is all you are charging, the OBC would go there.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

It just reduces your total bill by the amount of your OBC.

[klfrodo]

You don't get to pick and choose how you OBC is used.

 

You get on the ship and your account has a credit of $250

As you buy things, the account credit reduces. Buy a drink, you credit is reduced, buy and excursion, your account is reduced,,,etc

If by the time gratuities hits your account, the credit reduces until it's at $0 then your account starts accruing charges

[Banditswife]

Gratuities yes, & you can also use it in the casino.  We've done this to get cash for port days.

[Sean_B]

12 hours ago, tennboy1981 said:

I am a pretty avid cruiser. I have been on quite a few cruises, but this is my first time dealing with on-board credit. I have a 250 dollar on board credit on my upcoming cruise here in 10 days (WOO HOO).  Can I use it to pay for my gratuities?  I have used giftcards in the past to pay for pretty much everything, but I can't really find an answer if I could use my on-board credit to pay for the gratuities.  Also, it seems you can also use it in the casino?  If this is the case and gratuities are NOT allowed, what is to stop me from downloading money from my on board credit to the slot machine, playing a bit,cashing out, and putting "cash" on my account?  That clearly should be able to then be used towards gratuities? Thanks for your help. 🙂

 

Others are going to say yes, but my Carnival PVP says no.

 

Edited July 31, 2019 by Sean_B

[2wheelin]

10 minutes ago, Sean_B said:

 

Others are going to say yes, but my Carnival PVP says no.

 

You need a new PVP. And—a double negative makes a positive meaning yes, it can be used. It can’t be used to pre pay them

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I would say absolutely yes.

 

From carnival’s website regarding cruise cash:

Cruise Cash provides an immediate credit to a guest's Sail & Sign account.  This credit is good for any charge made to their account including taxes and gratuity charges.  Cruise Cash is valid for a single voyage and cannot be transferred to future bookings.  Cruise Cash is non-refundable and any unused credits will be forfeited.

 

also:

 Onboard Credit is provided as a non-refundable and non-transferable credit to your Sail & Sign account up to $25 per room for 2-5 day sailings and up to $50 per room for 6+ day sailings, and may not be applied to cruise fare or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses.

 

 

[Lottacruises]

3 hours ago, Sean_B said:

 

Others are going to say yes, but my Carnival PVP says no.

 

 

3 hours ago, Sean_B said:

 

Others are going to say yes, but my Carnival PVP says no.

 

 

Greg, unfortunately your contact is wrong. Regards, us.

[ontheweb]

9 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

 

 

Greg, unfortunately your contact is wrong. Regards, us.

It's amazing how much wrong answers you can get from the representatives of the cruise lines.

 

Unfortunately, there is also often incorrect information posted on these boards.

[tennboy1981]

Hmm..this is why I wanted to ask because I searched online and got different answers. Generally seems like the answer is yes but seems like an easy loophole is to just download credits from the casino to the slot machine and play a little bit, then just cash out.  I could just take the cash down to guest services and put "cash" on my account.  Since I placed "cash" on my account, the gratuities should come off the cash, right?  🤷‍♀️ I am not too worried about it.  I will figure it out either way. Thanks all for the answers!

Edited August 1, 2019 by tennboy1981

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

What can OBC be used for? I really do not understand that question. OBC is On Board Credit. I think it self explanatory. Anything that is charged to your on board account first is subtracted from the OBC. Simple. No matter what your charge is for. Shore excursions, gratuities, drinks, store purchases, bingo, slot tournaments and alike. We do slots and just charge it to our account. It is a charge that comes off of the OBC. No more OBC? It is then charged to your charge card. 

[BrezQ]

as mentioned earlier, it get's applied to your account, if you don't spend much, it will probably cover gratuities. You can NOT specifically apply it toward your gratuities, but if your bill at the end is small, it WILL cover them! Have a BLAST!! 93 days for us!! WOOT WOOT!