Marjar Posted January 19, 2018 #1 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Just off the NCL Getaway. I just wanted to give the heads up to anyone who doesn't frequently sail on Norwegian, that if you have Non-refundable On Board credits, they cannot be applied to the daily service charges. This is different than all of the other cruiselines I have previously sailed and we were totally blindsided when we got our final bill and lost out on $150 of non refundable credit. I checked my account frequently and it shows your charges and your credits, but it doesn't give you any indication that the credits aren't being applied until you get your final bill. Very disappointed that we didn't know this ahead of time, thus this post. Hopefully, it helps someone else.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted January 19, 2018 #2 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Yes. Only refundable OBC can be used for gratuities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MizDemeanor Posted January 19, 2018 #3 Share Posted January 19, 2018 How can one tell if the OBC are refundable or non-refundable? Is there something one should look for in terms of nomenclature? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddlb Posted January 19, 2018 #4 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Yes. Only refundable OBC can be used for gratuities. I’m confused on refundable OBC. For example I got $75 nonrefundable as indicated on my account from my TA. I got $280 from NCL but I am assuming that is also non-refundable. So where do you get refundable OBC from? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted January 19, 2018 #5 Share Posted January 19, 2018 So where do you get refundable OBC from? Sent from my iPad using Forums you purchase it as a gift online before your cruise: https://www.ncl.com/onboard-gifts/onboard-credit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddlb Posted January 19, 2018 #6 Share Posted January 19, 2018 you purchase it as a gift online before your cruise: https://www.ncl.com/onboard-gifts/onboard-credit Thanks - I'm glad I finally asked the question because I though people were somehow getting refundable OBC from NCL and I was wondering how they did it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't-use-real-name Posted January 19, 2018 #7 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Gots to outsmart the NCL non-refundable system. The night before the cruise ends while the casino is still open - take all your non-refundable OBC to the casino and open an account. Play a round or two plug a coin/credit into a slot machine - call it quits and cash out the remaining balance with a 3% penalty. NOW you have cash credit that is refundable and can be used to pay the Daily Service Charge ! And the remaining balance is payable to you in the form of cash or a check mailed to home address. Thing to remember here find out the non-refundable OBC you have open an account at the casino while it is still open the night before the cruise ends. You can also use up the non-refundable OBC buying gifts and duty free stuff and paying any tips to hero crew employees that have made your cruise a memorable time. Another way to use the NR OBC is to buy the Next Cruise certificates if planning future cruises on NCL. You will get more OBC but this is credit applied on your account that can be used to pay the DSC. Balanced out you could be a few dollars ahead or owe NCL a few dollars but will have paid the DSC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted January 19, 2018 #8 Share Posted January 19, 2018 :eek::eek:What about the OBC that’s from the NCL credit card? It’s worked in the past on DSC? Is that still true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted January 19, 2018 #9 Share Posted January 19, 2018 If you find that you have some non-refundable credit on the morning of disembarkation,,,,, buy a specialty coffee,,, go to photo shop and buy a frame or memory card to use up the credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marjar Posted January 19, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I didn't know which OBC was refundable and which was non-refundable until I looked at my account on board the ship. We got some refundable OBC from our TA and the OBC from NCL which was part of the booking "enticement" was non-refundable. But I didn't know that the non-refundable OBC couldn't be used for gratuities. I am not sure where that info is buried in the fine print, but it certainly wasn't made clear in the booking information and since it is not the norm I never even thought to look. But I thought there may be others, like me, who don't necessarily read the fine print, and could use this information because NCL doesn't go out of their way to make sure people know this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted January 19, 2018 #11 Share Posted January 19, 2018 :eek::eek:What about the OBC that’s from the NCL credit card? It’s worked in the past on DSC? Is that still true? In the fine print on the bank of America website, i found this: Onboard credit must be used or WorldPoints® will be forfeited. Onboard credit may not be used toward onboard service charges or pre-purchased activities it looks like it is non-refundable on board credit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshagan Posted January 19, 2018 #12 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I didn't know which OBC was refundable and which was non-refundable until I looked at my account on board the ship. We got some refundable OBC from our TA and the OBC from NCL which was part of the booking "enticement" was non-refundable. But I didn't know that the non-refundable OBC couldn't be used for gratuities. I am not sure where that info is buried in the fine print, but it certainly wasn't made clear in the booking information and since it is not the norm I never even thought to look. But I thought there may be others, like