If you’ve ever found yourself with Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit (OBC) and wondered, “What’s the smartest way to spend this?” — you’re not alone.
OBC might feel like free money, but spending it wisely can stretch it much further and give you more value from your cruise.
I’ve used OBC on multiple Royal Caribbean sailings, and I’ve learned it can be a game-changer — but only if you know the rules, where it can (and can’t) be used, and the smartest spending priorities.
How Onboard Credit Works
Royal Caribbean’s cashless payment system is your SeaPass account — this is where all your onboard purchases get charged.
- How it’s applied: When you receive OBC, it’s automatically credited to your SeaPass account and offsets purchases during your sailing.
- When it’s settled: At the end of your cruise, your account balance is settled by cash, credit/debit card, or by using up your OBC.
💡 Tip: Think of it as a prepaid balance that will be used up first before any actual money leaves your pocket.
How to Get Royal Caribbean OBC
There’s more than one way to score onboard credit — here are all the possible sources:
- Promotions – Book during special offers and you could get up to $400 OBC per stateroom.
- Booking Onboard – Reserve your next cruise while already sailing and get up to $500 OBC.
- Travel Agent Perks – Many agents add OBC as a booking bonus.
- Royal Caribbean Visa Card – Earn points; 10,000 points = $100 OBC.
- Compensation – If service falls short or technical problems occur, you might get OBC as an apology.
- Price Drops – If your cruise price falls after booking, the difference may be given as OBC.
- Cancelled Cruises – If your sailing is suspended and rebooked, pre-purchased items become OBC (sometimes with a 25% bonus).
- Shareholder Benefits – Own 100+ RCL shares? Get $50–$250 OBC depending on cruise length.
- Military Perks – US/Canadian military members and veterans may get $50 OBC on certain sailings.
Future Cruise Credit (FCC) – Detailed Explanation
What it is:
- An FCC is essentially a voucher issued by Royal Caribbean that you can use to pay for all or part of the fare for a future cruise.
- It’s not cash, and it can’t be used like onboard spending money during your sailing.
When you might receive it:
- Cruise cancellation by Royal Caribbean (due to weather, mechanical issues, etc.).
- Voluntary rebooking if you choose to move your trip to a later date during a qualifying offer.
- As part of compensation for significant itinerary changes or operational issues.
How it works:
- Applied to the base fare of your future cruise booking.
- If the FCC covers the full fare, you’ll just pay any taxes, fees, and extras separately.
- If you don’t use the full amount:
- Royal Caribbean will issue you a new FCC for the remaining balance.
- Example: You have a $1,000 FCC, and you book a cruise costing $800 fare. The remaining $200 becomes a new FCC with its own expiration terms.
Key restrictions:
- Expiration dates: Most FCCs must be redeemed and the cruise taken by a specific deadline (this varies by issuance reason).
- Non-transferable: Usually issued in the passenger’s name; can’t be given away unless specifically allowed.
- It can’t be converted into onboard credit or cash.
Onboard Credit (OBC) – Detailed Explanation
What it is:
- OBC is spending credit applied to your SeaPass account for purchases onboard your cruise or (in some cases) through the Cruise Planner pre-cruise.
- Think of it as prepaid spending money for drinks, dining, excursions, spa, Wi-Fi, souvenirs, etc.
When you might receive it:
- As part of a promotion or special booking offer.
- From a travel agent incentive.
- From booking your next cruise while onboard.
- As compensation for minor inconveniences (service delays, maintenance issues).
- From shareholder perks, military benefits, or price drop adjustments.
How it works:
- Automatically applied to your SeaPass account at the start of your cruise.
- Deducted first before any cash/card payments for onboard spending.
- Expires at the end of your cruise — unused amounts are forfeited.
Limitations:
- It can’t be used for taxes, port fees, or medical charges.
- Some types (like gift card-purchased OBC) can only be spent after boarding, while promotional OBC can sometimes be used in pre-cruise purchases.
No Conversions Between FCC & OBC
- FCC cannot be turned into OBC.
- OBC cannot be applied toward the cruise fare.
- They serve different purposes: FCC = future ticket payment; OBC = onboard spending.
What You Can & Can’t Use OBC For
- ✅ Can be used for most onboard purchases — drinks, dining, activities, excursions, Wi-Fi, etc.
- ❌ Can’t be used for medical expenses, taxes, or port fees.
