Who wouldn’t want to get “free money” on a Royal Caribbean cruise? That’s what receiving onboard credit (OBC) feels like. Some cruisers board with hundreds in OBC and have zero idea what to do with it. A few drinks here, 30 minutes in the casino, and a shop splurge there, and just like that, it’s gone. And half the time, it’s spent on stuff they’ll forget about by disembarkation.
The trick isn’t getting OBC—it’s knowing how to make it count toward an unforgettable cruise experience. Want to skip the regrets, snag the best perks, and avoid a last-minute spending spree? Here’s how to make tapping that SeaPass onboard card count.
7 Rookie Regrets That Blow Your OBC
Don’t waste your Royal Caribbean credit on forgettable junk or panic buys the day before disembarkation. Here’s how to avoid making the same rookie OBC mistakes hundreds of cruisers talk about on Cruise Critic, Facebook, and Reddit.
Waiting Too Long to Spend It
Cruisers with free OBC say it all the time: “I get around to spending it.” But those free credits won’t wait forever. Before you know it, spa deals have disappeared, and fancy restaurants are fully booked. All that’s left are clearance racks and regrets.
I’ve seen countless cruise forum posts from cruisers who forgot about their OBC balance until the final morning. They ended up scrambling to spend their ‘free cash,’ often settling for worthless souvenirs. As one traveler shared, “That $100 I spent on the last day was a big regret, especially as I could have had steak at Chop’s Grille.”
If you want real value, treat your OBC like a day-one priority, not a last-minute afterthought.
Wasting It on Logo Junk or Keychains
It’s a classic rookie mistake—getting caught up in the first-day excitement of being on a cruise ship with “free money.” What often happens? They blow most of their credit on branded shirts, tumblers, soft toys, and pins. By the end, they’ve got a suitcase full of junk and nothing in their account.
Many cruisers share the same regret of overpaying for branded stuff that hardly sees the light of day once they’re home. Some call it “souvenir FOMO.” However, the only thing they didn’t miss out on was the regret.
In my experience, the buzz of bonus money fades fast, but those forgettable trinkets stick around way too long.
Paying for Bottled Water Packs
Some cruisers think they’re being practical by prepaying for packs of bottled water so they’re in the stateroom on embarkation day. After all, it saves lugging bottles of water onboard. But $40 for 12 bottles of water seems overpriced, especially when tap water is free and safe to drink onboard.
One cruiser on Reddit said about buying packs of bottled water, “Biggest waste of OBC. I should have spent it on drinks I actually enjoy or sushi.” Others commented that they wish they’d saved it for treats they wouldn’t usually splurge on.
Lesson learned: don’t use cruise credit on things you can sip for free.
Losing It in the Casino
Many first-time cruisers hit the casino thinking, “Well, it’s free money, so why not sit at the slots for 30 minutes?” They swipe their SeaPass and are shocked to see their OBC account vanish faster than deck chairs at sailaway. They walk away with nothing—no drinks, no gifts, just that sinking feeling of what could have been.
Many seasoned cruisers say that onboard casinos love OBC because people treat it like play money. And it hits novice gamblers especially hard. They throw credits at the blackjack table with usually no return and maybe a free drink.
It’s not all doom and gloom at the casino. Continue reading to discover a neat hack to cash out OBC by playing the slots to your advantage.
Getting Talked Into Spa Upsells
Nothing spells “dreamy cruise vacation” better than getting pampered in the Vitality at Sea Spa. Lying there, getting every knot of stress massaged from your back with the ocean stretching out in front of you. What could go wrong?
Many cruisers aren’t prepared for the hard upselling on spa products they don’t need. Relaxed and with bonus credit ready to burn, it’s easy to splash out $80 or $100 on a serum you’d never dream about buying at home.
My golden rule about onboard purchases is this: If it’s not something I’d splurge on back home, it’s probably not worth my cruise credit either.
Paying for Expensive WiFi
Although Royal Caribbean’s Voom internet service claims to be the fastest at sea, many cruisers refuse to pay for it. Staying connected for a week-long cruise can cost triple to four times as much as home broadband. Many experienced travelers use it as a time to disconnect and use WiFi hotspots in ports.
Of course, “worth it” depends on your vacation needs. Some cruisers are willing to splurge their OBC to check their email, upload vacation snaps to social media, or FaceTime with family and friends. At least if you do pay for it, Voom speeds are pretty fast compared to other cruise lines.
If you can get by with offline bliss, skip the VOOM. Save your OBC for mega-moments, not megabytes.
Bidding Too Much on Art Auctions
It starts with a glass of bubbly and a “free” raffle, and then suddenly, you’re waving a paddle at art prints you hadn’t planned to buy. After all, you’ve got bonus cash in your OBC. But that quickly disappears on artwork that is overvalued and overpriced—much to many cruisers’ regrets.
