Booking specialty restaurants with OBC

[xcell]

It looks like to reserve the restaurants ahead of time you have to provide them with a credit card, so how do I use the OBC? Do I have to wait until I go on board to do so?

[triptolemus]

Yes. That's why it's called on board credit.

[xcell]

Sure but wouldn't it make more sense to reserve the restaurant and pay for it when on on board to use the credit?

[SeaShark]

Sure but wouldn't it make more sense to reserve the restaurant and pay for it when on on board to use the credit?

 

Yes it would. And that is why you have to wait until you are on board to reserve the restaurant and pay for it with on board credit.

[xcell]

Do you think it would sell out before hand especially for.an xmas.cruise.

[bosslaydee]

Im in the same boat as you. We have the OBC for the specialty restaurants yet we have to wait to be on board to use it.. Which sucks cuz whats the point of getting free dinner if the restaurants are gonna be too full to experience it?

[mugtech]

Usually only a certain percentage of the dining reservations are allowed before boarding, so you may face long lines once on the ship.

[xcell]

too bad not sure what I am going to use the OBC for then...we have quite a lot since I didnt book the cruise until now at it's peak price...

 

excursions I guess is a good use of it...

 

not a big drinker...

 

my lat choice would be to cash it out and lose 3% at the casino cashier...not the tables or slots...lol...those I would lose it all.

[spunkyhungry]

As soon as you board the ship head to the dining reservations desk and book all your dining reservations for the cruise. You should be fine. We did this on a norwegian cruise and had no problem getting reservations we liked for every night of the week.

[agabbymama]

too bad not sure what I am going to use the OBC for then...we have quite a lot since I didnt book the cruise until now at it's peak price...

 

excursions I guess is a good use of it...

 

not a big drinker...

 

my lat choice would be to cash it out and lose 3% at the casino cashier...not the tables or slots...lol...those I would lose it all.

 

Be careful, sometimes NCL OBC cannot be converted to cash at the casino cashier. You might have to play some at a slot, then cash out, then go to the cashier (and not even sure that will work). Others have posted NCL system can now differentiate between NCL OBC (non-refundable) and either TA or self bought OBC (refundable).

[SeaShark]

Im in the same boat as you. We have the OBC for the specialty restaurants yet we have to wait to be on board to use it.. Which sucks cuz whats the point of getting free dinner if the restaurants are gonna be too full to experience it?

 

How do you know that the restaurants onboard will be "too full to experience it"?

[mdwcruises]

Be careful, sometimes NCL OBC cannot be converted to cash at the casino cashier. You might have to play some at a slot, then cash out, then go to the cashier (and not even sure that will work). Others have posted NCL system can now differentiate between NCL OBC (non-refundable) and either TA or self bought OBC (refundable).

 

Sounds like ncl obc is not a good deal at all to many.

[johnql]

Sounds like ncl obc is not a good deal at all to many.

Perhaps but I think it's a minority. I'm guessing that most people have no problem spending whatever OBC they receive. I think it's rare that people spend little or no money over the course of their cruise. Between food, beverages, bingo, excursions, spa treatments, and even gratuities (not the daily service charges but tips), it's really very easy to spend OBC.

[mdwcruises]

Perhaps but I think it's a minority. I'm guessing that most people have no problem spending whatever OBC they receive. I think it's rare that people spend little or no money over the course of their cruise. Between food, beverages, bingo, excursions, spa treatments, and even gratuities (not the daily service charges but tips), it's really very easy to spend OBC.

 

How do I use to give extra tips though? I think you cannot get the cash? Excursions are good. I have no use for the other things.

[Theresa522]

Perhaps but I think it's a minority. I'm guessing that most people have no problem spending whatever OBC they receive. I think it's rare that people spend little or no money over the course of their cruise. Between food, beverages, bingo, excursions, spa treatments, and even gratuities (not the daily service charges but tips), it's really very easy to spend OBC.

 

I agree!!! :) We have no problem with spending out OBC plus much more :eek:

[johnql]

How do I use to give extra tips though? I think you cannot get the cash? Excursions are good. I have no use for the other things.

Two ways you can use OBC for tips. When you sign for something (e.g., a meal, bar tab, spa treatment, etc.), there is a line on the slip to write in a tip amount. OBC can be used to cover any tip given in this fashion. Note that a 15% auto-gratuity is added to bar tabs; 18% for spa treatments. Those auto-gratuities can also be covered by OBC.

