Best use for $2100 in OBC on a 5 day cruise

[queenpailhead]

So due to my kids' activity schedules and the spring break cancellation our 7 day cruise in april became a 5 day in November. Thus, we have a metric butt ton (an actual measurement unit) of OBC spread over our 3 rooms (4 teens, 2 adults). My understanding is none of it can be used prior to boarding. Of course we will use $500 give or take for tips (do I have to go to guest services for that? this is only our second cruise and we prepaid tips on the last one), but what are the best ways to use the rest? I'm thinking internet for the kids maybe (which plan is best for teens??), and I think my husband and I may splurge for a drink package.

 

Are there many excursions left by the time you board? Our ports are Half Moon, Nassau, and Grand Turk. I'm not really interested in a photo package and we're on the Sensation so no good specialty dining options.

[tennboy1981]

wow you got 2100 in OBC?  Anyway there is a trick where you can go to the casino and charge credits to your sail & sign account, and cash out the balance and keep the cash for another cruise or whatever.  Theres no way I could spend 2100 dollars on a cruise lol

Edited April 2, 2020 by tennboy1981
better explanation

[bahacca]

Drink package, the fancy dinner if you are foodies. Then casino cash out.

[Joe817]

Buy some nice jewelry and a nice watch from the Fun Shops. That's where I'd spend it. 

[queenpailhead]

Yes we got $2100, $1200 from cancelling the April cruise (2 rooms) and then $900 difference in price of the 2 cruises.

 

We may do the cash out thing. I think 2 drink packages and tips will take over half of it so really I guess we're looking to spend a thousand or less. Since there are 6 of us one excursion will be most of that if there is anything left to book when we board.

[tennboy1981]

1 minute ago, queenpailhead said:

Yes we got $2100, $1200 from cancelling the April cruise (2 rooms) and then $900 difference in price of the 2 cruises.

 

We may do the cash out thing. I think 2 drink packages and tips will take over half of it so really I guess we're looking to spend a thousand or less. Since there are 6 of us one excursion will be most of that if there is anything left to book when we board.

Would you typically get 2 drink packages?  Meaning do you typically spend 300 dollars per person on drinks on a cruise?  Just think about that before you do it.  Could easily buy drinks a la carte and then cash the balance out in the casino.  Id cash it out and use it towards another cruise lol

[queenpailhead]

6 minutes ago, tennboy1981 said:

Would you typically get 2 drink packages?  Meaning do you typically spend 300 dollars per person on drinks on a cruise?  Just think about that before you do it.  Could easily buy drinks a la carte and then cash the balance out in the casino.  Id cash it out and use it towards another cruise lol

On royal you can track your spending on the tv. Can you do that for Carnival? We didn't buy drink packages on Royal but could see where we were with spending...

[Denverdonkeys]

1 minute ago, queenpailhead said:

On royal you can track your spending on the tv. Can you do that for Carnival? We didn't buy drink packages on Royal but could see where we were with spending...

you can use the tv or the Hub app.

 

keep in mind your OBC is spread across different rooms. each room needs to spend the OBC. so if you have a room with only minors they cant cash out the OBC in the casino or buy the drink package.

 

I say this, but I am not sure how the a single "account" with one credit card would affect how the OBC is applied to the group charges.

[queenpailhead]

2 minutes ago, Denverdonkeys said:

you can use the tv or the Hub app.

 

keep in mind your OBC is spread across different rooms. each room needs to spend the OBC. so if you have a room with only minors they cant cash out the OBC in the casino or buy the drink package.

 

I say this, but I am not sure how the a single "account" with one credit card would affect how the OBC is applied to the group charges.

Thanks. i need to find this out. When we did 3 rooms for Royal we could basically spend the total, not just per room. In this case the room with 2 minors (they put my husband and I each in a room with a minor, then one room has 2 minors) has less OBC so we can probably use that on Half Moon Cay to rent kayaks or something. Thankfully the 2 rooms the adults are linked to have the vast majority of the OBC.

 

Basically I'll just try to spend the minors' credit first to ensure we don't end up stuck with it

 

Edited April 2, 2020 by queenpailhead

[tennboy1981]

29 minutes ago, Denverdonkeys said:

you can use the tv or the Hub app.

 

keep in mind your OBC is spread across different rooms. each room needs to spend the OBC. so if you have a room with only minors they cant cash out the OBC in the casino or buy the drink package.

 

I say this, but I am not sure how the a single "account" with one credit card would affect how the OBC is applied to the group charges.

Right but since they are minors, couldnt the adults just go to the guest services and transfer their OBC to their parents or guardians?  

[beachbum53]

1 hour ago, queenpailhead said:

So due to my kids' activity schedules and the spring break cancellation our 7 day cruise in april became a 5 day in November. Thus, we have a metric butt ton (an actual measurement unit) of OBC spread over our 3 rooms (4 teens, 2 adults). My understanding is none of it can be used prior to boarding. Of course we will use $500 give or take for tips (do I have to go to guest services for that? this is only our second cruise and we prepaid tips on the last one), but what are the best ways to use the rest? I'm thinking internet for the kids maybe (which plan is best for teens??), and I think my husband and I may splurge for a drink package.

 

Are there many excursions left by the time you board? Our ports are Half Moon, Nassau, and Grand Turk. I'm not really interested in a photo package and we're on the Sensation so no good specialty dining options.

