Can you use onboard credit for tips?

[MagicRat]

We have a $250 credit from booking onboard during our last cruise- can that be used for tips? I'm sure the answer is yes, but can someone please confirm? My wife asked me and I said yes, but if I'm wrong, I'll never hear the end of it. Thanks!!

 

[flick]

Yes you can.

 

[mmouse37]

Think of OBC as a declining balance on your account. Any purchase you make onboard first will be deducted from your OBC first. If you board and immediately buy a drink....the price of that drink will be deducted from your OBC. If tips are charged upon boarding, they will be deducted first.

You can't really "earmark" OBC for specific things...but if you time the purchase right, you can make sure that the tips are covered by your OBC. OBC can be used for anything.

Once all your OBC is used up any charges you make around the ship will be billed to your onboard account. You can payoff your onboard account at the end of your cruise by cash, reward card, gift card or leave it to roll onto the credit card you assigned when you checked in.

MJ

 

[mickeys girl 52]

I just used mine for tips on the Magic, had a great time.

 

[1153rsmith]

As others have said, you use it for any and everything you purchase on board: tips, excursions, shopping, spa, drinks. Your onboard account is really like a bank account for the trip... the on board credit is just money sitting in your account when you get onboard. You settle up at the end of the cruise and any amount not covered by your on board credit comes from you in some form or another.

Oh, and for what it is worth, I would suggest traveling with 2 credit cards. We were on the Freedom of the Seas last year, and while we were onboard, someone decided to use my credit card without my knowledge. Well, my card was fine when I got onboard, but by the last night of the cruise, my bank had blocked the card so it could not be used. If I had not had another credit card to give them to settle my account, I might still be washing dishes on there.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

As others have said, you use it for any and everything you purchase on board: tips, excursions, shopping, spa, drinks. Your onboard account is really like a bank account for the trip... the on board credit is just money sitting in your account when you get onboard. You settle up at the end of the cruise and any amount not covered by your on board credit comes from you in some form or another.

Oh, and for what it is worth, I would suggest traveling with 2 credit cards. We were on the Freedom of the Seas last year, and while we were onboard, someone decided to use my credit card without my knowledge. Well, my card was fine when I got onboard, but by the last night of the cruise, my bank had blocked the card so it could not be used. If I had not had another credit card to give them to settle my account, I might still be washing dishes on there.

WOW!! One of those things you would never think to do. Thank you for the advice. Sorry you learned the hard way.