Oceania On Board Credit Usage

[SeaWatch12]

Does Oceania allow you to use OBC for the purchase of drinks and to cover the daily gratuities?

 

We expect to receive $600 from the oLife promotion.

and $400 from the travel agency.

 

My travel agent stated that I would have to speak to Guest Services

to see if the onboard technology allows it to be used toward gratuities.

Even though the agency OBC gift is typically refundable, once again I would have to speak with guest services

to see if they could refund any unused amount.

I understand the cruise line OBC is not refundable.

 

We don't typically shop or use spa services and try to book our own excursions.

If not able to apply the OBC to drinks and gratuities, it would be a challenge to spend.

 

The only other time we sailed on Oceania was almost 10 years ago.

 

What are your experiences with OBC?

 

Thank you.

 

[LHT28]

Yes  they will normally take the gratuity amount off the OBC in your account  first 

then any purchases  you make onboard

The only thing I do not think you can use OBC for is future cruise  payments  & the casino

 

I would do some reading on the  O life OBC   option  before you take that as your perk

[AMHuntFerry]

Assuming you are talking about the regular O-Life promo ("pick 1 of 3"), just book cruise-only instead (no O-Life) as it sounds like a better choice for your preferences.

[SeaWatch12]

Thanks for your responses. I thought about not doing OLife, especially since we don’t need air travel. I just realized we need to pay for some internet, so the OBC can go towards that (I hope). 
 

[LHT28]

3 minutes ago, SeaWatch12 said:

Thanks for your responses. I thought about not doing OLife, especially since we don’t need air travel. I just realized we need to pay for some internet, so the OBC can go towards that (I hope). 
 

If you can get by with one internet account  there is no charge

[SeaWatch12]

22 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

If you can get by with one internet account  there is no charge

How is that? 
My agent did not indicate any internet package included. Does Oceania automatically include one internet account per stateroom?  We only need one to access email.  We booked conceriege level. 
I’m so used to Celebrity’s packages and perks, have to get used to a different cruise line!

[AMHuntFerry]

5 minutes ago, SeaWatch12 said:

How is that? 
My agent did not indicate any internet package included. Does Oceania automatically include one internet account per stateroom?  We only need one to access email.  We booked conceriege level. 
I’m so used to Celebrity’s packages and perks, have to get used to a different cruise line!

Yes, every cabin has one internet account included.

I did a quick calc and for a 10 day cruise you would need to drink about 2 full-price (more drinks if happy hour) alcohol drinks per day per person to spend what is leftover after paying cabin-gratuities.

Edited February 23, 2023 by AMHuntFerry

[AMHuntFerry]

You can see what is included with the different staterooms and suites here:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/vista/suites-staterooms

 

I copied the relevant info...

 

Veranda Stateroom Amenities

• Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises exclusive, with 1,000-thread-count linens
• Complimentary soft drinks replenished daily in your refrigerated mini-bar
• Complimentary still & sparkling Vero Water
• Private teak veranda
• Bulgari amenities
• Room service menu 24 hours a day
• Twice-daily maid service
• Oversized rainforest shower
• Belgian chocolates with turndown service
• Interactive television system with on-demand movies, weather and more
• Wireless Internet access and cellular service
• Writing desk and stationery
• Plush cotton towels
• Thick cotton robes and slippers
• Handheld hair dryer
• Security safe

 

Exclusive Concierge Privileges

In addition to Stateroom Amenities

• Expanded lunch and dinner room service menu from The Grand Dining Room
• Complimentary laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom⁺
• Priority noon ship embarkation 
• Exclusive card-only access to private Concierge Lounge staffed by a dedicated Concierge featuring complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day
• Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
• Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
• Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
• iPad^® upon request for your enjoyment on board⁺⁺
• Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag
• Cashmere lap blankets, perfect for relaxing on your veranda
• Complimentary pressing of garment upon embarkation⁺⁺
• Complimentary shoeshine service

⁺Up to 20 garments per laundry bag; additional restrictions apply.
⁺⁺Certain limitations apply.

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

[SeaWatch12]

Thank you both for the info on included internet. I missed that in the details. 
 

Looking forward to experiencing the new ship for 10 nights. 

[honmani2]

I have the same challenge with $2300 OBC per person for my upcoming cruise.  I can get the drink package and gratuities but other than that we can't see using the balance for spa treatments, dom dinners, etc.