 

The second way to use OBC for tips is to go to the Guest Services Desk and ask for a certain amount be given to a specific employee. They will make out the paperwork and hand you a chit, which you can then hand to the employee in lieu of cash. This can be done, for instance, for tipping butlers, concierges, or as an extra tip for your room steward (above and beyond the daily service charge). The tip will be automatically transferred into the employee's account and it will paid by your OBC.

[mdwcruises]

The second way to use OBC for tips is to go to the Guest Services Desk and ask for a certain amount be given to a specific employee. They will make out the paperwork and hand you a chit, which you can then hand to the employee in lieu of cash. This can be done, for instance, for tipping butlers, concierges, or as an extra tip for your room steward (above and beyond the daily service charge). The tip will be automatically transferred into the employee's account and it will paid by your OBC.

 

Thank you! That's useful. I usually like to leave some extra to the steward. Just have to stand in line for it.

[johnql]

How do I use to give extra tips though? I think you cannot get the cash? Excursions are good. I have no use for the other things.

Didn't you say you wanted to book a specialty restaurant? You can definitely pay for that using OBC. Other than Teppanyaki, I would say that you won't have any problem getting a reservation in any of the specialty restaurants, especially if you're flexible with your dining time.

Edited October 3, 2014 by johnql

[mdwcruises]

Didn't you say you wanted to book a specialty restaurant? You can definitely pay for that using OBC.

 

Well, not particularly, I am fine with the included food. But if I could easily use obc to reserve specialty restaurants or excursions before getting on board I would do it. If I have wait till onboard and stand in line to use obc to reserve them, it is not as attractive. :p

[johnql]

Well, not particularly, I am fine with the included food. But if I could easily use obc to reserve specialty restaurants or excursions before getting on board I would do it. If I have wait till onboard and stand in line to use obc to reserve them, it is not as attractive. :p

You seem to think that you have to stand in line for everything. That's simply not the case. You can make restaurant reservations from your cabin phone. And, depending on the ship, you can even book restaurants using the interactive features on your cabin's tv. Same goes for excursions.

 

While I'm at it, going back to the tip chits from Guest Services, if you go in the evening (say, 10pm or so), there's almost never a line. Maybe one or two people but it's rarely a long wait. (Not counting the last night of the cruise, of course.)

Edited October 3, 2014 by johnql

[mdwcruises]

You seem to think that you have to stand in line for everything. That's simply not the case. You can make restaurant reservations from your cabin phone. And, depending on the ship, you can even book restaurants using the interactive features on your cabin's tv. Same goes for excursions.

 

While I'm at it, going back to the tip chits from Guest Services, if you go in the evening (say, 10pm or so), there's almost never a line. Maybe one or two people but it's rarely a long wait. (Not counting the last night of the cruise, of course.)

 

But it is still one more thing to worry about you see. And I understand there is no guarantee that the specialty restaurants, excursions will have space.

Edited October 3, 2014 by mdwcruises

[johnql]

But it is still one more thing to worry about you see. And I understand there is no guarantee that the specialty restaurants, excursions will have space.

You're right about the excursions. If there's an excursion that you absolutely want to book, you should probably consider pre-booking (and pre-paying) it. However, with the restaurants, while there's no guarantee that you'll get the exact time that you want, I can assure you that they don't pre-book 100% of the capacity.

[mdwcruises]

You're right about the excursions. If there's an excursion that you absolutely want to book, you should probably consider pre-booking (and pre-paying) it. However, with the restaurants, while there's no guarantee that you'll get the exact time that you want, I can assure you that they don't pre-book 100% of the capacity.

 

Yes and that what makes it so maddening. :p Some excursions are the only things I really want.

[bosslaydee]

How do you know that the restaurants onboard will be "too full to experience it"?

I dont, since im not clairvoyant. I was being sarcastic.

But even though that isnt guaranteed to happen, it is a huge possibility. So im just frustrated that we cant reserve it while on land.

[SeaShark]

I dont, since im not clairvoyant. I was being sarcastic.

But even though that isnt guaranteed to happen, it is a huge possibility. So im just frustrated that we cant reserve it while on land.

 

Same question...how do you know that it is a "huge possibility"?

 

 

Actually it CAN be resolved on land, but I don't think that is the underlying issue here.