What "Additional Expenses" are worth it onboard?

So much terrific info! Now, I'll have to look into getting a Royal Casino Player Club card and see what other perks there are?

The RCI Casino Royale program is in a flux right now. You cannot sign just sign up. The perks received through the casino are related to the amount of time and money spent in the casino.

So make sure whenever you are playing in the casino put you sea pass card in the machine. This will track your play and you may be eligible for small perks or money off a future cruise! Good luck and have fun on your cruise.

On my last cruise over the holidays, we had something like $800 in OBC per cabin because of TA and RCI perks. We used it for gratuities, a few restaurants, and a few other splurges. We burned through the non-refundable OBC (the stuff directly from RCI) and then got the rest of the OBC refunded on the credit card that was put down for charges.

I didn't know the gratuities could be done in advance. Good strategy to get that out of the way!

 

Not a drinker and neither are my wife or mother. I do enjoy a nice dacquiri from time to time. Maybe do a drink package for one night. not an option. you must buy it for the entire cruise( or by the cut off day which is usually 4 days ) they MIGHT offer a 10 drink card to purchase about half way through

 

The massage sounds interesting. only use non refundable OBC and only of there is absolutely nothing else to pique your interest. way over priced and the hard sell that normally comes with it is a major turn off.

 

We plan to do our own shore excusion as the Americas Cup will be running and we wanted to try some restaurants on the island we are visiting.

 

Not looking to do much of the specialty restaurants. Was wondering if there was some fantastic dish or dessert item to try at one of those venues though. strictly personal preference. this is where we spend most of our OBC mainly because we have found the MDR menus to be stale( they are several years old and in need of a good refreshing esp for frequent cruisers)

 

I did not think about photos. That's a good idea too!

 

The casino is also intersting. That might be a whole nother thread! What are the hours? Can I use cash? do I have to buy chips, or is it all billed on the Seapass card or WOW band?

 

How about BINGO?

Bingo is way overpriced, but again, if you would otherwise lose the OBC, go for it. we usually buy at least one thing in the shops. we also fritter it away on the for purchase ice cream options( nothing beats a nice sundae after an excursion) and a few higher end wines at dinner.

if you ever have trouble spending $800 in OBC, you are doing it wrong!!! ;p

Last year we had $2500 dollars in OBC(By purchasing over a year & some for referring a friend, but mostly self- purchase. What wasn't used we received back in cash on the last night.:D This year we have $2100, 400 from RCCL & 1700 self purchase.

Stacey,

Once you've made it, you get drinks, dinners, internet time, etc...

 

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Oops wrong quote

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They were available on Empress (and only $59) - 3 day Bahama sailing.;)

WOW

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