Using OBC to purchase from shops

Does anyone know if you can use OBC to buy things from the shops on board? Can you buy iPads from the ilounge?

You can use OBC for the shops, buying from the I!ounge, shore excursions, the spa, speciality restaurants, shuttles in port, to buy or upgrade a beverage package. If you buy it onboard you can use your OBC for it.

Does anyone know if you can use OBC to buy things from the shops on board? Can you buy iPads from the ilounge?

OBC is just a credit to your account, so yes you can use it for anything you can put on your account. The only thing I can think of you can't put on your account, that you can buy on board, is a future cruise.

You can buy lots of things on board as long as they have them in stock....iPad stocks can be quite limited (memory, model...) look early in your cruise and know the price you could get the item for at home. Not usually massively cheaper and it is great to get on the ship with your iPad already loaded.

So if you already have an iPad and are upgrading and have lots of OBC to spend it is worth while waiting to cruise, it will not be the end of the world if you can't get the upgraded one you want on board. However, if you presently don't have an iPad or it is broken and you want to enjoy on the ship I would suggest you get one pre cruise and treat yourself to something else on board.....My iPad is quite old now and we were going to upgrade last cruise but they didn't have the exact one I wanted on board, it isn't an item I buy frequently so I didn't want to compromise.

Over the years we have bought many items on board such as cameras and watches and have been disappointed too when items like perfumes we have bought one cruise are not available the next...I don't know if others would agree but it is amazing how quickly that OBC can disappear....a few speciality restaurants, a couple of excursions....

Does anyone know if you can use OBC to buy things from the shops on board? Can you buy iPads from the ilounge?

If you think about your question and if you couldn't buy anything on board how do you think you would use OBC.

quoting my own post:

Now that there are so many programs in placing giving non-refundable OBC, and we can no longer take this out of the casino in cash, I have come up with this list of things to spend OBC on, since we see so many questions about this on Cruise Critic:

I'll make the list alphabetical, so it will be easy to add any items I have forgotten.

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Alcove rental

Apple products and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Beverages -- Alcoholic, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shop

Gratuities

Hair and nail salon

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Medical Center

Mini bar

Shore Excursions

Pay-per-view movies

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

OP yes you can.

quoting my own post:

 

Now that there are so many programs in placing giving non-refundable OBC, and we can no longer take this out of the casino in cash, I have come up with this list of things to spend OBC on, since we see so many questions about this on Cruise Critic:

 

I'll make the list alphabetical, so it will be easy to add any items I have forgotten.

 

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Alcove rental

Apple products and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Beverages -- Alcoholic, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shop

Gratuities

Hair and nail salon

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Medical Center

Mini bar

Shore Excursions

Pay-per-view movies

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

Thanks for posting. Great info for those that aren't sure.

Anyone have experience in buying jewelry onboard? Any hints, thoughts?

Anyone have experience in buying jewelry onboard? Any hints, thoughts?

Yes, but only relatively cheap items, on impulse and because I have liked them rather than considering their intrinsic value....

For more expensive items, 'lifetime jewellery' like an eternity ring or a special birthday gift I would hesitate as to value and choice on board. They are things you do want to consider, do price comparisons on and often reflect on prior to purchasing.

On our last cruise I was looking at purchasing a mid price range watch (yes, OBC) and the rep was trying to encourage me 'up market' with a watch I couldn't read without my reading glasses. When I pointed out the advantages of the cheaper and larger watch he maintained the smaller, dearer one was still the 'best deal'!

I have a question regarding using OBC for additional gratuities.

On our recent Constellation cruise, I went to the Guest Relations desk and stated that I wanted to charge our onboard account for gratuities that would be in addition to our pre-paid gratuities. I specifically asked if I could designate the name of the employee I wished the gratuities to go to and was told, "Yes." I specified the employee names and amount of additional gratuity for each one on the form given to me by Guest Relations.

When I mentioned the additional gratuity to one of the designated employees, he told me that those gratuities are put into a pool for their department and not given specifically to them.

I was disappointed that Guest Relations did not give me the correct information. If they had, I would have given cash to the employees I wanted to specifically acknowledge for their excellent service.

