PART I – OVERVIEW

Oftentimes when you are booking a cruise you will be offered an onboard credit. It’s a little perk to encourage you to complete a reservation. You will see the term OBC thrown around quite a bit in the cruising world.

What Is Onboard Credit?

Onboard credit (OBC) is free money provided by the cruise line, travel agent, or as part of a promotion. It can be used for almost anything purchased on the ship.

Using onboard credit (OBC) on a cruise is pretty simple—it works like a gift card or credit balance tied to your cruise account.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of it:

How to Use Onboard Credit

1. It’s Automatic
   You don’t need to do anything to activate it. It will be automatically applied to your onboard account.
2. Linked to Your Sail & Sign/Key Card
   Every purchase you make on the ship is charged to your onboard account via your room card (like Carnival’s Sail & Sign). Your OBC will be used before your personal funds.
3. Spending Your OBC
   You can use onboard credit for:
   
   • Drinks (if you don’t have Cheers or a drink package)
   • Specialty dining
   • Spa treatments
   • Gift shop purchases
   • Casino (non-refundable OBC only usable for play, not cash-out)
   • Wi-Fi packages
   • Shore excursions (booked onboard)
   • Service charges/gratuities (only with refundable OBC)

What You Can’t Use OBC For:

• Some OBC is non-refundable and can’t be cashed out.
• Pre-cruise purchases (like excursions, spa appointments, or drink packages bought online before you sail) usually cannot be paid with OBC.
• Gratuities sometimes aren’t covered unless OBC is marked “refundable.”
• You cannot transfer OBC to another person’s account.

Check Your Balance

Before sailing check your booking online or with your travel agent to confirm your balance.

On your cruise:

• Use the cruise line’s app or your in-room TV to check your remaining balance.
• Guest Services can also print a statement for you at any time.

Tips

• Try to spend it early, especially non-refundable OBC—what’s left at the end is lost!
• Some people use OBC to offset onboard charges like drinks or tips.
• Combine it with promotions (like casino offers or drink credits) for extra savings.

PART II – Carnival OBC

Here are the best tips for using onboard credit (OBC) on Carnival Cruise Line, whether your OBC is from a promo, CCL shareholder perk, military benefit, or a gift:

Smart Ways to Use Carnival Onboard Credit

Specialty Dining

• Use OBC to splurge on restaurants like Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Rudi’s Seagrill, Bonsai Teppanyaki, or Seafood Shack.
• Great way to treat yourself without dipping into your own funds.

Drinks & Coffee

• Even if you didn’t get the CHEERS! drink package, OBC can pay for:
  
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Specialty coffee (JavaBlue Café)
  • Mocktails and smoothies

Spa Services

• Use it toward massages, facials, acupuncture, or salon services.
• Book early—the spa fills up fast on sea days.

Casino Play (with Limits)

• Non-refundable OBC can be used for casino play, but only through your Sail & Sign card at the slot machines or cashier.
  
  • You can’t cash it out.
  • Use it for slot credits or table play.

Gift Shops

• Shop for souvenirs, Carnival gear, liquor, sunscreen, or duty-free items (note: some items like tobacco/liquor are delivered at the end of the cruise).

Laundry

• Pay for self-service laundry or send-out service with OBC.

Wi-Fi Packages

• Use OBC to buy a Wi-Fi plan onboard if you didn’t purchase one pre-cruise.

Shore Excursions

• Book shore excursions at the shore desk onboard (not online before your cruise) to use your OBC.

Gratuities

• Refundable OBC can be applied toward daily gratuities, but non-refundable cannot.

Photo Packages

• Purchase your cruise photos

What You Can’t Use OBC For

• Cash withdrawals
• Casino cash-outs
• Other people’s accounts

How to Check Your Balance

• Use the Carnival Hub App
• Check your Sail & Sign statement on the cabin TV
• Ask Guest Services

Leftover OBC?

• Refundable OBC: Any left at the end will go back to your card (or mailed via check if cash).
• Non-refundable OBC: Use it or lose it—so spend it all before debarkation.

PART III – ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Here’s a complete guide to making the most of onboard credit (OBC) on Royal Caribbean, including pro tips, restrictions, and smart ways to use it — whether it’s a promo, loyalty benefit, shareholder credit, or a gift.

Smart Ways to Use Onboard Credit on Royal Caribbean

Specialty Dining

• Use OBC to try venues like:
  
  • Chops Grille
  • Giovanni’s Table
  • Izumi Sushi or Hibachi
  • Jamie’s Italian
  • Wonderland
• Dining packages can also be purchased onboard using OBC.

Drinks & Beverage Packages

• Use OBC to buy:
  
  • Individual drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
  • Premium coffees (at Café Promenade or Starbucks on select ships)
  • Beverage packages (if purchased onboard, not pre-cruise)

Shopping

• Great for spending in:
  
  • Logo shops
  • Duty-free jewelry, perfume, alcohol
  • Royal Caribbean merchandise (t-shirts, tumblers, etc.)

Spa & Salon Services

• Book spa treatments (massages, facials, etc.) using your OBC.
• Salon services like hair styling, manicures, and teeth whitening also qualify.

Casino

• Non-refundable OBC can be used to fund casino play through your SeaPass card.
• You cannot cash it out—you must play it.

Internet Packages

• Purchase a VOOM Wi-Fi package onboard and pay with OBC.
• Can also be used for messaging or surf + stream packages.

Shore Excursions

• Book excursions through the Shore Excursions Desk onboard to use OBC.
• Pre-booked excursions online before your cruise can’t be paid with OBC.

Laundry Services

• Onboard credit can pay for wash/dry/fold or pressing services.

Photo Packages

• Use it toward professional cruise photos, prints, or digital packages.

What You Can’t Use OBC For

• Pre-cruise purchases (drink packages, excursions, Wi-Fi bought before boarding)
• Cash withdrawals or cash back
• Tipping crew in cash
• Paying for someone else’s charges

How to Track Your OBC

• Check your SeaPass account via:
  
  • Royal Caribbean app
  • In-room TV
  • Guest Services

Always read the fine print and clarify what you’re getting when you’re booking your cruise!

Here’s a group just for new cruisers and others! No judgement with correct answers to your questions. Lots of in-depth information, tips and personal advice! 

Carnival Cruising for First Timers