Booking another cruise while onboard. Catch?

[Gaprofitt]

So I'm looking at some documentation for an upcoming cruise in May. It looks like it you put down a deposit for a future cruise within 4 years you get $100 instant OBC per person.

 

I have some questions.

 

Apparently you have 4 years to book, do you have to specify a sailing date?

Do you really get the OBC immediately and can it be used for anything?

Is there any catches? Not valid on certain promotions, etc

I've heard on your 2nd cruise you get OBC anyway automatically, is this true as a latitude member?

What happens if you do this and don't book within 4 years? I guess you lose your deposit.

 

Any other feedback is welcome, should I do this or not or pass for $100 pp credit? It would be just me and my son booking.

 

Thanks,

[JC5240]

Good questions, I am also curious as well.

[Cruising Golfer]

We plan on doing this on our cruise in May. We have our next cruise picked out already, so we know when we are going...

Everything I've read states that you do not need a date, you have 4 years to use it or lose it.

The OBC is posted to your account on the spot, not sure about restrictions on use.

Don't know of any promotions restrictions, and you only get past cruiser OBC if you book with the Latitude program , not the AARP discount.

Hope this helps!!!:cool:

[guy420man]

We got that on the Breakaway last year and just booked a cruise for next October in March as part of the deposit and everything worked fine, no catches. You will see it on your MyNCL account as a future cruise credit I believe.

[Txfeenix]

For each cruise credit you buy ($250), the charge shows on your final statement along with a $100 credit. So you basically pay $150 for the cruise credit.

 

You do not have to pick a sail date until you're ready, but it does expire after 4 years so the loss is $150. No catches that I know of. Ours are just listed in our account online at NCL.com.

 

I don't know about auto OBC for 2nd cruise. We didn't get any and we are lattitudes members. I think it has to be part of a promotion (Latitude Insiders?).

 

If you know you are cruising again within 4 years, it's a great deal! Some have said that it can be used as your total deposit for a cruise you book. If your normal deposit would be $500-$????, if you use a cruise reward, that is all you have to put down -just the cruise reward. (The balance due is still total minus the $250). Didn't happen for us but my TA said she "never used these before" so we paid $750 cash and $250 cruise reward on a $1000 deposit.

[ColinIllinois]

Cruise Rewards Terms and Conditions:

 

http://www.ncl.com/popup/cruise_rewards_terms

[dolita22]

So I'm looking at some documentation for an upcoming cruise in May. It looks like it you put down a deposit for a future cruise within 4 years you get $100 instant OBC per person.

 

I have some questions.

 

Apparently you have 4 years to book, do you have to specify a sailing date?

Do you really get the OBC immediately and can it be used for anything?

Is there any catches? Not valid on certain promotions, etc

I've heard on your 2nd cruise you get OBC anyway automatically, is this true as a latitude member?

What happens if you do this and don't book within 4 years? I guess you lose your deposit.

 

Any other feedback is welcome, should I do this or not or pass for $100 pp credit? It would be just me and my son booking.

 

Thanks,

 

It's a great deal! We buy one on each cruise, but you can purchase up to 4 per person. The Freestyle Cruise Reward serves as your full deposit on a future cruise of 6+ days, unless you are in a suite or villa.

 

If you purchase the FCR, you'll receive $100 per reward (not per person) in OBC on the cruise you are on.

 

You do not have to specify a sailing date until you book a cruise when you get home. You can book on board using NCL's website, but you do not have to book anything until you get home.

 

Book and sail within 4 years of the date of purchase, according to the terms and conditions (http://www.ncl.com/popup/cruise_rewards_terms), but some have reported being able to book by the expiration date and sail after. I would not count on being able to do that, though.

 

We have only gotten future OBC by booking at Latitudes Insider offer. It is not automatic, at least not that I'm aware of. Certain promos aren't combinable (e.g., the Latitudes Insider offer with the current Freestyle Spectacular promo), but you can pick one offer and have the FCR applied.

 

Hope that helps!

[mexico8]

So I'm looking at some documentation for an upcoming cruise in May. It looks like it you put down a deposit for a future cruise within 4 years you get $100 instant OBC per person.

 

I have some questions.

 

Apparently you have 4 years to book, do you have to specify a sailing date?

Do you really get the OBC immediately and can it be used for anything?

Is there any catches? Not valid on certain promotions, etc

I've heard on your 2nd cruise you get OBC anyway automatically, is this true as a latitude member?

What happens if you do this and don't book within 4 years? I guess you lose your deposit.