💡 Pro Tip: You can now spend certain types of OBC before boarding via the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site or phone — but gift card OBC still must wait until you’re on the ship.
Use It or Lose It
Any unused OBC disappears when your cruise ends — it doesn’t roll over. Spend it all by the final night to avoid wasting it.
Best 17 Options To Use OBC
Here’s where it gets fun — turning that “free” OBC into experiences, perks, and even practical savings.
The smartest move? Cover the must-pay expenses first, then spend what’s left on indulgences.
Let’s go through all 17 options in detail
1. Gratuities (Top Priority)
- Daily rates: $18 pp/day (standard staterooms) • $20.50 pp/day (suites).
- These are effectively mandatory and go to the crew. Using OBC here frees your real cash for fun stuff.
- ✅ Auto-offset: Any leftover OBC at the end automatically reduces your gratuities on the final bill.
Per-person gratuities quick table (incl. kids & babies):
| Cruise Duration | Standard | Suites |
|---|---|---|
| 2 nights | $36.00 | $41.00 |
| 3 nights | $54.00 | $61.50 |
| 4 nights | $72.00 | $82.00 |
| 5 nights | $90.00 | $102.50 |
| 6 nights | $108.00 | $123.00 |
| 7 nights | $126.00 | $143.50 |
| 8 nights | $144.00 | $164.00 |
| 9 nights | $162.00 | $184.50 |
| 10 nights | $180.00 | $205.00 |
| 11 nights | $198.00 | $225.50 |
| 12 nights | $216.00 | $246.00 |
| 13 nights | $234.00 | $266.50 |
| 14 nights | $252.00 | $287.00 |
2. Onboard Activities (Paid Extras)
Most headline activities are free, but a few “WOW” options now carry a fee (Royal is including less for free lately):
- North Star: $25
- iFly Skydiving: $55
- All-access ship tour: $49–$129
- Escape room: $20
- Private FlowRider lessons: $69–$552
- Fitness classes: $12
- Cooking classes: $35–$70
- Arcade: $1–$3 per game
💡 Prices vary by sailing and can change—use OBC on 1–2 bucket-list items you’ll remember.
3. Spa & Salon
- Thermal suite/day pass: from ~$30 (ship-dependent)
- Salon blow-dry: ~$30
- Premium packages can run $2,000+
If spa is a rare treat, OBC softens the sticker shock.
4. Drinks & Drink Packages
- Free: water, tea, coffee, flavored water, milk.
- Paid: sodas, specialty coffee, bottled water, alcohol.
- Use OBC to: buy individual drinks or cover part/all of a drink package (run the math based on your habits).
5. Babysitting & Late-Night Care
Adventure Ocean is mostly free, but these specific slots aren’t:
| Age | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 | 9am–6pm | $6/hr |
| 0–3 | 6pm–12am | $8/hr |
| 3–11 | 9am–5pm | FREE |
| 3–11 | 7pm–10pm | FREE |
| 3–11 | 10pm–2am | $10/hr |
| 12–14 | 8pm–1am | FREE |
| 15–17 | 9pm–1am | 9 am–6pm |
🥂 Great way to grab adults-only time (theater, casino, date night).
6. Specialty Dining
- Chops/ Jamie’s (lunch): ~$25 pp
- Chef’s Table (dinner): ~$100 pp
- Dining packages can reduce cost if you’ll eat at multiple venues.
🎉 OBC = perfect excuse for a date night or celebration.
7. Cabana or Daybed Rentals at Private Destinations
If your itinerary includes Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, you can use your OBC toward upgrading your beach experience:
- Overwater cabanas with direct lagoon access.
- Beach or pool cabanas for shade, lounge chairs, and waiter service.
- Daybeds or shaded loungers for a more affordable comfort upgrade.
💡 These sell out quickly, so if your OBC type can be used before sailing in Cruise Planner, it’s worth booking early.
8. Souvenirs
- Not everything is $$$. Example: 2 Royal Caribbean T-shirts for $20 (deal seen onboard).
- Flash sales pop up—OBC = painless swag.
9. Cruise Photos
- Photo shoots are free; you pay only if you buy prints/digital.
- Charge to SeaPass and let OBC cover it—a nice family keepsake.
