NCL ship board credit can't be used for everything !

[TrumpyNor]

Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that!

 

I must admit that I agree with the majority here, and really don't see the problem...

Hypothetically, let's say that your bill on the last night of the cruise was a total of $300, and half of that [$150) was the daily service charge, and the rest was just other on board purchases (drinks, specialty restaurants, photos, etc.). If you then have $150 OBC, that will be deducted from the total amount spend on on board purchases, leaving you with paying only for the DSC - $150. IF you could do it the way you wanted to; using the OBC to pay the DSC, your final bill would still be $150 for you to pay. What difference is it to you if the $150 is deducted from on board purchases instead of from the DSC??? You would still have to pay the remaining amount on the bill - $150 (for a bill that was originally $300)..... :confused:

Edited July 25, 2014 by TrumpyNor

[rochelle_s]

Have the DSC removed by the front desk. Then you can load up a slot machine with it and cash out. Then just tell them to put them back or tip in cash individually. If they refuse to remove them or give you a hard time, dispute it on the credit card. The terms and conditions allow you to adjust the DSC as you see fit.

 

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I don't work for NCL or any cruise line for that matter.

 

Why anyone would waste their valuable vacation time to;

• stand in the Guest Service line
  
• Fill out forms to remove the DSC
  
• go to the casino
  
• stand in line to get a players card
  
• go to a machine and set the card up
  
• download money
  
• cash out
  
• stand in line at the cashier cage
  
• cash out their card
  
• go back to the front desk and give them back the cash -or-
  
• run around the ship looking for people you feel should be tipped
  

 

Seems like a complete waste of vacation time for me. Not to mention that when they download that cash in the casino they will incur a 3% fee.

 

All to buck the system and do it your way? You feel free. As for me I can think of a hundred things I would rather be doing on holiday.

 

Many people have stated to you in the past as per the NCL website;

We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

 

So yes the terms and conditions allow you to adjust the service charge as you see fit in the event a service issue. The OP did not have a service issue. They had an issue with corporate policy. Your suggestion does not change that policy.

 

You are certainly entitled to your 'interpretation' of the terms and conditions no matter how flawed I think it may be. As for myself I will just enjoy my cruise holiday as is.

 

 

Rochelle

[cruzsnooze]

When you receive a credit it's yours and you should be able to use it any way you see fit. I will have the same issue later this year with a large credit for booking a suite.

I intend to cash it out at the casino and loose the 3% fee then put that cash back on my account to use for my auto tips.

[amsexton]

It's about the principle that your onboard credit is given as an incentive , then you can use it for what you want! I get that, that it is free money and the tips have to get paid. Our cabin bill will definately exceed the 150! But it's the principle!

 

 

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[JenLovesToTravel]

All of the cruise lines limit what you can do with "free" promotional OBC. I don't know of one that lets you use it for gratuities. How can it be "the principle" when it's something they provide to you. They set the principle and they clearly state that it cannot be used for gratuities.

 

You are looking at this as if you are setting the terms and conditions. You aren't. When you cruise, you sign your life away agreeing to the cruise lines terms and conditions.

 

Complaining about "the principle of the matter" is silly. You should be thankful for such a great promotional OBC and be happy that some dining, drinks, a spa treatment etc. is free instead of grousing.

 

Try being grateful in all things, it's life changing. Said another way, how lucky are you to be able to cruise?! As you can tell by the responses to your post, attitudes of entitlement get old fast!

Edited July 25, 2014 by JenLovesToTravel

[amsexton]

This was posted as I saw I still had ship board credit remaining and a daily service chafe not covered. I just think I should be able to spend my ship board credit towards what. And yes at the end of the day we will exceed our charges but it's the principle that I can't include the gratuities (other lines you can)

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

It isn't just cruise companies who restrict the use of such promos. Many companies do the same.

 

I received a voucher with my receipt from my supermarket the other day (as part of an advertised promo), giving me money off future shopping. Underneath is the long list of items that I can't use it against.

 

This is just standard practice. If I refused to shop anywhere that does that then I'm not sure how I'd get my food.

[rochelle_s]

It's about the principle that your onboard credit is given as an incentive , then you can use it for what you want! I get that, that it is free money and the tips have to get paid. Our cabin bill will definately exceed the 150! But it's the principle!

 

 

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Well I respect you for standing by your principles even if I don't quite understand them in this circumstance. I wish you much success in your choice of another cruise line. I hope you find one that can meet your expectations.

 

Wishing you much happiness wherever and with whomever you should travel.

 

 

Rochelle

[JenLovesToTravel]

Nobody is scamming anyone. Just playing by their rules. Do you work for NCL or something?

 

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I disagree. It sounds like a very calculated scheme to not tip. Whatever! Anyone willing to spend the time, energy and thought into how to get around a very nominal daily tip is really missing out on some of the joys of cruising and life in general.

 

Playing by the rules and not feeling entitled makes for a happy life!

[JenLovesToTravel]

This was posted as I saw I still had ship board credit remaining and a daily service chafe not covered. I just think I should be able to spend my ship board credit towards what. And yes at the end of the day we will exceed our charges but it's the principle that I can't include the gratuities (other lines you can)

 

 

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What other lines allow you to use Cruise Line provided OBC for gratuities?

[johnql]

It's about the principle that your onboard credit is given as an incentive , then you can use it for what you want!

You keep talking about principle. What principle is that - that you can set the rules to your liking whenever you please? That's not how the business world works. NCL gets to set the rules in this case. If they want to give OBC with strings attached, that's the way it is. We may not like it but we have to live with it. You're free to lobby NCL to change their policy but it is what it is.

