Onboard Credit Explained
Money on your shipboard account — where it comes from and how to use every dollar.
Find Onboard Credit OffersOnboard Credit: What It Is and How to Use It
Onboard credit is money placed on your shipboard account before you sail. It reduces your bill for things you would buy anyway — drinks, specialty dinners, spa treatments, excursions booked with the ship and, on many lines, gratuities. It comes from cruise-line promotions, loyalty perks and sometimes from the travel agency that books you.
Where Onboard Credit Comes From
Cruise-line promotions
Sales during busy booking periods such as Wave Season often add onboard credit to certain fares.
Your travel agency
Some agencies add their own onboard credit to bookings as a thank-you.
Loyalty programs
Repeat-cruiser perks on some lines include credit at higher tiers.
Booking on board
Lines often offer credit if you reserve your next cruise while sailing.
Compensation
Lines sometimes offer credit after a missed port or a service problem.
Rules to Know
- Use it or lose it: promotional credit usually expires at the end of the cruise.
- Exclusions: some credits cannot be used in the casino or on certain items.
- Per cabin or per person: check which; it changes the total.
- Applied automatically: credit should show in your onboard account on day one. If it does not, ask guest services.
Booking ship excursions is the easiest way to use credit; for the pros and cons of ship tours versus independent ones, see Shore Activities, and for Caribbean ports in particular, Caribbean Cruise Ports.
Onboard Credit Questions
Can I get unused onboard credit back in cash?
Usually not for promotional onboard credit, which is use-it-or-lose-it. Money you deposit to your account yourself is normally refundable. The line’s terms decide, so ask.
Can I use onboard credit for gratuities?
On many lines yes, because gratuities are charged to your onboard account. Some promotional credits exclude certain charges; check the terms.
Can onboard credit buy shore excursions?
On many lines, yes, if you book the excursion through the ship. It cannot be used for tours you buy independently in port.
Onboard Credit vs a Lower Fare
Sometimes the same cabin is offered two ways: a lower fare, or a higher fare with onboard credit attached. Which is better depends on whether you would spend that much on board anyway. If you already plan to buy drinks, excursions or specialty dinners, the credit covers money you would spend regardless. If you spend little on board, the lower fare usually wins. Ask our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise to price both.
Ask About Onboard Credit Offers
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will tell you which current fares come with onboard credit and send free quotes that show it.
Find Onboard Credit Offers