 

Any other feedback is welcome, should I do this or not or pass for $100 pp credit? It would be just me and my son booking.

 

Thanks,

 

Our FCC was used as a deposit for a cruise last year and then we had to cancel because of health issues. The expiry date was 2014. NCL were kind enough to extend the date and we used it recently as a deposit for a cruise in October. Instead of a nine hundred dollar deposit the $250 FCC was the only deposit required. We will pay the balance in August. Excellent program and no catches that I am aware of. I will definitely purchase another one (or two).

 

Wendy

[LrgPizza]

You are not booking a future cruise on board. There is actually no way to do that, other than to log on to NCL website, just like you might from at home. What you are doing is buying a certificate for a future cruise. You will be given a piece of paper to take with you, but you really don't need that. The FCC will be applied to your Latitudes account, so available through that account when you are ready to book.

[rvsullivan]

As everyone has said, it's a great program. $250 towards another cruise at a cost to you of $150. However, don't try spending the $100 on board credit because it will be gone. If you look at your account you would see this:

 

Future Cruise Credit= $250

On Board Credit= $100

Total Charge= $150

 

 

The hundred dollars is gone as soon as the post the transaction. You will get the benefit of the $100 on your next cruise because the cruise will be credited with $250 and you only paid $150. Still a great deal and we try to always have one or two available.

[roboclam]

I just looked at the printed bill that you get before you get off the ship that itemizes everything/purchase you've made and when...We always "buy" the "Cruise Rewards" deal, because we know we'll cruise again within 4 years and we like the extra 100 bucks back...That being said, my bill shows a charge of $250 before the credit of the $100 was made, (not the same dates, different days) with many "charges" made in between...After I read your post I checked mine to see, must not be all the same...While there are somethings NCL is doing that need to be questioned, this is not one of them, it is neater and cleaner than a lot of whats going on there...The $250.00 is your next deposit, very simple...

 

Rob

[khaide612]

I always look at it as spending $150 for a $250 deposit on my next cruise. If the only thing you bought onboard was the cruise reward you would have a bill of $150 at the end of your cruise.

[Kingofwylietx]

The only things to consider, which have not been mentioned, are:

 

5. Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposits are valid for sailings of 6 days or longer.

You can only use it on a 6 day or longer cruise

 

6. Limit one (1) Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit may be used per stateroom; and may be used as the full deposit for all staterooms except Specialty Suites, The Haven and Garden Villas (staterooms requiring enhanced deposit). One (1) Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit may be used as a partial deposit towards the full required deposit for Specialty Suites, Courtyard Villas and Garden Villas.

You can only use 1 per cruise

[roboclam]

I always look at it as spending $150 for a $250 deposit on my next cruise. If the only thing you bought onboard was the cruise reward you would have a bill of $150 at the end of your cruise.

Agree...

[ColinIllinois]

The only things to consider, which have not been mentioned, are:

 

5. Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposits are valid for sailings of 6 days or longer.

You can only use it on a 6 day or longer cruise

 

6. Limit one (1) Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit may be used per stateroom; and may be used as the full deposit for all staterooms except Specialty Suites, The Haven and Garden Villas (staterooms requiring enhanced deposit). One (1) Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit may be used as a partial deposit towards the full required deposit for Specialty Suites, Courtyard Villas and Garden Villas.

You can only use 1 per cruise

 

 

Actually if you look at the link I posted it is mentioned. That's where you got this info. :p

[clcjdn]

The only things to consider, which have not been mentioned, are:

 

5. Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposits are valid for sailings of 6 days or longer.

You can only use it on a 6 day or longer cruise

 

6. Limit one (1) Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit may be used per stateroom; and may be used as the full deposit for all staterooms except Specialty Suites, The Haven and Garden Villas (staterooms requiring enhanced deposit). One (1) Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit may be used as a partial deposit towards the full required deposit for Specialty Suites, Courtyard Villas and Garden Villas.

You can only use 1 per cruise

 

Technically, you can use more than 1 per cruise. It is per stateroom. If you and your significant other each buy one, then book 2 rooms on another cruise, you could use both at the same time (provided you "book" in separate cabins).

[Kingofwylietx]

Actually ........ That's where you got this info. :p

LoL...okay, you got me. I just wanted to stress these 2 points.

 

 

Technically, you can use more than 1 per cruise. It is per stateroom.

That's a good distinction. My parents have taken the entire family on a couple of cruises....that would have been useful for them (even though a tiny percentage of the cost). Man, I wish they would do it again....:D We are paying for our own vacations on the next couple of cruises.

[mein18]

And they are transferrable to anyone without any restrictions.

