What to do with OBC

[wannagonow123]

What exactly can you use OBC for? I assume gratuities, drinks, Spa. Can it be used for steakhouse and/or specialty coffees? How about fun shop purchases such as liquor & smokes?

 

We were given a substantial amount for a 5 day cruise and want to make sure it all gets used.

[LMaxwell]

Anything that would show up on your bill at the end , OBC can be used for 

[shof515]

58 minutes ago, wannagonow123 said:

What exactly can you use OBC for? I assume gratuities, drinks, Spa. Can it be used for steakhouse and/or specialty coffees? How about fun shop purchases such as liquor & smokes?

 

We were given a substantial amount for a 5 day cruise and want to make sure it all gets used.

 

yes for drinks, yes for spa. yes for steakhouse, yes to special coffees, yes to fun shop purchases

 

it might be possible to use for the gratuities .

[Theosprey247]

Use it for anything you want to buy on the ship.

[fatboydave666]

56 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

yes for drinks, yes for spa. yes for steakhouse, yes to special coffees, yes to fun shop purchases

 

it might be possible to use for the gratuities .

Pay gratuities? 

[Crusin Hogs]

20 minutes ago, fatboydave666 said:

Pay gratuities? 

yes   , It can be used for that to 

[Joebucks]

My OBC almost always goes towards gratuities and a few drinks. One reason I will never pay grats up front

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Your sail and sign account is just like a bank account.  You have purchases and deposits.  OBC is like a deposit into the bank.

 

At the end of your cruise, if you owe money, they will charge your credit card for the balance.  OBC, cruise cash, gift card deposits, or cash deposits will all decrease the amount owed at the end.

 

All ship board purchases, including gratuities, show up as charges to your account.

 

There is no accounting of what funds are used for what.  

 

The only exceptions are bar cash and photo cash you can buy in advance; those have to be used for bar/photos respectively.  I’ve never used them, so I don’t know how they indicate this on the statement.

 

[jmcathome]

If you have refundable onboard credit, you can receive it back at end of cruise Not all is refundable. Check with guest services when you get on and they can tell you how much you have of each or whether it is all non refunable.

[Banditswife]

You can use it to gamble in the casino too.

[elklemi]

Can you explain how to use at casino, I have a lot obc built up and usually don't visit casino but will use some of this at casino but have no idea how to do this, hope you can help me out. thanks.

[miataman19]

Wondering if I cancel my upcoming August 9th sailing on Liberty and take Future Cruise Credit does my $400 OBC come with me? I think I know the answer but has anyone done this?

 

[SNJCruisers]

1 hour ago, miataman19 said:

Wondering if I cancel my upcoming August 9th sailing on Liberty and take Future Cruise Credit does my $400 OBC come with me? I think I know the answer but has anyone done this?

 

It all depends upon how the 400 in OBC was obtained.  If it was from a Carnival promotion, then more than likely no.  But don't worry.  Wait until Carnival cancels and then you will have additional OBC to worry about on your new booking since Liberty will probably not be sailing on August 9th.

[mondello]

On 5/6/2021 at 8:54 AM, elklemi said:

Can you explain how to use at casino, I have a lot obc built up and usually don't visit casino but will use some of this at casino but have no idea how to do this, hope you can help me out. thanks.

You insert your S&S card into the slot machine. If you don't have any OBC, the money spent playing slots would be billed to your S&S card. If you have OBC, the OBC will be reduced by the amount spent. Some people use this method to cash out their OBC, download $200 to play, use a little and use the card to cash out at the Cashier cage. This may work with promotional OBC; however, the OBC given to rebook cancelled cruises may be use it or lose it.

[Nic6318]

On 5/6/2021 at 8:54 AM, elklemi said:

Can you explain how to use at casino, I have a lot obc built up and usually don't visit casino but will use some of this at casino but have no idea how to do this, hope you can help me out. thanks.

 

Hi Elklemi

 

If you go to the casino simply insert your cabin card into any slot machine. It will ask you to set up a casino account. Just follow the prompts, if you are unsure, most any casino staff will help you. Once that is done, you again follow the prompts that ask if you would like to transfer monies from your onboard account to your casino account. Once this is done there will be money in the slot machine you are playing at.  The money you transfer this way will be charged to your onboard account and your OBC will be used to pay it down. When you are done playing be sure to "cash out". The money remaining in the machine will be transferred to your "casino account". Remember that this account is separate from your "onboard account".  Any time you sit at another slot machine, you will again be prompted to either use funds from your "casino account" or transfer funds from your "onboard account". Before the last evening ends (or anytime during the cruise) you need to go to the "cashiers cage" and they will give you any funds that remain in your casino account.

 

p.s. I know what Mondelo is suggesting had been done in the past with great success, but even then they were watching that people played at least some of the money. If not they were at times having a talk with people who were making a blatant effort to just withdraw funds. One of the main reasons for that is that if you were to try to do the same at one of the table games, they charge a 3% premium. My thought is that with most people (at least for the first year or so) will be in the same position you find yourself in and I doubt they will be letting this happen at this point. I imagine they will find a way of preventing it. 

Edited May 9, 2021 by Nic6318

[mondello]

On 5/6/2021 at 8:54 AM, elklemi said:

Can you explain how to use at casino, I have a lot obc built up and usually don't visit casino but will use some of this at casino but have no idea how to do this, hope you can help me out. thanks.

I forgot 2 things. 1) Do not get up and leave your S&S card in the machine (it happens). Follow the proper steps at each machine. Also, 2) Sign up in the Casino to join the Players Club. You will get future offers even if you're not a big player.

[elklemi]

Thank you all for making it clear how to deal with this.  Not usually a player but with all the OBC credit I know I will play since when I lose it will not hit me in MY wallet.  My cruise is not until January 2022 from Mobile so no guarantee it will sail but when I do get on my next cruise I will know what to do so thank you all.