A note on On Board Credits

[icouldahadav8]

Hi, there, happy cruisers!!

 

I had a few minutes, and I thought I would post a few helpful hints on OBC's.

There are, as you may know, two types of on board credit.

Type one, is given by the cruise line as part of a promotion.

Type two, is purchased, either by a friend or relative of a guest as a gift, by the guest themselves, or by a travel agent as part of a promotion the agency is offering..or, as a good will gesture.

The purchased type can be used for anything..in a casino, where applicable, gift shop, drinks, service charges, restaurant service charges, shore excusions, etc.

The obc issued by the cruise line can be used for everything except service charges and casino.

Now, if I book a cruise with a specific promotion...then cancel the cruise, for whatever reason..be it medical or otherwise, then rebook, the only way I can get my obc back, is to book with a promotion that offers an obc.

Promotions have expiration dates, so if I re-book a cruise, let's say....4 months after I cancelled...I probably won't get my obc back. Unless, I am sitting under some lucky star and the cruise line is offering a similar promotion. You never know.....could happen.

Alot of times folks will call in to get a lower rate...so...if it's available, and not in penalty phase, the cruise line will give the lower rate. Chances are, though...the obc will be dropped. It usually works in the guest's favor, though...in my experience. Personally, I'd rather get $100 off my cruise fare, than a $50 obc.

I do know, however, that the cruise line will look into every obc claim, once the guest gets on board. When a guest notifies the ship, the ship goes straight to the person responsible for shoreside operation of said ship, so the claim can be researched. The ship is notified of the results, so that the guest can be made aware.

Always take documentation with you onboard. It makes everyone's job easier, and gets much faster results. Recently, I had a similar situation, and being able to present documentation made everything a breeze. Yeah, it was slightly annoying, but..stuff happens.

So...enjoy your cruises, you've earned the right to a good time!!...Spend your on board credits wisely..(me, I'd go for the massage..LOL) and have a wonderful time!!! :D

[garycarla]

Not too sure of what the point is, but..

 

An OBC purchased by you or somebody is nothing more than a payment on your account. YOUR cash. You get it back, assuming you cancel with the timelines.

 

If you book a cruise with an OBC from the cruiseline, it is really a discount for that cruise. Not really cash to lose later. If you do not take THAT cruise, it is gone. there is nothing to get back. It was just a discount for THAT CRUISE and THAT CABIN.

 

When you book another, it may also have an OBC promo available and it might seem like you are getting the OBC moved. But, it is a new booking.

 

Ps - Everyone has their own idea of how to spend their OBC. A massage is a quick way to blow some money. I would probably drink it, do a speciality restaurant or put it towards a tour.

[DMRick]

We just tried out this theory this last cruise (back today). We got $50 OBC. We were allowed to use it toward our service charges. On day 2, before I added my internet, I went down and got our bill (since someone had asked this question just before we left). We had one meal at Cagney's for $25 (buy one get one) on day one, 2 credits of $25 ($50 total-the OBC given to us by the cruise line) posted the second day and 2 sets of service charges for the two of us ($40) for the first two days. Nothing else on our bill. We had a bill of $15 still remaining. So I guess some of us can use if for service charges.

 

Hi, there, happy cruisers!!

 

The obc issued by the cruise line can be used for everything except service charges and casino.:D

[Synchronaut]

Can the OBC be used for purchases in the shops? We have a $300.00 OBC and I'm thinking I might get the fuel charges returned as another OBC which makes it a quite sizeable amount. I already have booked 2 shore excursions, so I don't think they will be applied and there's really only one other that we might book. I think we would not be able to use it all up on drinks and in the casino. Thanks for suggestions.

[Been There, Planning That]

We were given a $200 OBC by NCL for our upcoming cruise. I just assumed we could apply it to our daily service charges so now I'd like to clarify exactly for what it may be used from the experts out there.

• Cruise tours we've already booked from home? That would exhaust the account.
  
• Laundry? With a $200 credit we'd sure have clean clothes if that's the only way to spend it.
  
• Paystyle dining rooms?
  
• Wine with meals?
  

Thanks in advance to all you experts out there. We've only been on NCL once before almost a decade ago and had no OBC credits. In fact we've never had one on any line.

