Onboard credit, or OBC, is spending money the cruise line puts on your shipboard account. You will see it on your shipboard folio, under names like SeaPass or Sail & Sign. It often comes as a booking promotion, and it can also come from your travel advisor or credit you buy yourself. It is not a discount on the cruise fare.
What you can use it for
On most lines, onboard credit can go toward specialty dining, drinks, the spa, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, photos, and the shops. Casino rules go both ways. Royal Caribbean's official guide says onboard credit is eligible at Casino Royale. Princess promotional terms, and many Holland America promotional offers, exclude the casino.
Pre-cruise use also varies. Some lines let you apply promotional credit before you sail. Virgin Sailor Loot cannot be used on pre-voyage purchases, including Bar Tab. Norwegian WorldPoints terms say the credit may not be used toward pre-purchased activities. Amounts can be quoted per person or per stateroom, and some offers apply only to the first two guests in a cabin.
Refundable versus non-refundable
Promotional or complimentary credit is typically non-refundable, with no cash value. If you do not use it, you lose it. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity promotional credit expires at 10 p.m. on the final night. Carnival promotional credit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Unused Virgin Sailor Loot is not refunded or rolled over.
Cash you deposit to your onboard account is different. Leftover cash is usually refunded. MSC reimburses unused cash deposits on the final morning. Holland America refunds remaining refundable credit by email.
Purchased credit is mixed. Celebrity says purchased onboard credit is refundable before you leave the ship, and complimentary credit is used first. Carnival's purchased Cruise Cash is sold as non-refundable, and unused Cruise Cash is forfeited.
When it makes sense to hold credit for gratuities
Most lines automatically post daily service charges or gratuities to your folio unless you prepaid them or they were bundled into a package. Non-refundable credit is then applied to the folio balance. If you spend it all early, there may be nothing left when those daily charges hit. Holding some of it can cover the charges instead of letting the credit disappear. Check the folio in the app mid-cruise.
That does not work if the credit cannot be used for service charges. Norwegian WorldPoints terms say it may not be used toward onboard service charges. Many Holland America promotional offers exclude gratuities, even though the line's general OBC FAQ lists crew appreciation as an eligible use. If gratuities are already prepaid or included, use the credit on something you would actually buy. Celebrity's All Included package does not include onboard staff gratuities.
For bookings made on or after October 7, 2025, Virgin Voyages automatically applies a daily service gratuity of $22 USD per Sailor to the folio, or $20 per night if you prepay. Prepaid gratuities are locked and non-refundable. Virgin still does not add extra tips on drinks, dining, or spa. Official pages do not say whether Sailor Loot covers that daily charge.
How the major lines compare
Only items confirmed on official pages opened for this draft appear below.
| Line | Promo credit refundable? | Use before sailing? | Covers daily gratuities? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | No. Expires 10 p.m. final night. | Yes, Cruise Planner. | Varies. Not expressly stated. |
| Carnival | No. Cruise Cash also non-refundable. | Varies for promo OBC. | Yes for Cruise Cash. |
| Norwegian | Must be used or WorldPoints are forfeited. | No, not toward pre-purchased activities. | No, per WorldPoints terms. |
| Celebrity | Complimentary, no. Purchased, yes before leaving the ship. | Yes for drinks, Wi-Fi, and spa. Not for fare or All Included. | Varies. All Included omits staff gratuities. Unused credit can be tipped at Guest Relations. |
| Princess | Expires at the end of that voyage. | Yes, shore excursions in Manage Booking. | Varies. Auto-posts unless prepaid or in Plus or Premier. |
| Holland America | Promo typically no. Refundable leftover is refunded by email. | Varies. | Varies. General FAQ says yes. Many promo terms say no. |
| MSC | Goodwill future-sailing OBC, no. Unused cash deposits reimbursed. | Varies. U.S. promo terms unverified. | Varies. U.K. site says included in the fare. U.S. policy unverified. |
| Virgin Voyages | Unused Sailor Loot and Bar Tab are not refunded. | No pre-voyage purchases. | Varies. From Oct. 7, 2025 bookings, $22/day posts, or $20 prepaid. Sailor Loot coverage not expressly stated. |
Other verified limits: Princess promo terms exclude the casino and cruisetour land portions. Holland America allows casino play only with non-promo credits. Celebrity OBC cannot cover medical costs or future-cruise deposits. Carnival promo OBC cannot be applied to fare, required fees, or government taxes and fees. Virgin Bar Tab is drinks only.
Treat promotional onboard credit as use-it-or-lose-it money. Spend it on extras you already wanted, or hold enough to cover daily service charges when the line allows that. If you want help booking, or want to know what onboard credit offers are available now, contact Jerry and Kara at Bucket Lets Go Travel in Tampa.