me, who don't necessarily read the fine print, and could use this information because NCL doesn't go out of their way to make sure people know this. It got us the first time we sailed NCL also. It has been that way on NCL for a very long time, at least 7 or 8 years. I'm sure they have the information buried somewhere, but it's not in the "Money Matters" FAQ where they discuss the service charges. And even then, why would you look for it if all the lines you have sailed let you use OBC pretty much for anything you bill to your onboard account. I think this is one way that NCL gets the reputation of "nickel and diming" because it is an unexpected charge for those that get OBC as a perk when booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted January 19, 2018 #13 Share Posted January 19, 2018 You can get a print out of your folio at any time and it will show you whether the OBC is refundable or non-refundable. Play the machines in the casino a couple of times having put the amount of refundable OBC on your machine. Then cash out what remains. It costs you 3% but you don't lose it. If you are lucky they will actually give you the sum in cash less the 3% fee without having to play the machines.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted January 19, 2018 #14 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Just off the NCL Getaway. I just wanted to give the heads up to anyone who doesn't frequently sail on Norwegian, that if you have Non-refundable On Board credits, they cannot be applied to the daily service charges. This is different than all of the other cruiselines I have previously sailed and we were totally blindsided when we got our final bill and lost out on $150 of non refundable credit. I checked my account frequently and it shows your charges and your credits, but it doesn't give you any indication that the credits aren't being applied until you get your final bill. Very disappointed that we didn't know this ahead of time, thus this post. Hopefully, it helps someone else.:( this is the policy of most if not all lines and for good reason. A nonrefundable OBC is something no one paid for so the cruise line would lose money if they had to put up their own $$s for tips, etc. It would be like walking into a restaurant and after dinner asking the owner to pay your tip to the wait staff. What cruise lines have you used that allows you to use your non refundable OBC for gratuities and who long ago did you last sail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted January 19, 2018 #15 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I’m confused on refundable OBC. For example I got $75 nonrefundable as indicated on my account from my TA. I got $280 from NCL but I am assuming that is also non-refundable. So where do you get refundable OBC from? Sent from my iPad using Forums refundable is money someone paid up front to the cruise line. Yes, usually it is a gift from your TA, but there are other ways as well; non refundable is set amount of credit the cruise line has put up for you but actually has no face value. No $$s were ever put into your account. someone did ask about the money accumulated by using your NCL credit card. We used to have one, but no longer so I have no idea. I know we used to use any money we had on it to pay toward our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KmomChicago Posted January 19, 2018 #16 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Just off the NCL Getaway. I just wanted to give the heads up to anyone who doesn't frequently sail on Norwegian, that if you have Non-refundable On Board credits, they cannot be applied to the daily service charges. This is different than all of the other cruiselines I have previously sailed and we were totally blindsided when we got our final bill and lost out on $150 of non refundable credit. I checked my account frequently and it shows your charges and your credits, but it doesn't give you any indication that the credits aren't being applied until you get your final bill. Very disappointed that we didn't know this ahead of time, thus this post. Hopefully, it helps someone else.:( Thanks for this. Even though posters are replying that this is old news, there are always new cruisers who will benefit from this info. I didn’t know but will remember if we ever get around to NCL. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJLVW Posted January 19, 2018 #17 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Just off the NCL Getaway. I just wanted to give the heads up to anyone who doesn't frequently sail on Norwegian, that if you have Non-refundable On Board credits, they cannot be applied to the daily service charges. This is different than all of the other cruiselines I have previously sailed and we were totally blindsided when we got our final bill and lost out on $150 of non refundable credit. I checked my account frequently and it shows your charges and your credits, but it doesn't give you any indication that the credits aren't being applied until you get your final bill. Very disappointed that we didn't know this ahead of time, thus this post. Hopefully, it helps someone else.:( The policy is not in fine print or hidden on their page. It is under the terms & conditions. Here is a screen shot from the website when looking at the T&C of any of the programs that offer OBC. I put highlighted stars next to the line that shows OBC. Hope this helps the OP. If you use a TA they should have explained this to you when you booked and they gave you the promotion. Terms and Conditions: Offer is not applicable to categories IX, OX, BX or MX (Sail Away Categories). Offer is for new individual FIT reservations and new speculative groups delegates. Qualifying new individual FIT reservations can be moved into an existing speculative group and count towards tour conductor credits. Offer is not valid for affinity groups or tour operators and cannot be held as group block. Not valid on 1 - 4 night sailings. Onboard credit is per stateroom, based on cruise length and category booked. Anything consumed above the promotional benefit will be the responsibility of the guest at prevailing rates. *******Onboard credit has no monetary value and is non-transferable. It may not be used toward on board service charges, pre-purchased activities or foreign exchange transactions.