How to take home OBC money?

Any ideas about getting OBC's into money I can take home?:confused:(yn) I have booked all my tours on the Oceania web site before the good ones fill up. I was told that this happens on the Alaska cruise. We don't drink, spa, gamble, or shop on the ship. Since we didn't take the free shore excursion package, and have the Bronze $ credit, plus some obc money from the travel company, there will be several hundred left after the gratuities are paid. Any suggestions on ways to keep the money left over would be helpful. :evilsmile:

Unless it is a refundable OBC I have no idea how to get it into cash

It is use or lose it usually

I am sure you will get some creative solutions

For non-refundable OBC buy items in the shops that have realistic resale value such as name brand watches. EBay the items when you get home.

Check with your travel agent to find out if their OBC is refundable. You can get that back in cash at the end of the cruise. You'll have to spend the $200 Bronze OBC. High end toiletries are always nice. Use them yourself or give them as gifts.

For non-refundable OBC buy items in the shops that have realistic resale value such as name brand watches. EBay the items when you get home.

 

 

This strategy works well for watches in particular

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Any ideas about getting OBC's into money I can take home?:confused:(yn) I have booked all my tours on the Oceania web site before the good ones fill up. I was told that this happens on the Alaska cruise. We don't drink, spa, gamble, or shop on the ship. Since we didn't take the free shore excursion package, and have the Bronze $ credit, plus some obc money from the travel company, there will be several hundred left after the gratuities are paid. Any suggestions on ways to keep the money left over would be helpful. :evilsmile:

 

 

You may consider giving some of it to your cabin attendants. We did that once, and they were so thankful. One of them cried as she was supporting her family in Russia, and the money certainly meant more to her than us, and we are certainly, economically, at least a couple of levels below your average Oceania guest.

Any ideas about getting OBC's into money I can take home?:confused:(yn) I have booked all my tours on the Oceania web site before the good ones fill up. I was told that this happens on the Alaska cruise. We don't drink, spa, gamble, or shop on the ship. Since we didn't take the free shore excursion package, and have the Bronze $ credit, plus some obc money from the travel company, there will be several hundred left after the gratuities are paid. Any suggestions on ways to keep the money left over would be helpful. :evilsmile:

 

...and I'm going to take it all back and get the money for it-

You can do that, you know-

You may consider giving some of it to your cabin attendants.

 

 

Can you explain how you did this ?

I tried to leave some unused OBC to the staff it was not possible

Any ideas about getting OBC's into money I can take home?:confused:(yn) I have booked all my tours on the Oceania web site before the good ones fill up. I was told that this happens on the Alaska cruise. We don't drink, spa, gamble, or shop on the ship. Since we didn't take the free shore excursion package, and have the Bronze $ credit, plus some obc money from the travel company, there will be several hundred left after the gratuities are paid. Any suggestions on ways to keep the money left over would be helpful. :evilsmile:

There are two types of OBC, refundable and not. There is a comment on your guest statement if it is refundable (at least it used to ) or ask your TA.

 

If it is refundable then you can ask at Reception for them to give it to you when you want. I've done this second to last day so that the statement that night will include this and so as to avoid a long line during disembarkation. Refundable can be used for anything on board - cash for the casino, tips, etc.

 

The non-refundable can be used to purchase something on board; not taken as cash to use in the casino and nor for gratuities unless things have changed.

 

We have used 'extra' OBC for spa, which like you we otherwise would no do, and for (the expansive) ship's transfer to the airport. As was posted on another thread, why balk about the price when it is 'free' money. Think of it this way. Instead of giving you OBC to spend a you want, they could give you free transfer.

 

As others have suggested, buy a gift or buy something to sell if so inclined (like StanandJim's post :)

 

You could also check at the Destinations desk if any of you excursions are not wait listed. If not ask then ask them about cancelling to get the refund (it will go on your account as the refundable type) and then re-purchase with the non-refundable OBC.

 

You need to do that right away as others might be waiting to book excursions upon boarding and then it sells out. If possible and practical sometimes they will get more seats for a popular excursion so even if sold out on the web site there still could be a glimmer of hope - don't bank (literally) on it though. Also you should do this right away as there is a cancellation window timer ticking.

 

Hmmm. Buy a drink for someone your chatting with who is not on a beverage package. Plus if you add an extra tip on that charge it will go to the staff and come off the OBC. That is the only way I can think of for non-refundable to go to staff.

I will happily have your spare OBC...:evilsmile::D

Any ideas about getting OBC's into money I can take home?:confused:(yn) I have booked all my tours on the Oceania web site before the good ones fill up. I was told that this happens on the Alaska cruise. We don't drink, spa, gamble, or shop on the ship. Since we didn't take the free shore excursion package, and have the Bronze $ credit, plus some obc money from the travel company, there will be several hundred left after the gratuities are paid. Any suggestions on ways to keep the money left over would be helpful. :evilsmile:

 

Time to start shopping on the ship. What you've done in the past with your "own money" doesn't apply to the situation you're anticipating.

 

I bought a sterling and amber pendant from the on-board shop during a Baltic cruise. The pendant was overpriced and double what I wanted to spend. However, once our excess OBC kicked in, it was exact the amount I had budgeted. Most important, I liked the design better than anything I had seen in Tallin where they certainly have plenty of amber for sale.

