$1000 non-refundable OBC: Anything useful to buy onboard? (male)

[fstuff1]

Male, traveling Solo, Going on a cruise on the Bliss.

 

I don't want to buy useless junk.

I've been to all the ports so no shore excursions.

Can't buy cruisenext certificates with non-refundable obc.

Don't need/want jewelry. (ie: Tanzanite marketing scam) 

don't need a watch. Haven't worn a watch in 20+ yrs because cell phone and fitbit.

 Have done the behind the scene's tour.

 

I could buy additional specialty dining package but that's less than $200.

 

In the past when i had around $100 obc left over, i just bought alcohol.

Not going to buy $1000 worth of alcohol since i dont drink that much.

 

A useful thing to me would be a high end Android cell phone that takes great pictures like the Samsung S22 Ultra.

Do NCL ships sell that?

 

Any other suggestions?

Thx

[IrieBajan54]

You may have to spend extra time on the slots. As an alternative, is there anyway you could chat up some of your fellow gamblers to do a trade? You could buy what chips they need and they would hand you the cash.

[PATRLR]

Massage/Spa?

Any need for high end binoculars?  I know on Bliss in Alaska they had some fancy things that I would have liked but couldn't justify the price of. 

 

I suppose I'd be looking at the various technology they have, it's overpriced but your OBC I assume was free so who cares if you buy something at inflated prices.

[PATRLR]

Just now, IrieBajan54 said:

You may have to spend extra time on the slots. As an alternative, is there anyway you could chat up some of your fellow gamblers to do a trade? You could buy what chips they need and they would hand you the cash.

Most reports are that non-refundable OBC can't be used in the casino.  However, one poster today claimed that he did use non refundable in the casino but he also claimed he had both types so I am suspicious of his accounting.  

Until proven otherwise, I'm believing that non-refundable OBC can NOT be sued in the Casino.

 

[thespiritmovesme]

Spa, spa, spa! Thermal suite? Speciality dining? Treating others to speciality dining! Sorry I can't be there to help you spend it!!

[cruiser123!]

There is a Park West art forum on FB.  Maybe buy art at one of the auctions.   Sell it there (or see if someone you trust has a request). 

[Sugar0802]

31 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

Most reports are that non-refundable OBC can't be used in the casino.  However, one poster today claimed that he did use non refundable in the casino but he also claimed he had both types so I am suspicious of his accounting.  

Until proven otherwise, I'm believing that non-refundable OBC can NOT be sued in the Casino.

 

I used our $100 per person in the casino.  We charged it to our room and then gambled with it, but we could have just cashed it out.  I am 100% sure we used the nonrefundable OBC as we had no other credits and the amount was very specific.

[mking8288]

@fstuff1  Hi there ... Bliss, we aren't going to run into you on the Getaway this time around, LOL.

 

NCL doesn't sell iPhones or Androids onboard ... and if they do, it would be at full MSRP or above with the markup.  Checkout the onboard Photo Center, they always have digital cameras & gadgets to sell, already marked up.  Then, you can re-sell those on eBay, Swapper, etc. at a discount as brand new, unopened & let Paypal take their cuts & shipping carrier on fees, etc. 

[julig22]

1 hour ago, PATRLR said:

Most reports are that non-refundable OBC can't be used in the casino.  However, one poster today claimed that he did use non refundable in the casino but he also claimed he had both types so I am suspicious of his accounting.  

Until proven otherwise, I'm believing that non-refundable OBC can NOT be sued in the Casino.

 

I have to agree that I'm also suspicious of reports that people are able to actually use NR OBC for casino, although I have experienced a number of onboard accounting errors, so it might happen but I certainly wouldn't count on it.  Big difference between being able to charge cash to your account and actually using OBC to pay for it.

[Russiamomm]

I agree that you can’t use it in the casino.  My question is how did you get that much OBC?  I’ll take it!  Spa, spa and more spa, with specialty dining and espresso martinis every night.  😂

[phillygwm]

2 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

A useful thing to me would be a high end Android cell phone that takes great pictures like the Samsung S22 Ultra.

Do NCL ships sell that?

 

Nope.  In fact, I couldn't even buy a replacement USB-AC charger in the gift shop.  

 

I'm like you:  I don't wear jewelry and stopped wearing a watch years ago (plus I find those Invicta watches they're pushing incredibly gaudy.)  It's going to be harder spending $1000 than you might imagine.  I had difficulty spending $200 on my last cruise though that was my fault for paying for a lot of stuff in advance.  If they let you purchase FAS+ on board, I'd do that, though I don't believe that's the case. 

