How to 'cash out' non refundable OBC?

[seapad]

I know this topic has been covered before, but for some reason, I'm not able to find it. I know that Celebrity will not allow non-refundable to be cashed out anymore. But heard that you can 'purchase' chips in the casino, but I'm not sure how that works, and what to watch for? 

We are really not gamblers and don't know how to approach this. Thanks! 

By the way, we've already purchased our specialty dining and not going to participate in any shore excursion.....hence the question, Thanks for helping. 

[Bo1953]

Here you go, two (2) threads...

 

Not sure of current relevancy....

 

bon voyage

[seapad]

Thank you, Bo1953. 

[phoenix_dream]

Also not sure how this works now, but as of early last year, it worked as indicated in the couple of posts listed above.  You get chips and/or credit in the casino, and then you need to gamble with it.  Whatever you might win during that gambling can then be cashed out.  Years ago you could just get cash at the casino window but they wised up to that as many people (ok, me included) would just get the cash and keep it rather than gambling.

[miched]

You need to keep track of the money played in the slots/VP.   Let’s say you play $10 in VP at $1.25/play.  After 8 plays you need to cash out to collect your “winnings”.   If you don’t cash out you will keep playing using up the winnings that would be your cash back. 
 

Probably doesn't matter to you but any play using On Board Credit doesn’t accumulate casino points.  
 

There is also sometimes promos that give you 10% extra for casino buy in.    Buy $50 and get $55 in play.   Usually pre cruising in the planning section.   
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🌅🇺🇸

[Denny01]

This takes too much MIP (Math In Public) for me! I’ll just go to a nice special restaurant, buy a few things, take a ship tour, lots of options. 

 

Den

[Oville]

10 hours ago, seapad said:

I know this topic has been covered before, but for some reason, I'm not able to find it. I know that Celebrity will not allow non-refundable to be cashed out anymore. But heard that you can 'purchase' chips in the casino, but I'm not sure how that works, and what to watch for? 

We are really not gamblers and don't know how to approach this. Thanks! 

By the way, we've already purchased our specialty dining and not going to participate in any shore excursion.....hence the question, Thanks for helping. 

I think the easiest way to do this is to try booking new Specially restaurants once onboard and canceling your previous reservations.

[isdoo]

I will be doing this or shopping. 

 

Being in a top suite and not wanting to do ships excursions my options are limited! 

[delondin]

37 minutes ago, isdoo said:

I will be doing this or shopping. 

 

Being in a top suite and not wanting to do ships excursions my options are limited! 

We used ours in the shops (perfume, makeup, clothes) and also had a couple of spa treatments. Had a little gamble in the casino.
 

Bit cross with ourselves that we went over though as the charges don’t always appear at once so don’t make that mistake. 

[GlobalMethod]

2 hours ago, isdoo said:

I will be doing this or shopping. 

 

Being in a top suite and not wanting to do ships excursions my options are limited! 

My wife used to get top tier purses with our non-refundables ... we got too many even to give to relatives for x-mas ... 🙂 ... now we make a proper investment into the very best drink package!

[chemmo]

The whole family has iPads, cameras etc thanks to OBC!

 

We usually pick up a nice bottle or two as well. I assume the booze duty free section will be closed on the ‘staycations’?

3 hours ago, isdoo said:

I will be doing this or shopping. 

 

Being in a top suite and not wanting to do ships excursions my options are limited! 

 

We are always in the same boat (sorry ship). With speciality dining included another spending option is gone! 

[Jim_Iain]

We often use some of it for extra tips and after checking with the Hotel Director she confirmed if you write an individual's name it goes directly to them.    She indicated she knows because she was the one that put it on their  pay record. 

 

If you buy casino chips with it they give you special colored chips that are not exchangeable for cash but winning chips are regular chips.   We have known some gamblers that suggested we show up at the blackjack table separately  and one play red and the other black and the odds are pretty high you will break even or loose very little.    You then cash in you winning chips.

[tallyho8]

Blackjack or roulette?

[WestLakeGirl]

Remember you aren’t cashing out the OBC, you are buying chipe which must be wagered

[PTC DAWG]

10 minutes ago, tallyho8 said:

Blackjack or roulette?

