However, if you want to buy Carnival cruise souvenirs like Carnival-branded beach towels, bathrobes, t-shirts and toys, then onboard your cruise ship is the best place to do it, particularly if you have some onboard credit to spend. Some cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, offer specific onboard credits, limited to one type of purchase. Lifestyle and marathon coach, Rory Coleman, has the low-down. Sail & Sign Account Opened with Cash or Traveler's Checks. General informationalong with program details andfundingcan be found below. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, C858B0A9-6769-424D-B129-59363EDAC023.jpeg, B5073042-BF8A-4EEC-BD19-0938D8732763.jpeg. In fact, there are some things that it will cost you more to purchase if you do so using onboard credit. You can use your Carnival onboard credit to book dining in specialty restaurants, but only if you make the reservation once youre on board the ship. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'cruisespotlight_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-cruisespotlight_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); CruiseSpotlight is an Amazon Associate. I know it must have seemed like a strange question. CC Help Jenn You can also search .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Cruise Critic's Deals page to snag the best offers available. Specialty restaurants offer an alternative to the standard main dining room and buffet options included in cruise fares. When Something Goes Wrong, Ask for Onboard Credit. Photo Credit: Camera walk / Shutterstock. what i do when i have lots of OBC, is the second the line goes down at the desk, go to them and say, please prepay my gratuities. But then that's me. The Sail & Sign. So if a guest paid $300 for dining and drinks during their cruise and received an OBC of $100, their final bill would be $200 at the end of the cruise. On the lastmorning of the cruise, a statement detailing all purchases made with the Sail & Sign card will be delivered toguest staterooms. I cannot answer your last question with certainty. The Sail & Sign Card must be utilized for all money transactions on board as cash will not be an accepted form of payment. Has the RCCL policy changed? Just keep in mind that you'll need to spend it before you disembark your ship -- onboard credit doesn't carry over to future sailings. The amount of the benefit varies with the length of your cruise and cruise line. However, they now require you pay in advance. However, since we have rebooked for later this year, we have found Carnival made some changes that go against your ability to spend these. Anyone's experience with onboard credits would be appreciated!! As money is spent throughout thecruise, additional holds on bank funds are obtained. But in fact some lines do let you use it for things you will use or consume during the cruise, regardless of when they are booked or arranged,and essentially they seem to define onboard as things to be consumed onboard. When I was a lowly Platinum I was polite to Diamonds. On the day thecruise returns, Carnival immediately settles the guest's account with theirbank for the total amount of theironboard expenses. The card currently offers 25 reward levels, which each allow credit card users the opportunity to trade in points for stateroom upgrades, cruise discounts, onboard credits or amenities, free or discounted cruise vacations or related Royal Caribbean merchandise.For example, with 5,000 MyCruise points, you can receive $50 in onboard credit towards purchases on your next cruise, an upgrade on a . LauraS Onboard credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. If not would I basically be left with OBC only for the items bought onboard? How . Not only will this keep you informed of the cruise line's latest deals and promotions, but you also get an instant bonus onboard credit just for signing up. The only things that you cant use it for are medical expenses, additions like taxes and port fees and anything that you purchase before you board the ship. If you know that you'll be cruising again, it can be worth stopping by the future or next cruise desk to see what deals are on offer. Guests must deposit cash (USD currency only) or Traveler's Checks (USD currency only) at Guest Services on the first day of the cruise. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How to Use Your Onboard Credit. For this reason, its not a good idea to use your onboard credit to buy a drink package. Booking activities using OBS is really easy; no phone calls and no weird codes to know. It only lets me charge these to a credit card when I try to purchase these types of things on Carnival's website. The account owner has the option to set spending limits or notallow charging privileges to their account. An old Carnival legend who happened to enjoy wearing hats was very fond of this method and posted about it quite frequently. You can only cash out your $10 winnings and the $100 will go back onto your account as onboard credit. Some cruise lines like Carnival offered a similar incentive, giving 100% FCC along with onboard credit up to $600 per stateroom. A cruise line will often offer some onboard credit (as little as $25, up into the thousands of dollars) to incentivize you to book a certain cruise. However, there is a caveat: you'll only be able to cash out your winnings. IMPORTANT: Go to Step 3 of the online booking . An ATM/Debit Cashing Card may be used as long as it is a registered MasterCard or Visa Card. Who ever heard ofpaying for a restaurant 5-6 months in advance? On 10/14/2020 at 10:14 PM, xDisconnections said: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. How does Carnival let you use onboard credit. However, you must arrange these at the shore excursions desk on the ship, not online