Applying onboard credit

[VT Hokie Cruiser]

Is there a way to make specialty dining reservations in advance of a cruise and charge them to onboard credit? We just learned that we have more onboard credit than we thought for a cruise in three weeks on Pride of America. But we have already made specialty dining reservations and paid for them online with credit card. Can the charges be switched to OBC now by talking to someone at NCL? We don't want to cancel online and give up the time slots we reserved. Thanks.

[johnql]

Unfortunately not. Onboard credit can only be spent onboard. Anything pre-booked (e.g., excursions and specialty restaurants) must be pre-paid. Personally, I would cancel and rebook once aboard the ship.

[garycarla]

Unfortunately not. Onboard credit can only be spent onboard. Anything pre-booked (e.g., excursions and specialty restaurants) must be pre-paid. Personally, I would cancel and rebook once aboard the ship.

 

I would agree for not only this reason, but others.

 

After all, it is difficult to figure out which nights you want to have a paid dinner vs just chilling out in advance.

[JPV072900]

I spoke with NCL about this issue on Monday. We have about $1,500 in OBC for our upcoming cruise. I called because I wanted to book excursions on NCL.com, but I wanted to use my OBC. I was told I could only book excursions on their website with a credit card.

 

HOWEVER, if there is a remaining OBC balance at the end of your cruise, then the amount simply goes back onto the credit card that you gave them at the beginning of the cruise.

 

Hope this answers your question.

 

Jeff :)

[rvsullivan]

You can't use OBC for advance bookings, only credit cards. However, many seem to want these advance bookings for some reason. NCL only allows about 25-30% of total bookings in advance, the rest are held for on board booking. I would cancel my advance bookings and make reservations for what you want on board.

[shof515]

I spoke with NCL about this issue on Monday. We have about $1,500 in OBC for our upcoming cruise. I called because I wanted to book excursions on NCL.com, but I wanted to use my OBC. I was told I could only book excursions on their website with a credit card.

 

HOWEVER, if there is a remaining OBC balance at the end of your cruise, then the amount simply goes back onto the credit card that you gave them at the beginning of the cruise.

 

Hope this answers your question.

 

Jeff :)

 

only refundable obc can be give back you. If it is non-refundable obc, then it is use it or lose it

[Libra_Critic]

I spoke with NCL about this issue on Monday. We have about $1,500 in OBC for our upcoming cruise. I called because I wanted to book excursions on NCL.com, but I wanted to use my OBC. I was told I could only book excursions on their website with a credit card.

 

HOWEVER, if there is a remaining OBC balance at the end of your cruise, then the amount simply goes back onto the credit card that you gave them at the beginning of the cruise.

 

Hope this answers your question.

 

Jeff :)

 

Be careful with this advice.

 

Not all on-board credit is refundable. It depends on the source of the credit. Some on-board credit is even restricted as to what you can spend it on (e.g. not for use in casino or paying gratuities).

 

Also there is no recourse in the event that you get inaccurate OBC information over the phone from the NCL rep.

 

I would cancel the pre-cruise reservations, get credit card refund, then book after you board. They are seldom sold out by day 2.

[Kenlorz]

How do you know what they will use first and on what? We have $150 from NCL from the dash sale, an additional $250 from my TA, and then we will probably purchase a bit more to cover excursions, Vibe, drinks, etc. So, how do I know if I have OBC left at the end that it will be refunded? How do I know which of my forms of obc they will use first? Is there any rhyme or reason to this process?

[Libra_Critic]

How do you know what they will use first and on what? We have $150 from NCL from the dash sale, an additional $250 from my TA, and then we will probably purchase a bit more to cover excursions, Vibe, drinks, etc. So, how do I know if I have OBC left at the end that it will be refunded? How do I know which of my forms of obc they will use first? Is there any rhyme or reason to this process?

 

The $150 from the NCL is non-refundable. They will apply that first.

The $250 from your TA may or may not be refundable. You should check with your TA to verify if any restrictions.

If they are both non-refundable, it doesn't matter which is applied first.

Have fun spending it all!

 

Any OBC that you purchase yourself is refundable.

All the non-refundable is applied before any refundable amounts.

[bluefintuna]

I agree; cancel, then book specialty restaurants onboard. We have never had a problem getting reservations.