[sjbdtz]

This was posted as I saw I still had ship board credit remaining and a daily service chafe not covered. I just think I should be able to spend my ship board credit towards what. And yes at the end of the day we will exceed our charges but it's the principle that I can't include the gratuities (other lines you can)

 

 

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This makes perfect sense, except for the "other lines you can" part.

 

According to many people here, you can't.

 

 

 

.

[Sizzlechest]

I'm with most people here in that I don't see how this person lost anything based on the numbers given, but if you have non-refundable OBC left on the last at-sea day, go to the casino and cash it out. You will pay a 3% penalty, but it's better to lose 3% than 100%. It's very easy to do. You just need to insert your room key into any slot machine, do the cash transfer in the amount needed and then cash out. It will print out a slip that can be redeemed for cash at the cashier or any of the automated machines.

[footballbabe3]

OMG!! If that is all it takes for you to never cruise with NCL again I can only

imagine how you deal with serious issues in life. OBC are suppose to be added a added bonus. It's not suppose to be something that will make or break your cruise.

[emcelh]

I'm with most people here in that I don't see how this person lost anything based on the numbers given, but if you have non-refundable OBC left on the last at-sea day, go to the casino and cash it out. You will pay a 3% penalty, but it's better to lose 3% than 100%. It's very easy to do. You just need to insert your room key into any slot machine, do the cash transfer in the amount needed and then cash out. It will print out a slip that can be redeemed for cash at the cashier or any of the automated machines.

 

Are the older ships converted to that system now? I understood that it was only the new ships that were set up to use your room key in the slots.

[emcelh]

This was posted as I saw I still had ship board credit remaining and a daily service chafe not covered. I just think I should be able to spend my ship board credit towards what. And yes at the end of the day we will exceed our charges but it's the principle that I can't include the gratuities (other lines you can)

 

 

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Think of it this way. A store gives you a coupon for a discount if you buy a certain brand of coffee. You can't use it on corn flakes.

[rednose83]

What other lines allow you to use Cruise Line provided OBC for gratuities?

 

 

Carnival does. It's the reason why our onboard charges are less than $5 on their ships.

 

I don't see what the big deal is in this situation, you spent $150 on other things so you are not losing anything.

[TrumpyNor]

I don't see what the big deal is in this situation, you spent $150 on other things so you are not losing anything.

 

Exactly my point - seems like somebody is creating a problem without any reason to do so (at least not in this specific case)....

[JenLovesToTravel]

Carnival does. It's the reason why our onboard charges are less than $5 on their ships.

 

I don't see what the big deal is in this situation, you spent $150 on other things so you are not losing anything.

 

Only certain types of OBC can be used for gratuities on Carnival, not all.

[TrumpyNor]

Only certain types of OBC can be used for gratuities on Carnival, not all.

 

And it is actually the same on NCL - OBC from NCL can not be used towards the daily service charge, other types of OBC actually can be used towards the DSC, also on NCL....

[lessonsinliving]

It seems to me that this should maybe be common sense, even if it wasn't so ridiculously easy to access on NCL's FAQ. Why would Norwegian even ask for the daily gratuities if they were willing to just pay it off themselves by offering OBC to be used towards grat? (Is this making any sense, or am I just rambling?)

 

Either way, I love OBC. I would be spending the money on drinks or souvenirs or anything else either way and OBC is fantastic with helping me save on that aspect so I can tip extra for the excellent service!:)

 

I really hope you change your mind about not wanting to sail with NCL again. From my experience, they have been a fantastic cruise line!

[triptolemus]

It seems to me that this should maybe be common sense, even if it wasn't so ridiculously easy to access on NCL's FAQ. Why would Norwegian even ask for the daily gratuities if they were willing to just pay it off themselves by offering OBC to be used towards grat? (Is this making any sense, or am I just rambling?)

 

It's about the customer's perceived value. $1 in NCL OBC does not represent $1 in cash value. Your $150 will by you 20 drinks on the ship, but obviously that's not NCL's cost.

[Sizzlechest]

Are the older ships converted to that system now? I understood that it was only the new ships that were set up to use your room key in the slots.

 

I believe NCL has standardized on linking your account to the room key. The slot machines are definitely networked.

[Siora7777]

We are on the Breakaway. Just found out, the $150 ship board credit can not be used towards gratuities! When I called down to the front desk, they said ship board credit could not go towards gratuities ! They can not show me this in writing. I will never sail this line again! It's a shame because the Breakaway was a very nice ship!

 

 

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I called and asked about this after my recent booking just out of curiosity and they told me the same thing.

[pokerpro5]

I'm with most people here in that I don't see how this person lost anything based on the numbers given, but if you have non-refundable OBC left on the last at-sea day, go to the casino and cash it out. You will pay a 3% penalty, but it's better to lose 3% than 100%. It's very easy to do. You just need to insert your room key into any slot machine, do the cash transfer in the amount needed and then cash out. It will print out a slip that can be redeemed for cash at the cashier or any of the automated machines.

 

THIS

 

I don't see why you have to do anything with the DSC. Just leave it alone.

 

If you have $150 OBC and want to use it for the DSC, do the following:

 

1) Load up $150 in a slot machine with your stateroom card

2) Hit cashout

3) A slip will print for $150, which you then redeem at the cashier cage for $150 cash

 

You will now have a $154.50 charge on your stateroom, which is the $150 charge for the slot machine plus 3%.

 

The $150 OBC will remove all but $4.50 of that charge.

 

You will have to pay the DSC + $4.50, but now will have $150 cash in your pocket that you didn't have before.

 

When it's all said and done, you will have lost $4.50 on the whole thing, and used your OBC for the DSC without NCL realizing it.

 

This is also completely legal and violating no NCL policies.

 

Enjoy!

Edited July 25, 2014 by pokerpro5