OBC Question

[Cruisermom2nick]

When you receive on board credit can it be used toward gratuities?

[ilovetotravel1977]

When you receive on board credit can it be used toward gratuities?

 

Refundable, yes. Meaning, OBC you purchase.

 

Non-refundable, No. Meaning, OBC given as a promo.

[johnql]

Any OBC can be used for gratuities (tipping on bar tabs, tipping on specialty restaurant tabs, tipping on spa treatments, tips for the concierge and/or butler, any tips period including tips for your steward, etc.). However, non-refundable OBC cannot be used for the Daily Service Charge (DSC).

[jaja]

Any OBC can be used for gratuities (tipping on bar tabs, tipping on specialty restaurant tabs, tipping on spa treatments, tips for the concierge and/or butler, any tips period including tips for your steward, etc.). However, non-refundable OBC cannot be used for the Daily Service Charge (DSC).

 

Good to know...!:D We were just discussing this....and wanted to be sure I could use ANY OBC for butler and concierge ...there was some question as to ALL and not just "refundable"..

[peg013]

Good to know...!:D We were just discussing this....and wanted to be sure I could use ANY OBC for butler and concierge ...there was some question as to ALL and not just "refundable"..

 

Just another confirmation that you can use ANY OBC for tipping the Butler & Concierge etc. We do it all the time. :)

[ISLABONITA]

There is a difference in OBC received from NCL as a promo (non-refundable) vs OBC received from your TA ( refundable)

When you are near your departure date ( a week out or so) request the amenities form from whomever you booked and it will itemize your OBC per person/cabin/NCL/TA

[jaja]

Just another confirmation that you can use ANY OBC for tipping the Butler & Concierge etc. We do it all the time. :)

 

Thanks for confirmation.:D:D:D

[Demonyte]

There is a difference in OBC received from NCL as a promo (non-refundable) vs OBC received from your TA ( refundable)

 

OBC from TA (meaning not generally available OBC) can be non-refundable too (for example when booking in a TA arranged group with OBC as group perk).

Edited May 14, 2016 by Demonyte

[ready2cruzagain]

OBC from TA (meaning not generally available OBC) can be non-refundable too (for example when booking in a TA arranged group with OBC as group perk).

Exactly, we have 2 obc from our TA, one is refundable and the other is nonrefundable and in our docs it states that the nonrefundable one cannot be used in the casino or for gratuities ( I am assuming this means DSC with NCL).

[don't-use-real-name]

So there appears to be 3 types of OBC - - -

 

1) Those that are provided by NCL thru promo or cabin class/category

2) Those given by a TA as a booking program

3) And the OBC purchased by yourself

 

It would appear that ONLY item 3 OBC self purchased is refundable and can be

used to prepay or final bill payment of the DSC

 

Items 1 & 2 could be used for any other expenses except DIRECT REFUNDING AND DSC PAYMENT -

Tips - Gratuities - Duty Free - Gift Shop - Shore Excursions - Beverages (not

on UBP) - Coffee - Deserts (Cakes) - Specialty Dining - Photos - Wi-Fi - spas -

health & beauty - Room Service (liquor and wine) etc. if I left anything out.....

 

Possible to have refund through casino purchase with a small token conversion

to cash with unknown restrictions and only while casino is open ?

 

NOW the Question - How does NCL differentiate between the three to know

what OBC is refundable or NOT ?

 

Just make sure that when leaving the ship that you have spent it all wisely -

maybe the only way to carry forward any unused OBC is to purchase that

$250 advance cruise reward coupon but beware you get $100 more OBC

on the cruise you are on when purchased !

[ISLABONITA]

So there appears to be 3 types of OBC - - -

 

1) Those that are provided by NCL thru promo or cabin class/category

2) Those given by a TA as a booking program

3) And the OBC purchased by yourself

 

It would appear that ONLY item 3 OBC self purchased is refundable and can be

used to prepay or final bill payment of the DSC

 

Items 1 & 2 could be used for any other expenses except DIRECT REFUNDING AND DSC PAYMENT -

Tips - Gratuities - Duty Free - Gift Shop - Shore Excursions - Beverages (not

on UBP) - Coffee - Deserts (Cakes) - Specialty Dining - Photos - Wi-Fi - spas -

health & beauty - Room Service (liquor and wine) etc. if I left anything out.....

