Possible to spend zero money after boarding?

[graphicguy]

Not sure if it’s possible, but I’m going to attempt to spend $0 once I board the NCL Gem on 4/28.

 

I’ve cruised quite a bit, on NCL, CCL, RCCL, HAL, Celebrity, and MSC. I’ve done solo cabins all the way up to Haven and Yacht Club.

 

I’ve sailed out of San Francisco, New Orleans, Barcelona, New York City, and all over Florida.

 

My sailing partners have been my girlfriend, then wife (now ex-wife), my son, my sisters. Since I’ve been single (although dating sporadically), I’ve taken a few solo cruises, and enjoyed each of them immensely.

 

Needing some time away from some stressful work and personal goings on, I decided to take a last minute cruise on the Gem, just to decompress.

 

Not once have I ended a cruise without a sizable bill to settle up on the last day.

 

I never sailed in an aft cabin, but always wanted to. I was fortunate to score an aft suite (SF). By booking through an online TA, where I did all the leg work, I was able to score $500 OBC in OBC. Since I use my platinum AMEX to pay for the cruise I scored and over $300 in OBC on top of that. AMEX is also including a bottle of champaign and a dinner at Le Bistro. That’s a total of $800 in OBC for the cruise and a specialty dinner plus the bubbly.

 

In addition, since I am in a suite I get three dinners and specialty restaurants, I get open bar (not including service fee). I get $50 in each port in credits to use on excursions.

 

I feel quite fortunate.

 

So, what am I missing that would cause me to come out of pocket over and above the OBC and all the gimmes?

[Peachypooh]

Not sure if it’s possible, but I’m going to attempt to spend $0 once I board the NCL Gem on 4/28.

 

I’ve cruised quite a bit, on NCL, CCL, RCCL, HAL, Celebrity, and MSC. I’ve done solo cabins all the way up to Haven and Yacht Club.

 

I’ve sailed out of San Francisco, New Orleans, Barcelona, New York City, and all over Florida.

 

My sailing partners have been my girlfriend, then wife (now ex-wife), my son, my sisters. Since I’ve been single (although dating sporadically), I’ve taken a few solo cruises, and enjoyed each of them immensely.

 

Needing some time away from some stressful work and personal goings on, I decided to take a last minute cruise on the Gem, just to decompress.

 

Not once have I ended a cruise without a sizable bill to settle up on the last day.

 

I never sailed in an aft cabin, but always wanted to. I was fortunate to score an aft suite (SF). By booking through an online TA, where I did all the leg work, I was able to score $500 OBC in OBC. Since I use my platinum AMEX to pay for the cruise I scored and over $300 in OBC on top of that. AMEX is also including a bottle of champaign and a dinner at Le Bistro. That’s a total of $800 in OBC for the cruise and a specialty dinner plus the bubbly.

 

In addition, since I am in a suite I get three dinners and specialty restaurants, I get open bar (not including service fee). I get $50 in each port in credits to use on excursions.

 

I feel quite fortunate.

 

So, what am I missing that would cause me to come out of pocket over and above the OBC and all the gimmes?

 

If your shore excursions were higher than your OBC or you needed to use the infirmary (which I hope you don't)

[KarlChilders]

not to take this thread there, but don't forget the DSC which most likely you won't be able to use your OBC on.

[Gampy1967]

Also, since you are in a suite, you will have access and use of a Butler and Concierge. They are NOT part of the DSC. They can be tipped from the OBC but especially if you also use the OBC for excursions, you may be limited but you may be ok.

[laurabegorrah]

If you pre-pay your DSC, you have a better than decent change for a $0 on board balance (minus any cash tips you might want to pay out)

[YVRBassElectric]

pay the DSC before you leave, bring cash for tips & gambling, stay away from spa & shops and you should be golden! have a great time

[jdvmd]

DSC and tips for the butler and concierge depending upon how much you use them.

[BirdTravels]

Since you have been I. The shaven, you understand the expectation to provide cash gratuities to your butler and concierge.

