Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Unspent Onboard Credit

roomba920

By roomba920,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

roomba920

roomba920

Posted
Posted

We have a lot of onboard credit to use on a 7 day cruise. With no sea days, I'm concerned we won't be onboard enough to spend it all.

On Princess, they would send us a check about a month after the cruise for our unspent balance. Does NCL do this as well, or should we cash out in the casino?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
julig22

julig22

Posted
Posted

Most likely no and no but it depends on the source of the obc.

If it's nonrefundable, you spend it or lose it, probably can't use it in the casino.

If it's refundable (someone paid for it) you'll be asked to collect it before disembarking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cruisercl

Cruisercl

Posted
Posted

Just as an FYI...

I just was on the Bliss and left about $30 of non-refendable OBC on my bill.

They did not allow it for daily gratuities which was allowed for me, previously, on other ships. Had I known I would have spent it, live and learn.

I did spend it on room service and stuff bought in the shops. Did not try to buy CruiseNext.

Anything else not allowed to be spent on non-refundable OBC?

A review would be helpful for those of us not 100% sure. 😎

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
hallux

hallux

Posted
Posted
37 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

They did not allow it for daily gratuities which was allowed for me, previously, on other ships.

Yeah, I think that change happened sometime in 2019.

37 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

A review would be helpful for those of us not 100% sure.

There are some (recent, within the last 6 months or so) previous threads on the topic, you can find them using the search box...

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
phillygwm

phillygwm

Posted
Posted

I found myself with $300 of non-refundable OBC on the last night of a cruise.  I went to Tradewinds and bought a 1 liter bottle of Johnny Walker Blue.  Sadly, I don't drink scotch but the bottle will be a gift for someone who appreciates it.

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
roomba920

roomba920

Posted
  • Author
Posted
15 hours ago, phillygwm said:

I found myself with $300 of non-refundable OBC on the last night of a cruise.  I went to Tradewinds and bought a 1 liter bottle of Johnny Walker Blue.  Sadly, I don't drink scotch but the bottle will be a gift for someone who appreciates it.

Good idea.

Our onboard credit comes from redeeming points from our NCL Mastercard. These should be refundable, yes?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TrumpyNor

TrumpyNor

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 9/6/2022 at 1:51 AM, casofilia said:

Buy Future Cruise Certificates.

 

On 9/6/2022 at 1:55 AM, hallux said:

I don't think you can do that anymore.  I believe the only non-refundable OBC that can be used to offset CND's is the OBC given for the BOGO promotion.

We were on the Escape in August, and was told that the $50 p.p. non-refundable OBC that everyone on that cruise received due to a cancelled port on the itinerary, could NOT be used for CruiseNext certificates (and not for the daily service charge).

Edited by TrumpyNor
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
oteixeira

oteixeira

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, hallux said:

As has been said several times in this thread - that depends on how the OBC was issued.

Totally spot on.  My TA just drops cash into my account on day 1.  If I want I can go to the casino and cash it out saying I want to use it at the craps table and then just walk out.....I never do, since I use it for excursions, gift shops, etc, but I know I could.  Read what they are giving you before you commit.

Also, as to the NCL MasterCard.  It's the same credit to your card balance as it is non-refundable OBC, so you are better off using it to pay off your balance after you pay your cruise.  Basically, you just got free cash that way (or you can also just ask for a check, but that takes weeks).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
julig22

julig22

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, roomba920 said:

Well that sucks. I mean, I spent money to earn those points.

Guess I'll go back to Princess after this one NCL cruise.

Probably too late to mention now but the statement credit is a much better option.  Use the NCL card onboard, get 3x points on whatever you spend, which adds to your statement credit.  Then use the credits to pay the bill.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cruise Wonderland

Cruise Wonderland

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, patch216 said:

How can you tell if the OBC is refundable or not?

 

It will be shown on the invoice. And you can always get an invoice at anytime before leaving the ship, or view it on the NCL app.

 

Normally, OBC obtained from any NCL promotion when you made the booking will be non-refundable. Refundable OBC are usually the gift from travel agents that they actually paid the cost of that OBC.

 

image.thumb.png.1450767c360bac0402f1f0801eb4ef96.png

  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ggTexasGal

ggTexasGal

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, patch216 said:

How can you tell if the OBC is refundable or not?

Pre-cruise, your account should show how much you have in either/both categories.  If you don't find any listed on your reservation, but believe you should, ask NCL (or your TA) to provide you with an "Amenities Invoice."  Warning*** Be sure it you read that carefully, as the OBC and "Non-Refundable" often print on a separate line! 

While onboard, if you find your account confusing, you can visit Guest Services for further explanation.

Generally, Non-Refundable Credit will be used for purchases in Gift Shops, Excursions (booked onboard) and Food/Beverage purchases that were not included in booked packages.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
The Traveling Man

The Traveling Man

Posted
Posted
On 9/7/2022 at 7:50 AM, roomba920 said:

Good idea.

Our onboard credit comes from redeeming points from our NCL Mastercard. These should be refundable, yes?

There is a method of redeeming World Points on your NCL Mastercard that yields a greater rate of return than cashing them in for OBC.  When used for OBC you get a penny a point, $100.00 for 10,000 points.  If you hold out until you reach 30,000 points, you can use them for a room upgrade, either Inside to Ocean View or OV to Balcony.  The price difference between these room categories varies widely among cruises, but can be several thousand dollars per person.  Suppose the difference is $500.00 pp.  That’s a fare reduction of $1000.00, assuming two people in the room.  It only cost you 30,000 points, so that’s 3.33 cents per point.  We used points on one cruise of almost three weeks where the difference between OV and balcony was almost $3000.00 pp.  That saved us $6000.00 for just 30,000 points, or twenty times the rate of return you get for cashing in for OBC.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 months later...

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...