[jertom]

All in all, no reason not to do it !

[teseo]

So I'm looking at some documentation for an upcoming cruise in May. It looks like it you put down a deposit for a future cruise within 4 years you get $100 instant OBC per person.

 

I have some questions.

 

Apparently you have 4 years to book, do you have to specify a sailing date?

 

yes you have 4 years to book and no, you do not have to have a sailing date.

 

Do you really get the OBC immediately and can it be used for anything?

Is there any catches? Not valid on certain promotions, etc

 

yes, you get OBC credited to you account, you actually DO NOT NEED TO SPEND IT, you will be charge $250 but only will pay $150, or if you have charges in your account, other than DSC, it will be applied to them.

 

I've heard on your 2nd cruise you get OBC anyway automatically, is this true as a latitude member?

 

No. OBC is not automatic, it depends what promotion NCL is running at time of booking. or if you book with a TA if they give you any OBC.

 

What happens if you do this and don't book within 4 years? I guess you lose your deposit.

 

Yes, you lose the total value $250. but you can transfer it to anybody, even sell it. I personally bought one last year from a CC member.

 

Any other feedback is welcome, should I do this or not or pass for $100 pp credit? It would be just me and my son booking.

 

Thanks,

you can buy up to 4 FCC per person.

 

We have 10 NCL past cruises and we always have bought 1 or more FCC, if you are planning in not using the OBC check your account late last night of the cruise (if you are on a ship that allow you to do so on the TV). my last cruise we have some OBC from the time we booked, and we had it all covered, and we got some extra OBC from the casino and it did bumped off the OBC from the FCC. when i returned from the casino that night around 1 am, i checked my account to make sure the casino credit was applied and i found out that now i had a $100 unused OBC. i ran to the Guest service desk, luckily i had asked before for a print out of my account and i showed them that all my OBC was used prior. the guy went to the back, returned a few minutes later and told me it will be taking care off by next morning. I said, NO, i want this fixed now that the casino is still open. He went back inside, told me to wait and 10 minutes later gave me a new print out with the corrections. Bottom line is you do not have to use the OBC but make sure you don't lose it either.

Edited March 27, 2015 by teseo

[Ttec56]

There really are no catches. A great part is being transferable, so you can always sell it or give to someone to use. It is the only deposit needed to book a cabin.

[pizzalady1]

As everyone has said, it's a great program. $250 towards another cruise at a cost to you of $150. However, don't try spending the $100 on board credit because it will be gone. If you look at your account you would see this:

 

Future Cruise Credit= $250

On Board Credit= $100

Total Charge= $150

 

 

The hundred dollars is gone as soon as the post the transaction. You will get the benefit of the $100 on your next cruise because the cruise will be credited with $250 and you only paid $150. Still a great deal and we try to always have one or two available.

 

I just looked at the printed bill that you get before you get off the ship that itemizes everything/purchase you've made and when...We always "buy" the "Cruise Rewards" deal, because we know we'll cruise again within 4 years and we like the extra 100 bucks back...That being said, my bill shows a charge of $250 before the credit of the $100 was made, (not the same dates, different days) with many "charges" made in between...After I read your post I checked mine to see, must not be all the same...While there are somethings NCL is doing that need to be questioned, this is not one of them, it is neater and cleaner than a lot of whats going on there...The $250.00 is your next deposit, very simple...

 

Rob

 

I find that the timing of the $100 credit varies, depending on when the cruise consultant wants to post the credit. On the Sun, it was still not posted on day 6 so I went to guest services and asked to have it posted asap so I could see where I was on my account. My account on this cruise was very confusing because I had refundable, non-refundable, move-over and group credits, and I wanted to make sure I was not leaving this $100 behind unused. On all other cruises the $100 credit was posted the same time as the $250 was posted.

Edited March 27, 2015 by pizzalady1

[jjikids]

We love buying these. Booked a cruise and had to cancel after using the FCC as our deposit. No problem. The certificate went back into our account. Booked few months later and used it. Treated as full deposit so no other funds needed. Treat it as a $150 purchase that gives you $250 towards your next cruise.

 

Don't get confused about all the advertisement that says you have $100 credit to spend. That is a sales gimmick.

[mrobstad]

I always purchase it on board, but book at home with my PCC, whom I feel will take care of me. There us no OBC for second cruise with latitudes.

[ShannonSC2]

We have done purchased on our cruises. It is nice to have that deposit down. Good thing is that you don't have book your next sailing right away. You have four years. You can also use other sites and not just the NCL site. Well worth it if you know that you are going to cruise in the next 4 years.