[Jamrenjer]

We have had onboard credit a few times-- none that we purchased before hand-- but given as promotion.... I honestly dont remember if it was through NCL or the travel agencies.... I do know that any time we had it-- they just deducted it off our account-- we hardly spend-- so it was used to pay for our daily service fee.... I know others have said that they could not use it for that-- but on more than one occasion it worked for us.... luck of the draw? Maybe-- or maybe their computer system just picks up as a credit and it just deducts it like cash?? Once though- they had did not have record of our obc-- and even with documentation from travel agency-- it was terrible all the time I wasted at their accounts window-- even calling the online agency from Cozumel. Never did get it!:confused: On our return, wrote a letter to the online agency-- and we got checks in the mail! So it worked out-- but just a hassle at the time....

[garycarla]

Bottom line. The "policy" is you can not use the OBC given by NCL for casino or Daily Service charges. In practice, it is just a credit on your account.

[biker@sea]

I bought booze and jewelry at the duty free shops with our O.B.C.:D

[Been There, Planning That]

Thanks -- I'll just have to make sure we (read I) spend it well before the final day lest our service charges are not acceptable expenditures.

 

I appreciate the 'heads up' I got from this thread.

 

Ruth

[Jamrenjer]

you can check your account daily-- and it would show if the service charges are being deducted from the OBC.... that is what we did-- just in case... we didn't want to "waste" it! :) Enjoy your cruise!

[Synchronaut]

Thanks for all the good ideas. I'll check the bill after the second day and see what's been deducted. BTW, the OBC was issued by NCL.

[IceWarrior]

Is the OBC automatically on your account when you get on the ship?

I thought I read somewhere about receiving the OBC in the form of a coupon/card in your stateroom when you board and then you take that card to the front desk?

[*Wink*]

Not too sure of what the point is, but..

 

An OBC purchased by you or somebody is nothing more than a payment on your account. YOUR cash. You get it back, assuming you cancel with the timelines.

 

If you book a cruise with an OBC from the cruiseline, it is really a discount for that cruise. Not really cash to lose later. If you do not take THAT cruise, it is gone. there is nothing to get back. It was just a discount for THAT CRUISE and THAT CABIN.

 

When you book another, it may also have an OBC promo available and it might seem like you are getting the OBC moved. But, it is a new booking.

 

Ps - Everyone has their own idea of how to spend their OBC. A massage is a quick way to blow some money. I would probably drink it, do a speciality restaurant or put it towards a tour.

Not sure what the point is?? The point is to offer information to those who may want it. You keep pushing your "information only" post, so I would think you of all people would understand the point.

I appreciate the post from the OP. And BTW, a few of your additions were already covered. Have a great day.

[flashdog_1]

Is the OBC automatically on your account when you get on the ship?

I thought I read somewhere about receiving the OBC in the form of a coupon/card in your stateroom when you board and then you take that card to the front desk?

 

YES, our cabin steward said he had something for us to sign. It was the OBC that came with our reservation. He put it back in his shirt pocket & took care of it. We did not have to go to the front desk.

 

The only time we had to go to the front desk regarding money was to get our bingo winnings in cash! That was a surprise.

[live2dive45]

I just booked my Majesty cruise for October 2009 and in my confirmation documentation it stated that I would be receiving an OBC of $100 per stateroom. Reading this thread has certainly peaked my interest as my total cruise price just doesn't seem to add up. Maybe it is because they already applied the $100 OBC to the price of my cabin...example..Booked oceanview category C...initial price of 624.00. Then rcvd $50 off for being Latitudes member plus another 10% off ($62.00) for being a union member (love that NCL recognizes the labor force!). That is $112 reduction. But in my list of itemized costs for the cruise my cruise rate was only $377. That's a $249 difference from the initial cost of the cruise. I'm not complaining either. My point is that they must have applied this promotion to the cost of my cabin. It doesn't make sense otherwise. However they certainly make up the cost of the cruise with the port fees and government fees for Bermuda. Tell me what you think.

[*Wink*]

I think that if you have OBC it will be listed on your invoice.

[UKfanfromVA]

Has anyone used their OBC to pay for a cruise deposit? I'd like to take advantage of the pay $250 for a future cruise deposit, get $100 in OBC and have a year to make the reservation.

[johnql]

I just booked my Majesty cruise for October 2009 and in my confirmation documentation it stated that I would be receiving an OBC of $100 per stateroom. Reading this thread has certainly peaked my interest as my total cruise price just doesn't seem to add up. Maybe it is because they already applied the $100 OBC to the price of my cabin.

I've never heard of OBC being applied to the price of a cabin. It's always used to offset onboard expenses. There must be another explanation for your situation.

[Jamrenjer]

UKfanfrom VA-- we want to do that on our next NCL cruise.... sounds like a great deal.... I know RCCL has something similar-- but I think the OBC with them is not until you actually go on the next cruise, not the one you are on when you book it. Except for the miniscule interest on $250 you would lose out on-- it is like a free $100! :) If we have an extra $250 to do it-- I think we will give it a try next time! Has anyone done this yet?

