How to get the most from your On Board Credit (OBC)
6 Ways to spend your ‘free’ money
Many cruise lines offer deals including ‘free’ money to spend on the ship. This is known as “onboard credit” or OBC. It can be offered as an incentive to book, and also as a form of compensation, for cancelled or delayed cruises for example.
If you find yourself in the enviable position of having this extra spending money, you may be wondering how best to spend it. Of course the obvious thing is just to pay off your on board account at the end of your cruise (which I suppose is technically what will happen however you choose to spend it). Better still, you could ‘earmark’ it to do something you wouldn’t normally have done, or buy something you wouldn’t normally have bought.
Here are six suggestions on how you could spend that lovely dosh.
1️⃣ Buy a drinks package
… or upgrade to a premium version or deluxe wine package. If a cruise isn’t the ideal time to pop a cork on a bottle of fizz or two, when is? Example drinks package on P&O Cruises is £39.99 per person per day. You can do find out more about P&O Drinks Packages here in my comprehensive guide.
2️⃣ Book some exciting excursions at your ports of call
Instead of the shuttle and a mooch around the cruise terminal, why not book a Rum Runner or Champagne Catamaran Trip - or if you are feeling really flush, an all-inclusive resort day pass or even a helicopter tour? Or maybe even release your inner biker/biker chick on a Harley Davidson Experience for around £250 per person.
3️⃣ Book the speciality dining
Most ships have one or more restaurants offering elevated dining for a little bit more. Use your on board credit for the cover charge, and while you’re at it why not order a special bottle of wine to accompany your meal? The Epicurean on P&O Cruises has a cover charge of £30 pp or try The Crown Grill on Princess for $29 pp. got big bucks? Then THE restaurant to treat yourself to is Le Voyage on Celebrity Beyond at a mere $75.
4️⃣ Enjoy a spa day
Book a day in the ship’s ‘Retreat’ or ‘Sanctuary’ area for some additional R&R. Lie back on those luxurious padded loungers or slip into the exclusive pool or hot tub while sipping on something long and cool. You could even book a treatment or two for some extra pampering. Example: On P&O Azura you could book a pass for your cruise from around £200 per person for 5 days.
5️⃣ Go on a shopping spree
Buy a special piece of jewellery, watch or designer handbag, to remind you of your cruise once you are home; or treat yourself you a special perfume/aftershave. Go on, you know you are worth it.
6️⃣ Invest in an exclusive piece of art.
Browse the art gallery, find a piece that you love and bid for it at the art auction. Don’t worry about how to fit it in your suitcase, the price usually includes framing, packaging and shipping.
There is so much you can do with onboard credit - even using it to gamble in the casino or book a future cruise.