Spending your OBC ?

[SAKay]

For the first time ever, on our next cruise we will have a large OBC.  Besides excursions and specialty dining, what else do you spend it on?  

We also have Princess Plus for this cruise, so don't need to pay for drinks. Can you spend it in the shops ?   Thanks !! 

[Doug R.]

Just now, SAKay said:

For the first time ever, on our next cruise we will have a large OBC.  Besides excursions and specialty dining, what else do you spend it on?  

We also have Princess Plus for this cruise, so don't need to pay for drinks. Can you spend it in the shops ?   Thanks !! 

Trust me it can be spent in the shops. Just ask my wife!

[cruzsnooze]

It can be spent in the Casino too and the Spa

[Cruise Raider]

We spent ours on photos, the up charge for really nice wines at Vines, the casino, bingo, extra tips and at the spa.  

[TinaLee]

My husband's Citizen Echo drive watch just died, so I think that's where ours will be going. Specialty dining and a new watch for him. LOL! But casino, specialty dining, spa, shops, excursions are all good places to spend that OBC. 🙂 

[dchip]

We are going to book the Crown Grille and Share for 6 out of 7 nights on our coastal cruise. The seventh  night we are in San Diego until 10pm. We will meet friends for dinner. 
Cheer, Denise 

Edited August 27, 2021 by dchip

[SAKay]

Thanks everyone !  All good ideas I didn't know you could spend it on !

[neverbeenhere]

Purchase a round for your fellow passengers!!!!

[ontheweb]

If your tips are not included, that will take a chunk out of it.

[Dar & Bob]

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

If your tips are not included, that will take a chunk out of it.

Princess Plus includes "Crew Incentive"

[Steelers36]

I have a Cruise Critic friend who often says his OBC is spent by his SO before he gets to his cabin.  😄

[JF - retired RRT]

4 hours ago, SAKay said:

For the first time ever, on our next cruise we will have a large OBC.  Besides excursions and specialty dining, what else do you spend it on?  

We also have Princess Plus for this cruise, so don't need to pay for drinks. Can you spend it in the shops ?   Thanks !! 

Any "money" that you spend on board goes against your OBC. If you didn't have the "plus" plan, you'd need to calculate how much the "crew incentive" would be and save that, then spend the rest.

If you aren't aware...non-refundable OBC is spent first, once you get it down to the refundable OBC, you can stop spending (if you want to). Got to Pax Services the day before you get off the ship and ask to cash out. If it's less than $25, they'll give you cash. If it's more than $25, you'll receive a check in the mail in 2-6 weeks. Check your junk mail carefully until you get your refund. The envelope it comes in has confused some who thought it was junk and tossed it. (They've changed the envelope, so it's easier to recognize, but just be vigilant).

[nini]

Ship Tour (if available), the Sanctuary, Winemaker's Dinner, Ultimate Balcony Dinner, Tuscan Dinner (when available), massage.

[GUT2407]

Mrs G never has trouble getting through it for us. Make up, gifts, handbags. I once bought a watch.

 

But specialty restaurant rates a once in 7-10 day visit, drinks package, specialty coffee, ship tour, balcony breakfast, 

[jdacombe]

This may sound a bit on the obvious side, but not quite sure 

If I pre book something (eg; Crown Grill) through the Medallion does this count against my OBC or does the OBC commence when I'm actually on board the ship

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

32 minutes ago, jdacombe said:

This may sound a bit on the obvious side, but not quite sure 

If I pre book something (eg; Crown Grill) through the Medallion does this count against my OBC or does the OBC commence when I'm actually on board the ship

If you book before the cruise then you will be charged actually money on your registered credit/debit card. If you book on board it comes out of OBC.

 

[paul929207]

Only shore excursions can be charged to OBC BEFORE boarding.

[ontheweb]

18 minutes ago, paul929207 said:

Only shore excursions can be charged to OBC BEFORE boarding.

Correct, nothing else.

[skynight]

To clarify, once on board you don't specifically spend OBC. OBC shows as a credit balance in your onboard accounts. All onboard spending nets against any credit balance(s). If two accounts are linked all spending in those accounts nets to a single summary account.

One way is to visit the casino. At the slots charge play to your account. Play some, you have to play. Then cash out. You may be ahead or behind. You can do the same at the tables. Just ask the dealer to charge the chips to your account. Play some, then leave. You may be ahead or behind.

If you enjoy the spa go there. Spa offerings are expensive, use up OBC quickly.

In the dining area, Chef's Table, Wine Maker's Dinner (Royal Class ships), balcony dining if offered.

Some wines are more than $12/glass menu priced. You will be charged the difference + the 18%.

In the whiskey area some single malt whiskeys which are over $12. 

Edited August 28, 2021 by skynight

[Roatanfans]

Three years ago we were on the holiday Grand Asia cruise and Christmas day, while our kids were in standing in line for Santa pictures, we discovered that our camera was no longer working.  We had a lot of OBC so my husband got a new camera for Christmas!  (He had been looking at a Leica in the photo shop, this was his perfect excuse to get it, and we still got pictures of the kids with Santa!)

[pris993]

Sometimes you can get cash back if you have a balance; if not another option if you do not have anything else to spend it on is to up the auto tip amount to crew.  You can check at the customer service desk if you can get back any balance not spent and you can have them  up tips if that is wht you want to do. 

[skynight]

1 minute ago, pris993 said:

Sometimes you can get cash back if you have a balance; if not another option if you do not have anything else to spend it on is to up the auto tip amount to crew.  You can check at the customer service desk if you can get back any balance not spent and you can have them  up tips if that is what you want to do. 

You can only get cash back if you have refundable OBC. Believe $25 is the limit on board. Higher amounts are sent by check. Non-refundable OBC is use it or lose it. 

[JF - retired RRT]

1 hour ago, skynight said:

You can only get cash back if you have refundable OBC. Believe $25 is the limit on board. Higher amounts are sent by check. Non-refundable OBC is use it or lose it. 

Yup. I keep a close eye on the refundable/non-refundable balance. We usually have a LOT of OBC. Almost always have some refundable left at the end.

[Thrak]

Fortunately, Princess seems to use the non-refundable OBC first.

[Lucky TGO]

On 8/27/2021 at 12:31 PM, SAKay said:

For the first time ever, on our next cruise we will have a large OBC.  Besides excursions and specialty dining, what else do you spend it on?  

We also have Princess Plus for this cruise, so don't need to pay for drinks. Can you spend it in the shops ?   Thanks !! 

This is easy take my wife. All my OBC is gone while I’m filling out the health forms at the Pier. 😳

My friend said what took her so long. 😁

The Captain of The Rowboat,

Tony