before you board. Shipboard credit on a Holland America cruise can be used for almost everything onboard your ship, including spa treatments, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, specialty coffee and alcoholic beverages, boutique purchases, onboard photos and more. This can be set-up during Online Check-in or on board atthe Guest Services Desk. 100% refund of what I paid OR 100% future cruise credit, plus onboard credit for the future cruise Carnival offers $300 in onboard credit for cancelled trips of five days or less. The bank is responsible for releasing any pending holds from the guest's account. You might be allowed to use onboard credit for crew gratuities. In addition, guests can view their balance update at a Sail & Sign kioskand Carnival's HUB app. Bottomless Bubbles is Carnival's prepaid soda package, available for both children and adults. And youll want to know what you can spend this money on. Some people wonder if they load $500 from their onboard credit into the casino, spin the slots a few times and then cash out, thereby converting their onboard credit into cash. So, if you love bingo, sure, you can use your Carnival onboard credit to play and youll probably have fun. Carnival realized the problem this was creating and changed their policy so guests could now use the credit when purchasing things ahead of time. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By ATM/Debit Cashing Card other than those registered by MasterCard or Visa Card. Cruises 6 days and more will receive: 100% Future Cruise Credit PLUS $600 US Onboard Credit per cabin Future Carnival Cruises must be booked by December 31, 2020 and sail by December 31, 2022 Cruises 5 days or less will receive: What is Perfect Day at CocoCay and Should You Visit? Even so, cash tips are often the best way to convey your appreciation directly to a staff member, so consider bringing some bills with you in case. However, the problem really grew due to the COVID shutdown. Its worth noting that a few cruise lines let you access your onboard credit before you even board the ship. Cruise service gratuities will be charged to the account unless they are prepaid. Active and retired military members are always eligible for reduced rates, but OBC isn't included in this permanent deal; you'll have to be on the lookout for time-limited promotions in order to snag the credit. Carnival Mardi Gras The First Reviews Are In, for our upcoming cruise on the Carnival Celebration, Cooking Up Some Fun in A Carnival Kitchen Class. We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. And better yet, where how can you spend it? And the cost to Carnival isn't "nothing". # 2 Gratuities All the new Carnival WiFi plans do not include video streaming (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime) and don't support WiFi Calling (voice calls via the ship's Wi-Fi network) and Facetime (Apple's video telephony) services. The value of the OBC varies depending on the length of the cruise and the stateroom you book, but can range from $25 to $100 per stateroom. For example, you previously made reservations for the Specialty Restaurants. 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. Lowering Your Drink Bill is Easy with Cruise Onboard Credit. If the proverbial carrot has proven irresistable and you've clicked the ad, wondering what it is exactly, you wouldn't be the first. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Onboard credit is an ideal way to pay the daily tips that are usually added to your stateroom bill. An OBC can really take the sting out of a day pass to the Cloud 9 Spa Thermal Suite, or treatments booked a la carte, especially on port days, when some spa treatments and packages are already offered at a discount. You can request a full refund, but you'll usually have the choice to receive future cruise credit for the value of the cancelled cruise (or more, depending on the circumstances) and on top of that, you may be offered extra OBC to entice you to sail again. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Every time I sail, I make it a point to try the most colorful cocktail I can find just moments after . . . I wasn't aware you are not supposed to be ableuse it for gratuities. Onboard credit for future cruises booked while already on a cruise can far exceed what youll get from most other sources. Then again, I wouldnt expect you to read the terms and conditions of promotions you agree to. What can a FCC be used for? Loyalty is noticed; if you've worked with the same travel agent for every cruise, your OBC amount is likely to build over time. Plus, Carnivals spa treatments are cheaper than most other cruise lines. They can be used for cruises, on-board purchases, spa credits, gift cards, and even flights. When you make purchases on the ship, these will be charged to your account. Shore Excursions Are a Perfect Match for Onboard Credit. 2) What things onboard cannot be charged against OBC? The Sail & Sign Card must be utilized for all money transactions on board as cash will not be an accepted form of payment. 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. Call me clich, but it's not a cruise vacation until I'm lounging poolside with a tropical drink in hand. Onboard Credit Can Put Pricey Professional Photos Within Reach. Any help would be appreciated! By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Carnival Onboard Credit: How to Get It and Where to Spend It. In this guide, Ill tell you everything you need to know about onboard credit (also known as OBC). On cruises lasting between 7 to 13 days, you can receive $100 in credit. Started June 21, 2021, By The completed 'Letter of Authorizationfor Use of a Credit Card by Third Party' form - the signature on the letter of authorization must match the signature on the back of the credit card.