How do you spend your OBC when in a suite with perks?

[Alsmez]

Great list, cruisestitch - thank you! I did a search and didn't find anything, but I have to say the search function ain't what it used to be. 

[DogLover]

Very detailed list from cruisestitch.

Hope no one will have the need to spend OBC at the Medical Center, however.

Otherwise, great list!

[Oville]

4 hours ago, Alsmez said:

I will have to check and see what portion is refundable - I assume the TA portion only. We do normally eat in specialty restaurants but since we are in Luminae this time around (and there is no Murano on Summit), I doubt we'll bother.

You might want to check the Luminae menus, there are usually a couple of nights we take a pass.  The Summit is limited in alternatives though.

[Alsmez]

2 minutes ago, Oville said:

You might want to check the Luminae menus, there are usually a couple of nights we take a pass.  The Summit is limited in alternatives though.

 

We will, absolutely. We have another cruise booked in May 2020 in AQ so we might try to visit Blu one night, just to see how things have changed there since our last AQ cruise. We like Sushi on 5, too.

[George C]

11 minutes ago, Oville said:

You might want to check the Luminae menus, there are usually a couple of nights we take a pass.  The Summit is limited in alternatives though.

We like checking menu for luminae daily in micheals where they have copy of all the menus , we skip luminae a few times last cruise, nice that you can order off mdr menu in luminae.

[drakes2]

6 hours ago, Oville said:

The TA OBC might be refundable, the Celebrity piece we use for speciality restaurants.  Last cruise it bought me a very nice Coach tote.

I was on a Scandinavian cruise summer of 2016 and last day had just under $200 non refundable to spend. Looking at some handbags nothing caught my eye then sales lady found a beautiful rose gold Michael Kors bag in the back. Never seen one like it and received many compliments. The OBC was use it or lose it.

[MizDemeanor]

Massage. 

[Oville]

3 hours ago, George C said:

We like checking menu for luminae daily in micheals where they have copy of all the menus , we skip luminae a few times last cruise, nice that you can order off mdr menu in luminae.

My experience is this is true on all ships but not Edge. Now one can check out the Luminae menus on the app and you decide where you want to eat each night.

Edited March 6, 2019 by Oville

[first mate]

We just did a B2B on the Edge.  One week in Aqua and the 2nd week in a S3 (out first time in Aqua & a suite).  The first week my husband bought an Apple watch and the 2nd week I bought an Apple watch.  It was the same price as on land but we didn't have to pay the sales tax.  We were wondering what we would spend the OBC on and then the iLounge came to mind!  

 

[Hlitner]

A fun topic.  On Celebrity we never had trouble spending OBCs as there are the alternative restaurants and some decent wine choices.   Having a Suite is not really relevant as this can happen with any category.  But we recently experienced a similar thing on MSC!  It was our first MSC cruise and we spent 21 days in their all-inclusive Yacht Club.  All of our drinks , food, tips...everything was covered.  But we had over $800 in OBCs.  After about 15 days of our 21 day cruise we realized that we had only spent a little over $100 on a an unlimited Internet package.  With nearly $700 of non-refundable OBC left we finally asked our Concierge about the problem.  She said we could spend it anywhere on the ship (we had no interest in any excursions).   So DW went to the jewelry store and bought herself a decent neckless for about $500.  The last night I went to the casino and got chips for the entire remaining amount.  It took me about 15 minutes to double the amount (Blackjack) which I then cashed out for cash!   To be honest, at this point of my life I find casinos boring and seldom waste my time.  But if they insist I have to spend the money or lose it....I will spend it.  

 

It is the same on Celebrity.  If you have non-refundable OBC you can spend it at the shops or the Casino.  Casinos make it relatively easy to launder the OBC and turn it into cash.  And if you know what you are doing and have a little luck....:).

 

Hank

[crazyman3]

You mentioned that you had all four perks... okay, so why not upgrade your beverage package to the top level? Perhaps it is already...

 

I wish we Brits had the same problem: we receive very little OBC. Perhaps the pricing system is different.

[warmwinds]

I've not had this "problem" before but might on our next cruise...

 

would someone be kind enough to explain step by step how to use it for extra tips and also to get casino chips?

[Cruise a holic]

I enjoy the spa, salon and specialty restaurants.  If the ship has alcoves or you go to labadee or cococay  book a cabana- they are great.

 

 While the jewelry isn't a bargain, you can purchase a good watch, like S---ko for a fair price.  A great gift for yourself or DH.  Gifts like Tee shirts for family and yourselves another good option.   Enjoy the money, that is what it is for.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Guest Relations has a form you can fill out specifying how much extra you want to give to certain staff.  It individually specifies butler and stateroom attendant so they will receive the extra tip with their pay.  We were told we could specify a particular waiter on a few cruises but on our last cruise we were told that an additional tip would go to the dining staff in your assigned dining room.  Since we ate mostly in Muranos we tipped in cash.

 

Haven't tried to cash out at the Casino.

[warmwinds]

Thank you, I guess we'll just ask at the casino?

[Alsmez]

13 hours ago, Hlitner said:

The last night I went to the casino and got chips for the entire remaining amount.  It took me about 15 minutes to double the amount (Blackjack) which I then cashed out for cash!   To be honest, at this point of my life I find casinos boring and seldom waste my time.  But if they insist I have to spend the money or lose it....I will spend it.  

 

It is the same on Celebrity.  If you have non-refundable OBC you can spend it at the shops or the Casino.  Casinos make it relatively easy to launder the OBC and turn it into cash.  And if you know what you are doing and have a little luck....:).

 

 

We're not gamblers either, but if we have non-refundable OBC and can't find anything else to spend it on, I may consider it. It sounds like it's relatively easy to get most of it back in cash by playing roulette, too.

[Skip2MySue]

31 minutes ago, Alsmez said:

 

We're not gamblers either, but if we have non-refundable OBC and can't find anything else to spend it on, I may consider it. It sounds like it's relatively easy to get most of it back in cash by playing roulette, too.

 

   We just got off the Allure last month and we had $900 in OBC.  We went to the casino every night and played Blackjack each night with a 5% vig added to our $100 each cash out.  Very easy to use and we ended up playing 5 nights and taking another $150 in winnings plus our $900 home with us...…..

Skip

Edited March 6, 2019 by Skip2MySue