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A few don't allow OBC use in the casino or to pay for crew gratuities. The cards have no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. To play using your onboard credit, simply insert your SeaPass card into any slot machine, and select onboard credit as your preferred credit method. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Call me clich, but it's not a cruise vacation until I'm lounging poolside with a tropical drink in hand. Each restaurants decor is designed in harmony with its cuisine, with seating, views, and acoustics that accommodate intimate dining experiences as well as larger group gatherings. The cruise lines or travel agencies often give onboard credits as a promotion or an incentive to book. Charges appear on your account when you buy something with your Sail & Sign card. Personally, I dont think that the Royal Caribbean Key is worth it. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises branded Bank of America Visa Signature cards both feature My Cruise Points redemptions for onboard credit. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. They can also be a reward for referring a new customer or being a shareholder in the cruise line. Many times, in lieu of a direct cash refund, a cruise line will take the price of a refunded cruise and issue . Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Onboard credits may be used to pay for Crew Appreciation, with exceptions for certain credit types. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. No votes so far! From camping to cruising, she's been writing about travel for 30-plus years. Updated . You can only book these when you are on the ship, and the available services vary depending on the facility. Shopping the exclusive boutiques onboard our ships is an experience you wont want to miss. One of those restrictions is usually a minimum number of shares, another is that you may not be allowed to earn both your stockholder OBC and booking bonuses on the same cruise, only the option with the highest value. Looking forward to my new experience. For some cruise lines, having you share your enthusiasm for their brand with your friends is reason enough to send a bit of OBC your way. I was comfortable playing $1.25 at a time, which meant I had 40 plays before my original $50 was used up. During your cruise, stop by the future cruise reservations desk to inquire about special offers and get personalized help to plan your next cruise. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. If you own at least 100 shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) stock at the time of sailing, you're eligible for an onboard credit. Find the right card for you. Credits can be used toward onboard charges such as gift shop purchases, a la carte bottle charges, laundry, spa services and shore excursions. The best use of your onboard credit would be an advance purchase at a discounted price on cruise lines that offer that option. Sail & Sign Onboard Account Sail & Sign is Carnival's cashless on board credit program, which allows guests to charge onboard purchases and gratuities directly to a personal account for convenience. You can get more info about Royal Caribbean gratuities here. If you have any questions about using onboard credit in the casino, check with your Casino Host. That is why it is called 'on board' credit. While it might blow your onboard credit in one shot, applying it to an excursion offers a free or discounted way to embark on a special shore experience. Furthermore, there is no benefit from utilizing another form of payment or prepaying instead of using an onboard credit. Related: 7 extra-charge items on cruise ships that are worth the cost (and 7 that arent). However, there are some pretty small prizes too, so even if you win it might cost you more to enter than the value of the prize! This is a great way to treat yourself for those who dont regularly attend any specialty dining experiences. When Is The Best Time to Buy A Royal Caribbean Drink Package? Cruise lines that regularly post booking bonus offers of onboard credit include most of the popular big ship lines: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America, Princess, MSC Cruises and Celebrity, plus even more luxurious lines such as Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania. You usually can fund your casino play with OBC but watch out. Royal Caribbean cruise ships dont have any self-service launderettes, so if you run out of clean clothes then you can either clean them yourself in the sink or pay for them to be washed or dry cleaned and pressed. Not absolutely every activity on board your cruise ship will be free of charge. It's a financial credit to your shipboard account; the amount of your onboard credit will be deducted from your final . Some things you can buy on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are almost always a waste of money, even if you consider that money to be free! If you need to stay connected at sea, Royal Caribbean offers several wifi packages, starting from $9.99 per device, per day. Plus, I earned points in the cruise lines casino loyalty program. A 5% transaction fee will automatically be added to . Some guests have purchased Carnival gift cards using their credits. There is also a 3% fee for withdrawing funds at a table game, but there isnt a fee to withdraw at a slot machine. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. 7) On board activities or Wi Fi packages that cost extra. Once those 40 plays were done, I was playing with my winnings, not my OBC. Otherwise, book your specialty meals as soon as possible after boarding. Planning a cruise? The best way to spend any onboard credit that you have is on gratuities. 