He meant roulette..

 

me, I’d pay the pass line with double odds on the craps table. 

[miched]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We often use some of it for extra tips and after checking with the Hotel Director she confirmed if you write an individual's name it goes directly to them.    She indicated she knows because she was the one that put it on their  pay record. 

 

If you buy casino chips with it they give you special colored chips that are not exchangeable for cash but winning chips are regular chips.   We have known some gamblers that suggested we show up at the blackjack table separately  and one play red and the other black and the odds are pretty high you will break even or loose very little.    You then cash in you winning chips.

 
You mean Roulette and we tried that.   Some don’t care and others said we can’t do that even though we tried to be strangers.    You could cover all the numbers; play odd and even, or red and black and hope that green doesn’t hit, doing that you could also double your base bet on green and hope it hits. 

And the match play can’t be used with the promo checks.   Checks is the correct terminology even though most say chips.   I worked a s dealer in a casino

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

Edited July 21, 2021 by miched

[Denny01]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We often use some of it for extra tips and after checking with the Hotel Director she confirmed if you write an individual's name it goes directly to them.    She indicated she knows because she was the one that put it on their  pay record. ……….

We’ve all listed things to spend it on. But just to be clear, my expereince and what I’ve read on other posts is your Non-refundable OBC and Refundable OBC are on your account. And anything that can be charged to your account uses it, and the Non-Refundable is used up first, then the Refundable. 

 

ForJim_lain: how were you able to use OBC for direct tips beyond the standard gratuities which come out of OBC When its not part of the AI that is active.

 

den

[lifeisrealygood]

This is really simple.  You don't need a "math" brain.  You cash in your OBC, say $100, and you will get for example 20 $5 chips, the same color as normal $5.00 chips, but with a note imprinted that they can not be redeemed for cash.  You merely take these chips to the blackjack table, where your odds are 48% to 52 % favoring the house, if you follow the rules of blackjack as to when to hit, when to double down, when to split and when to stay put.  You play the 20 $5.00 chips, and any winnings which are paid in real chips are put aside to be cashed in.  Even if you have a really bad night, you will still have money to cash in.  You will never lose the 20 $5.00 chips in their entirety without ever winning a hand if you bet the minimum, 5 or 10 dollars per hand, and double or split when appropriate.  Even if you break even, which is what will happen on most nights, you just converted the $100 OBC to $100 you can cash in and put in your pocket.  

 

There are many cards out there that tell you "when to do what" at blackjack.  Get one, and use it when you play.  They do not care if you refer to the card to determine what to do, as long as you do it quickly.  Just do not sit in the first three seats at the table,  Sit in the 4th seat or higher, so you have time to refer to the card to determine what to do, then just do it.  

 

My wife and I for years have converted OBC to cash at blackjack.  We also do not need any more "things", or "bling", and book our excursions pre-cruise so we get what we want.  So, we won't use the OBC for those things.    We basically are using the casinos money, our OBC, and gambling for free, and "always" win something.  

[PRH]

You can apply it to tips.  Go to the service desk and request the form—you can name the person(s) to receive additional tips and specify by percentage of the total you wish to apply to tips.  This is in addition to “included” tips.  Then we have written thank you notes to those crew members along with the amount so they can hold the bursar accountable.  I asked a crew member and they confirmed that they do receive the $$ in their next paycheck.  I’d rather give it to crew than spend it in a shop with outrageous prices and dubious quality.

[graphicguy]

On 7/20/2021 at 4:26 AM, chemmo said:

The whole family has iPads, cameras etc thanks to OBC!

 

We usually pick up a nice bottle or two as well. I assume the booze duty free section will be closed on the ‘staycations’?

 

We are always in the same boat (sorry ship). With speciality dining included another spending option is gone! 

Boy…never thought of that.  You can get some nice Apple gear on board with OBC.