 

Possible to have refund through casino purchase with a small token conversion

to cash with unknown restrictions and only while casino is open ?

 

NOW the Question - How does NCL differentiate between the three to know

what OBC is refundable or NOT ?

 

Just make sure that when leaving the ship that you have spent it all wisely -

maybe the only way to carry forward any unused OBC is to purchase that

$250 advance cruise reward coupon but beware you get $100 more OBC

on the cruise you are on when purchased !

 

Somehow they know because I have cashed out last night of the cruise with my refundable OBC ( gift from my TA) I have not cashed out at the casino, but at guest services and do not lose a 3% doing so only thing is it has to be under $100 and a supervisor has to ok it.

Edited May 15, 2016 by ISLABONITA

[Budget Queen]

 

 

unused OBC is to purchase that

$250 advance cruise reward coupon but beware you get $100 more OBC

on the cruise you are on when purchased !

 

If 2 or more are purchased the price is half price, (2) $250 deposits, cost $250 this changed last year. Plus the bonus now is you can use 2 deposits- if you sail by 8-31. I've already used 6, (and not done :) ), so a nice $250 off cruises.

[julie3fan]

.... purchase that

$250 advance cruise reward coupon but beware you get $100 more OBC

on the cruise you are on when purchased !

 

But that $100 can be applied to the $250 charge, leaving only $150 that needs to be paid. Unless this has changed since we last cruised NCL 16 months ago.......

[jjikids]

But that $100 can be applied to the $250 charge, leaving only $150 that needs to be paid. Unless this has changed since we last cruised NCL 16 months ago.......

 

You are correct. Our cruise consultant in a January even advertised it that way. You only pay $150 she kept saying. The year before they would say get $100 more OBC. People were smart and knew the credit would just go to pay for the reward certificate.

[ready2cruzagain]

So, now I am confused. Can Refundable OBC given by a TA be used for the DSC? I have read this page over and over and not sure. Hope someone can help.

[NMLady]

So, now I am confused. Can Refundable OBC given by a TA be used for the DSC? I have read this page over and over and not sure. Hope someone can help.

 

YES, since it is refundable.

[ready2cruzagain]

YES, since it is refundable.

Thank you so very much!:D

[cruiserssandr]

We have already prepaid our DSC. I'm thing of buying some OBC to keep our final bill down a little. I know I can go onto myncl.com and buy them. Does it really make a difference whether I say deliver to me or my husband since it is all one bill? I would probably use my debit card # (not the card I will use on board). Can I buy a couple a week for say 3 weeks or do I need to do it all at once?

[peg013]

So, now I am confused. Can Refundable OBC given by a TA be used for the DSC? I have read this page over and over and not sure. Hope someone can help.

 

Yes, IF it is truly refundable OBC. Not all OBC "given" by a TA is actually from the TA. Many pass off OBC that actually comes from NCL as being from them when it is not. Group OBC is just one example -it is not refundable. Ask your TA to get you a copy of your "Amenity Confirmation" and it will show what OBC is refundable and what isn't. If your TA won't call or doesn't know what the Amenity Confirmation even is then call NCL direct - they usually will send it to you without going thru your TA. (Then get a new TA for your next booking.) Only OBC that TA's actually purchase is refundable. Then once you are on the ship on the second day of the cruise ask for a copy of your bill from the Customer Service desk. It will show the break down of refundable and non-refundable OBC so there is no doubt what you have to use or lose. FYI - Buying a Cruise Next deposit is a great way to spend excess OBC.

[NMLady]

We have already prepaid our DSC. I'm thing of buying some OBC to keep our final bill down a little. I know I can go onto myncl.com and buy them. Does it really make a difference whether I say deliver to me or my husband since it is all one bill? I would probably use my debit card # (not the card I will use on board). Can I buy a couple a week for say 3 weeks or do I need to do it all at once?

 

You don't need to do it all at once. You can buy on whatever schedule you want.

And you're right that when it's one bill it doesn't matter whether it's your name or your husband's. i usually buy it in my husband's name simply so he's more comfortable in signing up for Texas Hold Em tournaments. :D