Very large OBC - options?

[zekekelso]

1 hour ago, AustinCruise said:

Liberty. Thanksgiving week?

Sadly no. So I highly recommend you do something fun and wonderful for you and your family, and ignore all the pathetic freeloaders asking for drinks 🙂 

 

In all seriousness, happy cruising. 

Edited September 10, 2021 by zekekelso

[cruiselvr04]

Wow that is a lot.  We have over $500.  Tips, a couple of speciality restaurants and a spa treatment will use that up. We have already used part of it thru the cruise planner.  
 

You can use OBC to pre purchase excursions,  etc.  Do cancel anything including tips that you have pre paid.  Then rebook with OBC.   Pay tips from OBC on board.  I’ve never tried the casino pay out but I sure would try with that amount.  Otherwise you might be buying the DW an early Christmas present in the shops on board.

There have been some huge price drops after final because the ships aren’t selling.  I’m just thankful they are giving OBC right now because usually you’re just out of luck. 

 

[John&LaLa]

3 hours ago, AustinCruise said:

I think an OBC from repricing can be used to upgrade our room. But there are no GS or better available.  That leaves upgrading the kids and they aren’t allowing that. 
 

with the diamond drinks I don’t really need drink packages. Kids like the main dining, so dining is out.

 

we always buy junk, but never more than $100 or so. 
 

 

 

Masages are nice

[AustinCruise]

Yup. The bright side is we get a large obc. We are paying for the trip what we were willing to pay at the time.  Glad We found it and the TA was able to get the credit!

 

just got off independence. Really enjoyed the lower passenger count. 

 

 

 

 

[Biker19]

Biker, who wonders what the level of howling will be a year from now when OBC for price drops after final will be a distant memory.

Edited September 10, 2021 by Biker19

[bobmacliberty]

I'd actually like to gamble with my OBC rather than just cash out, but I like the tables not the machines.  I'm assuming that I can buy chips from my room account at a table similar to buying credit in a machine.  Can anyone confirm this? 

Edited September 10, 2021 by bobmacliberty

[ATG]

One idea nobody mentioned - leave some extra tips for your room steward, etc.  One cruise I had about $35 left, I ordered a drink from our favorite bar waiter and used it for tip.  He appreciated it.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

14 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

My LOTS Thanksgiving cruise dropped after final payment.

 

15 hours ago, AustinCruise said:

Thanksgiving in a JS dropped well below what we have paid in previous years.

 

and our HOTS Thanksgiving cruise prices remain high as a kite. Way more than what we paid. Of course, our was a L&S from a previous Thanksgiving, but still - way more.

[hotwheels920]

I had a $1700 OBC, so I canceled my drink packages, excursions, etc and had that refunded to my credit card.  Then used the OBC to repurchase everything.  🙂

[Biker19]

13 minutes ago, hotwheels920 said:

Then used the OBC to repurchase everything.

And RCI appreciated you paying them more for the same thing.

[EatonDoolittle]

Here's a list someone put together over on the Celebrity board. Not exact, I know - like no Apple products available on RC -  but maybe you can get a few more ideas. It's about half way down the first page.  

 

 

[hotwheels920]

19 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

And RCI appreciated you paying them more for the same thing.

nope, it was all cheaper because I don't play to cancel/repurchase mind games.

[Biker19]

25 minutes ago, hotwheels920 said:

nope, it was all cheaper because I don't play to cancel/repurchase mind games.

If your drink package was cheaper on board you got lucky since that is rare (even if you don't get it on sale in the planner).

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

I'd actually like to gamble with my OBC rather than just cash out, but I like the tables not the machines.  I'm assuming that I can buy chips from my room account at a table similar to buying credit in a machine.  Can anyone confirm this?

Go to casino cage, they should be able to give the chips..."promo chips"...you will be paid off in real chips that you can cash in....this is the way it worked for me recently (Aug) on Celebrity...

[AustinCruise]

51 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

If your drink package was cheaper on board you got lucky since that is rare (even if you don't get it on sale in the planner).

The credit shows up in the trip planner, so I can cancel and repurchase and still get discounts. I did have a killer deal on the deluxe drink package, so even at 30% off now it is showing a bit more. 

[hotwheels920]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

If your drink package was cheaper on board you got lucky since that is rare (even if you don't get it on sale in the planner).

oh, I see, I did all of that before I was onboard.  

and when are the packages/excursions in the planner not on "sale"?  haha.

