Onboard credit is the currency you can use to make purchases when onboard your cruise. In some cases, cruise lines will supply free onboard credit while in others, you will need to top up your account. Either way, we’ve got 8 brilliant ways you can spend your onboard credit – read on for more!
1. Drinks
It’s reasonable to be worried about keeping the cost of drinks to a minimum, but a cruise is often the perfect opportunity to test your taste buds. From unique, exclusive cocktails, to craft beer, fine wine and exotic fruit juice, there are countless drinks to try. Using your onboard credit to purchase a drinks package or simply splash out one evening is a great way to avoid racking up a hefty bill at the end of your cruise.
Our favourite bars:
- Eden – Celebrity Cruises
- Commodore Club – Cunard (fleetwide)
- Svedka Ice Bar – Norwegian Cruise Line
2. Speciality Dining
With options ranging from Alice-in-Wonderland themed restaurants to rustic Italian steakhouses, there is no shortage of choice when it comes to speciality dining. These restaurants come with a cover charge and are often booked up quick. Seeing as you won’t find some of these restaurants anywhere else but at sea, it’s well worth using your onboard credit to sample something truly special!
Our favourite speciality restaurants:
- Kora La – Marella Cruises
- Johnny Rockets – Royal Caribbean
- Sindhu – P&O Cruises
3. Shopping
Boasting a range of designer brands including Michael Kors, Ted Baker and Swarovski, onboard shopping can be one of the highlights of your cruise. Your onboard credit is applicable to most purchases so you can splash out on cosmetics, accessories, gadgets, clothing and souvenirs to bring back home for loved ones (or just to treat yourself!).
4. Spa Treatments
Cruises are there for us to indulge in ultimate relaxation, and a visit to the spa is one of the best ways to do this. Spa treatments can be considerably more expensive in everyday life, but onboard credit opens up the chance to choose from a range of award-winning treatments and luxurious brands. With everything from manicures to haircuts and teeth-whitening to massages, you’re sure to find exactly what you need to feel your very best.
Our favourite spa's:
- Mandara Spa – Norwegian Cruise Line
- Lotus Spa – Princess Cruises
- Canyon Ranch Spa – Celebrity Cruises
5. Photographs
Photography is perhaps the best way to look back on our memories of our favourite cruises, and cruise lines are making this easier than ever. Professional photographers onboard will snap every smile and every moment, particularly the formal night portraits, allowing you to share your very best memories with friends and family in the form of prints and digitals.
6. Excursions
With fantastic itineraries taking you to some of the most exotic and fascinating places in the world, using your onboard credit for a shore excursion can allow you to experience your destinations in a whole new way. Make the most of your trip and delve deeper into each port of call without having to dig too deep into your pockets.
7. Activities
While almost all activities onboard are complimentary there are a handful which require a small charge, such as special cookery classes or private FlowRider® lessons. Some activities may even be exclusive to themed-cruises or available for a limited time only, so it’s well worth taking advantage of your onboard credit to participate.
8. Internet
Staying in contact with home can be tricky when you’re at sea. Some cruise lines provide internet at a price-per-minute rate, while others offer various packages suitable for different needs and devices, but both but can purchased with onboard credit. However, connection speeds and Wi-Fi availability can vary depending on the ship and region, so it’s worth finding out more before investing in a package.
Planet Cruise Weekly - Onboard Credit
As you can see there are numerous ways to spend your onboard credit to get the most out of your cruise holiday. From small details such as a vibrant cocktail in the evening to a cooking class with a world-famous Chef, having onboard credit opens up many doors to new experiences. For more information on receiving onboard credit, get in touch here.