 

My experience was that I couldn't use OBC in the casino; apparently, others have.  When I put extra restaurant tips on my room it hard charged and didn't impact OBC.  You already know you can't use it toward CN certs or DSC.

 

I wound up having a couple lunches in the diner because people on here raved about the milkshakes (meh.)  I did a couple wine tastings and the like which I wouldn't have done if I weren't trying to burn OBC.  I also bought a bottle of Veuve Clicquot; I would have bought 2 if they had them in inventory.

 

[surfone]

Bought a nice pair of Oakley sunglasses about 3 years ago with OBC , still my favorite pair.

[BenDover]

A nice watch 😎

[dbrown84]

are you planned to stop at GSC?  maybe splurge on a cabana.  Like you, I don't wear watches or jewelry.  But you could buy for someone else for their birthday, mother's day, father's day, etc

[trbarton]

5 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

Male, traveling Solo, Going on a cruise on the Bliss.

 

I don't want to buy useless junk.

I've been to all the ports so no shore excursions.

Can't buy cruisenext certificates with non-refundable obc.

Don't need/want jewelry. (ie: Tanzanite marketing scam) 

don't need a watch. Haven't worn a watch in 20+ yrs because cell phone and fitbit.

 Have done the behind the scene's tour.

 

I could buy additional specialty dining package but that's less than $200.

 

In the past when i had around $100 obc left over, i just bought alcohol.

Not going to buy $1000 worth of alcohol since i dont drink that much.

 

A useful thing to me would be a high end Android cell phone that takes great pictures like the Samsung S22 Ultra.

Do NCL ships sell that?

 

Any other suggestions?

Thx

How about loading the $ on your card in the casino & then cashing it out?  I’ve done that on Princess with no problems. 
 

Tom😀

[julig22]

35 minutes ago, trbarton said:

How about loading the $ on your card in the casino & then cashing it out?  I’ve done that on Princess with no problems. 
 

Tom😀

Pretty good chance of ending up with $1000 in NR OBC and a bill for $1030 at the end of the cruise.

[WYB!]

40 lobster tails or more likely 10 lobster tails and then the rest pays for the trip to the medical bay.

Or, (In theory), perhaps you could find a couple that only has 1 shore excursion benefit but also looking to maximize the shore excursion benefit and they could "reimburse" you for the excursion.

That's what I would do or 40 lobster tails...

Happy New Year & Safe travels!

- WYB

Edited January 7, 2023 by WYB!

[alanstarr]

I have absolutely no idea if this would work. But if you bought a large item (camera, etc) at one of the stores, and then returned it, maybe it would be converted to Refundable? 

[SunshineGal2022]

I would look for a camera at the photo center, or get a few pairs of sunglasses.  Get a new outfit.

 

I would also go on an excursion that involves seeing animals in the wild because the experience changes just enough with the unexpected animal behaviors to make it interesting. Even if you went on the excursion last time, the animals may have acted one way— this time they could act in a different way.  You may see a larger animal or see a new animal. 
 

have you done EVERY excursion at the ports?  There’s nothing to lose by going on one you didn’t think would interest you much.  

[SeaShark]

Since you're stuck, how about a random act of kindness?

 

Go to Deal or No Deal or a Bingo session, buy $1000 worth of cards and gift them to strangers on the cruise.

[BirdTravels]

15 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

Male, traveling Solo, Going on a cruise on the Bliss.

 

I don't want to buy useless junk.

I've been to all the ports so no shore excursions.

Can't buy cruisenext certificates with non-refundable obc.

Don't need/want jewelry. (ie: Tanzanite marketing scam) 

don't need a watch. Haven't worn a watch in 20+ yrs because cell phone and fitbit.

 Have done the behind the scene's tour.

 

I could buy additional specialty dining package but that's less than $200.

 

In the past when i had around $100 obc left over, i just bought alcohol.

Not going to buy $1000 worth of alcohol since i dont drink that much.

 

A useful thing to me would be a high end Android cell phone that takes great pictures like the Samsung S22 Ultra.

Do NCL ships sell that?

 

Any other suggestions?

Thx

Congratulations for making Elite

 

No phones. Spend time buying useless electronics. 
 

Use the additional comps above $1K for alcohol. You get free daily service charges already. And free transportation to/from port. And a free ShoreEx… so there isn’t much more. 

