Got free onboard credit on a Princess cruise? It’s a fantastic perk that lets you splurge on shore excursions, fine dining, drink packages, and spa treatments. But are you confused about how the credits work? If so, you’re not the only one. Some credits only appear when you board, and others vanish when you disembark.
Many cruisers leave the cruise ship regretting they didn’t use all their “free money”—in some cases, hundreds of dollars’ worth. Some left it too late, and the spa slots were gone, and others just grabbed overpriced souvenirs in a last-day panic scramble to spend what’s left.
How can you ensure your “free cruise cash” feels like a perk with no regrets? This article has the answers based on real Princess passenger insights. I’ll even share with you a crafty trick to turn OBC into hard cash on a Princess cruise ship.
Princess Credit Works Differently—Here’s Why That Matters
Onboard credit on Princess cruise ships works differently from other cruise lines. Typically, on lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Holland America, OBC offsets many of the “essential” costs of cruising. However, on Princess, it’s more about splurging on the extras. Why? This difference is related to what Princess Plus and Premier offer.
Here’s my take:
Drinks: Princess Plus includes unlimited cocktails, soda, juices, and specialty coffees up to a value of $15—no need to buy a separate drinks package. Premier has a $20 cap on beverages.
WiFi: Unlimited WiFi is bundled, so OBC isn’t needed for internet access. One device for Princess Plus and four devices for Premier.
Gratuities: These are already covered under Plus and Premier, so you can spend your OBC on VIP spa packages or wine tastings.
Dining: Premier includes unlimited casual and specialty dining—OBC won’t add value here if it’s already included. Note: Princess Plus is limited to two casual dining meals per cruise.
Photo packages: The Premier package includes unlimited digital images and three prints. Just don’t forget to pick them up before disembarkation.
Water and fitness classes: These are included in the add-on bundles, meaning you can stretch your OBC to pay for more luxurious cruise extras.
Don’t forget that Princess Plus and Premier include OceanNow delivery and room service fees—something other lines often charge extra for. Without the package, these perks can eat into your OBC fast.
Bundled plans help you skip those $5 delivery fees and save your credit for real indulgences.
7 Princess Cruises Onboard Credit Mistakes Most Cruisers Make
Nobody would deliberately throw money overboard, but that’s what many cruisers do with their onboard credit (OBC). I see the same mistakes time and again on Facebook group rants, Reddit threads, and Cruise Critic forums. Avoid these seven mistakes to ensure you’re not leaving money on the table.
Thinking All OBC Can Be Used Pre-Cruise
Don’t be surprised if you can’t use onboard credit to pre-purchase spa treatments, beverages, or a WiFi package. Princess OBC is only available to book shore excursions before boarding. Prepaying for Princess Plus or other onboard amenities with OBC isn’t possible.
Many cruisers are disappointed at the limited possibilities of using OBC pre-cruise. In this respect, Royal Caribbean does it better. Also, some travel agents only load credits when you board the ship, making it impossible to snag the best tours or get discounts using OBC.
Pre-cruise purchases? Don’t count on OBC because most credit only kicks in once you’re on the ship.
Blowing OBC on Overpriced Logo Merchandise
It’s a typical rookie move—caught up in the excitement of a cruise with a pocket full of onboard credit to offload. So it seems that the urge for many guests to buy the Stanley Bear for $35 or overpriced Princess hoodies is irresistible. Surely, there is better value in spa access or a wine-tasting event?
One guest joked that they came home with an expensive Princess tote bag full of regrets and a magnet they didn’t need. Remember, limited-time sales are only limited to the length of your cruise, not the item’s availability. So it’s no wonder that online auction sites are full of Princess Cruises merch.
Onboard credit feels like bonus cash, but don’t waste it on souvenirs you’d skip at home. Choose value over hype—you’ll thank yourself later.
Booking WiFi or Water Packages You Don’t Need
There are many reasons why Princess passengers don’t buy the Plus or Premier packages. But don’t assume that you must waste OBC on a WiFi or bottled water package. Of course, Princess discourages bringing water onboard, and some people must be connected 24/7. But why splurge on something you get for free? (I’m talking about water).
Many cruisers share that they used WiFi a lot less than they expected to, certainly not enough to justify the $25 per day. And a small bottle of water for $2? That’s steep. The best solution is to bring a refillable water bottle and fill up at water stations for free.
