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Do you ever wonder how some cruisers seem to get loads of shipboard credit to use for onboard purchases? For the benefit of you folks new to cruising, any added value in the form of cash for you to use on board your cruise - for things like beverages, shopping, drinks, shore excursions, the spa, and other for-fee extras - is known as on-board or shipboard credit. Some people get a lot of it, while others seem to get none. If you're looking to score maximum onboard credits for your next cruise, you just need to know where to look. Here are a half dozen tricks for finding free money for your cruise: A Travel Agent. Don't expect an agent to fork over their whole commission to you in the form of credit so you can have a good time, but do expect them to know which cruise lines are offering some in the form of a promotion. The best way an agent can give you onboard credit is through a value-added offer (gifting you something rather than discounting your cruise), and many times this is done through group blocks the agent holds for the purpose of booking their clients. Either way, if you are dedicated and loyal to your travel agent, no doubt they will reward you. Cruise Line Promotions. Cruise lines run deal after deal, and many of them come with a specific dollar amount of onboard credit, usually tied in with the number of days sailing or the category of cabin booked. The more money you are willing to pay for your cruise, the more credit you will receive. Book Your Next Cruise While On Board Another. Most cruise lines have an on-board booking program, either a Future Cruise Desk or an entire office staffed by crew members whose job it is to entice you into booking your next cruise with them. After all, this is what builds their loyal customer base. To do this, you would place a small deposit ($100 per person, in many cases) in a future cruise, and the cruise line will reward you with onboard credit, again, tied in with the number of days or category of cabin you intend on booking for your next cruise. In fact, you don't even have to decide right then and there. Instead, the cruise line will give you a year or two to think about it. Refer a Friend. Many lines will reward you for bringing them business in the form of your friends and relatives who may be new to cruising - or a particular cruise line - and want to see what they've been missing. Price Drops. This is hit or miss, but worth asking. If you find your cruise price dropped after final payment, the cruise line may issue you the difference in the form of onboard credit - or perhaps an upgrade. Register a Complaint. Did you have a bad experience on your last cruise? If you had a serious issue with service or anything else related to your cruise, write a letter to the cruise line, explain what happened, and you may receive a letter of apology in return with a certificate for a discount on your next cruise or for shipboard credit. The amount would most likely depend on the severity of the complaint. Some assistance from a travel agent will help to assure your letter of complaint gets to the right people. Not all onboard credit is combinable, meaning you may not be able to combine onboard credits received from a promotion with those received as a loyalty reward. But it never hurts to explore all the options. Photo credit: Pixabay Free Web Photos

Book any sailing on the New Norwegian Breakaway between November 17th and December 29th, 1013 or February 2nd to March 30th, 2014 and receive up to $400 in OnBoard Credit to spend how you like!!!! Call Marcia @ 1.866.949.8747 to book your getaway today!!!

Book a luxury cruise between August 15 and August 31 and you will receive up to $300 in onboard spending! Travel Dates: September 14, 2013 – August 31, 2014 Applicable Cruise Lines: Azamara, Crystal, Cunard, Oceania, Paul Gauguin, Regent Seven Seas, Sea Dream, Seabourn, Silversea, Windstar. ONLY. River cruises and any cruise line not listed above are not included in this promotion. Note that for Windstar, the equivalent amount will be given as a refund instead of an OBC.

Book the Breakaway on the following dates between August 20th and September 9th and receive the following Shipboard credit: BREAKAWAY – Sept 22; Oct 6, 13,20,27; Nov 3, 17, 24; Dec 1 thru to 29 $100 Inside OBC $200 Outside OBC $300 Balcony OBC $400 Suites OBC Marcia Finkelstein, ACC Cruises and Tours Worldwide: Call 1.866.949.TRIP (8747)