Shipboard Credit

[shipgirl56]

I just posted this on another thread, but I need to know, so I started a new thread.

I have a $600 shipboard credit for my Oosterdam cruise next week and was planning on using some of it for tips. On another post, someone said shipboard credits cannot be used for tips.

What can you use shipboard credit for?

[RuthC]

Everything you purchase on board---including daily service---is charged to your shipboard account. The credit you have is deducted from this account. The balance remaining is paid via credit card or cash.
Your credit can absolutely be put toward your service charge!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes - most definitely - any shipboard credit that you receive can be used towards the automatic tipping that will be added onto your account.

[1cruiselvr]

Maybe whoever told you that, didn't realize that HAL has gone to an automatic tipping policy so it's applied to your shipboard account. In the old way, they would be correct, as there was an official 'no tipping policy' so pax would hand their dining and room stewards cash envelopes. Happy Sailing!

[Aussie Gal]

You can also get some of your cash back via the Casino. We had such a huge shipboard credit last year that we bought chips and then cashed them back in. This way we able to use the money for tips as the envelope system was in place then.

Jennie.

[shipgirl56]

You can also get some of your cash back via the Casino. We had such a huge shipboard credit last year that we bought chips and then cashed them back in. This way we able to use the money for tips as the envelope system was in place then.

Jennie.
OK bear with me because I usually don't go to the casino. Years ago on a Carnival cruise I won a big jackpot on the slots and didn't know it. I had never been to a casino before. Won $680!

Does the casino charge you a fee to get chips against your account?

[Aussie Gal]

Yes there was a small fee, I am not exactly what percentage but we were just pleased to be able to receive the cash as we never spend a huge amount onboard. We are not gamblers and last year we didn't do any of the ship's excursions as we had been to most of the ports before and we did our own thing.

The only money we really spent was on hairdressing and drinks. There certainly wasn't anything of interest to buy in the shops on board.

Jennie.

[shipgirl56]

Thanks for all your posts. We don't spend alot of money on board either. Although the tips for 18 days will add up, other than laundry and maybe a massage I can't think of what I would spend it on. It is nice to know that I can get cash in the casino.

[Ziggy7]

Thanks for all your posts. We don't spend alot of money on board either. Although the tips for 18 days will add up, other than laundry and maybe a massage I can't think of what I would spend it on. It is nice to know that I can get cash in the casino.
Pictures can eat up a good chunk of your credit too :)

[Stevesan]

The casino fee for charging chips against your shipboard account is 3%. It's not necessary to "use up" your credit. Any positive balance will be credited back to the credit card you register upon boarding.

[1cruiselvr]

I don't know if that is true for all cruiselines. HAL's policy is that if you don't use your shipboard credit, you lose it. Got it straight from the purser's desk. Happy Sailing!

[elmorejj]

If your cabin credit was given by HAL, then you can`t get it back. If it was a personal gift from family or friends, then yes you`ll get it back. I rec`d some back via a check....jean :cool:

[shipgirl56]

If your cabin credit was given by HAL, then you can`t get it back. If it was a personal gift from family or friends, then yes you`ll get it back. I rec`d some back via a check....jean :cool:
My shipboard credit from HAL is $600. It was my understanding to use it or lose it. I have so many pictures from cruises that I wasn't planning on getting any unless they turn out awesome. Other than tips which for an 18 day cruise will add up, I didn't know what to use it for. Was going to look into a laundry package, so that I can pack light. Thanks everyone for your tips.

[Aussie Gal]

Shipgirl,

I knew we would not get it back as it was given to us by HAL. We did not need it for our laundry as that was included as part of the mini-suite package so I had to think of a way to use the money. We did order some photos but didn't bring home that many only about 4. As I said other than hairdressing and drinks we wouldn't have used the whole amount so I was pleased that I had read about the Casino and getting the cash.

Jennie.

[gizmo]

We own Carnival stock and only once we could not use it.