OBC (Onboard Credit)
OBC (Onboard Credit) is a common term in the cruise industry that refers to money given to passengers to spend during their cruise vacation. It works like a gift card or store credit that passengers can use for various things on the ship, such as spa treatments, shore excursions, specialty dining, or shopping. For cruise line employees, especially those in sales and customer service roles, understanding OBC is important because it's a key sales tool and booking incentive. Different cruise lines may call this by various names like shipboard credit or cruise cash, but they all mean the same thing - spending money for guests to use on the ship.
Examples in Resumes
Managed OBC promotions resulting in 30% increase in cruise bookings
Processed Onboard Credit adjustments and refunds for over 200 passenger accounts monthly
Created training materials for new hires about OBC and Shipboard Credit policies
Typical job title: "Cruise Consultants"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Cruise Consultants
Professional Networks
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where a large group booking needs custom OBC arrangements?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of group booking policies, ability to negotiate OBC amounts, understanding of different OBC types (refundable vs non-refundable), and experience with managing large group expectations.
Q: Explain your experience with creating OBC promotional campaigns.
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of how OBC promotions affect booking rates, ability to analyze past promotion success, and experience in designing effective OBC offers for different market segments.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you explain OBC policies to clients who are new to cruising?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate clear communication skills, ability to explain OBC in simple terms, and knowledge of how different cruise lines handle their OBC programs.
Q: What's your process for handling OBC disputes or adjustments?
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of company policies, problem-solving abilities, and experience with customer service in handling credit-related issues.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is OBC and how can passengers use it?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that OBC is spending money for use on the ship and list common ways passengers can use their credit (dining, spa, shore excursions, etc).
Q: What's the difference between refundable and non-refundable OBC?
Expected Answer: Should understand basic types of OBC and be able to explain that refundable OBC can be returned if unused, while non-refundable OBC is lost if not spent during the cruise.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic understanding of OBC policies
- Ability to explain OBC to customers
- Processing simple OBC transactions
- Knowledge of basic booking systems
Mid (2-4 years)
- Managing complex OBC arrangements
- Handling OBC-related customer issues
- Understanding promotional strategies
- Processing group booking credits
Senior (5+ years)
- Creating OBC promotional campaigns
- Training staff on OBC policies
- Managing large group OBC arrangements
- Strategic use of OBC for sales growth
Red Flags to Watch For
- Inability to explain basic OBC concepts
- Lack of experience with booking systems
- Poor understanding of cruise industry cancellation policies
- No knowledge of different cruise line OBC policies
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
The Hidden ROI of Employee Onboarding: Why Your First 90 Days Make or Break Success
Beyond Borders: Mastering the Art of a Global Onboarding Calendar
Human Capital Operational Excellence: Unlocking Your Organization's Potential
