Can you pay gratuities using OBC?

I thought not, but if someone would confirm that'd be great.

Also, what are good things to spend your on board credit on if you're not interested in extra dining/shows? I've read about transferable vouchers for future cruises, etc, anything else like that?

It depends on the type of on board credit -- refundable (usually from your TA) or non-refundable (usually from NCL). Typically, non-refundable OBC cannot be used for DSC gratuities (though, it can be used to pay for tips over and above the DSC), while refundable OBC can be used for anything (or just about anything) on board.

Uses for OBC:

- pay your DSC (refundable only)

- pay additional tips (bar tenders, additional gratuities paid to specific individuals -- room stewards, concierge, butler, or anyone else -- just give the staff member's name and the amount to guest services)

- buy a future cruise credit (net cost $125-150 to get $250 in credit towards a future cruise booking)

- specialty dining (though, you noted that this was not of interest to you)

- room service

- specialty coffees, specialty pastries or gelato/ice cream (depends on the ship)

- beverages, including bottles of wine (or beverage overages, if you have UBP and go over the cost per drink price)

- souvenirs in the gift shop, or souvenir glasses

- martini/beer/margarita/whisky tastings

- spa services, including a thermal spa pass

- excursions, if booked on board through NCL

- vibe passes (on the ships that have such an area)

- bingo (if that is your thing...I've never paid for bingo myself)

- photos

- on board shopping (jewelry, watches, clothing, etc.)

And, if your credit is refundable, you can always withdraw it at the casino for a small fee or have it mailed to you after the cruise.

Thank you, that was very helpful!

If we have two staterooms can we pool the non-refundable credit or split the purchase of a future cruise credit certificate across both rooms?

Also, is there a way of finding out the T and C's of this future cruise credit certificate and how much it would cost on our cruise?

Thanks

I thought not, but if someone would confirm that'd be great.

 

Also, what are good things to spend your on board credit on if you're not interested in extra dining/shows? I've read about transferable vouchers for future cruises, etc, anything else like that?

Let's differentiate between gratuities and the DSC.

You can use any type of gratuity to leave a gratuity for a crew member. You can use paid for OBC for the DSC. Gratuity that you have not actually paid for cannot be used for the DSC.

Thanks for the replies, if someone could answer my follow-up question in post #3 that would be great!

From what I saw on the future cruise credit, you give them $250 that you can use on a future cruise and they give you $100 on board credit to use on your current sailing. You have to use your $250 credit on a future cruise within four years.

BTW, we had non-refundable credit that they wouldn't use for our gratuities. I went to the casino and using a slot machine, charged the same amount of the credit to my room. It charged me a 1.5% fee. I did one spin on the slot machine, cashed out, and took my voucher to the cashier who then gave me cash. It used up my non-refundable credit and I walked away with cash - which I guess you could take to guest services to pay down your service charges.

From what I saw on the future cruise credit, you give them $250 that you can use on a future cruise and they give you $100 on board credit to use on your current sailing. You have to use your $250 credit on a future cruise within four years.

 

BTW, we had non-refundable credit that they wouldn't use for our gratuities. I went to the casino and using a slot machine, charged the same amount of the credit to my room. It charged me a 1.5% fee. I did one spin on the slot machine, cashed out, and took my voucher to the cashier who then gave me cash. It used up my non-refundable credit and I walked away with cash - which I guess you could take to guest services to pay down your service charges.

That sounds like a cool trick. I'm not too familiar with how casinos work, does this require you to gamble all your on board credit, or is the "spin" a fixed amount? If so, do you know what the minimum bet is?

From what I saw on the future cruise credit, you give them $250 that you can use on a future cruise and they give you $100 on board credit to use on your current sailing. You have to use your $250 credit on a future cruise within four years.

 

BTW, we had non-refundable credit that they wouldn't use for our gratuities. I went to the casino and using a slot machine, charged the same amount of the credit to my room. It charged me a 1.5% fee. I did one spin on the slot machine, cashed out, and took my voucher to the cashier who then gave me cash. It used up my non-refundable credit and I walked away with cash - which I guess you could take to guest services to pay down your service charges.

For the "Cruise Next" deposits the above is out of date. You can buy 2 deposits for $250, with a value of $500. for 2 deposits. There are some promotions that let you use 2 deposits for a cruise, but basic redemption is one per cabin with a 4 year expiration.

Yes, you can just transfer money to the casino, I think the fee now is 3% (but who cares if you can get cash back? ) I've done this without playing anything. Just move the cash then close/check out.

For the "Cruise Next" deposits the above is out of date. You can buy 2 deposits for $250, with a value of $500. for 2 deposits. There are some promotions that let you use 2 deposits for a cruise, but basic redemption is one per cabin with a 4 year expiration.

If we have two staterooms can we pool the non-refundable credit or split the purchase of a future cruise credit certificate across both rooms?

I believe it is -1- certificate per stateroom booking - there is an exception for cruises in the Mediterranean

special promo where you can use -2- cruise certificates check with NCL for exact details !

In your case with two staterooms use 1 certificate on each.

I believe it is -1- certificate per stateroom booking - there is an exception for cruises in the Mediterranean

special promo where you can use -2- cruise certificates check with NCL for exact details !

In your case with two staterooms use 1 certificate on each.

Hi don't-use-real-name,

Thanks for the information, but I don't think I expressed my question properly.

I was asking about purchasing rather than redeeming those certificates. If I want to buy one certificate, and I have OBC in two staterooms, can I put the OBC of both staterooms towards those certificates? Either by transferring my OBC from one stateroom to another, or splitting the cost of the certificate across two stateroom accounts?

Thanks.

Check it out with NCL - I still believe -1- cruise certificate per cabin. If you have two cabins one will be

discounted $250 and the other not at all - BUT - using a second certificate on the second cabin maybe

the work around !

I believe that you can purchase multiple certificates for each cabin to be used within the 4 year time period !

If you are onboard a NCL ship at this moment talk ship with the NCL Cruise Next Specialist !

This is a good program while you are giving NCL the use of your small deposit money you also are getting

a break with the additional OBC to use right now up front !

Check it out with NCL - I still believe -1- cruise certificate per cabin. If you have two cabins one will be

discounted $250 and the other not at all - BUT - using a second certificate on the second cabin maybe

the work around !

I only want to buy one certificate.

Thanks for the replies, if someone could answer my follow-up question in post #3 that would be great!

No you can not combine your OBC from both cabins to purchase the cruise next certificate. You would need to purchase it through one cabin or the other.

No you can not combine your OBC from both cabins to purchase the cruise next certificate. You would need to purchase it through one cabin or the other.

Thanks!