Edited March 6, 2017 by Pet Nit Noy

There are two types of OBC, refundable and not. There is a comment on your guest statement if it is refundable (at least it used to ) or ask your TA.

 

If it is refundable then you can ask at Reception for them to give it to you when you want. I've done this second to last day so that the statement that night will include this and so as to avoid a long line during disembarkation. Refundable can be used for anything on board - cash for the casino, tips, etc.

 

The non-refundable can be used to purchase something on board; not taken as cash to use in the casino and nor for gratuities unless things have changed.

 

We have used 'extra' OBC for spa, which like you we otherwise would no do, and for (the expansive) ship's transfer to the airport. As was posted on another thread, why balk about the price when it is 'free' money. Think of it this way. Instead of giving you OBC to spend a you want, they could give you free transfer.

 

As others have suggested, buy a gift or buy something to sell if so inclined (like StanandJim's post :)

 

You could also check at the Destinations desk if any of you excursions are not wait listed. If not ask then ask them about cancelling to get the refund (it will go on your account as the refundable type) and then re-purchase with the non-refundable OBC.

 

You need to do that right away as others might be waiting to book excursions upon boarding and then it sells out. If possible and practical sometimes they will get more seats for a popular excursion so even if sold out on the web site there still could be a glimmer of hope - don't bank (literally) on it though. Also you should do this right away as there is a cancellation window timer ticking.

 

Hmmm. Buy a drink for someone your chatting with who is not on a beverage package. Plus if you add an extra tip on that charge it will go to the staff and come off the OBC. That is the only way I can think of for non-refundable to go to staff.

 

While you are correct about the non refundable in the casino I'm almost 100% sure it can be used for gratuities.

A really nice massage on one of those "days at sea"! :D

 

I typically will blow it on a really nice bottle of overpriced wine on the ship, being the pagan that I am :cool: , but realize that is out for you. Pick out an Oceania ship tour you think is nice and use it there. That'll eat up a lot real quick!

While you are correct about the non refundable in the casino I'm almost 100% sure it can be used for gratuities.

I agree

 

Before getting PPG from TA any OBC was used for daily gratuities ..

I do not things have changed

I was just on the Marina. Yes indeed, the gratuities were paid with OBC. Any remain OBC cannot be used to tip the crew.

The thread started stated this, s/he was asking what to do with the remaining hundreds.

We did not have hundreds, just one hundred or so. I bought a pair of terribly overpriced shorts, but it's "monopoly" money as far as I am concerned.. use it or lose it.

Edited March 6, 2017 by Gardendog
Added

On sirena now. Shop selection worse than ever imo They have all this belarri overpriced jewelry taking up half of one shop. I have YUGE obc. I will have to be creative. Hoping additional merchandise shows up on this 34 night adventure

 

My first stop was canyon ranch spa where they sell terrific activewear with Uv protection. Uvida is the brand. Prices same as on line. But we already have most of what they sell.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

While you are correct about the non refundable in the casino I'm almost 100% sure it can be used for gratuities.

Yes, thanks for the correction. I was thinking "tips" but wrote about gratuities.

Yes, thanks for the correction. I was thinking "tips" but wrote about gratuities.[/quoWw wee tol

 

 

We were told last summer that unused OBC credit can not be used to give extra tips to the crew. Have to spend it another way, and we did. Does not seem fair, but that is how they do it.

Ask at Reception if you can increase your daily Gratuity spend. If they can do that, then yes, your OBC will cover it whether you give the suggested $16pppd or up it to $26pppd. Just a thought.

 

Otherwise, hit the candy aisle of the Boutique and spend the hundreds on those giant Toblerone chocolate bars and give them out to your favorite crew members. Crew love snacks and cant' always get ashore to buy them. While most received gifts have to be approved by a supervisor, no one will be denied a bag of Bounty chocolates or gummy bears.

We are frequent O cruisers and anticipate the problem of too much OBC to use up. I find out the favorite perfumes of those family members and friends, and buy them as Christmas or birthday gifts. There are other cosmetics that are quite expensive that you can buy for gifts as well. A $32 lipstick or $75 hand cream are always appreciated. The Jacques cookbooks are another great gift. And don't forget those travel bags that are a good deal (the ones with the Oceania logo,) for in-cabin luggage. Tough canvas and roomy. Happy spending!

Thanks for all the suggestions.;) I think I will look for something that I can put on ebay when we get home.:D

I will be on a B2B and have a large OBC for the 1st leg and a much smaller OBC for the 2nd leg. Anyone have experience on carrying over OBC from 1st leg to 2nd leg.

I will be on a B2B and have a large OBC for the 1st leg and a much smaller OBC for the 2nd leg. Anyone have experience on carrying over OBC from 1st leg to 2nd leg.

No problem they carry them over

 

you will get a statement of expenses on the last night of the 1st leg so you can see how much you have left :)

We always have enough for two nice watches for my husband. This time I gave one to my caretaker. He was in love with it! They put them out on a table at the end, Invicta and not bad at all. Great gifts for anyone.

 

Like someone said, perfume and also great sunglasses. These all make good Christmas presents.

 

Always a necklace or two for a Christmas present in a boutique.

 

If they would only get good things in their boutiques, but it seems that they specialize in leftovers.