10. Shore Excursions (incl. CocoCay)
- Use OBC for official tours and paid activities on Perfect Day at CocoCay, like:
- Thrill Waterpark
- Up, Up & Away helium balloon
DIY can be cheaper, but official excursions are easy & protected.
11. Special Onboard Events & Classes
Beyond the usual activities, some cruises offer premium experiences you can pay for with OBC:
- Behind-the-Scenes Ship Tours – deeper and longer than the standard all-access tour.
- Premium wine or whiskey tastings with the ship’s sommelier or bar team.
- Mixology classes where you learn to make the ship’s signature cocktails.
- Private ice skating or sports sessions for small groups.
💡 These not only make for great memories, but they’re also a unique use of OBC you might not consider otherwise.
12. Wi-Fi (VOOM)
- Starts ~$20/day.
- Sometimes there’s “free” Wi-Fi in spots, but it’s unreliable—if you must stay connected, use OBC for a package.
13. The Key Program
What’s included:
- Priority check-in & boarding
- Carry-on bag drop-off
- Welcome lunch on embarkation day
- Private hours on FlowRider & rock wall
- Priority departure at ports of call
- VIP show seating
- Wi-Fi access
- Exclusive debarkation breakfast
Price: $26–$40 pp/day (varies).
Rule: Everyone in the cabin age 6+ must purchase if one person does.
My take: Often not worth it, but if you need Wi-Fi + priority + set activity times, it can be a tidy OBC bundle.
14. Art Auctions
- Fun for the free fizz, but art can be overpriced (watch for tiny prints in huge frames).
- Art is shipped from a land warehouse, not the ship.
- My example: I bought a $60 print with OBC, skipped the $450 frame, and framed it at home for £49.
If you love a piece, OBC can justify it—otherwise, window-shop and enjoy the bubbly.
15. Laundry & Pressing
- No self-serve launderettes on Royal ships.
- $2–$15 per item for wash/dry-clean/press.
- DIY option: a Scrubba wash bag in the sink (if you packed one).
16. Bingo
- From $49 (24 chances) • $69 (48 chances) — better value at the higher tier.
- Prizes range from small cash to free cruises, but the ROI isn’t great.
Do it for fun, not investment.
17. Casino (Cautious “Cash-out” Angle)
- Some guests load OBC into a slot machine, spin a little, then cash out a ticket at the cage.
- Avoid tables: converting to chips can add ~5% fee.
- Unwritten expectation (reported by guests): wager ~10% before cash-out.
⚠️ Risky and unofficial—only try if you’re comfortable gambling.
OBC Spending Rules, Myths, and Pro Tips
By now, you’ve got plenty of ideas for how to spend your Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit (OBC).
But before you start swiping that SeaPass card, there are a few important rules, common myths, and final tips to make sure you don’t leave a single cent behind.
The “Use It or Lose It” Rule
- OBC expires at the end of your cruise.
- It cannot be carried over to another sailing (unless it’s part of a future cruise credit scenario).
- Spend it by the last night of your cruise — after midnight, it’s gone.
The Gift Card Myth
Some Carnival Cruise passengers use a clever “gift card trick” to keep credit for future cruises — but it does not work with Royal Caribbean.
- Carnival’s loophole: OBC could be used to buy Carnival gift cards onboard, which could be applied to another trip.
- Royal Caribbean’s policy: Gift cards can only be used toward cruise fare before sailing — not for shipboard purchases — so you can’t buy one with OBC to save for later.
Bottom line: Royal Caribbean OBC must be spent during your sailing.
My Personal OBC Strategy
After years of trial and error, here’s my step-by-step plan for getting the most value:
- Cover Gratuities First – Mandatory and a perfect way to “free up” your real cash.
- Plan Must-Have Extras – Drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining — things I already know I’ll use.
- Set Aside for Fun – Activities, spa, souvenirs, and excursions for a treat.
- Leave a Small Buffer – For unexpected temptations (arcade games, bingo, a cool T-shirt).
- Check Balance Before the Last Night – Gives time to book an activity or buy something small, so nothing goes to waste.
Quick Pro Tips
- ✅ Book before boarding – Some OBC types can be applied to Cruise Planner purchases (drinks, excursions, dining) pre-cruise.
- ✅ Track your balance – Available on your stateroom TV or at Guest Services.
- ✅ Think about value – Spending OBC on something you wouldn’t normally buy is fun, but don’t waste it on overpriced items just to “use it.”