***************** Onboard Credit is applied to the 1st and 2nd guest on the reservation. Singles paying 200% are entitled to full onboard credit value. Government taxes, port expenses & fees, discretionary on board service charges and are additional. Cancellation fees also apply based on the booking/sailing date; therefore, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends the purchase of travel protection on all bookings. Not applicable to Chartered Dates and Group Types: CMI OP EVENT, CMI OP LG EVENT, INCREG & INCLARGE Offer and combinability with other promotional offers is subject to change at any time per Norwegian Cruise Line's discretion. Other restrictions may apply. Applicable to NCL MIAMI, NCL INTL, AUSTRALIA, NCL ASIA, and NCL BRAZIL . Not applicable to CE and UK offices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't-use-real-name Posted January 19, 2018 #18 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) If you find that you have some non-refundable credit on the morning of disembarkation,,,,, buy a specialty coffee,,, go to photo shop and buy a frame or memory card to use up the credit. Good thought - BUT - is your account still open for purchases ? In the middle of the night when NCL brings around your Final Invoice isn't your account closed at that point ? You can go and claim any balance refund in small petty cash or if a larger amount mailed check to your address. The thing to remember here is have used up all the NR OBC before the Final Invoice is cut or poof it has expired and gone ! Edited January 19, 2018 by don't-use-real-name add data Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted January 19, 2018 #19 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Good thought - BUT - is your account still open for purchases ?In the middle of the night when NCL brings around your Final Invoice isn't your account closed at that point ? You can go and claim any balance refund in small petty cash or if a larger amount mailed check to your address. it depends on how your account is setup i think. If it is a cash account, then your account is closed during the middle of the night if it is a credit card account, your account remains activate until you are kicked off the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothfary7 Posted January 19, 2018 #20 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Interesting thread. Glad I came across it becuase my thought was to put it towards daily gratuities. Am I understanding it correctly that it can be use towards duty free purchases and Cruise Next certificates?? Just want to be sure. Thank You! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshagan Posted January 19, 2018 #21 Share Posted January 19, 2018 this is the policy of most if not all lines and for good reason. A nonrefundable OBC is something no one paid for so the cruise line would lose money if they had to put up their own $$s for tips, etc. It would be like walking into a restaurant and after dinner asking the owner to pay your tip to the wait staff. What cruise lines have you used that allows you to use your non refundable OBC for gratuities and who long ago did you last sail? What other cruise lines have this policy (specifically, that non-refundable OBC given by them as a perk cannot be used for daily gratuities / service charges)? Celebrity allows you to use the OBC given to you as a perk on gratuities. HAL allows it. Even RCL allows it. Princess allows it also. What other line restricts the non-refundable, given-by-the-cruise-line OBC like NCL? I think everyone else allows you to use it for the daily charges. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshagan Posted January 19, 2018 #22 Share Posted January 19, 2018 it depends on how your account is setup i think.If it is a cash account, then your account is closed during the middle of the night if it is a credit card account, your account remains activate until you are kicked off the ship. My account was closed the morning of embarkation day, and we could not spend our remaining OBC on board, by 8 AM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phissy Posted January 19, 2018 #23 Share Posted January 19, 2018 You can get a print out of your folio at any time and it will show you whether the OBC is refundable or non-refundable. Play the machines in the casino a couple of times having put the amount of refundable OBC on your machine. Then cash out what remains. It costs you 3% but you don't lose it. If you are lucky they will actually give you the sum in cash less the 3% fee without having to play the machines.. We just go to Casino Cashier and ask for $100 and they charge to room folio. We are willling to “pay” $3.00 “ for this service. We then go to Guest Services desk and deposit it to our account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted January 19, 2018 #24 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I’m confused on refundable OBC. For example I got $75 nonrefundable as indicated on my account from my TA. I got $280 from NCL but I am assuming that is also non-refundable. So where do you get refundable OBC from? Sent from my iPad using Forums Some TA OBC is refundable. Ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted January 19, 2018 #25 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Some TA OBC is refundable. Ask.I guess some of the travel agents are getting pretty savvy by making it non-refundable. I'd bet if the person doesn't use it on the cruise, it is refundable to the TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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