3. . This form of onboard is money back, rather than money gifted, but it still beats paying a higher cruise fare with nothing in return. If you know youll want to order drinks each day, whether thats a frozen margarita while lounging poolside, a late afternoon specialty coffee drink, or uncorking a special cabernet with your steak entree, one of our beverage packages is the way to go, as it gives you unlimited drinks throughout your cruise. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. You can think of it as a license to do something you wouldnt do if you were paying or a way to reduce your anticipated vacation bill by using it to cover costs you already planned to incur. Check the daily newsletter or even shop signage for special offers to reduce your costs a tiny bit. Buy a stunning new outfit to wear to dinner that very evening or find a destination-focused souvenir that will always remind you of your cruise vacation. The difference between buying online and onboard is about $6.00. Cruise lines love enticing you to book by dangling onboard credit in front of you -- often with a booking deadline. In the case of the Home Depot credit card, you can contact the service team between 6 a. Casino. Most activities on board Royal Caribbean ships are included in your cruise fare, but there are some things that you have to pay extra for. Sp2Life.com Coupons & Promo Codes for Mar 2023. Other . Royal Caribbean are including less and less for free these days, as some activities like the North Star observation pod and the iFly skydiving simulator on Quantum-class ships are now chargeable. You can use credits in any one of these shops. But if you dont have one, you can pay $2 to $15 per item for professional cleaning. Many say this is one of the best ways to use OBC, as you should pay gratuities for excellent service. You can access a thermal suite, relaxation room, hydrotherapy pool, experience showers, hot tubs, steam rooms, hammam, and saunas. Be among the first to know about special offers, exclusive sailings, and much more. You can also use Cruise Critic's deals page to see just how much onboard credit is being offered. Date Updated: 11/28/2022 Link to a URL Service Gratuities (Tips) Date Updated: 06/25/2021; Forms of Payment We accept the following forms of payment as noted below. However, the odds of winning are stacked against you as many variables are involved. MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line do not accept OBC for most pre-cruise purchases. A previous answer for this referred to calling the cruise line and getting the fine print on how you can use the OBC. It depends on the type of OBC you have. Non-Suite. You dont use credit cards either. Royal Caribbean Key Program Worth It Or Not? Then, contact one with a best-price guarantee and have them beat it! I also know a guy who got his hair cut on board using OBC, saving him the cost of his next haircut at home. We pride ourselves on excellent guest satisfaction and our onboard team is available to immediately address any concerns you may have about your cruise. The best things about Virgin Voyages' My Next Virgin Voyage program. The picture was only $60 and I really liked it. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. If youve taken a Carnival cruise recently, you may know that people have been using their Carnival cruise onboard credit to purchase a Carnival gift card from the store on board as a way of extending their credit so that they can carry it over to their next cruise. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise . Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Whether you work with an individual travel agent or an online agency, onboard credit is a common booking bonus. By putting a deposit down on a future cruise, you can take advantage of lower deposits and onboard credit offers. Shore excursions can be pricey, so its good to think about how much it would cost to organise a DIY version. Additionally, you wont take home the art viewed on the ship. The auto lights, if left on, by default, will turn themselves off after a certain amount time after stopping the vehicle. Onboard credit is an ideal way to pay the daily tips that are usually added to your stateroom bill. Carnival changes their onboard credit policies. How to Choose the Best Cruise Ship Cabin; The Cruiser's Guide to Japan: All You Need to Know Before Visiting When you visit the photo shop, just charge everything to your onboard account and it will be offset with any onboard credit you have left at the end of your cruise. Whatever special keepsake you choose, youll be able to apply your onboard credit to your purchase. #9 Treats/Snacks. So you must spend it all before the end of the last night of your cruise to avoid wasting it. com (Opens in a new window), the Apple Store app, or by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE, and is subject to credit approval and credit limit. In theory, you could win thousands of dollars. Maybe you were supposed to have an unobstructed view, but your stateroom faced a lifeboat. While you may be able to get wifi for free on a Royal Caribbean cruise, this isnt always reliable. Contributor. Overnight Cruises: Where to Go, What to See, Solo Cruises: The Ultimate Guide to Cruising Solo, Answers to All of Your First-Time Cruise Questions, The Only Cruise Packing List Youll Ever Need, Exciting Cruise Nightlife Options on Celebrity, The Essential Guide to Cruising with Kids, 13 Things to Do Outdoors on a Cruise Ship, 2022 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ships