Has anyone been successful using OBC for individual gratuities? If so, how was this done?

Great list cruisestitch. cheers:D

I have a question regarding using OBC for additional gratuities.

 

On our recent Constellation cruise, I went to the Guest Relations desk and stated that I wanted to charge our onboard account for gratuities that would be in addition to our pre-paid gratuities. I specifically asked if I could designate the name of the employee I wished the gratuities to go to and was told, "Yes." I specified the employee names and amount of additional gratuity for each one on the form given to me by Guest Relations.

 

When I mentioned the additional gratuity to one of the designated employees, he told me that those gratuities are put into a pool for their department and not given specifically to them.

 

I was disappointed that Guest Relations did not give me the correct information. If they had, I would have given cash to the employees I wanted to specifically acknowledge for their excellent service.

 

Has anyone been successful using OBC for individual gratuities? If so, how was this done?

I tried doing that on our cruise of August 7-14. When I asked if I could use my OBC for additional gratuities for two specific people, I was told yes and Guest Relations gave me the form to fill out. I was filling it out at the GR's desk (was a slow day with no one in line), and I realized I didn't know the individuals' last names. I asked how they would know who I meant to give additional money to with only the first name and that's when I was told that they pool it. I immediately scrapped the form and used the envelopes for cash.

Moral of the story, there isn't a specific way of leaving additional tips with OBC for specific staff....plus, they make it hard for you to find out!:mad:

I tried doing that on our cruise of August 7-14. When I asked if I could use my OBC for additional gratuities for two specific people, I was told yes and Guest Relations gave me the form to fill out. I was filling it out at the GR's desk (was a slow day with no one in line), and I realized I didn't know the individuals' last names. I asked how they would know who I meant to give additional money to with only the first name and that's when I was told that they pool it. I immediately scrapped the form and used the envelopes for cash.

Moral of the story, there isn't a specific way of leaving additional tips with OBC for specific staff....plus, they make it hard for you to find out!:mad:

I find cash is best for the individual's extra tip but I suppose you could ask the staff members last name directly.:D

We always designate "Manuel, room steward, 7102) or "Leo, waiter, table 410". When we have asked the intended recipients, they have confirmed that the amount was added to their shipboard accounts. Never knew any last names, but we could always figure out a way to describe them

.......On our last cruise I was looking at purchasing a mid price range watch (yes, OBC) and the rep was trying to encourage me 'up market' with a watch I couldn't read without my reading glasses. When I pointed out the advantages of the cheaper and larger watch he maintained the smaller, dearer one was still the 'best deal'!

Most likely the watch that he keeps urging you to buy really is the 'best deal' -- the best deal for him! ;):D

We always designate "Manuel, room steward, 7102) or "Leo, waiter, table 410". When we have asked the intended recipients, they have confirmed that the amount was added to their shipboard accounts. Never knew any last names, but we could always figure out a way to describe them

That is an even better way of making it a surprise.:D

Never actually purchased expensive jewelry onboard but here are my thoughts: On a very recent Silhouette ship, went into shop to browse, my eye caught a beautiful diamond and tanzanite marquis cut ring. Tried it on, was very tempted but really didn't make financial sense for me to purchase. They tried everything, tons of free flowing champagne, even offered for me to wear the ring for the rest of the day, wear to dinner and the show. Nope, would not do that, ring was 40 % off so they said, plus they would give me an additional 20% making it around $11,000. Sales person said he would call his NY office to authorize the additional 20% off, since I loved the ring so much. :D:D Charge it on two credit cards, or debit cards, whatever I want they will work with me. I removed my own ruby and diamond ring from my finger to try on, then walked out of the shop and within a minute realized I forgot to put my own ring back on, ran back, ring was not on the counter, nor did they see it (or care) just interested in the sale. When I made a fuss about it and got a little loud, the lady standing next to me moved her cell phone from the counter and my ring fell on the floor. Not accusing anyone, could very well be innocent, but find it odd that neither one of the sales people saw my ring, and at the time I was the only one in the store. I've now learned a very valuable lesson.

Anyone have experience in buying jewelry onboard? Any hints, thoughts?

