Would you like some onboard spending money

Well a lot of the time cruise lines offer an incentive to book, it could be a drinks package or it could be on board spending money or if you are really lucky you could end up with both.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises sometimes have the deals that include these.
So how do you get this “free money” I hear you ask.
There are a few ways you can get it and I will list a few for you to store away for future reference after all it is better in our pockets than theirs.
Free money are 2 of the most lovely words you can hear when you are thinking about cruising and you can use it on pretty much anything on board including excursions and spa treatments, not the casino though.
So how do you get it
First off if you have a travel agent that you always use they can sometimes add a bit of spending money on for you above and beyond what the cruise line offers, I guess it’s a case of if you don’t ask you don’t get, the worst thing they can say is no.
Become part of a loyalty member scheme, it may not always be free money but could be a percentage off what you buy on board like on P&O, I now get 8.5% off what i buy which is brilliant if the duty free is open, saves me loads of money
A lot of people don’t know that Royal Caribbean has a referral system and on your next cruise if you take someone along who has never sailed with Royal before you can claim up to $25 per cabin, soon adds up, i did this on mine last October and notched up a nice little $75. (you have to be on the same cruise) This Will buy a handbag on the last night of the cruise when they have a sale on.
Become a Shareholder
oh yes you can buy shares in the company and reap the benefits, check there is no minimum amount you need though or you might just defeat the object by buying them.

When Something Goes Wrong

It’s not the best way to earn credit, but if something goes wrong on your cruise ,the ship is stranded, misses port calls, experiences a significant malfunction, or you’re just generally not pleased with the service, one of the ways you may be compensated is through a future credit offer. The amount will vary depending on the situation.Of course they are not obliged to offer you anything but most do.

Spa treatments

Many of us don’t have the time or money to indulge in a little bit of me-time on a regular basis, but isn’t that what a cruise is for? Onboard credit in the spa usually applies to anything on their treatment menu, and that list could be a long one. So wrap yourself in seaweed, paint your nails purple, or get a trim and a hot shave for formal night. OBC means you don’t need deep pockets to pamper yourself.
Shore Excursions, drinks, photo’s, souvenirs, speciality dining can all be bought using onboard spending money.

Gratuities,

well this depends on the cruise line as not all let you use it towards paying these so ask first.
When it boils down to it us British love the idea we are getting something for nothing and if you keep your eye on the likes of Cunard and P&O they have times across the year when they give double and triple spends so watch out for this.We ended up with a whopping £750 on board spending money and had to run round the shops the last 2 days to try to spend it, needless to say everyone had lovely perfume for Christmas and as it was buy 2 get 10% off I saved even more then had the other 8.5% as well for the loyalty scheme to take off, I was hard put to spend it all.
Get to know the cruise line and what they offer at different times and you will get to know the best time to book to get the most out of it.
There are no hard set rules to follow other than just watch, that will cost you nothing to do.
Finally enjoy your Spending spree, its not often we get something for nothing.