Registry: Malta and Ecuador. Many of us don't have the time or money to indulge in a little bit of me-time on a regular basis. When it comes to vacations, every person has their own idea of the perfect way to enjoy their time off. Suggested read: When Is The Best Time to Buy A Royal Caribbean Drink Package? A long-held cruise tradition, formal night portraits are a staple in the gallery of every cruising family's home. Gratuities. How do tips work on cruise ships? For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. Onboard credit is money in your account to do with almost what you wish. So, don't pay the gratuities in advance and wait for the onboard credit to be applied. At between $6 and $8 per hour, the group babysitting option is cheaper than getting a sitter at home would be, so why not make the most of your time away and treat yourself to some adults-only time in the theatre, casino or nightclub? What you do for a living can also snag you . $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. But for most people, youll do better in the casino. Read: How to Make the Most of the Onboard Spa. Boasting a range of designer brands including Michael Kors, Ted Baker and Swarovski, onboard shopping can be one of the highlights of your cruise. Whether your dream is to take a helicopter ride to the top of a mountain, go dog sledding in Alaska, indulge in a private, chauffeured experience to the wineries of Tuscany during a Mediterranean cruise, or any other exciting activity thats on your bucket list, you can book it with your onboard credit. Paying gratuities using onboard credits provides a wonderful way to avoid the bill when the cruise ends. If you frequently go on trips with this cruise line, this is a great way to carry over your credit and use it later on a different cruise. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. The ways people receive OBCs are in the following manner: Onboard cruise cash credits can go towards almost anything you buy while you are on the ship, with the exceptions of additions (port expenses, fees, and taxes), medical expenses, and purchases before boarding the ship. At the end of the cruise you'll receive a copy of everything you've spent, and on the morning you disembark this money will automatically be taken from . In this guide, Ill show you exactly what Royal Caribbean onboard credit can and cant be used for, as well as which are the best ways to make the most of your free onboard credit. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). They might offer as little as $25 cruise onboard credit for booking an inside cabin on a short sailing or as much as hundreds of dollars for booking suites on longer cruises. . Guests can activate their Cruise Card by self-registering with a credit/debit/prepaid card at one of the Cruise Card Activation Points onboard. For all other drinks, you can either add them to your onboard account individually or buy a drink package before your cruise. If you notice your cruise fare has dropped after you booked it, many times the line will make up the difference through an onboard credit offer. drink package or for individual drinks, but you have to wait to buy it until you board. The amount of onboard credit offered often depends on the time of year, your destination, and the stateroom or suite category you book. If you receive an onboard credit, you can use it for almost everything onboard, including a pampering massage or other spa service, restaurant meals, shore excursions, coffee and alcoholic beverages, and boutique purchases, like clothing or jewelry. #10 Speciality Dining. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Who cares if cruise line laundry prices are high when you're using free money? Related: Every Question You Have About Drinking On a Cruise Ship -- Answered, Feel Free to Splurge With Something Extra in Your Spending Account. When the cruise is over, you can settle your account by making the final payment using onboard credit, credit cards, or cash. Now that you have the basics, let's dig into some uses of onboard credit and how to squeeze the most out of those transactions. Typically, even if the cruise consultant pre-cruise doesn't have all the details, the concierge on board the ship will be able to view the credit. However, Royal Caribbean now lets you apply onboard credit to purchases made before your cruise via the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner website or via the telephone. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Read more: Royal Caribbean Key Program Worth It Or Not? Purchasing a photo is not obligatory. Onboard shopping and professional portraits let you bring back tangible mementos from your cruise vacation. There is a 3% fee to withdraw your funds at a table game, but no fee to withdraw at the slot machines. You usually dont have to pay anything for the photoshoot, and then you can choose as few or as many photos as you like and take them home either digitally or in print. On a cruise, Bingo cards begin at $10, although people who buy multiple cards spend more. If you dont plan on purchasing many drinks, consider using your onboard credit for a fun splurge like an occasional poolside beverage, a bottle of wine at dinner, or a mixology class or cocktail tasting. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Here are some of the ways you can use your onboard credit like a pro to make your cruise even more memorable. Note that these may vary by sailing and are subject to change. I booked an Alaska cruise recently through United Cruises and got $50 OBC; the cruise line was offering $25 for the same stateroom.