 

Are there a lot of shops on board?  Maybe we'll just get overpriced stuff to bring home.

[Classiccruiser777]

On 2/22/2023 at 5:58 PM, SeaWatch12 said:

Thanks for your responses. I thought about not doing OLife, especially since we don’t need air travel. I just realized we need to pay for some internet, so the OBC can go towards that (I hope). 
 

Air and OLife are completely independent of one another. You may purchase one, both or neither. Air may also be purchased for one direction only or round trip. “Your world, your way.”

[LHT28]

I am amazed  people book  a cruise  & have no idea  anything about the  cruise line  & what it offers

Do people not read   what your cruise  offers  or is included ?

 

 I know  many do not read the fine print  but  at least check what is or is not included in you cruise fare

 

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/

[Woofa]

When we were on Riviera in January it has shops selling, jewelry, purses, watches, some clothing and a few specialty items like chocolate.  Many days they had sales outside of the store for purses and jewelry.  I believe I may have read that they were expanding the purse sales?  Don't quote me on that.  

Of course with the Dom dinner and some nice spa hours the credit can go fast.

[basor]

9 hours ago, honmani2 said:

I have the same challenge with $2300 OBC per person for my upcoming cruise.  I can get the drink package and gratuities but other than that we can't see using the balance for spa treatments, dom dinners, etc.

 

Are there a lot of shops on board?  Maybe we'll just get overpriced stuff to bring home.

DH is enjoying a very nice watch thanks to excessive OBC....would have never bought ashore.  

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, basor said:

DH is enjoying a very nice watch thanks to excessive OBC....would have never bought ashore.  

Yes  we both have watches  & bathrobes,  new suitcase  to haul the booty home 😉

 

DH  had 3 watchers  he does not need anymore IMO   he thinks otherwise though 😄

[basor]

24 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Yes  we both have watches  & bathrobes,  new suitcase  to haul the booty home 😉

 

DH  had 3 watchers  he does not need anymore IMO   he thinks otherwise though 😄

We will be facing the same dilemma on our upcoming VISTA B2B2B - we will find something to use the OBC for because we will not leave the $$$ unused. It will be fun to see the new shopping opportunities on VISTA.  

[Woofa]

From the daily currents on our 10 day Riviera cruise in January.

Apologies these did not come out in order.  Generally discounts went up as the cruise went on.

[avalong]

15 hours ago, honmani2 said:

I have the same challenge with $2300 OBC per person for my upcoming cruise.  I can get the drink package and gratuities but other than that we can't see using the balance for spa treatments, dom dinners, etc.

 

Are there a lot of shops on board?  Maybe we'll just get overpriced stuff to bring home.

I have a humongous amount of obc on an upcoming cruise too, and actually thought I might do a bit of Christmas shopping for my daughters in the jewelry store. 

[PhD-iva]

6 hours ago, Woofa said:

From the daily currents on our 10 day Riviera cruise in January.

Apologies these did not come out in order.  Generally discounts went up as the cruise went on.

I have several Coeur de Lion jewelry sets all paid for with funny money. Lovely! 

[Classiccruiser777]

20 hours ago, basor said:

We will be facing the same dilemma on our upcoming VISTA B2B2B - we will find something to use the OBC for because we will not leave the $$$ unused. It will be fun to see the new shopping opportunities on VISTA.  

There are travel agencies that will mail a refund after the cruise is completed rather than OBC.

[basor]

1 hour ago, Classiccruiser777 said:

There are travel agencies that will mail a refund after the cruise is completed rather than OBC.

That is true if the OBC is from a TA but this is from AMEX, NCL stock, loyalty and promotions so a TA can do nothing about refunding that....

[DOJO466]

I use my OBC to purchase Clarins face products for myself (does not seem to work very well), sunglasses and cosmetics/perfumes/for friends as Christmas gifts. No way would I spend that kind of real money at home.

[LuAnn]

On 5/13/2023 at 2:40 PM, DOJO466 said:

I use my OBC to purchase Clarins face products for myself (does not seem to work very well), sunglasses and cosmetics/perfumes/for friends as Christmas gifts. No way would I spend that kind of real money at home.

I'm with you Deb!! On my last several cruises I've bought really nice handbags...again would not spend that amount of $$ at home!!! 🙂