[garycarla]

Has anyone used their OBC to pay for a cruise deposit? I'd like to take advantage of the pay $250 for a future cruise deposit, get $100 in OBC and have a year to make the reservation.

 

Two different OBC's here.

 

When you sign up for future cruise (no date has to be given), you give them $250 and they give you an instant $100 OBC. Basically, it costs you $150 now.

 

I am sure that the there is a rule that you can not pay for the future cruise ($150) with a current OBC. But in practice, it is just a credit and debit on your account. Your OBC is NEVER for something specific. It is just a credit on the account. So, I guess it would work. But that assumes that you do not spend any other money on the cruise for tours, photos, meals, drinks, gift shop, etc.

 

Again, the OBC does not go to pay for any particular "thing". It is just a credit (payment) on your account.

[DDMau]

I think I under stand your question, and I would say yes you can. In our case we had a $100 obc from the ncl when we got on the ship and with in a few days we did the $250 cruise deposit and got another $100 obc we now had $200 obc not to be used for service charges of $140 ($10 pp/pday x 2). Lets say all we spent was the $250 for the cruise deposit and used the $200 obc, all we now owed was $50 + $140 service fees, of course we did spend more than $250. Remember any obc from the cruise line needs to be spent there is no refunds. We felt the $250 cruise deposit was a good deal 12 months to book and 30 months to travel with only $150 out of pocket for the $250 deposit. Talk with them on board to make sure you understand the deal before you buy.

[UKfanfromVA]

UKfanfrom VA-- we want to do that on our next NCL cruise.... sounds like a great deal.... I know RCCL has something similar-- but I think the OBC with them is not until you actually go on the next cruise, not the one you are on when you book it. Except for the miniscule interest on $250 you would lose out on-- it is like a free $100! :) If we have an extra $250 to do it-- I think we will give it a try next time! Has anyone done this yet?

Yes we purchased the $250 predeposit on our 1/2008 cruise and used it in June to book out 1/2009 cruise. We got the bonus $100 to use on the 1/2008 cruise and were able to use the $250 for the deposit on the 1/2009 cruise rather than pay $800 which was the required deposit - so we made up for the loss of interest on the original $150 outlay.

On our January cruise we would like to purchase another predeposit since we'll have one last Compass Rewards certificate to use. Since we have several hundred dollars in OBC (plus more if fuel rates stay down in December), I'd like to use this OBC to purchase the next predeposit. So far I've only heard that you can't use the OBC to pay for gratuities and casino.

 

I am sure that the there is a rule that you can not pay for the future cruise ($150) with a current OBC. But in practice, it is just a credit and debit on your account. Your OBC is NEVER for something specific. It is just a credit on the account. So, I guess it would work. But that assumes that you do not spend any other money on the cruise for tours, photos, meals, drinks, gift shop, etc.

 

Again, the OBC does not go to pay for any particular "thing". It is just a credit (payment) on your account.

 

Thanks garycarla Iand DDMau - hope you are correct and it will work on our bill.

[NW Pacific]

I called NCL about a month ago and asked specifically if an OBC could be used to purchase a future cruise deposit,(like they offer onboard) the answer was no. But like it has been said numerous times it could all depend on who you talk with.

[Buford T Justiice]

I'm glad this thread was started, as I had the same question regarding NCL obc. With NCL giving oddles of obc these days with the possibility of more (come on WTI oil!), there is no way we can spend all our NCL OBC credit in Bermuda (off season) UNLESS it can be used to offset service charges.

 

Thanks garycarla for straigthening this out.

[cruizinwithkids]

Bottom line. The "policy" is you can not use the OBC given by NCL for casino or Daily Service charges. In practice, it is just a credit on your account.

 

I've typed this a couple of times but it gets so long I keep deleting it.

 

Things may have changed but I was on the Dawn in 2005. It was the week after the rogue wave hit. The cruise was shortened to a six day cruise. We were given "traditional" OBC of $100 per cabin. We were also given OBC of 1/7 the value of the cruise. We were a group of 17 people in 6 rooms, several of the people were booked on paper differently from where they were actually staying and who was responsible for who.

 

The $100 OBC could not be used for service charges. The 1/7 could be used for service charges and any balance was returned via credit to cards or checks at the end of the cruise. There were people at the end of the cruise who had credit balances due from the OBC but still had to pay because the service charge was only being offset by the 1/7. So back in 2005, the accounting system on the Dawn was able to differentiate between types of charges and types of credits.