If you have an onboard credit on your cruise—consider it free money to use on almost anything you want during your sailing. Sometimes, onboard credits are awarded as a perk for booking a cruise, and in some cases, your travel agent will give them to you as a gesture of gratitude for allowing them to book your cruise for you. Regardless of how the onboard credit is added to your account, it’s fun to spend.
What is an onboard credit?
Simply put, you will have a credit in your shipboard account to use during sailing. The word "onboard" is key here; it must be used while you are on your cruise. This onboard credit will be applied to your folio for what you spend during your cruise. For example, if your final bill is $1500 and you have an onboard credit of $400, you will only owe the cruise line $900.
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An important policy to understand is that cruise ships do not take cash, credit cards or foreign currency as payment during the cruise. Instead, cruise lines set up onboard accounts for each passenger that start the day you board your ship. This onboard account will be connected to a credit card, debit card or secured with a cash reserve. You will be given a ship card, which is used as a key to your room, your ID to exit and re-board the ship while in port, and your only payment method to charge goods and services on board. In essence, your ship is a cashless society, your ship card is your payment method.
So, if you have an onboard credit, you can apply this to almost anything onboard and offset anything you charge to your shipboard account. There are some exclusions, so be sure to understand the terms and conditions of your onboard cruise credit. Certain items like casino betting, a future cruise deposit and medical expenses are excluded from onboard credits, but here are some other ways to spend it.
Buy drinks at the bar
If you don’t opt for a pre-paid beverage package, using your onboard credit toward your bar tab is smart thinking. You can enjoy a frozen fruity drink at the pool, sip wine during your delicious dinner or grab a beer while listening to live entertainment. You can also use the credit for specialty coffee items and bottled water.
Get a spa treatment
Most cruise ships feature luxurious spas that can raise your relaxation level. Use your onboard credit for a well-deserved deep-tissue Swedish massage, a manicure or pedicure, a couple’s massage experience, professional salon styling, rejuvenating facials and more. The onboard credit will cover services charged to your shipboard account during sailing. Throughout my sailing, I have often used onboard credits for spa services.
Book shore excursions
In my opinion, one of the most valuable uses of onboard credit is using this perk toward shore excursions in your ports. Excursions curated by your cruise line offer vetted and enriching activities and experiences. On a recent sailing on Celebrity Beyond, I used part of my onboard credit for a salsa-making and salsa-dancing workshop in Cozumel, Mexico. A chef led a cooking demo on making authentic salsa, and then a dance instructor gave the group dance lessons. We then had some time at the beach. I thought it was a great way to learn about the culture and the culinary scene there. To learn more about the ports, visit your ship’s shore excursion desk, where someone will find tours that match your preferences and vacation goals.
Put it toward specialty dining
Cruise lines are raising the stakes and steaks when it comes to specialty dining at sea. Although the main dining room food is delicious, you may want to dine at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants for a more upscale or eclectic experience. There are steak houses, seafood restaurants, themed venues like hibachi, gourmet restaurants with menus curated by celebrity chefs and more. I always make reservations at Cagney’s Steakhouse whenever I sail with Norwegian Cruise Line. I recommend earmarking a portion of your onboard credit at a specialty dining venue of your choice. Look at the menus and pick the place that matches your dining goals and preferences.
Go shopping on board
Many cruise ships boast both souvenir-type shops as well as designer stores. If you have an onboard credit in your ship account, consider splurging on special items. Discount sales are often announced in the daily program. On a recent Norwegian sailing trip, I treated myself to a bottle of designer perfume using my onboard credit. Not only did I enjoy a duty-free discount, but I was also confident knowing the merchandise was authentic since it was sold on the ship. During prior sailing, I have also purchased jewelry for my daughter, sunglasses for my son, and a watch for my husband. I was pleased with all my purchases.
Use it or lose it
We all know how quickly your cruise goes. Generally, an onboard credit is nonrefundable, so be sure to use it during your current cruise. You can’t transfer it or roll it over to another cruise, and you won’t be given a cash payout for unused credits, so be sure to use every cent of your onboard credit on your next cruise.