What to do with OBC?

[crusin'k]

The price of our December 2021 cruise on Silhouette dropped after final payment (yippee).  So in keeping with Celebrity's "Best Offer Guarantee" we were issued $610  OBC + an additional $100 OBC from our TA.  We have no idea how to spend that much OBC!  We know we can use it for gratuities but it is only an 11 day cruise.  We have been to these islands numerous times before so excursions are not in the picture.  We don't eat in specialty restaurants or drink (not really as boring as we sound) and buy very little in the shops.  Has anyone had any success with Celebrity extending the OBC to another cruise?  Or any other ideas?  It's too bad that wasn't given as FCC instead but that is not the policy.

[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.   If they do a fundraiser, like selling t-shirts to “save the reefs” and the like, expect to need cash for that.  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

[WestLakeGirl]

Celebrity will not extend (move) the OBC into a different cruise.

[davekathy]

11 minutes ago, crusin'k said:

The price of our December 2021 cruise on Silhouette dropped after final payment (yippee).  So in keeping with Celebrity's "Best Offer Guarantee" we were issued $610  OBC + an additional $100 OBC from our TA.  We have no idea how to spend that much OBC!  We know we can use it for gratuities but it is only an 11 day cruise.  We have been to these islands numerous times before so excursions are not in the picture.  We don't eat in specialty restaurants or drink (not really as boring as we sound) and buy very little in the shops.  Has anyone had any success with Celebrity extending the OBC to another cruise?  Or any other ideas?  It's too bad that wasn't given as FCC instead but that is not the policy.

Sounds like a good time to splurge. Celebrity's OBC is non refundable and will not carryover. Your TAs OBC is possibly refundable (all ours have been). You'll be able to see in a day or two into your cruise on your stateroom TV if your TAs OBC is refundable or not. If it is and you don't spend it, it will be automatically credited back to your credit card (all our experiences). 

[crusin'k]

Thanks everyone.  I forgot to mention that this is the first leg of a b2b (both legs are 11 days).  That's why I was hoping they might let us transfer some to the second leg (at least to pay gratuities.

[WestLakeGirl]

They will not transfer between cruises, even back to back cruises.  They need to close one account before they can open another account on the next cruise

 

 

[Team Stag]

52 minutes 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.   If they do a fundraiser, like selling t-shirts to “save the reefs” and the like, expect to need cash for that.  Otherwise, here you go:

 

Flowers

How do you use it for Flowers?  Is this though the sailaway gifts group? Or is there an option while on the boat?  Thanks.

[Jim_Iain]

You can use it for extra tips by filling out a form and return to Guest Relations.  

 

You can also book a Private Journey Tour if yo don't want to be on a large tour bus with little social distancing.

 

Remember the OBC from you agent is usually refundable so will be refunded to your credit card if not used.    Those given by Celebrity are NON-refundable.

Edited October 5, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[cruisestitch]

You can order flowers while on the ship.  See Guest Relations.

 

One of my favorite memories was doing a back to back cruise where Valentine’s Day was in the first cruise.  As those passengers disembark, all the red roses that they had ordered for their state rooms were lined up in the hallways to be discarded. I raced from floor to floor gathering as many as I could. The state room attendants figured out what I was doing and helped provide even more as they cleaned the rooms. You should have seen my stateroom on the following cruise!

[goofysmom99]

I had a boatload of OBC on the 1st leg of a B2B I'm on right now.  I put some more with it and bought a nice "everyday" watch.  Not something I'd have thought I'd do but turns out, something I just love!  Surprise yourself.  🤓

 

Now, what to do with the OBC on this leg? 🤔 

[pennys mum]

Xmas presents?

[Fouremco]

If all else fails, buy the best bit of tech from the Apple store that the OBC will cover and donate it to a worthy organization when you get home.

[Ken the cruiser]

We used some of our excess nonrefundable OBC to buy an iPad, some luggage and then split the remaining amount between our cabin steward and the dining staff by using the gratuities form we got from Customer Service.

[micheleg]

It's like found money.  Go nuts!  Buy some booze that you've always wanted to try but thought was too expensive, tip everyone extra that gave you great service or went out of their way for you,  buy something shiny bright that you'd never spend money on at home, try a specialty restaurant, or go to one for lunch instead of the buffet.  It's great to have that option and then to have a zero dollars bill at the end of your cruise!  Have fun with it!