[cruisestitch]

Because this gets asked so often I've compiled a list of things to spend OBC on. The only thing I know of now that you CAN'T buy with OBC is a deposit on a Future Cruise. You need a credit card for that.  Also, there may be some card game in the casino with a cash only buy-in.   Otherwise, here you go:

 

 

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Alcove Rental (some ships)

Apple products etc. and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Babysitting

Barber Shop services (Edge only)

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

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Chef’s Table

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Extra cost entrees and other items in Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants

Extend Your Stay program

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shop souvenirs, purses, cosmetics, clothing, jewelry, etc.

Gratuities, and extra gratuities

Guests dining with you in Luminae (applies to Suite Passengers only)

Guest entertainers' CD's and DVD's

Hair and nail salon

Hollywood hot glass experiences (some ships)

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Martini Flights

Medical Center purchases (but not treatments)

Mini bar

Portrait photo sessions

Pay-per-view movies

Persian Gardens passes

Personal Training Sessions

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items, and late night delivery fee

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Telephone calls using ship's system

Transfer to another passenger's account

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

[jg51]

2 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Because this gets asked so often I've compiled a list of things to spend OBC on. The only thing I know of now that you CAN'T buy with OBC is a deposit on a Future Cruise. You need a credit card for that.  Also, there may be some card game in the casino with a cash only buy-in.   Otherwise, here you go:

 

 

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Alcove Rental (some ships)

Apple products etc. and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Babysitting

Barber Shop services (Edge only)

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

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Chef’s Table

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Extra cost entrees and other items in Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants

Extend Your Stay program

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shop souvenirs, purses, cosmetics, clothing, jewelry, etc.

Gratuities, and extra gratuities

Guests dining with you in Luminae (applies to Suite Passengers only)

Guest entertainers' CD's and DVD's

Hair and nail salon

Hollywood hot glass experiences (some ships)

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Martini Flights

Medical Center purchases (but not treatments)

Mini bar

Portrait photo sessions

Pay-per-view movies

Persian Gardens passes

Personal Training Sessions

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items, and late night delivery fee

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Telephone calls using ship's system

Transfer to another passenger's account

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

.

Amazing list, "cruisestitch"!  You deserve an award for that.

[seapad]

17 hours ago, lifeisrealygood said:

This is really simple.  You don't need a "math" brain.  You cash in your OBC, say $100, and you will get for example 20 $5 chips, the same color as normal $5.00 chips, but with a note imprinted that they can not be redeemed for cash.  You merely take these chips to the blackjack table, where your odds are 48% to 52 % favoring the house, if you follow the rules of blackjack as to when to hit, when to double down, when to split and when to stay put.  You play the 20 $5.00 chips, and any winnings which are paid in real chips are put aside to be cashed in.  Even if you have a really bad night, you will still have money to cash in.  You will never lose the 20 $5.00 chips in their entirety without ever winning a hand if you bet the minimum, 5 or 10 dollars per hand, and double or split when appropriate.  Even if you break even, which is what will happen on most nights, you just converted the $100 OBC to $100 you can cash in and put in your pocket.  

 

There are many cards out there that tell you "when to do what" at blackjack.  Get one, and use it when you play.  They do not care if you refer to the card to determine what to do, as long as you do it quickly.  Just do not sit in the first three seats at the table,  Sit in the 4th seat or higher, so you have time to refer to the card to determine what to do, then just do it.  

 

My wife and I for years have converted OBC to cash at blackjack.  We also do not need any more "things", or "bling", and book our excursions pre-cruise so we get what we want.  So, we won't use the OBC for those things.    We basically are using the casinos money, our OBC, and gambling for free, and "always" win something.  

I like this idea. Is there any such strategy cards on the cruise? Just not even sure where to grab them.

[DCPIV]

2 hours ago, seapad said:

I like this idea. Is there any such strategy cards on the cruise? Just not even sure where to grab them.

 

There is no shortage of them available on the internet, some for as little as a few bucks. 

[the penguins]

On 7/21/2021 at 3:08 AM, tallyho8 said:

Blackjack or roulette?

Roulette. You don't need worry the Croupiers are used to it. We do it on every cruise with our Captains Club matched bet coupons. Then we convert our winnings to regular chips and the boss (Anita) carries on playing. You can loose if it comes up double zero but so far that hasn't happened.