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How does cruise on-board credit work?

On-board credit is money that can be used during your cruise for extras such as Shore Excursions, Spa Treatments, Speciality Dining or Gift Shop purchases etc.

In plain English On-board credit is like ‘free money’! This is basically a credit of money which is automatically deposited into your onboard spending account. This may be part of an added value offer when you book your cruise holiday or may be offered as an alternative to a discount on your holiday price.

If you are a regular cruiser with a particular cruise company then you may accrue some on-board credit as a loyalty bonus through a points scheme or similar. You may also receive on-board credit if you book on board the ship for your next cruise as a booking incentive.

The currency that this will be awarded in will be in line with the currency offered on board the ship. For example P&O Cruises will offer this in UK Sterling and most others like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises will offer this in US Dollars.

Depending on the circumstances of where and when you book your cruise holiday and depending on the current ‘Special Offers’ the on-board credit could range from anything between $10 right up to $500 and for past passengers this could be even more.

You can spend your on-board credit on anything you wish on board your cruise whether it be drinks at the bar, Shore Excursions or gift shop purchases, the choice is yours, however, it is not exchangeable for cash.

At the end of your cruise you will receive a bill of everything that has been added to your account – the on-board credit value on your account will be deducted from your total bill and you need only pay the balance on your account, if any! If you have not spent all of your on-board credit at the end of your cruise then you do generally lose it but this is not always the case and will depend upon the cruise line.

Onboard credit is a great way to spend more freely with less guilt as you can spend on those exciting extras without busting your budget.

Our Cruise Experts can advise you on all of our current Special Offers with added on-board spending money. Call us today on 0800 197 8050

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