I get it—it’s easy for first-time cruisers to get swept up in the energy. Some end up spending hundreds, thinking they scored an investment. One cruiser said, “I used my OBC and still felt overcharged.” Others shared how hard it was to get refunds or return pieces once buyer’s remorse kicked in.
“Free champagne at the art auction? Sure. Using your OBC to buy a painting you didn’t want? Maybe don’t.”
What mistakes did I make on my first Royal Caribbean cruise? Please read my article: I Made These 7 Big Mistakes Before My Royal Caribbean Cruise.
8 Smart Ways to Spend Your Royal Caribbean OBC (And Actually Enjoy It)
Savvy cruisers know the best places onboard Royal Caribbean where swiping the SeaPass card gives real upgrades. I’m talking specialty dining, drinks, and perks you’ll actually remember. Here’s what I’ve learned from my own experience and reading countless cruise forum threads.
Don’t Prepay Gratuities — Use OBC Instead
Paying gratuities is one of the smartest ways to use OBC. But there’s a trick: don’t prepay gratuities when booking; otherwise, it won’t work. Instead, pay gratuities on board from your account. This frees valuable cash for drinks, dining, or shore excursions.
At the final bill, the cruise line will first deduct non-refundable OBC, then refundable OBC, and then the rest from your credit card. Don’t worry about paying more—onboard gratuities cost the same as prepaying them.
One cruiser shared the sentiments of many: “Using OBC for gratuities was the smartest swap I made onboard.”
Let your OBC handle the tips—more cash in your pocket and the same great service.
Use OBC to Level Up: Specialty Dining, Drink Package
The Main Dining Room is fine, but Royal Caribbean specialty dining options are where the real cruise experience exists. From sizzling steaks at Chops Grille to sushi at Izumi and gastronomic treats at Wonderland, this is where your OBC shines. You’ll indulge in experiences you’ll never forget.
The same is true for the drinks package, especially if you’re eyeing those $14 cocktails. You can experience the Bionic Bar and have a robot make your drink or chill out in the Bamboo Room—all because you didn’t waste your OBC on tacky branded merch.
Use your OBC for steak, sushi, or spritzes—not souvenirs you’ll forget by Monday.
Discover shocking truths about why loyal Royal Caribbean passengers are ditching the drink package.
Book Shore Excursions through Royal Caribbean
Savvy cruisers put their OBC to good use by exploring exotic ports on their cruise. Royal’s shore excursions are reliable, hassle-free, and OBC-friendly, even in your Cruise Planner. Many travelers on Cruise Critic say they’d rather book through the cruise line to avoid the stress of returning to the ship on time.
You can book excursions before sailing with OBC, but only if the credit is already available in your Royal Caribbean account. If the OBC is issued directly by Royal Caribbean (e.g. as part of a promo or loyalty perk), it should appear in your Cruise Planner account right away, sometimes even the same day you book the cruise.
However, if the OBC comes from a travel agent or third-party booking site, it might not show up until you board the ship—sometimes not until day 1 of the cruise.
One caveat: OBC is only valid for booking shore excursions through the cruise line, not independent tour operators.
Save Your OBC for Flash Sales — Score Bigger Deals
Why not keep your OBC to snag great onboard discounts on Royal’s flash sales? It’s not uncommon for deals to appear on the Royal App offering half-price spa treatments, WiFi discounts, or BOGO (Buy One, Get One) dining nights. They’re popular and vanish fast.
Seasoned cruisers advise keeping some OBC in reserve in case flash deals pop up. You can ask Guest Services when they usually appear or check the cruise line app daily. If you don’t bag a bargain, no worries—you’ve got leftover credits to cover gratuities.
Remember not to spend it all on day one. Royal’s best deals show up when you least expect them.
Splash Out on Onboard Activities
Royal Caribbean has some of the largest cruise ships and the most diverse activities in the industry. So, plenty of ops to splash some of that “free cash” on fun things like private FlowRider lessons, escape rooms, the video arcade, cooking classes, or a tour of the ship.
Parents shared how using OBC to pay for childcare freed up a couple of evenings to enjoy a Broadway show and some fine dining. Others appreciated using the credits to pay for laundry services halfway through a 14-day cruise.
Turn your OBC into thrills and activities that are way more fun than a few fridge magnets or sipping on bottled water.
What are the other 15 things that Royal Caribbean does best? Find out in my article here.
Use OBC for VIP Perks With The Key
With credit to spare, Royal Caribbean’s Key program can unlock a few VIP perks onboard. Cruisers who have OBC pre-cruise can use it to buy The Key, which is an optional program offering guests exclusive benefits designed to enhance their cruise experience with added convenience and priority access.
