On-Board Credits: Best Bang/ Value for the $ ?

I know this topic is subjective in nature, but being new to SB we were interested in hearing expereinced SB cruisers knowledge of and expereince with how they spend their OBCs if it's not too intrusive.

Since gratuities and alcohol & mini bar are included (although we would not use the alcohol much) how might our OBCs be best spent in terms of value?

My personal preference might be: spa, excursions, perhaps laptop internet usage depending on costs/minute.

What might you recommend?

In advance many thanks for your in-put.

Leah, RN

I know this topic is subjective in nature, but being new to SB we were interested in hearing expereinced SB cruisers knowledge of and expereince with how they spend their OBCs if it's not too intrusive.

Since gratuities and alcohol & mini bar are included (although we would not use the alcohol much) how might our OBCs be best spent in terms of value?

My personal preference might be: spa, excursions, perhaps laptop internet usage depending on costs/minute.

What might you recommend?

In advance many thanks for your in-put.

Leah, RN

Guests can use the credit for just about anything you would need cash for. The spa, the boutique, excursions, extraordinary wines and spirits, and even to the crew fund if so desired!

Host Dan

As far as we are concerned, its tough to use them--we don't do the spa, and that can eat them up pretty fast and we are selective about tours--we do a lot of the on shore stuff on our own. We usually make a last minute to the gift shop stop for after shave. A lot of people who have money left give it to the crew welfare fund--Purser handles this. Some folks have figured out how to use it at the casino--haven't figured that out yet! Don

As far as the casino, you simply sign for chips at the table. This will come off your account. (one account, no separate account for OBC) You can turn in your winnings (hopefully) for cash when you are done gambling. Also another fine way of spending an OBC is to throw a crew party! We have done this in the past. (Crossings especially, as they are stuck on the ship, with no outlet)

Host Dan

I am also a first-time sailor (Spirit, Oct. 17, '09) and so this thread is of interest to me as well.

I noted Host Dan's comment above about using the OBC for a crew party. I have also seen many references in this forum about folks throwing private parties on the ship. So my question is: are the private parties included in the "all-inclusive food and drink" of the cruise or is the host passenger charged extra for these?

Thanks!

I am also a first-time sailor (Spirit, Oct. 17, '09) and so this thread is of interest to me as well.

 

I noted Host Dan's comment above about using the OBC for a crew party. I have also seen many references in this forum about folks throwing private parties on the ship. So my question is: are the private parties included in the "all-inclusive food and drink" of the cruise or is the host passenger charged extra for these?

 

Thanks!

Follow this link, and look at post 9. This will answer your question!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=20009741#post20009741

Host Dan

I don't understand the casino OBC use as the terms of the OCB says it cannot be used for casino. If you charge the chips to the account, and the account has the credit, will seabourn simply apply the credit to the casino charge?

I don't understand the casino OBC use as the terms of the OCB says it cannot be used for casino. If you charge the chips to the account, and the account has the credit, will seabourn simply apply the credit to the casino charge?

Yes. They don't separate credits from the actual account. As charges incur, casino or not, the credit diminishes.

Host Dan

We tend to get a couple of very special bottles of wine during the cruise. We certainly do it when we order a special dinner prepared tableside -- they go to so much trouble it is nice to acknowledge that by ordering wine that that matches the effort.And yes, we always try to leave some for the crew fund.

"if" I get the OBC that I am expecting, I think most of mine will go on internet ....its expensive!! (and I cant help myself)

"if" I get the OBC that I am expecting, I think most of mine will go on internet ....its expensive!! (and I cant help myself)

Grannylor - that's exactly what I'm afraid of too ! :D

Is there a support group for Internetaddicts Annonymous?

I give it to the Crew welfare fund and then you can forget about it.

We used ours for laundry. That worked out well for us.

Wow! That is a lot of laundry.

How would one go about using OBC to play the slot machines in the casino? DH is addicted to video poker.....

We used ours for a couple of excursions, a redoing of my nail polish in the Spa, bought a couple of things in the boutique and 2 hours internet ($9.99 per hour). It went a long way and we're very grateful!

For any UK sailors, if you want wine from the silver or gold packages it is much cheaper to buy in advance. We paid £100 for 3 bottles by buying from Southampton. We recommend the Amarone and the Puligny Montrachet!

How would one go about using OBC to play the slot machines in the casino? DH is addicted to video poker.....

You can charge against your OBC in the casino.

Host Dan

So do the slot machines take tokens on the Legend? I thought most took US bills only - or do I request the cash from the cashier in the casino? Didn't think you could do that against a shipboard credit....

So do the slot machines take tokens on the Legend? I thought most took US bills only - or do I request the cash from the cashier in the casino? Didn't think you could do that against a shipboard credit....

You can request chips and cash them in for cash at the Pursers office..

Host Dan

On the Odyssey, the slot machines have an option to insert your room key into the slot machine, thereby charging to your shipboard account, so you can play until the Sheriff comes to take you to the Brig when you run out of money! :eek:

Here is an example of a slot machine on the Odyssey (don't know if these machines have made heir way over to the triplets):

Is the shopping selection on the smaller boats (Legend in particular) much more limited than on the bigger ones? I suppose the smaller boats do not have "The Collection" with watches and jewelry items? What about other clothing and decorative gifts?

We bought watches from the gift shop with the $500 obc. I had thought about a spa treatment, but with our 7 day Caribbean cruise with no sea days, we didn't have time- so we were at the gift shop, just before they closed for the cruise...

Kathy

Can someone state the cost of hosting a crew party?

Can someone state the cost of hosting a crew party?

We hosted an "Italian night" crew party. I believe it was $800.

Host Dan