Onboard credit is essentially spending money the cruise line posts to your shipboard account—kind of like a mini gift card for your voyage. Cruise lines, travel agents and special promotions often use it to sweeten a booking. Guests typically spend it on extras: specialty restaurants, spa treatments, shore excursions, photos and shopping. With a little planning, onboard credit can cover a few indulgences so you don’t have to dip into your own wallet.
How onboard credit typically works
– How it’s awarded: Promotions usually offer a set dollar amount tied to your fare class or cabin category. The amount normally posts to your account before or on embarkation and remains available through the cruise.
– How it’s used: Rules vary by line and by promotion, but the mechanics are simple: the cruise operator applies the prepaid balance against eligible charges on your folio.
What onboard credit usually covers—and what it won’t
Common inclusions
– Specialty dining and bars (often including many alcoholic drinks)
– Spa and wellness treatments
– Shore excursions purchased on board
– Onboard retail: jewelry, clothing, photos and souvenirs
– Extras such as Wi‑Fi packages, laundry or photo bundles on some ships
Frequent exclusions
– Prepaid items and mandatory government or port fees
– Airfare, off‑ship travel insurance and third‑party bookings
– Pre‑assigned gratuities or certain prepaid excursions and upgrades
– Some promotions bar combining credits with other offers or using them for deposits
A smart heads-up: onboard credits issued directly by the cruise line are usually more flexible than credits tied to third‑party promotions. Ask for the exact wording that will appear on your folio and keep screenshots or emails—written proof makes resolving discrepancies far easier.
How to qualify and where to find offers
Eligibility depends on several factors:
– Fare class and cabin category
– When you book (early‑bird windows, last‑minute deals or specific promotions)
– Booking channel (direct with the cruise line, an authorized agent, or a corporate/partner offer)
– Any registration or activation steps—some credits require you to opt in or activate during online check‑in
Look in these places
– Cruise line websites and newsletters
– Authorized travel agents (they often have negotiated perks)
– OTAs and partner sites during limited promotions
– Industry roundups and agency reports for broader context
Tactics to boost the amount of credit you get
– Compare fare codes: different promotion windows and codes carry different credits.
– Use an authorized travel agent: agents can sometimes bundle perks or access group fares not visible on aggregators.
– Finish the booking flow: some systems reveal onboard credit only on final screens or when ancillaries are added.
– Bundle wisely: certain promotions increase credit if you buy packages (drinks, Wi‑Fi, prepaid gratuities).
– Track promo and partner codes: exclusive email codes can raise your credit.
– Do the math: weigh the extra fare against the added credit to see whether it’s worth paying more for extra onboard funds.
Making the most of your credit
– Verify and monitor: confirm the credit posts to your onboard account at check‑in and review your daily ledger. Save receipts or screenshots of charges.
– Spend selectively: use credits for things that elevate the trip—a memorable specialty dinner, a specific spa treatment, or a shore excursion you’d otherwise skip.
– Pooling: when traveling together, the stateroom credit can often be pooled to cover shared expenses like excursions or family photo packages.
– Know expiry and transfer rules: some lines forfeit unused balances at disembarkation; others apply them to final settlement. If credits can’t be transferred or are limited to certain outlets, plan so you don’t lose value.
If something goes wrong
If the credit on your folio doesn’t match what was promised, bring the written offer and your booking confirmation to Guest Services immediately. Keep all documentation—emails, screenshots and the original booking—so disputes can be resolved quickly. A little advance research and careful tracking during your cruise can turn that advertised bonus into a few memorable experiences without breaking the bank.