 

Have a great, bill-free Cruise.

[BostonGal35]

just your daily service fee.

be sure to aslo have cash to tip your butler and concierge!

[katiemylady]

Not to take over this post, but if you do not have any onboard credit, have already pre-paid DSC, and have an UBP (gratuities already paid for on that as well), do you think there will be that much more than will be charged to our room cards? I'm trying to decide how much extra money to save up for on-board expenses, and how much cash to bring with me.

[marti2282]

but don't forget the DSC which most likely you won't be able to use your OBC on.

If I understand what your saying, you can’t use OBC to pay for daily tips. It’s been a while since we sailed with NCL and I wasn’t aware of that.

[fridaythe13th]

If I understand what your saying, you can’t use OBC to pay for daily tips. It’s been a while since we sailed with NCL and I wasn’t aware of that.

 

I didn't know that either!! That's what I was going to do in May.

[KarlChilders]

If I understand what your saying, you can’t use OBC to pay for daily tips. It’s been a while since we sailed with NCL and I wasn’t aware of that.

 

I didn't know that either!! That's what I was going to do in May.

There are two types of OBC, refundable and non-refundable. OBC given by NCL is non refundable and may not be used to cover the DSC, Refundable is purchased by your TA or yourself and may be used for anything, including the DSC.

[graphicguy]

Not to take over this post, but if you do not have any onboard credit, have already pre-paid DSC, and have an UBP (gratuities already paid for on that as well), do you think there will be that much more than will be charged to our room cards? I'm trying to decide how much extra money to save up for on-board expenses, and how much cash to bring with me.

 

No problem at all. I wanted to find out the same as you. Anyone's more than welcome to post questions.

 

I am beginning to think that pre-paying the DSC and UBP, SDP service fees up front, would allow me to bring minimal cash (and not run up my credit card statement). My OBC is sizable. So, I plan to use it to pay for as much as possible.

 

The good posters here have made me aware of things I haven't thought about.

 

The way I'm now thinking with $800 OBC is.....

 

SHORE EXCURSIONS

3x-$100 less $50 Excursion credit ea. =$150

 

DSC

$100 (from TA, not NCL)

 

CASINO

$300 (from AMEX, not NCL)

 

SDP gratuities

4x$20=$80

 

GIFT

$170 for shopping in the jewelry store and/or gift shop for souvenirs

 

I'll carry cash for what I spend off ship and to tip bartenders/butler/steward/concierge...a few Benjamins should be enough.

 

Am I thinking right?

[Son of a son of a ...]

Other than DSC, you can easily have a zero bill if you don’t gamble, specialty dine, or purchase excursions. My father routinely ends with an onboard account of less than $100 ... he loves splurging on good coffees and treats and sometimes buys a photo.

[OCruisers]

just your daily service fee.

be sure to aslo have cash to tip your butler and concierge!

 

Agree with the above.

Also .... It's never a bad idea to have some "walking around" money. ;);)

[katiemylady]

Other than DSC, you can easily have a zero bill if you don’t gamble, specialty dine, or purchase excursions. My father routinely ends with an onboard account of less than $100 ... he loves splurging on good coffees and treats and sometimes buys a photo.

 

That's great to hear! Hoping for the same :D

[marti2282]

There are two types of OBC, refundable and non-refundable. OBC given by NCL is non refundable and may not be used to cover the DSC, Refundable is purchased by your TA or yourself and may be used for anything, including the DSC.

Thanks! Good to know. I was counting in using the OBC to cover the tips. Would have been a big surprise to check our final statement, see forfeited OBC, and charges we hadn’t expected! I just searched the NCL site and couldn’t find any reference to this. Glad we have CC as a resource!

[Peachypooh]

No problem at all. I wanted to find out the same as you. Anyone's more than welcome to post questions.

 

I am beginning to think that pre-paying the DSC and UBP, SDP service fees up front, would allow me to bring minimal cash (and not run up my credit card statement). My OBC is sizable. So, I plan to use it to pay for as much as possible.