Paying for more than you need doesn’t make it a deal. Use your OBC for things you’ll actually enjoy—not overpriced data and water.
Wasting OBC on Casino Credit Without Understanding the Limits
First-time cruisers often see OBC as free gambling money—easy chips, no risk. But if you’ve never played slots or blackjack, you may see your $200 onboard credit disappear faster than a magician’s trick. It’s common to hear novice gamblers walking in excited, then leaving, wondering what happened to their credit.
Forum threads are full of confused guests who assumed using OBC in the casino would lead to easy winnings. However, all that many of them achieved was a free drink and staring at a screen of spinning slots.
OBC in the casino isn’t a free ride, so learn the system before you tap to play—or you’ll be swapping a steak dinner for zero payouts.
Falling for Spa Upsells Instead of Real Treatments
Treating yourself to a relaxing massage at the Lotus Spa is tempting. But be warned—you must endure a hard-sell pitch. Some guests book a massage or facial, only to be pitched pricey products and “essential” add-ons before they’ve even relaxed. What was meant to be a $129 treatment turns into a $300 sales pitch.
Cruisers often comment that they left more tense than when they arrived—wallet lighter, OBC drained.
Want pampering? Book a treatment. Want value? Skip the pitch. You’re there to relax, not restock your bathroom.
Last-Minute Impulse Purchases
A last-minute check of your OBC account on the final evening, and you realize that $100 is still sitting there. A quick dash around the onboard shops and suddenly, that $65 tote bag or overpriced necklace seems like a great bargain. It’s not. Many cruisers admit to panic buying just to zero out their balance.
It’s then that reality hits—with a little more planning, they could have enjoyed VIP online experiences, like a day at the Lotus Spa Enclave or an extra shore excursion they assumed was too expensive.
Assuming OBC Applies to Gratuities Automatically
It’s easy to leave bonus money on the table if you assume OBC automatically covers gratuities. The confusion on Princess cruise ships arises for one of two reasons. First, the Plus or Premier packages already include “staff appreciation.” Second, OBC doesn’t cover prepaid gratuities. The solution? Check your OBC balance on the first day on board.
A more brilliant move is to have a strategy to make OBC upgrade your cruise experience from great to excellent. How can you do that? The following section covers it.
8 Smart Moves to Maximize Your Princess Cruises Onboard Credit
I’ve read the Facebook threads, scrolled the Cruise Critic debates, and seen the Reddit regrets. One pattern always stands out—cruisers who spend their onboard credit wisely walk off smiling. The rest? Not so much.
Here are eight smart moves that turn Princess OBC into real value, not just last-day leftovers and regrets.
Pre-Book Shore Excursions Through Princess
Booking shore excursions through Princess before you sail is one of the easiest ways to get solid value from your onboard credit. Tours fill up fast, and by the time you’re onboard, the best ones—like glacier hikes or catamaran sails—are long gone. Using OBC here means you’re locking in an experience, not just buying time off the ship.
Many cruisers say they missed out on must-do excursions by waiting too long, thinking they could decide later. Some mistakenly assumed that non-refundable OBC couldn’t be used for pre-booking Princess tours—an expensive mistake!
Want lasting value? Use OBC for memories, not branded merch. The right tour beats a last-day souvenir every time.
Reserve Specialty Dining Experiences Early
Specialty dining fills fast—often before the ship sails. Early booking is vital if you want to use OBC or have a Plus or Premier package. Using OBC for Chef’s Table is a serious upgrade from the typical fare at the Main Dining Room. If you book early, you can also enjoy Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, Umai Teppanyaki, or The Catch by Rudi.
Using OBC for specialty dining is an excellent way to splash your “free cash.” It provides memorable moments you’ll never get if you waste money on branded junk from onboard souvenir shops.
Want to dine well? Book early and spend smart. Great meals beat rushed decisions, the International Café, and leftover credit.
Upgrade Drinks or Indulge in High-Tier Options
The word online is that “on Princess, you can use OBC to pay for absolutely anything!” Why not use it to purchase the Plus Package onboard or upgrade to Premier? You can also use credits to cover the cost difference between standard drinks and top-shelf spirits or premium wines that aren’t covered.
Many Princess guests say that OBC allowed them to splurge on specialty coffees, high-end sparkling wine, and premium cocktails they wouldn’t usually order. Tables are set up in the Piazza, where you can speak to a staff member and get your upgrades.