 

If you're planning to book any excursions through Carnival, it would be best to book them well in advance, especially those that have limited availability. For example, you could book a Beach Villa at HMC for $599.99. There are a limited number available  (five  I think), and they get booked very quickly. Take the time to look at the excursions offered through Carnival at each of the ports. If you see something that would be of interest to everyone in your family, book it as soon as possible. If you have any questions about combining the OBC, or booking excursions, call  Carnival Guest Services at 1-800-764-7419.

[queenpailhead]

7 minutes ago, beachbum53 said:

 

If you're planning to book any excursions through Carnival, it would be best to book them well in advance, especially those that have limited availability. For example, you could book a Beach Villa at HMC for $599.99. There are a limited number available  (five  I think), and they get booked very quickly. Take the time to look at the excursions offered through Carnival at each of the ports. If you see something that would be of interest to everyone in your family, book it as soon as possible. If you have any questions about combining the OBC, or booking excursions, call  Carnival Guest Services at 1-800-764-7419.

Unfortunately we were told you can't use the OBC until you board so we will be stuck with "leftovers" by then.

[jperry2011]

You can book excursions onboard most are still available. That's what I plan on doing with some OBC.

Buy clothes or whatever you may need at the shops. 

Eat specialty dining.

[nydney1]

You could buy the Fascination or Imagination.

[firefly333]

I always wait to book excursions on board with obc. Always had a good selection. If something sold out they can add another bus often and it's available onboard.

 

I treated myself to one of those watches that runs off the sun. It was over $500 but dont remember.

 

I drive and use leftover obc to select booze. Usually a few tee shirts. Sometimes that english chocolate that is in a triangle and long. Forget the name. 

 

Between excursions and shopping I spend it and a little more. I figure they want me back if I spend extra onboard. I've got maybe close to 30 of those sparkle shirts they used to sell. They wear well and dont shrink. I love having money to spend and spend it. That's my chance to see ruins on carnival excursions. ..though I'm about thru the excursions they offer at this pt. that I wanted to do.

[Joebucks]

I think a lot of people will jump to the most expensive things like Cheers or Excursions, and those very well may be the things you end up getting. Personally, I wouldn't ignore the shops either. If you drink, you could bring some very nice bottles home. Some that would even have cost hundreds out of pocket. I'm not jewelry person, but if that's your thing, why not take a look there too?

[Joe817]

They have a good selection of fine watches too. Brands like TAG, Breitling, Omega, etc.

[firefly333]

5 minutes ago, Joe817 said:

They have a good selection of fine watches too. Brands like TAG, Breitling, Omega, etc.

I bought my ladies citizen watch onboard. The one that runs off sunlight so you dont need to change batteries... though I guess not a top cost brand, I love mine

[DaKa2002]

21 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I bought my ladies citizen watch onboard. The one that runs off sunlight so you dont need to change batteries... though I guess not a top cost brand, I love mine

I bought one years ago on board, still keeps excellent time, still waterproof for swimming.  Has lasted longer than any other watches that I purchased or receive as gifts.  

[coevan]

I'm pretty sure you can not pre buy Cheers, gratuities, or the internet and use OBC. So you have to eat the discounts and buy everything on board.

[grandmarnnurse]

6 hours ago, queenpailhead said:

So due to my kids' activity schedules and the spring break cancellation our 7 day cruise in april became a 5 day in November. Thus, we have a metric butt ton (an actual measurement unit) of OBC spread over our 3 rooms (4 teens, 2 adults). My understanding is none of it can be used prior to boarding. Of course we will use $500 give or take for tips (do I have to go to guest services for that? this is only our second cruise and we prepaid tips on the last one), but what are the best ways to use the rest? I'm thinking internet for the kids maybe (which plan is best for teens??), and I think my husband and I may splurge for a drink package.

 

Are there many excursions left by the time you board? Our ports are Half Moon, Nassau, and Grand Turk. I'm not really interested in a photo package and we're on the Sensation so no good specialty dining options.

I had to rebook a cruise after my B2B (2 cruises together) was cancelled, and recieved a total of $1200 OBC. I usually book all my excursions ahead of time, but for this cruise, a 14 day Journey cruise to Panama Canal, I will wait and book our excursions once onboard. 

[1city@atime]

I love this topic. My husband and I have been having this discussion between the two of us as a way to pass time around the house. It's like the game what would you do if you won the lottery.  We say...

*Don't prepay gratuities

*Don't buy drink package before you board

We always do both of these, something we will do different with OBC to spend

*Book a spa session

*Excursions

*Liquor to bring home

*Jewelry/Watches

[grandmarnnurse]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I bought my ladies citizen watch onboard. The one that runs off sunlight so you dont need to change batteries... though I guess not a top cost brand, I love mine

We buy Citizen watches onboard all the time! We may just use some of our OBC for new ones. I LOVE my Citizen watches that never need a battery change!

[bury me at sea]

13 minutes ago, coevan said:

I'm pretty sure you can not pre buy Cheers, gratuities, or the internet and use OBC. So you have to eat the discounts and buy everything on board.

 

There is no discount for pre-paying gratuities.  The cost on-board will be exactly the same and if you wait until you board the OBC will apply.

[noblewoman]

See if they have behind the scenes it is great last about 4 hours but well worth it

You have to get it on board so do it as soon as you get on as it goes quick