varpinater Posted July 26 #1 Share Posted July 26 This is, as far as I recall, my first NCL cruise. I understand the onboard spending is truly "onboard" only. Does anyone have some creative ideas of how to spend this, not the obvious please, that I can figure out on my own. Of note, I already have premium pkg, 4 specialty dining etc. Thx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julig22 Posted July 26 #2 Share Posted July 26 I have no clue what might be obvious to someone who is asking how to spend OBC, so I'll just leave you with this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiseny4life Posted July 26 #3 Share Posted July 26 Massage. Massage. Massage....one massage will set you back around $300, so that onboard credit will go quick! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Anoynmous Phoenix Posted July 26 #4 Share Posted July 26 Find the most expensive bottle of the type of alcohol you drink that you wouldn't buy normally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Seas2mountains Posted July 26 #5 Share Posted July 26 31 minutes ago, varpinater said: Does anyone have some creative ideas of how to spend this, not the obvious please, that I can figure out on my own. What is the obvious that you can figure out on your own? We don't know what you already know. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare alanstarr Posted July 26 #6 Share Posted July 26 If you prepaid for excursions, re-book once onboard and you can use your OBC, and you'll get refundable credit (cash) back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9tee2Sea Posted July 26 #7 Share Posted July 26 I purchased a very nice set of HiDef binoculars with anti-motion feature ( I have shaky hands). I would have NEVER spent that much on binoculars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted July 26 #8 Share Posted July 26 43 minutes ago, alanstarr said: If you prepaid for excursions, re-book once onboard and you can use your OBC, and you'll get refundable credit (cash) back. Of course if it is sold out and there is a wait list that might not work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herbanrenewal Posted July 27 #9 Share Posted July 27 upgrade internet while onboard. Usually cheapest day 2 or 3. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastpitchdad Posted July 27 #10 Share Posted July 27 Can you upgrade to free at sea plus when you board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorklinbarb Posted July 27 #11 Share Posted July 27 Not knowing what you already know, things like bingo, Wheel of Fortune and Deal or no Deal all qualify. Not the casino though. Then there are charge places like the speedway (on some ships) or a Vibe Club pass. Besides a spa pass or treatment, you can take advantage of the common "last day" sale of items. Not just tee shirts but flip flops, bracelets, evening purses, caftans, etc. Someone mentioned shorex. I wait in order to use OBC but have also gotten closed out on some that I'd like to have done. Waiting lists sometimes come through or even last minute going to the dock. After the $50 (and any latitudes discount, the 2nd person has to pay. That will chew up what you have. Or in the store you can get a discount (depending on latitudes status) on NCL wear and items. Not sure if room service qualifies as the 9.95 is a "service charge" so presumably treated like the daily service charge where you can't use your OBC. There are various tastings you might find. I don't know your interests but recall seeing various wine tastings, whiskey, mojitos. There is a charge so you could use your OBC. If you choose a bottle of wine/champagne instead of the ones available by the glass, there's a 20 pct discount for regular Bev pkg and 40 pct for the higher one. That could use up some OBC. Recently on Getaway, Prima and Joy since April so have faced the same challenge as you! Guess what? I either found something on the ship to enjoy like a spa treatment to some gift shop items. My DH was gifted a pair of Oakley sunglasses we'd never ever buy on land! Make it work and have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrown84 Posted July 27 #12 Share Posted July 27 44 minutes ago, fastpitchdad said: Can you upgrade to free at sea plus when you board? no, you can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlGoodShips Posted July 27 #13 Share Posted July 27 I buy Starbucks gift cards with my obc. Can be used at any Starbucks on land or sea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizfish Posted July 27 #14 Share Posted July 27 Some OBC is able to be used for paying the daily service charge. Since we don't know the type of credit you have, I don't know if that is the case with yours. If it is, you will see it automatically applied as payment for the daily charge when you look at your account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Seas2mountains Posted July 27 #15 Share Posted July 27 2 minutes ago, gizfish said: Some OBC is able to be used for paying the daily service charge. Since we don't know the type of credit you have, I don't know if that is the case with yours. If it is, you will see it automatically applied as payment for the daily charge when you look at your account. Assume non refundable. Maybe OP will come back to answer questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majmaj4 Posted July 27 #16 Share Posted July 27 Where do you purchase the Starbucks gift cards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varpinater Posted August 5 Author #17 Share Posted August 5 On 7/26/2024 at 11:25 PM, gizfish said: Some OBC is able to be used for paying the daily service charge. Since we don't know the type of credit you have, I don't know if that is the case with yours. If it is, you will see it automatically applied as payment for the daily charge when you look at your account. I assume it's non refundable, it's from my TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlGoodShips Posted August 6 #18 Share Posted August 6 On 7/27/2024 at 8:23 AM, majmaj4 said: Where do you purchase the Starbucks gift cards? At Starbucks on any ship that has one. Thats what I use with my OBC money. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted August 6 #19 Share Posted August 6 5 minutes ago, varpinater said: I assume it's non refundable, it's from my TA. Did you ask your TA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirtboy Posted August 6 #20 Share Posted August 6 On 7/26/2024 at 9:25 PM, gizfish said: Some OBC is able to be used for paying the daily service charge. Since we don't know the type of credit you have, I don't know if that is the case with yours. If it is, you will see it automatically applied as payment for the daily charge when you look at your account. I also recommend using the onboard credit to pay for daily service charges. I've never tried doing it before with NCL, but it worked for me on another cruise line. You'll need to check your daily charges on the TV a few days into your sailing to see if the credit offsets your daily service charge account balance. I find it best to pay the daily service charges at the end of the cruise (instead of pre-paying at time of booking) so that any onboard credit from the travel agent can be applied to the service charges. If I had pre-paid the service charges, then I would never be able to offset the charges with onboard credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Seas2mountains Posted August 6 #21 Share Posted August 6 1 minute ago, shirtboy said: I also recommend using the onboard credit to pay for daily service charges. I've never tried doing it before with NCL, but it worked for me on another cruise line. You'll need to check your daily charges on the TV a few days into your sailing to see if the credit offsets your daily service charge account balance. I find it best to pay the daily service charges at the end of the cruise (instead of pre-paying at time of booking) so that any onboard credit from the travel agent can be applied to the service charges. If I had pre-paid the service charges, then I would never be able to offset the charges with onboard credit. NCL does not allow non-refundable onboard credit to be used to pay for the service charges. Yes, this is allowed on other cruise lines but not on NCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Seas2mountains Posted August 6 #22 Share Posted August 6 37 minutes ago, varpinater said: I assume it's non refundable, it's from my TA. Are you able to tell us what you already know the OBC can be used for so we can give you other suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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