HandC4Me Posted June 23, 2022 #1 Share Posted June 23, 2022 In the past, we've used onboard credit for the usual things like NCL excursions, shopping, "extra" drinks or dining, photos, etc. What are some other options? It's been awhile since our last cruise; I'm trying to think of some fun things to do with our OBC. It can't be used in the casino or for Bingo games, right? Or am I wrong about that? Please weigh in with your favorite OBC purchases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlGoodShips Posted June 23, 2022 #2 Share Posted June 23, 2022 I buy items in the shops. Or, I have bought Starbucks gift cards. Last cruise, I bought $100 Starbucks to use as gifts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastalbreezes Posted June 23, 2022 #3 Share Posted June 23, 2022 I use some of mine to upgrade to unlimited internet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted June 23, 2022 #4 Share Posted June 23, 2022 7 hours ago, HandC4Me said: In the past, we've used onboard credit for the usual things like NCL excursions, shopping, "extra" drinks or dining, photos, etc. What are some other options? It's been awhile since our last cruise; I'm trying to think of some fun things to do with our OBC. It can't be used in the casino or for Bingo games, right? Or am I wrong about that? Please weigh in with your favorite OBC purchases. We have used OBC to play Bingo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted June 23, 2022 #5 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Buy things in gift shops we would not normally buy like perfumes. Pricing not the best though, can get cheaper at home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langham1865 Posted June 23, 2022 #6 Share Posted June 23, 2022 I would say: 1) Specialty dining 2)Spa treatments... massages for me 3)Gift shop items (I collect ship fridge magnets) 4) for fee games, mostly bingo and Deal or no Deal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matterdog919 Posted June 23, 2022 #7 Share Posted June 23, 2022 We have ~$800 of OBC on our upcoming cruise - and no idea how to spend it all on a 7 day cruise with no sea-days. We have however, pre-booked and paid for some excursions on a CC. Curious if anyone has gone to Guest services and cancelled the excursion while on board - and then immediately had them re-book it using OBC? I assume the pricing is the same? are you allowed to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrumpyNor Posted June 23, 2022 #8 Share Posted June 23, 2022 1) Upgrade wine by the glass included in my drink package to more exclusive glasses of wine that I would normally not purchase - the OBC then goes to pay the price difference.... 2) Speciality dining 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrumpyNor Posted June 23, 2022 #9 Share Posted June 23, 2022 (edited) 13 minutes ago, matterdog919 said: We have ~$800 of OBC on our upcoming cruise - and no idea how to spend it all on a 7 day cruise with no sea-days. We have however, pre-booked and paid for some excursions on a CC. Curious if anyone has gone to Guest services and cancelled the excursion while on board - and then immediately had them re-book it using OBC? I assume the pricing is the same? are you allowed to do this? Yes, but after the cruise has started the reimbursement would be added to your OBC, so you would then have even more OBC to spend... Only if you cancel before the cruise starts, will the reimbursement go back to your original form of payment. Depending on what kind of OBC you have (refundable/non-refundable, from the cruise line, from your travel agent, as compensation for something, etc.), it may be possible to call NCL and ask for the shore excursions to be paid with your OBC. Edited June 23, 2022 by TrumpyNor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise-mom Posted June 23, 2022 #10 Share Posted June 23, 2022 We have some OBC that I just plan on buying some gifts and using it in the casino/bingo etc. If I can ask; the OBC is in my name, can anyone in the room use the credit? Or is it only anything that gets charged to my card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted June 23, 2022 #11 Share Posted June 23, 2022 The daily gratuities charges. One more reason NOT to prepay them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrown84 Posted June 24, 2022 #12 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Cigars and Macallan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelheather Posted June 24, 2022 #13 Share Posted June 24, 2022 I always used my OBC for justification for buying a collection of ship models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNcruisingcouple Posted June 24, 2022 #14 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Premium Plus beverage package (champagne and Scotch) and additional specialty dining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted June 25, 2022 #15 Share Posted June 25, 2022 Hot stone massage at the spa and a spa one day pass on a port day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanishguy1970 Posted June 25, 2022 #16 Share Posted June 25, 2022 We don't take the drinking package so drinks and maybe some excursions, if available The spa pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanishguy1970 Posted June 25, 2022 #17 Share Posted June 25, 2022 On 6/23/2022 at 1:05 PM, ChiefMateJRK said: The daily gratuities charges. One more reason NOT to prepay them. really? since when? They canceled that a while ago. Last cruise we took we couldn't use our onboard credit to pay for daily gratuity charge, we could use it on anything but that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnsteelman Posted June 25, 2022 #18 Share Posted June 25, 2022 10 minutes ago, spanishguy1970 said: really? since when? They canceled that a while ago. Last cruise we took we couldn't use our onboard credit to pay for daily gratuity charge, we could use it on anything but that. Non-refundable OBC cannot cover DSC. Refundable OBC can. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnsteelman Posted June 25, 2022 #19 Share Posted June 25, 2022 While I find the app is great for regular tracking of my shipboard account, I'm not always the best at "mathing" - especially when there is both non-refundable OBC and refundable OBC on the account. On my recent Joy sailing, I woke up debark morning realizing I was forfeiting ~$85 in non refundable OBC. There's not much open on the last morning BUT Starbucks was so I bought a latte and gift card for the exact amount and then walked over to the OBC desk before it got lined up to ensure they processed the transaction properly before they closed the system. That's going to be my plan from now on for any residual non-refundable OBC. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanishguy1970 Posted June 25, 2022 #20 Share Posted June 25, 2022 47 minutes ago, cdnsteelman said: Non-refundable OBC cannot cover DSC. Refundable OBC can. thank you we didn't know that. Now we know 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrislc Posted June 25, 2022 #21 Share Posted June 25, 2022 On 6/23/2022 at 7:07 AM, TrumpyNor said: Yes, but after the cruise has started the reimbursement would be added to your OBC, so you would then have even more OBC to spend... This OBC would be refundable, however, whereas the OBC they already have is likely not refundable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted June 25, 2022 #22 Share Posted June 25, 2022 On 6/22/2022 at 10:54 PM, HandC4Me said: In the past, we've used onboard credit for the usual things like NCL excursions, shopping, "extra" drinks or dining, photos, etc. What are some other options? It's been awhile since our last cruise; I'm trying to think of some fun things to do with our OBC. It can't be used in the casino or for Bingo games, right? Or am I wrong about that? Please weigh in with your favorite OBC purchases. Ice Cream sundae at Cocos Lobster Thermador at Le Bistro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandC4Me Posted June 26, 2022 Author #23 Share Posted June 26, 2022 Thanks, all, for the great ideas! My kids really enjoy the Bingo and Deal or No Deal games, so we may put some towards that. Starbucks drinks/cards and gift items also great suggestions. Someone mentioned using OBC in the casino -- so, that is an option? For some reason, I was under the impression you couldn't use your OBC there but I don't know where/when I heard that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelingirl70 Posted June 26, 2022 #24 Share Posted June 26, 2022 We use ours for many things: Gratuities (DSC) Upgrade Beverage Package Upgrade Interent Package Extra Specialty Dining Bingo Paint at Sea Don't forget you can get your refundable OBC back in cash when you disembark. I didn't know this last cruise, but when I scanned by pass to get off the ship, they told me I had to go back and see the cashier. I had $84 left and they would not let me get off without cashing out first. Now I know better and will stop by the cashier before getting off the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamminlion Posted June 27, 2022 #25 Share Posted June 27, 2022 My TA gives us about 10% back in OBC. We do some Deal or No Deal and maybe something from one of the onboard shops. The rest we cash out. Last cruise in 2019, I was getting daily notices in the cabin to come to guest services. I was told "you need to spend more money on board". Yeah, no. Cash back please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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