Purchase Spa Day Passes at The Enclave
Want VIP treatment without digging deep into your wallet? Using OBC to purchase a day pass to the Enclave at Lotus Spa is your answer. Imagine—a relaxing day of adults-only indulgence. Enjoy heated stone beds, steam rooms, soothing water beds, and humidity zones with aroma infusions.
Princess Cruises guests describe The Enclave as one of the best uses of onboard credit. It’s a day of tranquility, calm, and self-reflection—totally worth it.
The Enclave experience isn’t cheap, but if you’re using OBC, consider it as a luxurious treat from Princess, not an overpriced spa experience.
Stock Up on Celebration Photos
Whether it’s your anniversary, a birthday cruise, or just a rare family getaway, using OBC on celebration photos can be a smart splurge. Photo packages aren’t cheap, but they’re easy to justify when you walk away with keepsakes you’ll actually display, especially if Princess pays for it. The key is to decide early, as buying photos one by one adds up fast.
Many cruisers say they waited too long and missed bundle pricing or forgot to check the photo gallery entirely. Others say that professional photos are the only cruise pictures they have framed.
Want memories that last? Use OBC to capture the moments, not just the menus. Photos outlive poolside cocktails every time.
Grab Practical Upgrades: Medallion Accessories
Medallion accessories might seem like small upgrades, but they can seriously improve your cruise. Wristbands, clips, and holders keep your OceanMedallion secure and easy to access, especially on busy port days or around the pool. Using OBC here means convenience now, not clutter later.
Cruisers often say they didn’t realize how handy a wristband was until they kept fumbling at the bar or their cabin door. Others talk about the hassle of replacing the Medallion tag when they lost it and ended up buying a wristband anyway.
Want smoother sailing? Swap the traditional Medallion tag onboard for a wristband with your OBC, and the cruising experience will be much easier. Forget the trinkets you’ll toss post-cruise.
Pay for Room Service Extras and Special Deliveries
Don’t have Princess Plus or Premier? Don’t worry; you can use OBC to order room service or in-cabin treats to upgrade the cruise experience. Fancy dinner on the balcony? Chocolate-covered strawberries? Or a bottle of wine delivered before sailaway? It’s all possible if you use your OBC wisely.
Many cruisers ignore the high prices of Plus or Premier because they can pay for VIP-like perks with OBC. These little splurges—room delivery from Alfredo’s or premium cocktails on the balcony—make the cruise feel more personal.
Use It Toward Gratuities if You Didn’t Prepay
Want to use OBC to pay for “crew appreciation” and “service charges”? If so, ensure you don’t prepay gratuities. Then, your final bill will deduct automatic gratuities from your onboard credit based on the type of cabin you booked. If you overspent on OBC elsewhere, then it’s charged to your credit card.
Of course, if you have Princess Plus or Premier, there’s no need to worry about showing “crew appreciation” as it’s included in the package cost.
The Cruise Hack to Turn OBC Into Cash
It’s common knowledge that promotional OBC doesn’t have a cash value. Therefore, it’s not usually possible to exchange it for “foldable bills.” That’s until I discovered a trick many Princess cruisers use—playing the casino to cash out on OBC.
Slot machines are often the loophole. Swipe your OceanMedallion and load your OBC to play slots. Spin a few times—you may make a few losses or win big bucks. After a few spins, hit “cash out” and take your voucher to the cashier.
Many cruisers claim it’s a foolproof method, whereas others report it didn’t work for them. Of course, it’s not a strategy to convert hundreds of dollars into hard cash. But it seems to work if you play smart. Treat it like a 10 to 20 percent fee for converting OBC into spendable cash you can use ashore.
Princess vs. Carnival vs. Royal—Who Really Has the Best OBC Perks?
Princess gives you more upfront if you choose the Plus or Premier packages—like drinks, WiFi, gratuities, and even some free dining options. It seems that with Princess, you can spend more of your OBC on luxurious extras like spa treatments. However, with Royal Caribbean and Carnival, you must do more math on how to split credits between cruise essentials rather than splurge on cruise extras.
Further reading: Find more information about Royal Caribbean’s Onboard Credit and Carnival’s Onboard Credit.
Make Your Onboard Credit Work as Hard as You Do
Princess Cruises offers some of the most generous OBC perks in the industry. Make sure to use them all. My advice? Spend it early, spend it smart, and avoid letting it slip through the cracks. With a bit of planning, you’ll walk off the ship with great memories, not missed opportunities.
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