 

The good posters here have made me aware of things I haven't thought about.

 

The way I'm now thinking with $800 OBC is.....

 

SHORE EXCURSIONS

3x-$100 less $50 Excursion credit ea. =$150

 

DSC

$100 (from TA, not NCL)

 

CASINO

$300 (from AMEX, not NCL)

 

SDP gratuities

4x$20=$80

 

GIFT

$170 for shopping in the jewelry store and/or gift shop for souvenirs

 

I'll carry cash for what I spend off ship and to tip bartenders/butler/steward/concierge...a few Benjamins should be enough.

 

Am I thinking right?

 

 

Don't underestimate what it costs for taxis in port. It won't be on your onboard bill of course but will

count towards what you spend. It can cost anywhere from $4pp to $40 or $50 per ride.

[Mistizoom]

Unlike what some are saying, you can use refundable on-board credit (OBC) to pay the daily service charge (DSC) onboard. The credit from your TA may be refundable, mine was. Would be good to find out before you leave. The OBC showed up in my NCL account about a week prior to the cruise and looked just like the OBC I had purchased myself. Any OBC from NCL is definitely non-refundable and can't be used for DSC.

[graphicguy]

Don't underestimate what it costs for taxis in port. It won't be on your onboard bill of course but will

count towards what you spend. It can cost anywhere from $4pp to $40 or $50 per ride.

Good point. I will be using Dial7.com, which is already pre-paid, to get from LGA to the pier. But, need some cash to tip the driver.

[mrc311121]

You can also use non refundable OBC for tips to the Butler and Concierge if you go to the front desk and get vouchers for them. I would also use some of the non refundable for future cruise credits. You made out well on all of the OBC. :)

[graphicguy]

Unlike what some are saying, you can use refundable on-board credit (OBC) to pay the daily service charge (DSC) onboard. The credit from your TA may be refundable, mine was. Would be good to find out before you leave. The OBC showed up in my NCL account about a week prior to the cruise and looked just like the OBC I had purchased myself. Any OBC from NCL is definitely non-refundable and can't be used for DSC.

Well....I think I'm in good shape. According to my NCL ticket, all $800 of the OBC is refundable.

[ggTexasGal]

Well....I think I'm in good shape. According to my NCL ticket, all $800 of the OBC is refundable.

 

Are you 100% certain?

When I look at our "Amenities Invoice", it is strange that the NCL booking perk OBC is showing as "-Refundable".

But, when I truly read each line item more carefully, the "Non" was on the line above (the hyphen is the clue)!

 

Also, our NCL Invoice shows our perks towards the bottom... we have both Non-Refundable OBC(NCL Perks), which show there, and Refundable OBC (purchased) which is not on the Invoice.

 

I hope this is helpful information for you and others!

[ggTexasGal]

No problem at all. I wanted to find out the same as you. Anyone's more than welcome to post questions.

 

I am beginning to think that pre-paying the DSC and UBP, SDP service fees up front, would allow me to bring minimal cash (and not run up my credit card statement). My OBC is sizable. So, I plan to use it to pay for as much as possible.

 

The good posters here have made me aware of things I haven't thought about.

 

The way I'm now thinking with $800 OBC is.....

 

SHORE EXCURSIONS

3x-$100 less $50 Excursion credit ea. =$150

 

DSC

$100 (from TA, not NCL)

 

CASINO

$300 (from AMEX, not NCL)

 

SDP gratuities

4x$20=$80

 

GIFT

$170 for shopping in the jewelry store and/or gift shop for souvenirs

 

I'll carry cash for what I spend off ship and to tip bartenders/butler/steward/concierge...a few Benjamins should be enough.

 

Am I thinking right?

 

Your SDP and UBP should already be showing on your Invoice (look for line items that say "Bev Srv Charge" and "Din Srv Charge". Those are the (18% or 20%) being billed on your perks. Extra tipping on-board is not a requirement, but most certainly, servers appreciate being tipped extra.