What Is Onboard Credit?

What is onboard credit?

Onboard credit, commonly abbreviated OBC, is a set amount of money credited to your shipboard account that you can spend on purchases during your cruise. Rather than being cash in hand, it is a balance applied to your onboard account, the same account your cruise card charges go to, which you can then use toward the many things that cost extra aboard the ship. Onboard credit effectively gives you spending money for the cruise, letting you enjoy extras without paying out of pocket up to the credited amount. It is a popular and valuable perk in cruising, often provided as an incentive or benefit, and it can significantly enhance your trip by covering the cost of drinks, dining, activities, or other purchases. Understanding that onboard credit is prepaid spending power on your account helps you take full advantage of it during your voyage.

Where does onboard credit come from?

Onboard credit comes from a variety of sources. Cruise lines frequently offer it as a booking promotion or incentive to encourage reservations, so a fare might include a certain amount of onboard credit as a perk. Travel agents often provide onboard credit to their clients as a value-add for booking through them, sometimes from their own commission. Cruise line loyalty programs may grant onboard credit to repeat guests based on their status. Other sources include shareholder benefits for those who own stock in the cruise company, credit given as compensation or goodwill for an issue, and credit purchased or gifted, such as by friends or family for a special occasion. Because there are so many ways to obtain it, it is worth looking for onboard credit when booking, through promotions, a travel agent, loyalty status, or other means, since it directly increases your spending power aboard at no extra cost to you.

How does onboard credit work?

Onboard credit works by being applied to your onboard account, where it is automatically used to offset the charges you make during the cruise. As you spend on the ship, using your cruise card for drinks, dining, excursions, the spa, shops, or even gratuities in some cases, those charges are deducted from your onboard credit balance first, and only once the credit is used up do charges hit your registered payment method. You can typically track your remaining onboard credit through the ship's app, your stateroom TV, or guest services, helping you see how much you have left to spend. This seamless application means you do not need to do anything special to use most onboard credit beyond making purchases. It functions like a gift card balance on your account, reducing what you ultimately owe at the end of the cruise by the amount of credit you had and used.

How do you make sure you use onboard credit?

To make sure you use your onboard credit, first know how much you have and whether it is refundable or non-refundable, since this is crucial. Non-refundable onboard credit is use-it-or-lose-it, meaning any amount you do not spend by the end of the cruise is forfeited rather than returned, so you want to spend it all, while refundable credit may be paid back to you as cash or applied to your card if unused. Check your credit's terms, often noted in your booking or available from guest services. Plan purchases to use up non-refundable credit, such as booking excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, drinks, or shopping, before the cruise ends. Monitor your balance during the trip so you are not left with unused credit on the final day. By knowing the type and amount and planning your spending, you ensure you get the full value of your onboard credit rather than losing it.