[happy cruzer]

Persian Gardens passes would be a good choice.  Souvenirs, like a nice jacket or track suit.  Cosmetics or a piece of jewelry.

 

Also saw an item I was unaware of - transfer to another account.  Maybe make a deal with someone to split it???

[radarcruiser]

Get promo chips with it from the casino.  Bet numerous small increments in an (almost) even money game like red/black in roulette until the promo chips are gone.  Cash in your real chip winnings and pocket the cash.

[FLCruiser97]

3 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.   If they do a fundraiser, like selling t-shirts to “save the reefs” and the like, expect to need cash for that.  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

WOW. This is a great list. Some items I had not even thought of. Thanks for that @cruisestitch

[Pickels]

4 hours ago, crusin'k said:

The price of our December 2021 cruise on Silhouette dropped after final payment (yippee).  So in keeping with Celebrity's "Best Offer Guarantee" we were issued $610  OBC + an additional $100 OBC from our TA.  We have no idea how to spend that much OBC!  We know we can use it for gratuities but it is only an 11 day cruise.  We have been to these islands numerous times before so excursions are not in the picture.  We don't eat in specialty restaurants or drink (not really as boring as we sound) and buy very little in the shops.  Has anyone had any success with Celebrity extending the OBC to another cruise?  Or any other ideas?  It's too bad that wasn't given as FCC instead but that is not the policy.

Well, if you want, I can give my e-mail and let's see if you can transfer the OBC to me! 😃

[Northern Aurora]

We had $1300 OBC on a seven night first leg of a B2B we just completed.  And $1200 was non-refundable. As already noted Celebrity will not transfer some of that OBC to the second leg where we had only $700 OBC.

 

Given the covid situation we actually did three ship tours on the first leg but still had additional.  So a watch was purchased and we used the form provided by guest relations to provide extra tips. On the second leg a pair of earrings for me was purchased and even more additional tips were provided to the butler, stateroom attendant and Luminae tip pool. 

[colliercruiser]

4 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Gratuities, and extra gratuities

Are gratuities given with OBC using the form mentioned by some the same as giving cash directly to a crew member… I.e., just like cash in the pocket?

[Ken the cruiser]

39 minutes ago, colliercruiser said:

Are gratuities given with OBC using the form mentioned by some the same as giving cash directly to a crew member… I.e., just like cash in the pocket?

From what we were told by customer service, they go straight to your steward if you specifically mention their name on the form. If you don't specifically mention their name, it will go to both your steward and their supervisor. I could be wrong, but that's what we were recently told when we were on the Edge.

 

As far as extra dining gratuities go, it will be placed into the ship-wide Pool and shared with the various dining room servers based on a predefined algorithm. From what we were told, you can't specifically name individuals when it comes to dining room servers. Again, I could be wrong, but that's what we were told.

Edited October 5, 2021 by Ken the cruiser

[crusin'k]

Thanks everyone.  Some great ideas!

[tallnthensome]

I would have a hard time not finding sometning to use OBC on. 

[the penguins]

1 hour ago, radarcruiser said:

Get promo chips with it from the casino.  Bet numerous small increments in an (almost) even money game like red/black in roulette until the promo chips are gone.  Cash in your real chip winnings and pocket the cash.

You can't bet red/black, odds/evens with promotional chips you have to play inside only.

However you can convert most promotional chips to cash with very little risk if you follow this basic system:

1) draw $50 in promotional chips - no fee for this.

2) bet the minimum $5 in $1 chips with each chip covering 4 numbers. You have covered 50 numbers roughly 50 % of the table. 

3) take any winnings and keep them separately.

4) continue to bet the promotional chips in the same way - every time you win you only need 4 chips to make the 5.

5) once the promotional chips have gone cash out and walk away.

6) repeat daily as necessary. 

7) don't chase loses.

We use this system on every cruise, it gives us a lot of fun for very little risk.

On another thread it was said  you could put $25 from the OBC on to a slot machine. Have a couple of pulls then cash out and the cashier will give you cash. Don't know if this works as it sounds to easy.

 

 

 

[canderson]

33 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

As far as extra dining gratuities go, it will be placed into the ship-wide Pool and shared with the various dining room servers based on a predefined algorithm.

Except, as I understand it, in Luminae, where the pool is localized to Luminae crew.