For example, this service offers priority boarding, departure, and private hours on the FlowRider and rock climbing wall. It also includes a welcome embarkation day lunch, VIP seating, and WiFi access.
Not everyone is a fan of The Key, but many say it’s worth it for a smoother experience on busier cruises. It also makes embarkation and debarkation days easier to manage.
One caveat: You can only buy The Key pre-cruise, so you’ll need to have OBC in your account to use it.
Turn OBC Into Vacation Keepsakes
Celebrating a special life event on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Use your OBC to get professional photos for your anniversary, family reunion, honeymoon, or birthday. Although photos are generally considered a cruise line rip-off, having some OBC to use softens the sting.
One cruiser said, “We used our credit for a photo package—it’s the only souvenir we actually framed.” Just don’t feel pressured to buy if it’s not a milestone. For meaningful moments, it’s credit well spent.
Use OBC to Maximize Experience at Perfect Day CocoCay
CocoCay has plenty of free fun. But the real excitement starts at Thrill Waterpark, and you can use your OBC to buy a day pass. If it’s relaxation you’re after, then use credits for a floating cabana, upgraded loungers, or a Coco Beach Club day pass with a stunning infinity pool.
One cruiser said, “We used OBC for the Beach Club, and it felt like a luxury resort.” If you’re going to splurge anywhere, this is the spot. OBC turns island upgrades into memory-makers.
OBC + CocoCay = private beach vibes, private cabanas, and an infinity pool you’ll never forget.
Cruise Hack to Cash Out OBC on Royal Caribbean
Non-refundable OBC typically cannot be cashed out or the remaining balance refunded at the end of a cruise. However, cruisers online share a hack to transfer at least some of the credit into hard cash. Here’s what I discovered on Cruise Critic forums.
First, head to the casino and load your OBC onto a slot machine using your SeaPass card. If you try to cash it out immediately without playing, the system will often flag the transaction and block you from doing it again on that cruise. Multiple cruisers said the trick is to “cycle” through at least 50% of what you load—spin the reels a few times—then cash out.
If you’re strategic, you can convert a good chunk of non-refundable OBC into cash—just be prepared to tap that spin button a few times.
Want to cruise for free with Royal Caribbean? Discover the casino hacks that can land you free days at sea.
The Fine Print Royal Doesn’t Always Tell You
If Royal Caribbean’s onboard credit confuses you, you’re not alone. Between changing policies, mixed cruisers’ experiences, and a ton of vague print in T&Cs, it’s easy to get tripped up. After digging through countless threads, I’ve discovered a few things that help to clear the muddy waters.
Refundable vs. non-refundable credit matters: Royal always deducts non-refundable OBC first. You can’t choose, and you can’t swap the order. Also, you cannot typically cash out non-refundable, promotional OBC.
Travel agent OBC credit is usually refundable: If your OBC came from a travel agent, it’s likely refundable—but you can’t use it in the Cruise Planner because it’s in your account only when you board. Mostly, any leftover credits get returned to your TA. Also, if you got OBC from using Royal Caribbean’s credit card, you should be able to transfer credits to cash.
You can’t use it to prepay gratuities: Gratuities can be covered by OBC—but only if you don’t prepay them before the cruise.
Guest Services knows what type you have: Not sure what kind you’ve got? Ask Guest Services early in the trip so you can plan accordingly.
Shareholder credit isn’t automatic: If you own over 100 shares of Royal Caribbean stock, you may qualify for extra OBC—but you have to request it in advance and provide documentation. Many cruisers miss out just because they didn’t submit the form before sailing.
Use it or lose it: Non-refundable OBC disappears if you don’t spend it by the last night. No refunds. No do-overs. It stays on the ship when you disembark.
Your 3-Step OBC Game Plan
Smart cruisers know how to turn OBC into genuine cruise upgrades on Royal Caribbean from before they step on board. With a bit of prep, you too can enjoy VIP perks thanks to “free money” on your cruise. Here’s how to stay one step ahead and spend smart from the start:
Track your cruise cash like a pro: Use the Royal App to monitor your OBC balance and spot charges early. Don’t leave it until the end of your cruise to decide how to spend it.
Make a credit wish list before boarding: Jot down what you’d actually enjoy—spa, sushi, shore excursions—and avoid wasting OBC on impulse buys.
Use your OBC early: Unless you plan to use OBC to pay gratuities, don’t wait for the last day. By then, the best deals are gone, and the shops are half-empty. Spend smart and spend soon.
Don’t Let Free Money Go Overboard
Royal’s OBC can buy you steak dinners, spa days—or a drawer full of regret. Spend it like a pro, not like it’s Monopoly money. Your cruise memories are worth more than a logo keychain or Royal Caribbean mug.
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