If you think about your question and if you couldn't buy anything on board how do you think you would use OBC.

Thanks for the value added post. You contributed a lot to this discussion.

Using OBC is a little splurge for us. We used to take it out in the casino and use it to shop in the ports. But it's kind of nice being able to buy a little something and not pay extra for it (although we paid via the price of the cruise).

As for buying jewelry on board.... If it's cheap and you like it go for it. You can always get a better deal elsewhere. We'll only buy expensive jewelry at home from our local jeweler. And that's not often - lol

enjoy

Anyone have experience in buying jewelry onboard? Any hints, thoughts?

Yes. Last week I fancied a pink handbag in Michael Kors. Not exactly a practical item which I would get wear from:D:D However, it was with the obc. Then went online and couldn't understand why it was almost the same price on land, when they are supposed to be tax and duty free. Was told it was because its new season....... what's that got to do with the price of eggs?:eek: So, I complained and received a dirty look for my trouble.

Ended up in jewellery:D Purchased a pair of John Hardy earrings - not glitzy but I can wear them everyday. No cheaper than on land, but more practical. Certainly not worth the money either - paying for the name.

But....had to do something for the obc and also bought quite a nice fleece and a rain jacket. Goodbye obc.

I wouldn't spend my own money in the jewellery shops unless I had done very careful research.

Are you in a state where there is sales tax charged? If you bought the purse at home, would there had been sales tax? There's no sales tax (or VAT) charged on board. So that the savings of buying on board in the "tax free stores"

That's the point - same price as on land!! Should be cheaper I would have thought!!

Happy with my purchase - have worn them everyday since we landed - so obc not wasted! BUT wouldn't have bought them had I not had the obc.

Some items ARE priced cheaper, the ones where a store or an importer would have to pay import duty, but those purses aren't in that category. Typically liquor, cigarettes and perfumes are items on which import duty is charged when the item enters the country. They can be sold on ships and I airports at duty free prices which are less than your local outlet because the ship never paid any import duty on them (although many people are under the misconception that the term "duty free" means that the purchaser doesn't have to declare them and thus will avoid paying duty, which is not so).

The main tax free benefit of buying on board is in not having to pay the state and city sales tax, or the VAT, whichever is applicable.

Taking an iPad as an example, the price was the same as at my local Apple Store. But if I bought it at home I would have paid 7% sales tax. There was no sales tax charged on the ship, so I saved $35 over buying it at home.

Some items ARE priced cheaper, the ones where a store or an importer would have to pay import duty, but those purses aren't in that category. Typically liquor, cigarettes and perfumes are items on which import duty is charged when the item enters the country. They can be sold on ships and I airports at duty free prices which are less than your local outlet because the ship never paid any import duty on them (although many people are under the misconception that the term "duty free" means that the purchaser doesn't have to declare them and thus will avoid paying duty, which is not so).

 

The main tax free benefit of buying on board is in not having to pay the state and city sales tax, or the VAT, whichever is applicable.

 

Taking an iPad as an example, the price was the same as at my local Apple Store. But if I bought it at home I would have paid 7% sales tax. There was no sales tax charged on the ship, so I saved $35 over buying it at home.

Agree. We do the same thing. I even do it at home. If I can buy it an item on line with no shipping and no tax vs buying the same item at home having to pay sales tax, I'll buy it on line instead of locally.

Yes. Last week I fancied a pink handbag in Michael Kors. Not exactly a practical item which I would get wear from:D:D However, it was with the obc. Then went online and couldn't understand why it was almost the same price on land, when they are supposed to be tax and duty free. Was told it was because its new season....... what's that got to do with the price of eggs?:eek: So, I complained and received a dirty look for my trouble.

 

Ended up in jewellery:D Purchased a pair of John Hardy earrings - not glitzy but I can wear them everyday. No cheaper than on land, but more practical. Certainly not worth the money either - paying for the name.

 

But....had to do something for the obc and also bought quite a nice fleece and a rain jacket. Goodbye obc.

 

I wouldn't spend my own money in the jewellery shops unless I had done very careful research.

I think that is the key, knowing what something is valued at and then making up your mind whether it is worth it or not.