Edited January 7, 2023 by BirdTravels

[snorklinbarb]

46 minutes ago, SunshineGal2022 said:

I would look for a camera at the photo center, or get a few pairs of sunglasses.  Get a new outfit.

 

I would also go on an excursion that involves seeing animals in the wild because the experience changes just enough with the unexpected animal behaviors to make it interesting. Even if you went on the excursion last time, the animals may have acted one way— this time they could act in a different way.  You may see a larger animal or see a new animal. 
 

have you done EVERY excursion at the ports?  There’s nothing to lose by going on one you didn’t think would interest you much.  

I also was thinking revisiting the shorex offerings - even if you've been to the port more than once, you can often find something else of interest.  In Sydney, NS I was going to skip anything since I'd been there a few times before.  Ended up booking a music concert that featured their local music and it was actually really really good!  

 

You have the $50 shorex credit plus your high level Lat. discount but the excess can at least be put towards the $1000.  

 

Tech is a good suggestion as it's more expensive and can eat up some of your OBC.

 

If you're on a ship that offers an extra "pay" dinner/show (like "Velvet" or "Prohibition", you could use OBC for that.

 

Could always buy a gift of jewelry for a loved one.  Valentine's Day coming soon!  

 

Good luck and have fun spending!

[Sailing12Away]

For our upcoming Prima trip in September we'll have $1300 in OBC to use up. It's a 10 day cruise and my sister and her family are traveling with us. I plan on gifting her and my niece some type of spa credit for them to go and get pampered one day. Buying the unlimited arcade/VR package for my nephew. Some cigars for my BIL. And that bottle of Chateau Rothchild is calling my hubby's name.

 

I don't think for us we'll have any problem using it up. As others have said, either small random acts of kindness to either the staff or fellow travelers, or buying things that will transport home easily and you can gift/resell seems to be the way to go for you.

 

No harm in talking to the cruise next desk to see if there's a way to apply any of it towards your next trip. They'd gladly take your money to earn those commission points for a new booking.

[pcakes122]

Someone else mentioned this but I second the motion. RESELL!! I also get that casino credit plus more at the end of the cruise based on losses. After years of scouring the gift shops for things I might want,  I finally got smart and go straight for digital cameras, fine jewelry (e.g., 14K gold, diamonds, etc.) The EFFY brand sold on the ships is widely overpriced but sells great on eBay!  I literally just shipped a pair of diamond earrings I got on my December Getaway cruise to an eBay buyer yesterday. Then I take that money and buy something I really want! 😁

 

PS  A tip for the jewelry store. Just go in and say I have OBC from the casino I need to burn and I don't want to pay a cent over the amount. They are very willing to negotiate.  On my last cruise I walked in and I had $1280 in OBC to spend. I saw a pair of earrings marked $3K and was offered the shop "sale price" 😉 of $1550.  I had told the sales person I didn't want to go over the $1280 so I said sorry no can do and started to walk away. He said wait let me speak with my manager and....you guessed it...mine for $1280.  Just sold them on eBay for $1K in real money. (They were on the EFFY website "on sale" (cough) for $1299 so they went fast on eBay.)

Edited January 7, 2023 by pcakes122

[Russiamomm]

1 hour ago, pcakes122 said:

Someone else mentioned this but I second the motion. RESELL!! I also get that casino credit plus more at the end of the cruise based on losses. After years of scouring the gift shops for things I might want,  I finally got smart and go straight for digital cameras, fine jewelry (e.g., 14K gold, diamonds, etc.) The EFFY brand sold on the ships is widely overpriced but sells great on eBay!  I literally just shipped a pair of diamond earrings I got on my December Getaway cruise to an eBay buyer yesterday. Then I take that money and buy something I really want! 😁

 

PS  A tip for the jewelry store. Just go in and say I have OBC from the casino I need to burn and I don't want to pay a cent over the amount. They are very willing to negotiate.  On my last cruise I walked in and I had $1280 in OBC to spend. I saw a pair of earrings marked $3K and was offered the shop "sale price" 😉 of $1550.  I had told the sales person I didn't want to go over the $1280 so I said sorry no can do and started to walk away. He said wait let me speak with my manager and....you guessed it...mine for $1280.  Just sold them on eBay for $1K in real money. (They were on the EFFY website "on sale" (cough) for $1299 so they went fast on eBay.)

I sail with NCL exclusively through CAS.  Sometimes get a comped cabin, sometimes just a discount on the fare.  I’ve never gotten any OBC from the casino.  Am I missing something or do I just not gamble enough?  Please share your secrets.  😃