OBC $$$ How much?

[BMDisney]

I asked this as a follow up question in my other thread but it is further down and may not get answered because its off topic to that thread. So, I'm posting here:

What is the average amount of OBC you expect to use or spend for a 7 night cruise for 2 adults? Right now we will have about $450 but I want to make sure it's enough. I'd rather pay in full then have a credit card bill at the end of the cruise.

Extra information-
We plan on doing excursions at each port: Virgin Gorda and Sea Tour ($80 each) (TT23) and Saint Thomas Snorkel ($63 each) (ST46) and we plan on doing Palo ($30 each) so I know we need at least $346. We have also already pre-paid tip in full. (not including cash tips)

So how much do you think is necessary for the duration of the trip?

 

[lorimay]

For us, there is Cove Cafe daily for my husband for his morning coffee, the onboard "included" coffee is terrible so he purchases coffee $5ish
We usually have a drink or 2 per night before dinner. Drinks $5 and up
Pictures are around $20 each if you want to purchase any. Souvenir's can add up too.
We usually tip at Palo and that's added to the account, but you can use cash if you prefer.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Do you plan to drink alcohol? Purchase items in the shop? Bingo or spa? These are all important considerations that can change the number drastically.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Beware (or budget for) the bingo. Dear family got addicted on one Panama canal. Would not have foreseen how much we'd spend on that!

 

[Aby]

I have a spreadsheet that I fill out before every cruise to get a rough idea of how much OBC we will need.

I include costs of Palo plus tip, excursions, spa services, alcohol tastings, and other activities I may have planned, then add a bit extra for miscellaneous and souvenirs. For our upcoming 7 day trip we have calculated about 700$ for the two of us. Bingo I calculate separately since hubby is not a fan .

Aby

 

[serenitynow]

Beware (or budget for) the bingo. Dear family got addicted on one Panama canal. Would not have foreseen how much we'd spend on that!

How much is Bingo?

 

[darnheather]

My first cruise I did one excursion, had two alcoholic drinks, purchased four pirate cups (for my kids and the other two kids at the table), and got a sweatshirt for one of my kids. That was it. The second cruise was about the same. My upcoming cruise though I'm spending way more: three alcohol tastings, open bar, etc. It's a much longer cruise but I also have more to spend.

re: coffee I think the regular coffee is fine. I like Starbucks and Dunkin and the local coffee shop but I also drink Folgers. I just need caffeine.

 

[Capitalangel]

I am a shopper and Disney dork so I always budget enough for a Disney Dooney and Bourke purse( in case one catches my eye), a cruise Pandora charm, my husband collects the models of the ships, and my kids each get a little spending money in the gift shop. We have never done Bingo. I usually get a drink on Castaway Cay, and maybe a glass or two of wine during the week. We have also done the mixology but I am not sure if we will do it again.

 

[hcox31]

Bingo can be pricey. We spent between 50-70 each time (cause you gotta get the "family pack"). It's fun though. Especially if you win.

Don't forget gratuities are added to your OB account as well if you haven't prepaid them.

 

[lorimay]

Bingo can be pricey. We spent between 50-70 each time (cause you gotta get the "family pack"). It's fun though. Especially if you win.

Don't forget gratuities are added to your OB account as well if you haven't prepaid them.

In 17 DCL cruises, we have never played bingo. How much are the average daily winnings? I know sometimes at the end of the cruise, they have final jackpot winner games with large prizes offered.

 

[Geomom]

In 17 DCL cruises, we have never played bingo. How much are the average daily winnings? I know sometimes at the end of the cruise, they have final jackpot winner games with large prizes offered.

It depends on how many people are playing/how much they spent on the packs. We played for the first time this summer on the Magic at 3:45PM on the first day at sea--so it was a big turnout. DH got the family pack for $80--and DD18, DH and I played together. DH won 2 games, 1 with an electronic pack and 1 with the paper cards. These were his winnings: Game 2, $267 and game 3, $306. We played again the next day (all 4 of us this time) at 5PM. It was a port day--so fewer players due to people resting/changing/getting snacks after excursions. We didn't win anything, but the prizes were much lower than the previous day...maybe ranging from $100-$250 max. The jackpot prizes are only given out if someone covers all in under 46 numbers.

 

[kiford]

It totally depends on what you want to do and how careful you are to stick to your budget. We never bother to budget and just spend as we like so we typically spend quite a bit. We drink speciality coffees, have wine/cocktails at dinner plus in lounges, do excursions, alcohol tastings, Remy/Palo, popcorn at the theatre, and the spa sometimes. DH usually buys a few shirts in the shops. We don't do the photo package, play bingo, or do much else. However, if you have budgeted for excursions you know you are going on, maybe some for speciality coffees or the occasional drink, you can easily not do the other things and have a perfectly good time and not spend any more money. It's very much under your control. There's lots going on that doesn't cost anything extra and there's lots of food and snacks so you don't really need to buy any upcharged items. You might very well be fine with the $450 you've budgeted which would cover your planned excursions and maybe a few drinks/coffee plus you can monitor what you spend and stop once you've reached your personal limit without impairing your fun.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Only played bingo once ($40 for paper) and didn't win. Got to stand up once for only needing one more number.
We budget the wine package for dinner, have 2-3 tastings (wine, beer, champagne, etc), shore excursions, Palo, and a few gifts on board but rarely souvenirs on shore.
In addition, the gratuities, Cafe Cove for specialty coffee/drinks, and maybe a couple cognacs. Alaska (Sept 2018) was $1,783, but excursions are long and pricey there.

 

[Henlady]

Just a FYI in case no one else noted it Palo is now $40 per person - a recent increase

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Just a FYI in case no one else noted it Palo is now $40 per person - a recent increase

Good catch! Read about it but slipped my mind (and budget spreadsheet).

 

[pjacobi]

You can pay tips with your OBC. That will take are large chunk.

-Paul