[Tree_skier]

2 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

I'd actually like to gamble with my OBC rather than just cash out, but I like the tables not the machines.  I'm assuming that I can buy chips from my room account at a table similar to buying credit in a machine.  Can anyone confirm this? 

I am now a casino person. Every time in the past I would go to the casino and play the slots,  I would lose some money and then get bored.  This time, because of the  reduced capacities ,I was able so sit down at a table game alone and not feel intimidated by my inexperience and got a chance to learn. I have discovered I love playing blackjack.  I played for hours at a time.  I had a hoot. I actually came out a few bucks ahead even!

[bobmacliberty]

14 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

I am now a casino person. Every time in the past I would go to the casino and play the slots,  I would lose some money and then get bored.  This time, because of the  reduced capacities ,I was able so sit down at a table game alone and not feel intimidated by my inexperience and got a chance to learn. I have discovered I love playing blackjack.  I played for hours at a time.  I had a hoot. I actually came out a few bucks ahead even!

 

I'll often start with blackjack and hopefully make a few bucks.  I'll then take my winnings to a craps table and either quickly double it or quickly lost it back.  

[Tree_skier]

27 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

I'll often start with blackjack and hopefully make a few bucks.  I'll then take my winnings to a craps table and either quickly double it or quickly lost it back.  

I didn't even watch craps so I'm not familiar with it.  I'll try watching next time to see if I can understand it.  I like blackjack because I could play for quite a bit and never feel like I was risking to much.  Obviously i'm not winning much either but it felt safer, which was important for me as a novice.  

[bobmacliberty]

28 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

I didn't even watch craps so I'm not familiar with it.  I'll try watching next time to see if I can understand it.  I like blackjack because I could play for quite a bit and never feel like I was risking to much.  Obviously i'm not winning much either but it felt safer, which was important for me as a novice.  

 

The basics of craps is not that hard once you learn the terminology and how to make bets.  There is a bit of a learning curve.  Check out Google/YouTube before watching at a real table or you may be lost.  For me, it's the most fun to play.  Lots of energy and excitement, but money can flow quickly (in both directions).  I do really enjoy blackjack though, especially when there are fun people at the table with you.  If you're working with a fixed bankroll for the night (which is a smart thing to do), and you're betting the basic strategy, your money can definitely last longer with blackjack.

[PTC DAWG]

31 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

The basics of craps is not that hard once you learn the terminology and how to make bets.  There is a bit of a learning curve.  Check out Google/YouTube before watching at a real table or you may be lost.  For me, it's the most fun to play.  Lots of energy and excitement, but money can flow quickly (in both directions).  I do really enjoy blackjack though, especially when there are fun people at the table with you.  If you're working with a fixed bankroll for the night (which is a smart thing to do), and you're betting the basic strategy, your money can definitely last longer with blackjack.

Re craps..good advice, maybe even download a free game for your laptop/tablet.

 

That said, pass line bet on come out, pretty safe bet, if point is established, back up with double odds...that's the best way for a beginner to learn....

 

Worst way to make an enemy at the craps table is to come up during a hot roll asking all kinds of questions.   Don't be that guy.  

[pcur]

If you use the obc to upgrade the kids' cabin, book an adult with them.  If that leaves a solo in one of the cabins, then find a relative to book with the kids. 

 

Book specialty dinner(s)

 

Book a great shore excursion for everybody

 

Cash out the remainder in the casino

 

I think that booking a triple in a JS might just wipe out most of the obc, however, and you will have a relative that is your kid shuttle driver until they are 18.................................

Edited September 10, 2021 by pcur

[bobmacliberty]

7 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Re craps..good advice, maybe even download a free game for your laptop/tablet.

 

That said, pass line bet on come out, pretty safe bet, if point is established, back up with double odds...that's the best way for a beginner to learn....

 

Worst way to make an enemy at the craps table is to come up during a hot roll asking all kinds of questions.   Don't be that guy.  

 

At the risk of turning this into a craps thread rather than an OBC thread...

 

I'd extend the pass line and double odds bet a step further (when comfortable) by adding place bets on the 6 and 8 after the point is established (unless one is already the point).  House advantage is still small and you have more numbers in play, which means more chances to win.  The downside is that you can put $5+$10 on the pass line with odds, then $6 each on the 6 and 8, for a total of $27 in play, only to see a 7 wipe it all away instantly.  Craps is all about getting that long roll while raking in continual wins. 

[PigsCanFly]

I have been able to charge chips bought at a table to me room with no extra fees. (tier based) But with $3000 OBC, I would have to start owing by day 4😆